I’ve always thought I was a fall girl at heart. Indulging in my favorite comfort foods, snuggling up with a warm bev and a cozy soft blanket always sounds like a solid plan. But after a winter of indulging in foods on the heavier side, I’m feeling grateful for warmer weather and lighter dishes. From fresh fish with honey to simple tomato pasta, these light dinner ideas for summer are the perfect segue into the upcoming season. Time to kiss cold-weather cooking goodbye!
24 Light Dinner Ideas for All Your Summer Occasions
Don’t get me wrong—there’s a special place in my heart for soups and heartier dishes, but these summer specials are exactly what I gravitate toward during the warmer months. Made from seasonal ingredients and proteins on the lighter side, these dishes will satisfy every craving without leaving you stuffed.
If you’re looking for light dinner ideas for summer that are quick and easy while still packing plenty of nutrition and flavor, look no further. Ahead, we have dinner recipes to satisfy every craving.
Pastas and Salads
Smoky Cauliflower Salad
Why We Love It: Hearty salads with plenty of protein are one of my go-to light summer dinner ideas. I’m officially uninterested in lackluster side salads (who’s with me?). Instead, I want to incorporate more filling dishes with plenty of nutrients into my summertime menus. This combination of smoky and spicy cauliflower topping a plate of fresh greens is perfection.
Hero Ingredient: Sriracha turns up the heat!
Squash & Farro Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese, and Pecans
Why We Love It: While root veggies may flourish during the autumn months, this squash and farro salad is still a summer kicker with a variety of tasty toppings and fresh ingredients that you can find year-round. The blend of textures is nourishing while still being light and satisfying with the help of grains like farro and an abundance of fresh herbs.
Hero Ingredient: Goat cheese can elevate just about any recipe.
Grapefruit Avocado Salad
Why We Love It: If your idea of a light summer dinner involves bright and tangy flavors, this grapefruit avocado salad has you covered. Not only does it possess a pop of color from a plethora of fruits and citruses, but this recipe also features a turmeric-honey dressing that can upgrade just about any dish. Double up on the dressing and thank me later.
Hero Ingredient: Roasted chickpeas give this salad an extra bit of protein and crunch.
Spring Rice Salad
Why We Love It: Salads made strictly from greens aren’t always enough for a full meal. Our solution? This spring rice salad. Rice, eggs, and avocado pull this salad together to create a stunning entree that’s not overly filling.
Hero Ingredient: Consider this recipe an excuse to perfect your soft-boiled egg skills.
Vegan Red Pepper Pasta
Why We Love It: Pasta has a reputation as a filling entree, but we’re here to change your perspective on the grain. (As are all of these light pasta recipes.) This vegan recipe packs an abundance of plant-based goodness curated into a creamy and spicy sauce that pairs perfectly with the pasta of your choice.
Hero Ingredient: The combination of soaked raw cashews and nutritional yeast makes this pasta dairy-free and creamy. Proof that you can have it all.
Creamy Vegan Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil
Why We Love It: The tomato and basil flavor combination is timeless, and this creamy pasta recipe does it justice. Pro tip: enhance the flavor of your walnut-based sauce with a squeeze of miso paste for added umami. It’ll taste just like a classic Italian sauce—maybe even better.
Hero Ingredient: Cherry tomato girls, rise up.
Zucchini Pasta
Why We Love It: Summer squash is always on repeat in my kitchen during the summer months. And this savory zucchini pasta recipe is no exception. Pine nuts and freshly grated parmesan cheese help bring out the savory, nutty elements, while red pepper adds the perfect bit of heat.
Hero Ingredient: Summer squash of any sort will work in this recipe, but, of course, zucchini is the top pick.
Green Sauce Pasta
Why We Love It: It can feel impossible to pack in all your daily nutrients in one meal, but this green sauce pasta makes that challenge a bit easier. Aside from your pasta and seasonings, you only need five ingredients—spinach, olive oil, lemon, parmesan, and basil.
Hero Ingredient: A good quality olive oil is key in elevating this pasta’s flavor.
Tacos and Pizza
Tuna Tostadas
Why We Love It: Light summer dinner ideas are a perfect opportunity to mix fish into your weekly menu, keeping your meals from becoming too filling. Inspired by Camille’s meal at Contramar in Mexico City, these tuna tostadas are the ultimate summer entree. Bonus: customizable toppings allow everyone to make the meal their own.
Hero Ingredient: For lovers of a little heat, fresh jalapeño is a must-have topping.
Lime-y Chicken Tacos with Jicama, Avocado, & Mint
Why We Love It: Tacos aren’t just a light summer dinner—they’re also a quick and easy way to please a larger crowd. These Fresa’s-inspired chicken tacos are wrapped in a corn tortilla and sprinkled with a cooling chipotle aioli. It’s a flavor pairing that can’t be beat.
Hero Ingredient: Don’t skip the fresh mint.
Shrimp Tacos with Grapefruit Avocado Salsa
Why We Love It: Shrimp tacos are the perfect pool party entree. They aren’t too hard to digest after a day in the sun, and they require only a short ingredient list. The result? You’ll save time and money without compromising flavor.
Hero Ingredient: Honey in the shrimp marinade adds just a touch of sweetness. Perfect for curbing these tacos’ citrusy heat.
Vegan Chorizo Tacos
Why We Love It: Filling yet light tacos can be tough to find when you’re sticking to a vegan or vegetarian diet. Fortunately, these tacos are made with vegan chorizo, fresh avocado, and a squeeze of lime juice for the perfect plant-based option.
Hero Ingredient: Ever heard of chorizo oil? Jon Oh, culinary director at The Well in Austin, shares all the secrets for making this standout kitchen staple.
Chili-Rubbed Salmon Tacos with Broccoli Slaw
Why We Love It: These tacos are everything to me. Seriously, I’ve been known to make this recipe once a week, every week. There’s something about the savory and spicy salmon and creamy coleslaw flavor combo that keeps me coming back.
Hero Ingredient: A hint of lime, please!
Chimichurri Fish Tacos
Why We Love It: Fish tacos are a light summer dinner idea that always crosses my mind as the weather warms up. Growing up in Florida, these flavors always remind me of dining seaside with salty air and sunny skies. Serve with a lighter side dish like fresh guacamole or street corn for the ultimate experience.
Hero Ingredient: DIY chimichurri is on my summer bucket list.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Why We Love It: You’re only five ingredients away from the most delicious fajitas of your life. While Tex-Mex often gets a bad rap for being greasy or heavy, these fajitas lean on a few easy swaps to make them a little lighter. Corn tortillas keep them gluten-free while fresh, flavorful toppings pack flavor without weighing them down. Lastly, making these in the oven on a sheet pan lets you use way less oil than if you were making them in a skillet. Brilliant.
Hero Ingredient: Two tablespoons of taco seasoning or chili powder pack these with incredible, smoky heat.
Potato Pizza
Why We Love It: Potatoes on pizza is a hot take—and one that we can fully get behind. This light summer dinner recipe packs the perfect variety of textures and flavors. Nutty gruyere, crunchy arugula, and sweet caramelized onions. The list goes on.
Hero Ingredient: Again: you can’t skip the caramelized onions.
Eggplant and Ricotta Flatbread Pizza
Why We Love It: Flatbreads are another entree option I turn to when I’m looking for a satisfying dinner that won’t weigh me down. Topped with a lighter, sweeter cheese like ricotta and freshly sliced eggplant, it’s hard to say no to this dinner multiple times a week. (Seriously—the leftovers are so good!)
Hero Ingredient: Toasted or candied walnuts add the perfect crunch.
Peach, Pesto, and Balsamic Pizza
Why We Love It: I’m unlikely to ever turn down a pizza recipe, especially one that looks like this mouth-watering blend of savory and sweet. A herby pesto, fresh mozzarella, and sweet in-season peaches? This pizza couldn’t get much better if it tried.
Hero Ingredient: Drizzling balsamic on pizza is a habit I have yet to break.
Meat and Fish
Hot Honey Glazed Salmon
Why We Love It: If you aren’t totally hooked on salmon yet (trust us, we are), this recipe will change your mind. With crunchy coconut and a spicy hot honey glaze, this is the reason you’ll keep coming back to the summertime staple.
Hero Ingredient: My love for this coconut crunch is unmatched. Garlic, jalapeño, and unsweetened coconut flakes are this dish’s reigning trifecta.
Sweet Potato Falafel Veggie Burgers
Why We Love It: The beautiful thing about light dinner ideas for summer is that they’re often simple, and as a result, so easy to throw together. Case in point, these sweet potato falafel veggie burgers. Just a handful of ingredients (of which many are spices) yields incredible flavor and a crunchy burger with a soft interior. Said differently: perfection.
Hero Ingredient: Is there anything sweet potatoes can’t do?
Grilled Salmon with Peach Salsa
Why We Love It: From the moment I laid eyes on this five-ingredient recipe last summer at Camille’s house, I was obsessed. Grilling salmon on a cedar plank is also a simple way to infuse your fish with smoky flavors without compromising any texture or moisture.
Hero Ingredient: This chili-lime seasoning is a game-changer for salmon—perfectly zesty with a kick of heat. If this hasn’t become one of your pantry staples yet, add it to your cart.
Slow Baked Citrus Salmon with Fennel and Herbs
Why We Love It: If you’re searching for a hassle-free fish recipe on the lighter side, this baked salmon is all you need. Bright citrus flavors are an easy way to ensure that this fish stays flavorful and moist during the baking process.
Hero Ingredient: Fresh herbs infuse this salmon with a unique and balanced flavor during the baking process.
Grilled Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Why We Love It: If your main source of protein comes from poultry, this grilled chicken recipe is the light summer dinner you’ll be craving all season. Marinating chicken breasts or thighs in yogurt is a quick and easy way to infuse your protein with flavor while maintaining moisture.
Hero Ingredient: Opt for full-fat plain Greek yogurt for this marinade.
Lettuce Wrapped Thai Chicken Burger
Why We Love It: These chicken burgers offer a lighter option for those looking to enjoy a variation of the backyard grilling favorite. The typical beef patty is swapped for ground chicken, lettuce wraps are used in place of a bun, and a pop of Asian-inspired herbs and spices are added for a flavor combo that pulls this meal together.
Hero Ingredient: Serve with freshly sliced avocado and crunchy cucumber.
