59 Wildly Delicious Summer Food Favorites and Go-To Recipes

Summer is the perfect time for bbq dishes, salads, and delicious seafood. Here are our top summer food favorites, including go-to recipes, easy dinners, no-cook options, simple summer pastas, grilling recipes, seafood, and salads perfect for dinner. We also have mains and sides for your next barbecue, picnic-friendly salads, and quick recipes for those nights when you don’t want to stand over a hot stove. These summer dinner ideas are perfect for both busy weeknights and laid-back weekends.

Smoked Brisket Sandwich

Enjoy a hearty smoked brisket sandwich with homemade pickled red onions and other toppings for a special dinner. Learn how to make this amazing treat that pairs well with various side dishes.
Recipe here: Smoked Brisket Sandwich

Smoker Grilled Fish Tacos

Summer is the perfect time for outdoor cooking, and smoker-grilled fish tacos with garlic cilantro lime coleslaw is a dish you don’t want to miss. This recipe is easy to make on a Traeger grill and features delicious smoked tilapia and tasty coleslaw.
Recipe here: Smoker Grilled Fish Tacos

Green Goddess Salad

There’s a reason this green goddess salad has gone viral on Tik Tok, and that’s because it’s delicious. You will love every element from the colourful, crunchy salad mixture to the garlic, cashew, spinach, and parmesan dressing.
Get the Recipe: Green Goddess Salad

Confetti Squares

These peanut butter butterscotch confetti squares are the perfect no bake treat for any occasion. With colorful mini marshmallows and butterscotch chips, they’re sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck! This Canadian classic bar is always a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Confetti Squares

Antipasto Skewers

Impress your guests with easy-to-make antipasto skewers, perfect for any occasion! Made with classic Italian flavors, these crowd-pleasing bites are ideal for parties, picnics, and more.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Orange BBQ Salmon with Foil Packet Garlic Soy Vegetables

Orange BBQ salmon is so good! It’s a foil packet garlic soy vegetables recipe and a simple 30 minute salmon meal. Everyone is going to love how fresh and tangy this summer grilled salmon recipe is.
Get the Recipe: Orange BBQ Salmon with Foil Packet Garlic Soy Vegetables

Smoked Gouda Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip

Smoked gouda bacon cheddar cheese dip pairs beautifully with pretzels. So if you’re looking for the best pretzel cheese sauce recipe, look no further. This cheese dipping sauce is made with smoked gouda, cheddar and cream cheese, along with other flavourful ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Gouda Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip

Atlantic Canada Lobster Roll

Indulge in the taste of the Atlantic with this flavor-packed lobster roll recipe, perfect for seafood lovers. The combination of lobster tail meat with garlic, shallot, hot pepper, dill, and lemon creates a mouthwatering filling that’s best served in a buttery or split-top hot dog bun.
Get the Recipe: Atlantic Canada Lobster Roll

Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs

Loaded deviled eggs such as these Bloody Mary eggs are always a welcome part of the BBQ, cookout, or picnic table. They’re also a handy snack at any time since you can make these unique gourmet deviled eggs ahead.
Get the Recipe: Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs

Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi

Many easy garlic tomato shrimp scampi recipes call for wine, but do you really need to add it? Is there a wine substitute you can add to this seafood pasta dinner recipe instead? The following recipe proves you don’t need to add wine for a delicious shrimp and tomato dish served with pappardelle pasta.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Tomato Shrimp Scampi

Fruity Pebbles Meringue Cookies

These Fruity Pebbles meringue cookies are fluffy, sweet and easy to make. The signature meringue crunch makes these perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth. The kids will love them, and so will the grownups!
Get the Recipe: Fruity Pebbles Meringue Cookies

Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado

If you’re a seafood lover, you have to give Mexican shrimp ceviche a try. With its fresh ingredients and tangy flavors, it’s a dish that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado

Chopped Italian Sandwich

A chopped Italian sub is sure to satisfy even the strongest hunger pangs. This Italian bread sub with deli meats, cheese, pepperoncini peppers, red onion, and more make a great lunch. Add this to your list of favorite summer recipes!
Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sandwich

Italian Tuna White Bean Salad

Simple ingredients combine to make this Tuscan classic. Juicy fresh tuna pairs with beans for a Tuscan tuna white bean salad everyone will enjoy. It makes a tasty meal, whatever the season.
Get the Recipe: Italian Tuna White Bean Salad

Cajun Seafood Boil

Cajun seafood boil always gets rave reviews. With such a succulent variety of ingredients like shrimp, corn, clams and potatoes. Drizzle with garlic butter liberally for the ultimate family meal.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Seafood Boil

Strawberry Shortcake

Looking for a sweet and refreshing treat to enjoy on your next picnic? These individual strawberry shortcakes are the perfect choice! With their fluffy biscuits, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream, they’re a delicious and portable dessert. This will be one of your favorite summer recipes!
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake

Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon

This recipe for smoked potato salad with bacon combines the smoky flavors of potatoes and hard-boiled eggs, making it an ideal dish for summer gatherings and barbecues that will surely impress your guests. This will become one of your favorite summer salad recipes!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon

Spicy Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry

Gochujang chicken is sweet, spicy and very savoury. It’s a typical Korean inspired stir fry which looks so appetizing served in butter lettuce leaves with rice and Korean garnishes.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Gochujang Chicken Stir Fry

Bacon Steak Wraps

Enjoy a rich and hearty lunch with these bacon steak wraps featuring a homemade blue cheese dressing. Add add your favorite ingredients for a personalized touch to this easy-to-make lunch.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Steak Wraps

Watermelon Paloma

Looking for a refreshing summer cocktail that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing? Try this mouth-watering watermelon Paloma with tequila, citrus, and fresh watermelon juice! With its tangy and sweet flavors, it’s the perfect drink to sip on a hot day and unwind with friends.
Get the Recipe: Watermelon Paloma

Brownie S’mores Dip

The Brownie S’mores Dip Recipe is the perfect indulgent treat for summertime gatherings, combining the delicious flavors of classic s’mores with a rich, chocolatey brownie base. Baking the dip in a cast-iron skillet adds a rustic charm, while the gooey marshmallow layer and melted chocolate chunks are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Get the Recipe: Brownie S’mores Dip

Strawberry Sorbet

This strawberry sorbet is perfect with only four ingredients. The deep strawberry flavor of this frozen dessert makes it a favorite summer treat that can be made quickly and easily using either frozen or fresh strawberries.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Sorbet

Giardiniera

An authentic Italian giardiniera recipe consists of Italian pickled vegetables, making it the perfect condiment for Italian sandwiches, cured meats, cheese, grilled meats, pasta salads, and charcuterie boards. Fresh peppers and veggies add a burst of flavor to any dish.
Get the Recipe: Giardiniera

Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Indulge in a delicious homemade Italian pasta dinner with pesto fettuccini and Bolognese sauce, bursting with fresh veggies in every bite. This hearty dish, featuring a homemade beef Bolognese meat sauce and fettuccine pasta, will satisfy your cravings for a flavorful Italian meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Fettuccini with Bolognese Sauce

Smoked Elote

Mexican street corn, also known as elote, is a popular corn on the cob dish served with lime juice, chili lime powder, herbs, and cheese in Mexico. This simple recipe is perfect as a side dish with any grilled protein, and the smoky flavor of the corn adds a delicious touch.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Elote

Avocado Herb Green Goddess Dip

Whether you want to dip veggie sticks, melba toast, chips, crackers, or something else, this avocado herb green goddess dip is really good. Pair it with a vegetable board or charcuterie platter and enjoy the fresh flavours in every mouthful.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Herb Green Goddess Dip

Italian Panzanella Salad

Panzanella salad is a refreshing summer side dish that combines juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and chunks of crusty bread, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. It’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and a delightful way to enjoy the flavors of the season.
Get the Recipe: Italian Panzanella Salad

Asian Zoodle Salad

Asian zoodles salad is a wonderful blend of zoodle, or spiralized zucchini noodles along with other vegetables and an Asian inspired dressing. Have it for lunch or pair it with your preferred protein as a side dish. Add this salad to your list of favorite summer recipes!
Get the Recipe: Asian Zoodle Salad

Texas Cowboy Caviar Dip

Despite its name, this Texan recipe doesn’t actually contain any fish or caviar, but it’s a delicious and colorful appetizer that’s perfect for summer barbecues, and a great option for those looking for a vegan Southwest-style dip or a bean and corn salsa.
Get the Recipe: Texas Cowboy Caviar Dip

Italian Frittata Recipe

Straightforward to make and a treat to eat, this Italian vegetable frittata recipe is definitely a winning recipe. It’s simple to prepare, and you can mix and match the fillings depending on what you have in the refrigerator. It’s the perfect way to use up any vegetables or cooked meats you need to use up.
Get the Recipe: Italian Frittata Recipe

Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa

Make your own fresh tomatillo red chili salsa with this easy copycat Chipotle recipe that’s perfect as a snack or appetizer with chips or crackers, and goes great with steak, chicken, or any south of the border inspired meal.
Get the Recipe: Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa

Blackened Mahi Mahi

Blackened mahi mahi with lime, herbs and spices is so simple to make and the flavour is just as good as anything you can order in a seafood restaurant. You can tweak the mahi rub to your palate and also try another kind of fish if you want to experiment.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Mahi Mahi

Chunky Guacamole

This chunky guacamole recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Made with avocados, tomatoes, green onions, chilies, lime juice, and cilantro, it is a perfect addition to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Guacamole

Tasty Tangerine Chicken Stir Fry

This tangerine chicken stir fry pairs juicy, succulent chicken breast with a sweet, delicious Asian tangerine sauce. It’s a little spicy, a little sweet and a little savoury, for the perfect flavour balance. This will be one of your favorite summer recipes!
Get the Recipe: Tasty Tangerine Chicken Stir Fry

Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies

Chocolate cherry blossom cookies pair the sweet, fruity taste of cherries with the timeless appeal of chocolate. This chocolate cherry cookie recipe makes a batch of cute pink cookies and each one is topped with a Hershey’s kiss.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Blossom Cookies

Salt & Pepper Pork Chop Bites

Rather than ordering salt and pepper pork chop bites from the local Chinese takeout, why not make your own gluten free pork chop recipe instead? The Asian salt and pepper seasoning adds so much flavour and you can make this dish as spicy as you dare!
Get the Recipe: Salt & Pepper Pork Chop Bites

Brownie Sundae Waffle Bowls

Using boxed brownie mix, these easy brownie sundae waffle bowls are a delicious and visually impressive dessert option that combines the best of brownies, waffles, and ice cream. Perfect for pleasing a crowd, this dessert is sure to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Brownie Sundae Waffle Bowls

Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

This colourful, flavourful Italian rice salad is perfect for a picnic, potluck, summer BBQ, or as a versatile side dish for a simple lunch or dinner. Every mouthful of this Mediterranean brown rice salad is bursting with fresh ingredients such as tasty salad vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Italian Rice Salad – Insalata di Riso

Butter Tarts

Indulge in a Canadian classic with homemade butter tarts. With a sweet, vanilla-scented filling and flaky pastry shell filled with nuts and raisins, this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Get the Recipe: Butter Tarts

Smoked Brats in Beer

Indulge in a delicious meal by smoking bratwurst in beer using your Traeger grill or pellet smoker and serving it alongside your favorite sides, mustard, and buns. With just six ingredients needed, this brats-on-smoker recipe is easy to make and perfect for any occasion!
Recipe here: Smoked Brats in Beer

BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Looking for a hassle-free dinner recipe that requires minimal prep? Try this delicious BBQ chicken flatbread that bakes in the oven for a crispy crust and melty toppings! With a pre-made flatbread base and simple BBQ chicken toppings, this recipe is both easy and satisfying, making it a great option for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Shrimp Spinach Sunny Side Up Omelette

A shrimp omelette recipe makes an unusual change from the more typical ham and cheese or mushroom varieties. This seafood omelette with eggs on top is perfect for egg fans who want to try something different.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Spinach Sunny Side Up Omelette

Scallop Skewers

Grilled scallop skewers are a versatile dish that can be served at any occasion, with a delicate blend of garlic, cilantro and orange flavors, and a delightful smoked butter sauce. This BBQ seafood kebab recipe is sure to please.
Get the Recipe: Scallop Skewers

Cornbread Salad

Cornbread salad is a must make for any summer party or picnic! It has beans, cornbread, and tons of cheese and ranch dressing mixed in for a hearty and tasty side dish that everyone will want to grab a second scoop of.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Salad

Sweet Corn Gazpacho

On a day that feels too hot to enjoy dinner, whip up this light and summery gazpacho. It has sweet corn, basil and tomatoes for a fresh flavor that won’t weigh you down.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Corn Gazpacho

Cajun Orzo With Keilbasa

This twenty minute dish is perfect for a summer meal. It has a little orzo, a little corn, and some keilbasa for a fast and filling dish with a tasty CAjun kick.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Orzo With Keilbasa

Southwest Coleslaw

This is not your mama’s coleslaw! It has corn, black beans and the best southwestern dressing for a summer side that goes well with so many main courses.
Get the Recipe: Southwest Coleslaw

Italian Pasta Salad with Lemon Pesto Dressing

Use fresh spinach, pepperonici peppers and lemon pesto dressing to make this summery pasta salad. This is a flavorful dish that works with grilled meat, or you could serve it for lunch as a satisfying mid day meal.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta Salad with Lemon Pesto Dressing

Fig and Burrata Salad

Figs and burrata cheese are a lovely combination of flavors. Add a maple vinigerette to bring bold and delicious flavors to your summer salad with every bite.
Get the Recipe: Fig and Burrata Salad

Summer Chicken and Veggie Soup

Make a pot of this soup with fresh from the garden veggies. It is light, loaded with healthy ingredients and best of all takes only about a half an hour to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Summer Chicken and Veggie Soup

Chicken and Summer Vegetable Tostadas

Craving something fresh for dinner? This recipe for chicken and veggie tostadas is just the thing to make! It has a fabulous salsa verde and plenty of corn and summer zucchini to make a fresh and flavorful meal that needs very little cooking time for the perfect meal on a hot day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Summer Vegetable Tostadas

Frozen Fruit Skewers

Beat the heat while filling up on fresh summer fruits. This recipe skewers fresh fruit, and freezes it before drizzling it with chocolate for a really great summer treat.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Fruit Skewers

Grilled Kielbasa

Fire up the grill and get a great family dinner that is budget friendly and easy! Make this kielbasa with peppers and onions for a fast and fresh meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Kielbasa

Spinach and Feta Stuffed Zucchini

Stuff a fresh zucchini with spinach and feta for a low carb dinner that tastes like summer in each bite. This recipe is easy to make for a fast food at home option.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Zucchini

Grilled BBQ Chicken Salad

A creamy, perfectly tasty grilled BBQ chicken salad full of great textures, colors, and flavors that are perfect for spring and summer.
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Chicken Salad

Avocado Spring Rolls

These fresh and flavorful spring rolls are perfect for summer meals. They have avocados, noodles and mango inside for texture and flavor.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Spring Rolls

Smoked Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are a classic summer dinner option; this recipe smokes them for the BEST flavor! You are going to love the way a familiar staple tastes after it has been smoked!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Hot Dogs

Prosciutto Arugula Salad

This summer salad has salty prosciutto and crispy sourdough croutons for a great dinner option. Add pine nuts and a decadent fig dressing for a meal that feels fancy, but is so easy to assemble.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Arugula Salad

Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Goat cheese, balsamic glaze and garden fresh cherry tomatoes make for the ultimate summer appetizer. This is so tasty and easy, you might want to just make a meal of it!
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Bruschetta