54 Quick Summer Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes
54 Quick Summer Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes
Read Time: 25 mins
54 Quick Summer Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes
8g fiber), 29g protein
8g fiber), 29g protein. 3/54 Applesauce Barbecue Chicken 63 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You only need a few ingredients to create this sweet and peppery chicken. The subtle flavor of apple makes this tender barbecue dish stand out from the rest. —Darla Andrews, Farmers Branch, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half: 308 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 473mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 1g fiber), 35g protein. 4/54 Ginger Pork Stir-Fry 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total
Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My recipe box is full of delicious pork recipes, but this fast-to-fix stir-fry really stands out from the rest. My family loves the citrus glaze that coats the tender pork and vegetables. Ginger, garlic and orange juice provide the glaze’s terrific taste. —Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 228 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 508mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 5/54 Grilled Mahi Mahi 8 Reviews
Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 fruit
Test Kitchen Approved Grilled Mahi Mahi Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Instead of grilling the usual hamburgers or chicken breasts, prepare this grilled mahi mahi and reel in raves! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet with 1/4 cup salsa: 195 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 204mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 fruit. 6/54 Indian-Spiced Beefy Lettuce Wraps 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings
4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Since I love the flavors of Indian food, I almost always have coconut milk, a jar of mango chutney and garam masala seasoning in my pantry. This recipe is one of my go-tos when I am short on time but want something that tastes spectacular. If you’d like to give this a different style of Asian flair, use hoisin sauce in place of chutney and Chinese five-spice powder in place of garam masala. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota Nutrition Facts: 3 filled lettuce wraps: 493 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated
If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers
fat), 74mg cholesterol, 957mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein. 7/54 Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love Italian sausage sandwiches, but because the bread isn’t diet-friendly for me, I created this recipe to satisfy my craving. If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers. —Tina Howells, Salem, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 251 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 417mg
sodium, 35g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein
sodium, 35g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch. 8/54 Halibut Fish Tacos 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Halibut Soft Tacos Recipe photo by Jena Carlin for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This warm-weather favorite is quick, colorful and full of nutrients. I sometimes serve the fish wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. Either way, the mango salsa tastes amazing with the grilled halibut. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana Nutrition Facts: 1 taco with 1/3 cup mango salsa: 330 calories,
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat
12g fat (1g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 648mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat. 9/54 Homemade Corn Dogs 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Corn Dogs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Prepare corn dogs at home just like you’d get at the fair. Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 1 corn dog: 316 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 588mg sodium,
18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein
18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. 10/54 Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops Recipe photo by Sheri Silver for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These sweet, spicy chops can be thrown together in minutes, but they definitely don’t taste like it. Serve them with a side of jasmine rice and you’ll feel as if you’re on a tropical vacation. —Allison Ulrich, Frisco, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 470 calories, 26g fat (14g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 1190mg sodium, 32g
carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein
carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. 11/54 Cheeseburger Quesadilla 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheeseburger Quesadillas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created these fun cheeseburger-quesadilla mashups in honor of my family’s two favorite foods. They are so yummy and easy to make! —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1 quesadilla with about 1/4 cup sauce: 1002 calories, 60g fat (17g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 2115mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 4g fiber), 39g protein. 12/54 Taco Pockets 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved
They make a quick, easy lunch or supper with a bowl of soup or a crisp salad
Chicken Taco Pockets Recipe photo by Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love these taco-flavored sandwiches made with crescent dough. They make a quick, easy lunch or supper with a bowl of soup or a crisp salad. I also like to cut them into smaller servings for parties. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1/2 pocket: 393 calories, 24g fat (7g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 896mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 16g protein. 13/54 Salsa Steak Garlic Toasts 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test
The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into quick, satisfying meal
Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These open-faced steak sandwiches play up the popular combo of steak and garlic bread. The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into quick, satisfying meal. Substitute chopped green onions or chives for the cilantro if desired. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 garlic toast with 3/4 cup steak mixture: 375 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 721mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 14/54 Rosemary Salmon 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved
My husband and I eat a lot of salmon
Rosemary Salmon and Veggies Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this meal. It’s a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 357 calories, 23g fat (9g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 388mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean
meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable
meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 15/54 Grilled Chicken Ranch Burgers 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grilled Chicken Ranch Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is one of the most fantastic, flavorful burgers I’ve ever made. Ranch is a favorite in dips and dressings, and believe me, it doesn’t disappoint in these burgers, either! —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 371 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 498mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. 16/54 Tequila Lime
This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor
Shrimp Zoodles 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 246 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 161mg cholesterol, 510mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 fat, 1 vegetable. 17/54 Nectarine Chicken Salad 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved MARK
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ 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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