Twenty essential summer recipes you can make in 10 minutes or less!
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You know what makes a good summer recipe? Two things just scream summer to me…
Fresh ingredients. Can you say garden/farmer’s market/generous gardening friends??!! The fresher the better. Summer means food BURSTING with flavor.
Quick and easy. Of course we always like quick and easy, but while I’m more inclined to turn on the oven and spend an afternoon in the kitchen during the rest of the year, in the summer we just want to be outside. Or napping because we spent the morning at the pool and the sun drained us of all our energy.
Summer also means cookouts and picnics and grilling…okay, I don’t know about you, but my mouth is watering and now I need to try figure out when to have all the people over for a cookout.
The recipes in this list are PERFECT for summer. They’re the kind of recipes that you’ll be whipping up every week because they’re simple and your family will be BEGGING YOU for more salsa or watermelon salad. You’ll want to have plenty of popsicle molds on hand too for all the 2-ingredient popsicles (that root beer float popsicle sounds amazing).
There are a few great side dishes to take along on picnics and parties with friends– coleslaw, fresh corn salad, Instant Pot corn on the cob. You’ll find a few quick dinner ideas, and of course, plenty of snack-ready dips and spreads.
Don’t forget to pin this post because I’m sure you’ll want to refer back to it often this summer. I know I will be checking it out whenever I need a few ideas of what we can eat with minimal effort.
20 Essential Summer Recipes You Can Make in 10 Minutes or Less!
1. Amazing Fresh Salsa
If you make nothing else on this list, you NEED to make this fresh salsa. It really is amazing. Promise. (Check out the video here).
2. One-Minute Guacamole
Yep. You read that right. You can make this guacamole in one minute. Just squeeze, measure, and mash. (Check out the video here).
3. Watermelon Feta Salad
Watermelon is the quintessential summer fruit. Here’s another healthy and delicious way to enjoy it.
4. Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
I won’t look while you lick your plate after eating a salad with this easy dressing. (Check out the video here).
5. Ridiculously Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
This recipe is cheating a little because the ten minutes is just the prep, but you can walk away after getting it started (the beauty of the Instant Pot). You’ll want to have this recipe ready for making chicken for salads, picnics, chicken salad, and so on. (Check out the video here).
6. Fresh Corn Salad
This is a perfect dish to bring along on your next cookout. The colors!
7. Best Ever Ranch Dressing
We ONLY ever eat this ranch because it really is the BEST RANCH EVER. Use it on salads, for dipping, for chips… you get the picture.
8. Pan Fried Fish in the Cast Iron Pan
The method makes cooking fish a no-brainer. It’s so easy! I used it for red snapper just this week. (Check out the video here).
9. Rainbow Coleslaw
This coleslaw converted me to eating coleslaw. Now it’s one of my favorite side dishes! (Check out the video).
19. 2-Ingredient Popsicles
Check out this list of over twenty two-ingredient popsicles! This popsicle mold is perfect for homemade popsicles!
11. 5-Minute Super Greens Pesto
Toss with pasta, spread on crostini, use as a pizza sauce, dip in veggies, mix with hummus… the options are endless for this delicious pesto sauce! (Check out the video here).
12. Instant Pot Iced Tea
Super sweet or unsweet– wherever you fall on the spectrum, Instant Pot iced tea is perfect on a hot summer afternoon! (Check out the video here).
13. Sweet Broccoli Salad
I love taking quick broccoli salad on picnics and hikes! It’s delicious and my kids love the craisins and sweet dressing!
14. Perfect Creamy Peanut Butter
Three ingredients and one delicious jar of peanut butter! (It’s sooo good on apples and incredible in homemade ice cream!) (Check out the video here).
15. Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Making corn on the cob in the Instant Pot is as easy as TWO MINUTES ON HIGH PRESSURE, THEN QUICK RELEASE. That’s it! Use a half a cup of water in the bottom of the pot, a little salt in the water, and a steamer basket.
16. Quick & Easy Chicken Salad
This chicken salad is made with plain yogurt, sliced almonds, and grapes. It’s simple and picnic perfect! (Check out the video here!)
17. Sauteed Garlicky Greens
Greens are abundant and inexpensive in the summer! This side dish is super tasty (my kids love it too) and can be made in ten minutes! (Check out the video here).
18. Sweet and Salty Marinade for Chicken, Pork, & Veggies
Use this marinade made with pineapple, soy sauce, and maple syrup on chicken, pork, and veggies before grilling! (Check out the video here).
19. Fresh Peach Salsa
Summer peaches are one of my FAVORITE THINGS IN LIFE EVER. This is another way to enjoy them!
20. Easy Strawberry Crisp (Naturally Sweetened & Gluten-Free)
Make this with strawberries or your berry of choice. Serve with fresh whipped cream, homemade yogurt, or ice cream! (Check out the video here).
[…] is one of those perfect, easy summer recipes that you are going to want to use again and again in the upcoming […]