The 25 Summer Recipes We’re Totally Hooked On

Long days, warm nights, and a table full of flavor—that’s what this season’s all about. The summer recipes we’re totally hooked on are the kind that make dinner feel like a celebration, even if it’s just a weeknight. Think bright ingredients, easy prep, and dishes that practically scream sunshine. You’ll want to make room in your regular rotation for every single one.

Spiral Hot Dogs

Nothing says summer like grilled hot dogs. Improve an American classic with spiral hot dogs for a crispy surface that’s delicious.
Get the Recipe: Spiral Hot Dogs

Smash Burgers With Special Sauce

Two Smash burgers in buns with sauce. — Smash Burgers With Special Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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There’s nothing better than a juicy hamburger with crispy edges, a SMASH Burger. All it needs is some cheese and SPECIAL SAUCE.
Get the Recipe: Smash Burgers With Special Sauce

Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

Skirt steak sliced on a cutting board. — Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Infused with tequila, soy sauce, and brown sugar, this skirt steak recipe yields juicy and flavorful meat every time.
Get the Recipe: Super Tender Grilled Skirt Steak

Corn and Cucumber Salad

A creamy cucumber salad with corn in a glass bowl with a serving spoon — Corn and Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

This crisp salad features fresh corn and cucumbers tossed in a light vinaigrette, perfect for cooling off in the summer heat. It’s a crunchy, hydrating favorite among vintage summer salads.
Get the Recipe: Corn and Cucumber Salad

Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

A plate of grilled chicken thighs, inspired by classic chicken thighs recipes and coated in a dark barbecue sauce, is garnished with chopped herbs and sits on a white table next to a spoon and a blue polka-dot cloth. — Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

The proven method for grilling BBQ chicken thighs. No burning, no mess, just perfectly cooked juicy BBQ chicken thighs
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

Grilled Flank Steak

A piece of meat on a cutting board with a knife. — Grilled Flank Steak. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

A simple garlic marinade makes this Grilled Flank Steak tasty and juicy! Delicious grilled on an indoor or outdoor grill.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak

Mango Avocado Broccoli Slaw

Two serving spoons in a bowl of broccoli slaw with mangos. — Mango Avocado Broccoli Slaw. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

This sweet and creamy slaw blends tropical mango, creamy avocado, and crunchy broccoli for a salad that feels retro yet refreshing. It’s a new take on throwback salads with bold textures and flavors.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Broccoli Slaw

Old-Fashioned Carrot Raisin Salad

A bowl of carrot and raisin salad next to a bunch of carrots. — Old-Fashioned Carrot Raisin Salad. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

Shredded carrots, sweet raisins, and pineapple are mixed with a light mayo dressing in this nostalgic salad. It’s a sweet and tangy dish that’s stood the test of time in vintage summer salads.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Carrot Raisin Salad

The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

A grilled pork chop next to a sweet potato on a plate. — The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Perfect, juicy grilled pork chops in less than 20 minutes! You never need to have dry pork chops again! (Easy recipe!)
Get the Recipe: The Juiciest Bone In Grilled Pork Chops

Grilled Potato Wedges In Just 20 Minutes

Someone dipping a potato into a bowl of sauce. — Grilled Potato Wedges In Just 20 Minutes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This easy, 20-minute grilled potato wedges recipe makes light and pillowy potatoes that are crispy on the outside.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Potato Wedges In Just 20 Minutes

Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe

A close-up of a grilled chicken breast topped with cooked, diced onions and peppers on a white plate, perfect inspiration for flavorful chicken thighs recipes. — Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

This grilled jerk chicken recipe is one of our favorite grilling recipes of all time. We love this dinner and make it for guests often!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe

Grilled Corn In Husk

Two grilled corn on the cob, classic easy grilled foods, sprinkled with chopped cilantro and pepper. The corn boasts visible grill marks and a slightly charred appearance, resting on a dark surface. — Grilled Corn In Husk. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Nothing says summer like grilling and corn on the cob, so this Grilled Corn In Husk recipe is the essence of summer flavors.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn In Husk

Greek Cucumber Salad with Lemon Dressing

A bowl of Greek salad with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese on a white surface—perfect for spring recipes. Small bowls of olives and feta are nearby. — Greek Cucumber Salad with Lemon Dressing. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

This vibrant salad features crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese, all brought together with a zesty lemon dressing. A perfect example of throwback salads, it’s both refreshing and flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Greek Cucumber Salad with Lemon Dressing

Peach and Tomato Salad with Feta

A black bowl of tomato salad with peaches and feta. — Peach and Tomato Salad with Feta. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

Juicy peaches and ripe tomatoes are paired with salty feta and crunchy nuts in this refreshing summer salad. It’s a delightful addition to any retro picnic recipes collection.
Get the Recipe: Peach and Tomato Salad with Feta

Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw

A bowl of creamy coleslaw with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, and herbs sits on a gray cloth napkin next to vintage silver utensils—perfect as one of your favorite dinner side dishes. — Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

This vibrant slaw features crunchy red cabbage and carrots tossed in a tangy buttermilk dressing. It’s a colorful and creamy side that’s perfect for throwback salads at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw

Mint Watermelon Salad with Blueberries

A bowl of watermelon fruit salad with blueberries in a bowl. — Mint Watermelon Salad with Blueberries. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

Sweet watermelon and juicy blueberries are enhanced with a refreshing mint syrup in this delightful salad. It’s a nod to retro picnic recipes, bringing a burst of color and flavor to any table.
Get the Recipe: Mint Watermelon Salad with Blueberries

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

A white platter full of grilled chicken drumsticks and thighs. — Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Chicken Drumsticks on Grill are cooked over indirect heat for the most tender and juicy drumsticks or thighs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

A pork tenderloin sliced and covered in bbq sauce. — Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This simple Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin recipe is super simple to make without sacrificing flavor or spending hours over a hot grill!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bbq Pork Tenderloin

Seafood Foil Packets With Old Bay

Two shrimp boil packs with toasted bread. — Seafood Foil Packets With Old Bay. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Shrimp boil foil packets are an easy way to get the great flavor of a shrimp boil without standing over the stove. A terrific summertime meal, ready in 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Seafood Foil Packets With Old Bay

Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes on a white platter with a wooden spoon — Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and zoodles, it’s a twist on a classic caprese salad. Just a few ingredients and you’ll have a healthy delicious salad to add to any meal.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Old-Fashioned Cucumber Onion Salad

A bowl filled with sliced cucumbers, thin red onion slices, and fresh dill makes a perfect choice for spring salads. A wooden spoon rests beside the bowl, with part of a blue-striped cloth napkin visible. — Old-Fashioned Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This simple salad of sliced cucumbers and onions in a sweet vinegar dressing is a true classic. It’s crisp, tangy, and one of those beloved retro picnic recipes that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Cucumber Onion Salad

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

A slice of strawberry cheesecake with a pretzel on top. — Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delicious dessert made with easy store-bought ingredients like Jell-O, Cool Whip, pretzels & strawberries.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

Pork removed from a skewer on a platter. — Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Tender pieces of pork are paired with juicy chunks of peaches for a fresh summertime take on classic Pork Kabobs.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Kabobs With Fresh Peaches

Easy Grilled Ranch Chicken Recipe

Grilled Ranch Chicken skewers with char marks on a textured dark surface, served beside a bowl of creamy dipping sauce and a small sprig of greenery in the corner. — Easy Grilled Ranch Chicken Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fire up the grill and make some easy chicken kabobs the whole family will love. This super easy grilled ranch chicken recipe is a game changer.
Get the Recipe: Easy Grilled Ranch Chicken Recipe

Tequila Lime Blueberry Salad

Blueberry Salad with mangos and kiwi in a martini glass. — Tequila Lime Blueberry Salad. Photo credit: Butter & Baggage.

Sweet blueberries meet zesty lime and a splash of tequila for a light and boozy fruit salad. It’s perfect for grown-up gatherings and adds flair to your list of throwback salads.
Get the Recipe: Tequila Lime Blueberry Salad

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