It feels safe to say that we've finally made it to summer. And now that the dark clouds and cool days have made way for beach trips and non-stop sunshine, it's time to start looking for exciting summer recipes that are suited for the season. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to put a long winter of slow-cooker meals and sheet-pan dinners behind me and get into some delicious warm-weather recipes.
Want to know what everyone else will be cooking this summer? Head to Pinterest. No one is more pumped for backyard barbecues and excellent seasonal produce than the folks over there, according to what they've been pinning. Below, you'll find 10 of the most popular, healthy summertime recipes on the site, and they do not disappoint. With creative dishes like bruschetta-chicken zoodle bowls, strawberry salsa, and watermelon-feta skewers that, it's no wonder they've been pinned over 100,000 times.
1. Grilled Jerk Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers
You only need three ingredients to make these fun skewers: shrimp, pineapple, and jerk marinade. You can either buy some pre-made at the store or make your own marinade, which is easy since it calls for a lot of household spices like allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Get the recipe here.
2. Roasted Potato Vegetable Salad
Roasting the potatoes for potato salad makes them a bit smokier and more flavorful. A spicy cumin and chili powder dressing spices things up. Get the recipe here.
3. Grilled Steak Kebabs
This recipe for steak kebabs is such a great basic formula, you can honestly swap in any meat or vegetable you prefer and it'll also taste good. It can also work with vegetarian protein sources like tofu or halloumi (a kind of cheese that doesn't melt when you grill it) if you prefer something meatless. Get the recipe here.
4. Corn on the Cob
Summer isn't over until you eat at least one ear of corn on the cob. This recipe cooks them in milk to give them a subtly sweeter, creamier flavor. Get the recipe here.
5. Oven-Fried Chicken
Baked in cornflake crumbs, you won't notice that this chicken wasn't actually fried. Serve them with a side of Frank's Red Hot sauce if you're a buffalo chicken fan. Get the recipe here.
6. Watermelon Feta Mint Skewers
Use your melon-picking skills to find the perfect watermelon for this cheesy, Mediterranean-style appetizer. The sweet, refreshing melon balances out the saltiness of the feta and the mint keeps everything nice and refreshing. Plus, they're super cute. Get the recipe here.
7. Bruschetta Grilled Chicken Zoodle Bowls
Since zucchini are in season during the summer, there's no better time to turn them into zoodles. Add chicken and tomatoes (another seasonal favorite) and these bowls are perfection, and they taste like summertime favorite, bruschetta. Get the recipe here.
8. 5-Ingredient Strawberry Salsa
Strawberries work in salsa because they have a flavor profile not unlike tomatoes: some sweetness mixed with some tart, and great when paired with spicy ingredients. Eat these with any chips you normally would, or adding them to fish tacos for something super summery. Get the recipe here.
9. Fresh Summer Rolls
Crispy and delicious, these summer rolls will brighten up any outdoor party. They're frilled with cucumbers, carrots, red bell peppers, and avocado, but try throwing in some sliced zucchini or corn kernels to make it even more summery. Get the recipe here.
10. Fresh Fruit Popsicles
These colorful popsicles are as fun to make as they are to eat. The nice thing about them is that you can use any fruit you want and expect great results. During the summer, try things that are in season like blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and stone fruit like peaches, plums, and apricots. Get the recipe here.
