Our Favorite Recipes for Summer You Need to Try

Written byMichelle Dickson Updated

We’re excited to share four of our favorite summer recipes that have become staples in our household. These dishes are sure to delight your taste buds and make your summer gatherings even more memorable. So, grab your apron and get ready to savor the flavors of summer with these tried-and-true favorites!

Are you looking for some easy recipes for summer? Wondering what to make for dinner when the weather is so hot? We know when it’s hot outside, we don’t want to cook!

While we aren’t food bloggers, but we do enjoy a delicious meal and we thought we’d share four of our family favorite summer recipes. Maybe they will even become prized recipes for summer in your family too.

These are tried and true recipes that always get rave reviews. Perfect for an easy dinner with the family, or they are special enough for a party or barbecue with friends! They are light, healthy and make the ideal summer meal.

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Savory Chipotle Spiced Burger

Recipes for Summer: Chipotle spiced burger garnished with cheddar cheese, guacamole, tomatoes and lettuce.

In the summer, I can’t think of anything better than a savory, juicy burger. Over the years we have played with a few recipes and have come up with our own favorite, the Chipotle Spiced Burger. 

We like our burgers to be hot, juicy and full of flavor. This Chipotle Spiced burger has that for sure! It has a hint of smoke from the chipotle peppers that adds a unique flavor to the burger. Yet, it’s not too hot for even the little ones to eat. In fact, a regular burger to them is just boring!

Even though we like to use a leaner healthier ground beef, these burgers are juicy with our special ingredients. Take a look.

And if you like a little spice in your food, you need to try my deviled egg recipe with my secret ingredient.

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Recipes for Summer: Chipotle spiced burger garnished with cheddar cheese, guacamole, tomatoes and lettuce.

Juicy Chipotle Spiced Burger

Juicy, savory, and packed with flavor—this homemade burger recipe is a delicious, gourmet favorite for any cookout or weeknight dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 327
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. Ground Beef 80/20
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 tsp. Basil
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce minced
  • 1 tbls. Green chilies, canned chopped
  • 3 tbls. Bread crumbs, seasoned or substitute 3 tbls. ground pork rind for Keto friendly burger.
  • 1/2 tsp. Salt
  • 4 Hamburger Buns
  • 4 red onion, thinly sliced optional
  • 4 slices Pepper Jack cheese optional
  • 4 tbls. Guacamole optional
  • 4 slices Tomato
  • 4 Lettuce leaves

Method
 

  1. Combine with a fork: egg, basil, salt, garlic, chipotle pepper, green chilies in a medium bowl.
  2. Add ground beef and bread crumbs or crushed pork rinds to the egg mixture. Mix until evenly distributed and then form into 4 patties. (Careful to not overmix or patties will be tough.)
  3. Heat skillet or barbecue grill to a medium-high heat. Add patties and cook for about 5 minutes on each side. Until a thermometer inserted in the side registers 160º.
  4. Place burgers in the buns top with the onion, tomato, lettuce and guacamole, or your favorite burger toppings.

Notes

An 80/20 ground beef blend gives the best balance of flavor and juiciness.
Or swap ground beef for turkey or chicken, but add a little olive oil or melted butter for moisture.
Patties can be made up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, then grill. You can also freeze the patties for later.
These burgers are great with the basic toppings of lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, onions, cheese and pickles.
These toppings also delicious, avocado or guacamole, grilled onions, onion marmalade, bacon, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayonnaise.

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Summer Salad Recipes

Recipes for summer: Plate of Roasted sweet potato salad garnished with cilantro.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad. Doesn’t this salad just look and sound delicious?!  Roasted sweet potatoes combined in a jalapeño lime dressing, tossed with black beans, red onion, sweet red bell peppers, and fresh cilantro…who can resist?!

This salad can be served warm or cold. In the summer I definitely prefer it cold. It’s so refreshing!

Easy roasted sweet potato salad on a white square serving dish.
Stephanie

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Jalapeño Lime Dressing

This healthy salad with roasted sweet potatoes and a jalapeño lime dressing is packed with flavor. It's easy to prepare and can be served warm or cold. It's delicious either way!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, southwest
Calories: 179
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 1 medium red onion coarsely chopped
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
Dressing
  • 2 medium jalapeños seeded, membrane removed and roughly chopped (wear gloves when working with jalapeños)
  • 1 garlic clove
  • juice of 2 limes

Equipment

  • Blender is required to liquify the dressing.

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400º. Coat a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Toss sweet potatoes and onion with olive oil in a large bowl. Spread out sweet potatoes and onions on the baking sheet. Roast 30-35 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl toss warm sweet potatoes and onions with rinsed black beans, red bell pepper and cilantro. Add the jalapeño dressing, salt and pepper. Toss well.
Dressing
  1. Place jalapeños, garlic and lime juice in blender and process until liquified.

Notes

Keep cubed sweet potatoes uniform in size so they will cook evenly.
When working with jalapeños, always wear gloves.
This flavorful salad can be served warm or cold.
It can be served as a meal by itself and is delicious also served over a bed of lettuce.
It’s the perfect side for any grilled meats.

If you’re new here, welcome! We’re so glad you’re here.

Let us introduce ourselves, we’re Michelle and Steph, a mom and daughter team who love to DIY and decorate our homes.

Not only are we passionate about making our homes warm, comfortable and unique, but it’s our mission to help you create that same feeling in your own home.

You’ll find ideas for repurposing, creating, decorating and making your home truly yours, while always mindful of a tight budget.

Undoubtedly we love finding ways to make your home look high-end on a small budget.

Plus you’ll also find a recipe or two as we share our family favorites with you.

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This yummy corn salad has evolved over the years.

Adding more and more veggies and making the dressing a little more healthy.

It’s packed with so many delicious flavors, it’s a party in your mouth!

Corn salad served on a plate with a slice of crusty bread, perfect side for summer entertaining.

There is also a lot of flexibility. You can use fresh corn off the cob, frozen corn or canned corn.

Just use what you have readily available.

Crisp English cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, tasty cherry tomatoes fresh from the garden and crunchy jicama create the perfect summer salad.

It’s quick and easy to prepare, in fact it can be made in a matter of minutes. Just chill and serve.

Easy corn salad recipe on a white plate with a roll.
Michelle

Easy Corn Salad with a Zesty Lime Vinaigrette

Sweet corn, crisp cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, crunchy jicama, red onion, cilantro and ripe juicy garden tomatoes tossed with a zesty lime vinaigrette.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chill 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mexican, southwest
Calories: 68
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups corn fresh off the cob, canned or frozen
  • 1/2 orange bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup jicama diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion diced
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
Lime Vinaigrette
  • 2 limes zest and juice
  • 1/4 tsp. salt or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp chipotle chili powder
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tbls. olive oil

Method
 

  1. Combine in a large bowl corn, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, jicama, red onion and cilantro.
  2. For the dressing, combine lime juice ,zest, salt, chipotle chili powder, chili powder.
    Slowly whisk in olive oil.
    Pour over corn salad mixture. Chill and serve.

Notes

Fresh, canned or frozen corn may be used.
Fresh corn may be steamed or used raw. I prefer it raw, I love the sweet texture of the raw corn.
If using canned corn, I prefer the white shoepeg corn. Once again for the sweet texture.
For frozen corn, I prefer Birds Eye frozen gold and white corn.
Make this salad a complete meal by adding protein like black beans and/or bacon. Sliced grilled chicken would also be a nice addition to this easy corn salad recipe.
Other optional add-ins: diced avocado, sliced radish, diced celery, snow peas, black beans, bacon, grilled  chicken.

Refreshing Homemade Ice Cream

All of the credit for this recipe goes to my dad! He loves to experiment and make different flavors of ice cream. This recipe has been a favorite in our family for years.

Refreshing Homemade Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream in a blue bowl.

It’s a wonderful combination, peanut butter and banana. And if you’re in a chocolate mood, just add some chocolate syrup into the mix. That’s delicious too.

Without a doubt the banana make this ice cream extra creamy and you just can’t go wrong with peanut butter.

You’ll notice in this recipe that you can substitute powdered monk fruit for the sugar. If you are watching carbs. this is a great way to lower the carbs, yet keep the yummy sweetness. I would way that 99% of the time I use monk fruit and no one can tell the difference. We’ll just keep that as our little secret. 😉

And the perfect low-carb dessert for your meal, click here for our healthy Fresas con Crema recipe.

Peanut Butter Banana homemade ice cream topped with chopped nuts and sliced bananas in a blue and white bowl.
Michelle

Dad’s Homemade Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

A creamy decadent peanut butter banana ice cream that surprisingly easy to make. This summer treat is oh so good!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Churning 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 268
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup sugar can substitute 1/3 cup powdered monk fruit
  • pinch salt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 banana
  • 1/4-1/3 cup natural peanut butter

Equipment

  • Ice Cream Maker I use the Kitchenaid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
  • Blender

Method
 

  1. Place all ingredients except cream in a blender, whirl until smooth and sugar dissolves, about 1-2 minutes. Then add the cream and blend for 5-10 seconds until combined. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Pour cream mixture into an ice cream maker and churn to desired consistency, following the manufacturers directions. Your ice cream will be ready in about about 15-20 minutes. Immediately transfer ice cream into serving dishes or freeze in an airtight container.
    Garnish with peanuts, banana slices, chocolate chips, hot fudge or Reeses Peanut Butter Cup.

Notes

This recipe is easily adapted to your taste. For a more creamy ice cream add another banana to the ice cream mixture.
If you love peanut butter, double the amount of peanut butter. Creamy or chunk peanut butter can be used. I prefer natural peanut butter, it has a more peanuty flavor.
Add-ins may also be added when the ice cream is just about finished. Add a few spoonfuls of chopped nuts, diced bananas, chocolate chips or chopped Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.
Its’ also delicious drizzled with hot fudge!

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More Recipe Ideas for Summer

Here are a few ideas when the temperature heats up:

Now as you’re wondering what to fix for dinner or planning the menu for a summer party, we hope you’ll try 1, 2 or all of these recipes for summer. 

Thanks for spending some time with us! Enjoy your summer with family, friends and good food!

We hope you found some inspiration today.

Please share your tips and ideas with us.

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Pinterest image: 4 Easy and delicious Recipes for Summer: savory chipotle spiced burger, sweet potato salad, corn salad and homemade ice cream.

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This blog’s content is for entertainment purposes only and is not professional advice. By reading this blog and attempting to recreate a project, you assume all responsibility for any injuries or damages incurred. Read my full disclaimer here.

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I have always had a passion for transforming spaces and creating organized, functional homes. Even as a child, I loved rearranging furniture and decorating my childhood home. In fact my dad would comment he was afraid to come home from work and sit, for fear the furniture would be rearranged. I enjoy the challenge of turning ordinary items into extraordinary pieces, whether it’s a piece of furniture or an entire room. My creativity and attention to detail drive me to find unique ways to breathe new life into any space.

As a wife (to a supportive and patient husband, Steve), mother of three, and grandmother of five, I balance my love for home improvement with family life. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring nature. I also frequent yard sales, thrift stores, and vintage markets, always on the lookout for my next project.

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