Warmer weather and longer days call for more time outside — but the fun doesn’t have to stop at dinnertime. Gathering around a table set in the backyard, on a balcony, or any outdoor area can turn a routine weeknight meal into a special occasion. This season, turn to these delicious recipes perfect for throwing on the grill, tossing in a salad bowl, or raising a glass whenever you feel like dining al fresco.
Pork and Gnocchi Kabobs
Skewer up something totally unexpected on your next grilling night. Lightly crisped potato gnocchi, lean cubes of pork tenderloin, and a rainbow of veggies stack up for unforgettable kabobs.
Get the recipe: Pork and Gnocchi Kabobs
Grilled Chicken Breasts with Chimichurri Sauce
Vibrant green chimichurri sauce, a popular condiment from Argentina, is delicious on everything from meat, fish, and beans to grains and morning eggs. A drizzle of our easy homemade version with fresh herbs, garlic, and jalapeño takes weeknight grilled chicken breasts to the next level.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Breasts with Chimichurri Sauce
Grilled Steak Quesadillas
Sizzling fajitas meet crowd-pleasing quesadillas in this hearty recipe. The stick-to-your-ribs filling is a combo of citrus and spice-marinated steak, grilled peppers and onions, and a melty Mexican cheese blend.
Get the recipe: Grilled Steak Quesadillas
Grilled Old Bay Seafood Burgers
Take your burgers to the ocean with these flavorful grilled patties made of shrimp, mild-flavored white fish, and the unmistakable zing of Old Bay seasoning. A simple homemade celery slaw adds a cool, crunchy finish.
Get the recipe: Grilled Old Bay Seafood Burgers
“Fondue” Grazing Board
This recipe makes it easy to serve luscious cheese fondue without any babysitting at the stove. Prep the dippers — like smoky kielbasa, soft pretzel bites, and veggies — while a whole wheel of Camembert or Brie turns irresistibly molten in the oven.
Get the recipe: “Fondue” Grazing Board
Mini Buttery Shrimp Rolls
Everyone will know that summer has arrived when these beachy sandwiches hit the table. Old Bay garlic butter dresses up quick-cooking shrimp in this more affordable riff on lobster rolls.
Get the recipe: Mini Buttery Shrimp Rolls
Grilled Eggplant Halves with Tahini Dressing
This vegetarian side also works as a meatless main paired with your favorite grain or couscous. Planks of grilled eggplant get Middle Eastern-inspired flavor topped with a simple homemade yogurt-tahini sauce.
Get the recipe: Grilled Eggplant Halves with Tahini Dressing
Grilled Tofu Over Summer Squash Salad
Vegans and meat-eaters alike will love this refreshingly light meal made for steamy summer nights. Store-bought sesame ginger dressing and soy sauce create an umami-rich marinade for grilled tofu served on a bed of nutritious squash noodles.
Get the recipe: Grilled Tofu Over Summer Squash Salad
Low Country Shrimp Boil
Invite friends over for a taste of Carolina home cooking without leaving the neighborhood. This complete meal with shrimp, smoky sausage, corn, and potatoes is ready to serve 10 in just 35 minutes.
Get the recipe: Low Country Shrimp Boil
Grilled Pork Chops with Grilled Asparagus
Flavorful, quick-cooking boneless pork chops are a great option for weeknight grilling. Pair them with grilled asparagus and your favorite microwave-ready grain for a complete meal in 15 minutes.
Get the recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Grilled Asparagus
Caprese Salad with Burrata Cheese
A few tasty upgrades turn Caprese salad into an al fresco all-star you’ll want with every meal. Creamy burrata replaces traditional mozzarella in this versatile side with two kinds of tomatoes marinated in garlic and red wine vinegar.
Get the recipe: Caprese Salad with Burrata Cheese
Grilled Chicken Caprese
If you can’t get enough Caprese in your life, try this recipe that turns the classic salad into a satisfying main course. Quick-cooking grilled chicken breasts get layers of flavor topped with melty mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and fresh basil.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Caprese
Niçoise Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
After a long day, treat yourself to dinner at a Parisian sidewalk cafe, no passport required. Microwave-ready green beans and a few pantry staples, like canned tuna and sun-dried tomatoes, help get this Niçoise salad on the table in 15 minutes.
Get the recipe: Niçoise Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
Buffalo Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups
No one will miss the calories in this lightened-up take on Buffalo chicken. Bottled Buffalo sauce and creamy Greek yogurt create a hot-cool, one-two punch of flavor drizzled over chicken and served on romaine hearts with tangy blue cheese crumbles.
Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups
Aperol Spritz with Grapefruit
If summer had an official cocktail, it would probably be the Aperol spritz. We found a way to make it even more refreshing — adding freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.
Get the recipe: Aperol Spritz with Grapefruit
Cucumber-Mint Faux-jitos
Who needs AC when you can sit on the porch with this cooling mocktail? The combo of cucumber, mint, and fresh lime is a refreshing summer pick-me-up.
Get the recipe: Cucumber-Mint Faux-jitos
Chicken Tostadas with Mango and Avocado
If you’re bored with the same old taco routine, give crispy tostadas a try. Grilled, open-faced flour tortillas are a tasty canvass for smoky grilled chicken with mango, avocado, and red onion.
Get the recipe: Chicken Tostadas with Mango and Avocado
Cucumber, White Bean, and Feta Salad with Hummus Dressing
Hummus is a go-to for afternoon snacking, but did you know it can also work as a salad dressing? Whisked together with lemon juice and olive oil, it adds a nutty, savory flavor to crunchy radishes and cucumber tossed with white beans and feta.
Get the recipe: Cucumber, White Bean, and Feta Salad with Hummus Dressing
Grilled Cucumber Salad with Spicy Soy Vinaigrette
Cucumbers move into new territory — the backyard barbecue — in this Asian-inspired side. A quick stint on the grill allows them to soak up an umami-rich dressing made with green onion, soy sauce, sesame, and sriracha.
Get the recipe: Grilled Cucumber Salad with Spicy Soy Vinaigrette
Greek Pasta Salad with Shrimp
Go Greek with a super-fast pasta salad dressed in creamy tzatziki, Kalamata olives, and tangy feta. Frozen cooked shrimp and pre-cooked noodles help get this one-bowl meal on the table in 15 minutes.
Get the recipe: Greek Pasta Salad with Shrimp
