44 Summer Recipes You Can Make Without a Grill
44 Summer Recipes You Can Make Without a Grill
Read Time: 20 mins
44 Summer Recipes You Can Make Without a Grill
434mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein
434mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 2 starch. 2/44 Grilled Firecracker Potato Salad 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I can eat potato salad like crazy. A little spice is nice, so I use cayenne and paprika in this grilled salad that comes with its own fireworks. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 265 calories, 20g fat (3g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 398mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g
If you’re short on time, simply substitute any bottled citrus vinaigrette
protein. 3/44 Tangy Watermelon Salad 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tangy Watermelon Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The refreshing blend of watermelon, red onions and a splash of citrus always does me proud at picnics and potlucks. I like to prepare it a day ahead so the flavors have a chance to blend, and I use the rind as a colorful serving bowl. If you’re short on time, simply substitute any bottled citrus vinaigrette. —Alisha Duncan, Blanchard, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 147 calories,
This veggie delight is frequently on our menu
10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 80mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 4/44 Simple Vegetarian Slow-Cooked Beans 4 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I have a hungry family to feed, these tasty beans with spinach, tomatoes and carrots are a go-to dish. This veggie delight is frequently on our menu. —Jennifer Reid, Farmington, Maine Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 229 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 672mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 13g
fiber), 12g protein
fiber), 12g protein. 5/44 Golden Summer Peach Gazpacho 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Because peaches and tomatoes are in season at the same time, I like to blend them into a cool, delicious soup. Leftovers keep well in the fridge—but they rarely last long enough to get there. —Julie Hession, Las Vegas, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 56 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 342mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fruit. 6/44 Rustic Summer Vegetable
My veggie pasta proves you can’t have too much of a good thing
Pasta 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My veggie pasta proves you can’t have too much of a good thing. Feel free to change it up with whatever fresh veggies are in the garden or farmers market. —Bryn Namavari, Chicago, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 315 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 445mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 8g fiber), 15g protein. 7/44 Shrimp Avocado Salad 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings
Serve it as a cool and satisfying lunch or a light, quick and easy dinner
6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados and the crisp shrimp salad create a heavenly combination. Serve it as a cool and satisfying lunch or a light, quick and easy dinner. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup avocado mixture: 252 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 523mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 lean meat, 1/2 starch. 8/44 Blackened Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time
The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp
30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love quick and bright meals like this one-skillet wonder. The way it tastes, you’d think it takes a lot more effort, but it goes from prep to dinner table in half an hour. The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp. —Tammy Brownlow, Dallas, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 203 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 522mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 9/44 Summer Carbonara 9 Reviews Test Kitchen
Approved Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Basil and bacon make best summer buds in this smoky-sweet pasta. I pair it with a simple spring mix salad with balsamic dressing and a glass of good Chardonnay or cold iced tea. —Cathy Dudderar, Lexington, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 508 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 732mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein. 10/44 Cheesy Summer Squash Flatbreads 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the
These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice
Recipe Creator: When you want a meatless meal with Mediterranean style, these flatbreads smothered with squash, hummus and mozzarella deliver the goods. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1/2 topped flatbread: 332 calories, 20g fat (9g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 737mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. 11/44 Crab-Stuffed Avocado 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Avocado Crab Boats Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice,
and take them to a picnic or potluck
and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they’re always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 filled avocado half: 325 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 427mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein. 12/44 Juicy Watermelon Salad 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Juicy Watermelon Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon
varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist
varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 232 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 295mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. 13/44 Pork and Orzo 50 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mediterranean Pork and Orzo Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: On a really busy day, this meal in a bowl is one of my top picks. It’s quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to
relax at the table
relax at the table. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 372 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 306mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 14/44 Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 sandwiches Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I jazzed up the quintessential teatime cucumber sandwich to suit my family’s tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant. It hit all the right spots!
—Barbara Spitzer, Lodi, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup
—Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 286 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 631mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. 15/44 Summer Splash Chicken Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Summer Splash Chicken Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When it’s too hot to eat inside, I head out to the patio. Shred some rotisserie chicken and toss with mango, watermelon and grapes for an ooh-ahh healthy chicken salad. —Barbara Spitzer, Lodi, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit, 1 fat, 1/2 starch
chicken mixture with 1 cup lettuce and 1 tablespoon pistachios: 262 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 249mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 16/44 Tuna Burger 21 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family members were so accustomed to typical beef burgers that they were hesitant to try these when I first made them. Any skepticism disappeared after just one bite. —Kim
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Garden Chickpea Salad 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Looking for a summer dish with a difference?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Fruit and Cheese Platter 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SUZAN NAJJAR FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 14 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Who says cheese and sausage get to have all the fun?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
-
Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
-
Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
-
Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
-
These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
-
Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
-
Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
📣 Join Our Community
Want more inspiration like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly dinner ideas and cooking tips!