57 Bright and Beautiful Summer Lunch Ideas

Read Time: 27 mins

57 Bright and Beautiful Summer Lunch Ideas1/56 Pesto Corn Salad with Shrimp 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This summer lunch idea showcases the beautiful bounty of summer with its fresh corn, tomatoes and delicious basil. Prevent browning by spritzing the salad with lemon juice. —Deena Bowen, Chico, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 371 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 450mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 23g protein. If you want to taste summer in a baking dish Pioneer Woman’s corn casserole is

a must-try!

a must-try! 2/56 California Roll Wraps 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved California Roll Wraps Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 wraps Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love the California rolls I get at sushi restaurants and wanted to capture those flavors in a sandwich I could take to work. I started with the standard ingredients, added a few others and came up with a hit. —Mary Pax-Shipley, Bend, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 365 calories, 18g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 647mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 7g fiber), 13g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat

protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat. 3/56 Triple Tomato Flatbread 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 8 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tomatoes are the reason I have a vegetable garden, and I developed this summer lunch idea as a way to show off my garden’s plum, sun-dried and cherry tomatoes. The dish is easy and will impress. —Rachel Kimbrow, Portland, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 235 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 476mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars,

3g fiber), 8g protein

3g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 4/56 Red, White and Blue Summer Salad 10 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Red, White and Blue Summer Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Caprese salad and fresh fruit always remind me of summer. In this salad, I combine traditional Caprese flavors with summer blueberries and peaches. I also add prosciutto for saltiness, creating a balanced, flavor-packed side dish. —Emily Falke, Santa Barbara, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 233 calories, 18g fat

(5g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 486mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein. 5/56 Summer Garden Fish Tacos 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to serve fish tacos with quinoa and black beans for a complete and satisfying meal. If you’ve got them, add colorful summer toppings like bright peppers, green onions or purple carrots. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 278 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 214mg sodium,

26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein

26g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 6/56 Grilled Brats with Sriracha Mayo 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I am a Sriracha fanatic, so that’s what inspired this summer lunch idea. You can boil the brats in your favorite beer to reduce the fat and give them flavor before grilling, or spread garlic butter on lightly toasted buns. —Quincie Ball, Olympia, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 742 calories, 49g fat (13g saturated fat), 65mg

Loving these summer lunches?

cholesterol, 2020mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. Loving these summer lunches? Discover more of our best vintage recipes for an old-fashioned ladies’ luncheon. 7/56 Grilled Chicken and Mango Skewers 4 Reviews Grilled Chicken and Mango Skewers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The inspiration for this summer lunch idea 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

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. 8/56 Grilled Chicken Ramen Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grilled Chicken Ramen Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love this chicken ramen salad because it’s a complete meal in one bowl. Everyone loves when it’s on the table—that’s

Marinate it and grill or broil it!

a reaction that doesn’t happen every night, so I appreciate the kudos when I get them! —Karen Carlson, Alameda, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 458 calories, 29g fat (4g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 738mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 22g protein. 9/56 Grilled Flank Steak 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: How to cook flank steak? Easy! Marinate it and grill or broil it! This marinated steak is so moist that it will become one of your favorite ways

to serve beef

to serve beef. —Heather Ahrens, Columbus, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked beef: 186 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 471mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat. 10/56 Rustic Tomato Pie 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Perk up your plate with this humble tomato pie. We like to use fresh-from-the-garden tomatoes and herbs, but store-bought produce will work in a pinch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 325 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated

Fresh basil adds even more flavor if you’d like

fat), 41mg cholesterol, 409mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 11/56 Chicken Parmesan Burgers 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Parmesan Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A restaurant-quality burger that’s topped with marinara and loaded with cheese—what’s not to love? Fresh basil adds even more flavor if you’d like. —Brooke Petras, Alpine, California Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 603 calories, 33g fat (10g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 1275mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 38g protein. 12/56 Cucumber and Hummus Boats

It transports easily, making it a great option for weekday lunches

1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Cucumber and Hummus Boats Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The refreshing combo of cucumber and hummus really brings this meatless summer lunch idea together. It transports easily, making it a great option for weekday lunches. — Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2 stuffed cucumber halves: 482 calories, 21g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 1026mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 11g fiber), 16g protein. 13/56 Slow-Cooked Chicken Caesar Wraps 6 Reviews Slow-Cooked Chicken Caesar Wraps Recipe photo by

Goes great with Dolly Parton’s coleslaw, the ultimate summer side dish!

Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 10 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first created this recipe for our daughter who loves Caesar salads, then later for our extended family on vacation. It’s such an easy meal—perfect for vacations when you’d rather be outside than inside cooking all day. —Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 472 calories, 25g fat (5g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 795mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 31g protein. Goes great with Dolly Parton’s coleslaw, the ultimate summer side dish! 14/56 Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry

15/56 Shrimp Po’Boys with Pineapple Slaw 4 Reviews Test Kitchen

Vinaigrette 19 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. This salad goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 455 calories, 26g fat (7g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 460mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. 15/56 Shrimp Po’Boys with Pineapple Slaw 4 Reviews Test Kitchen

For a smoked flavor, grill the shrimp

Approved Shrimp Po’Boys with Pineapple Slaw Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This twist on the traditional po’boy sandwich adds flavor and veggies while reducing fat and calories. For a smoked flavor, grill the shrimp. For a lower-carb option, serve the po’boy open-faced on a baguette half. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 420 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 1430mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein. 16/56 Nectarine Chicken Salad 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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• 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.

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