39 Recipes That’ll Take You on Vacation (in 30 Minutes or Less!)
39 Recipes That’ll Take You on Vacation (in 30 Minutes or Less!)
Read Time: 16 mins
39 Recipes That’ll Take You on Vacation (in 30 Minutes or Less!)
These drumsticks practically fly off the plate
Jalapeno-Lime Chicken Drumsticks 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jalapeno-Lime Chicken Drumsticks Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Bottled hot sauce isn’t my thing, so I developed a fresh pepper glaze for grilled chicken. These drumsticks practically fly off the plate. —Kristeen DeVorss, Farmington, New Mexico Nutrition Facts: 2 chicken drumsticks: 361 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 494mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 4/38 Watermelon Margarita Test Kitchen Approved Watermelon Margaritas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20
min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Summer’s best flavors get frosty in the cocktail we serve at all our backyard shindigs. We mix sun-ripened watermelon and our favorite tequila with just the right amount of ice for a thick and boozy sipper that’s perfect when we’re grilling and chilling.—Alicia Cummings, Marshalltown, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 188 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. 5/38 Grilled Chicken and Mango Skewers 4 Reviews Grilled Chicken and Mango Skewers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat
Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The inspiration for this recipe came from the charbroiled chicken skewers I used to enjoy while strolling along Calle Ocho in Miami on Sunday afternoons. Feel free to garnish them with sesame seeds or spritz them with fresh lime juice. —Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 skewer with 1/2 cup corn mixture: 297 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 387mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat. 6/38 Crunchy Chili Lime
The secret is the flavor-packed sauce and crunchy tortilla chips
Shrimp 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Easy, quick and family-friendly, this chili lime shrimp recipe comes together in just 30 minutes. The secret is the flavor-packed sauce and crunchy tortilla chips. — Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 230 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 315mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1/2 starch. 7/38 Pressure-Cooker Tequila Salsa Chicken Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time
Boy, was it a success!
15 min Servings 3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had this dish at a local Mexican restaurant when celebrating a friend’s birthday. I fell in love with the spicy, smoky flavor from the tequila and decided to try Instant Pot salsa chicken at home. Boy, was it a success! It’s also great stuffed into flour tortillas or for making nachos. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 187 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1107mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. 8/38 Mango & Grilled Chicken Salad Test Kitchen Approved
I buy salad greens and add veggies for color and crunch
Mango & Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We live in the hot South, and this awesome fruity chicken salad is a weeknight standout. I buy salad greens and add veggies for color and crunch. —Sherry Little, Sherwood, Arkansas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 210 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 447mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 9/38 Pineapple Pie 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of
This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal
Home Total Time 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Creamy pineapple pie is a light and refreshing dessert that’s quick to make and impressive to serve. This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 367 calories, 14g fat (9g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 185mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 10/38 Michelada 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Michelada Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
Like your drinks with a south-of-the-border vibe?
Like your drinks with a south-of-the-border vibe? Try this kicked-up beer cocktail that’s a zesty mix of Mexican lager, lime juice and hot sauce. There are many variations, but this easy recipe is perfect for rookie mixologists. —Ian Cliffe, Milwaukee, WI Nutrition Facts: 1 drink: 165 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 137mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 11/38 Air-Fryer Steak Fajitas 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Zesty salsa and tender strips of
meat make these air-fryer steak fajitas extra special
meat make these air-fryer steak fajitas extra special. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1 fajita: 309 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 498mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch. 12/38 Polynesian Kabobs 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 14 kabobs Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With their explosion of flavors and textures, these kabobs make a quick, satisfying entree. —Chris Anderson, Morton, Illinois. Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 95 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 199mg sodium, 7g
carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein
carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 13/38 Lime Coconut Smoothie Bowl 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This ultra refreshing bowl is the best way to start a summer morning! —Madeline Butler, Denver, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 325 calories, 10g fat (7g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 80mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (51g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein. 14/38 Coconut French Toast 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Coconut French Toast Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 7
If the pineapple isn’t overly ripe, add a bit more sugar
servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Coated with coconut, these special slices are from Charlotte Baillargeon of Hinsdale, Massachusetts. Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 435 calories, 22g fat (13g saturated fat), 371mg cholesterol, 473mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. 15/38 Minty Pineapple Rum Test Kitchen Approved Minty Pineapple Rum Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 14 servings. Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This delicious drink is a fabulous way to use fresh mint and celebrate summer. If the pineapple isn’t overly ripe, add a bit more sugar. Save
Panko crumbs give this spicy air-fryer coconut shrimp its crunch
any leftover pineapple-mint syrup in an airtight glass container, or freeze the mixture in ice cube trays to use later. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 118 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 44mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. 16/38 Air-Fryer Coconut Shrimp 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Panko crumbs give this spicy air-fryer coconut shrimp its crunch. It’s perfect as an appetizer or for your main meal. —Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas Nutrition Facts: 6 shrimp with
2 tablespoons sauce: 423 calories, 10g fat (8g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 440mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 17/38 Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Serve this dish as an appetizer or a dessert—the choice is yours! If desired, the pineapple spears can be rolled in flaked coconut before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2 spears with 2 tablespoons dip: 160 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 41mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate
(28g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein
(28g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. 18/38 Mango Orange Quencher Test Kitchen Approved Mango Orange Quencher Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 13 servings (about 2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Serve this beautiful beverage at your next brunch in place of mimosas. Just chill the base an hour before adding the club soda. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 58 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 19mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 fruit. 19/38 Fast Fruit Salsa 3 Reviews
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Michelada 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Michelada Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Like your drinks with a south-of-the-border vibe?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Margarita Floats 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 5 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On a hot afternoon, what could be better than a cold margarita float?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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