Summer lunches are delicious, healthy, and colorful. These cheery dishes will be enjoyed all year.
Pesto Corn Salad With Shrimp
This recipe is great for family lunches. This recipe showcases summer’s bounty with fresh tomatoes, basil, and Corn. Place plastic wrap directly on the salad to prevent browning. Chico, California –Deena Bowen
Slow-Cooked Chicken Caesar Wraps
These slow-cooker chicken Caesar wraps were first prepared for my daughter, who loves Caesar salads. Later, I made them for our extended family on vacation. This quick and easy recipe is great for when you want to be outside cooking instead of inside. –Christine Hadden Whitman, Massachusetts
Grilled Brats With Sriracha Mayo
My love of Sriracha inspired this dish. To reduce fat and flavor, boil the brats in your favorite beer before grilling. Or spread garlic butter on lightly toasted buns. –Quincie Ball Olympia, Washington
Chicken Parmesan Burgers
This burger is restaurant quality and comes with marinara and cheese. Fresh basil gives it an extra flavor. –Brooke Petras, Alpine, California
Garden-Fresh Grilled Veggie Pizza
I have four gardens. One is for herbs. I have plenty of produce. This loaded-up pizza was created as an appetizer for summer using my favorite garden produce. –Dianna Wara (Washington, Illinois)
Shrimp Po’Boys With Pineapple Slaw
This po’boy sandwich is a twist on the classic. It has flavor and vegetables and lowers fat and calories. Grill the shrimp for a smokey flavor. Serve the po’boy on half of a baguette. This will make it lower in carbs. –Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Avocado Salad with Chicken, Nectarine, and Nectarine
This salad is very summery and can be made in minutes. Granola gives it a crunch and makes it unique. I have tried many types of granola. Our favorites are those that have lots of nuts and could be sweeter. Pleasant Grove, Utah, Elisabeth Larsen
Coconut Chicken & Shrimp
I was looking to have fun. Easy weeknight dinner Based on our favorite shrimp dish, this recipe is healthier than fast food. This is a fan favorite! –Susan Seymour (Valatie), New York
Tangy Cilantro Lime Confetti Salad
Standout salads are my favorite. They have a lot of flavors and make me feel like I’m splurging, even though I don’t have to eat a piece of chocolate cake. This is a favorite of mine, and everyone I serve loves it. –Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming, Wisconsin
Butter Burgers
Wisconsinites love their cheese. It’s no secret. They often top their burgers off with butter. My recipe is similar to butter burgers found at popular restaurants nationwide. –Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio
Tequila Lime Shrimp Zoodles
This tangy shrimp dish is a clever way to reduce carbs but not sacrifice flavor. You can also use thinly julienned zucchini to achieve the same effect if you don’t own a spiralizer. –Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, IllinoisJim’s
Secret Family Recipe Ribs
Jim, my brother-in-law, kept Jim’s famous rib recipe secret for over 30 years. We were so happy to share it with him finally. Jim, this one’s for YOU! –Vicki Young, Brighton, Colorado
Southern Fried BLT
I wouldn’t say I like tomatoes, but I love them green and fried, so I tried them in a sandwich. It was a huge hit! This delicious twist on the classic BLT can be made with sharp cheddar cheese. –Stacy King in Rome, Georgia
Garden-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
These boats are an excellent way to get your vegetables. They can also be used as a single-dish meal. Just grab your favorite veggies and add any other spices or mixes-ins. –Janie Zirbser, Mullica Hill, New JerseyGrandma’s
Baked Ham Salad Sandwiches
Another tried-and-true recipe that I found in my grandma’s recipe box. It is so beautiful to see her handwriting on the faded notecards. — Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Grilled watermelon gazpacho
This is the perfect starter for a summer meal or lunch. This excellent, tangy dish has a lot of great grilled flavor. You can add more jalapenos if you prefer more spice. George Levinthal, Goleta (California)
Dilly Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
These chickpea salad sandwiches have much more flavor than chicken salad and are lower in fat and cholesterol. These sandwiches make great picnic sandwiches. –Deanna McDonald, Muskegon, Michigan
Pressure-Cooker Fabulous Fajitas
These fajitas are great for friends who call asking for new recipes. Top with as much of your favorite toppings to add color and flavor. Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee (Wisconsin)
Jalapeno Popper Corn Salad
This recipe was created for a wedding that I was catering. I loved it so much I had to make more! This chilled creamy salad blends all the best flavors from jalapeno poppers and the delicate sweetness of fresh Corn. Amanda Miller, Hutchinson (Kansas)
Hasselback Tomato Clubs
This simple, no-fuss twist on a classic recipe is excellent during tomato season. Serve it as a light lunch or with pasta salad to make it a light dinner. Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Classic Cobb Salad
This salad is much like planting a garden. As with seedlings, I “plant” the salad in neat, organized sections. Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania)
Lime Coconut Smoothie Bowl
This Key lime coconut smoothie bowl is one of the most refreshing things on the planet. –Madeline Butler, Denver, Colorado
Pressure-Cooker Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken
Although I am from Georgia, I love Carolina vinegar chicken’s sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor. –Ramona Parris, Acworth, Georgia
Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches
This eggplant, tomato, and goat cheese sandwich is delicious as a meatless meal. Jennifer Jaras, Corona (California).
Denver Omelet Salad
This recipe is a favorite of mine. Although it may not be your usual breakfast, it is packed with all the right ingredients. It’s quick, easy, and healthy. Make your favorite omelet ingredients a breakfast salad. –Pauline Custer, Duluth, Minnesota
Kimchi Cauliflower Fried rice
This healthier version of kimchi fried Rice is one of my favorites because it can be customized. You can substitute the bacon for your favorite vegetables if you have a vegetarian member of the family. –Stefanie Schaldenbrand, Los Angeles, California
