There’s nothing quite like the taste and flavors of the tropics – add these tropical inspired recipes to your menu this summer.
When the summer heat cranks up there’s nothing I love more than adding tropical flavors into our usual grilling and cooking routine to switch things up.
Will I complain about feeling like we’re on a tropical vacation without ever leaving the backyard? Nope. That will 100% never happen in my world.
It’s just one of those things – when the sun is shining bright and the humidity is rocking, tropical inspired recipes have a way of cooling everything down.
Add a bit of mango, pineapple, coconut, guava, avocado or banana and you’ll find yourself with tropical inspired recipes that are perfect for summer eating.
1
Nora Rusev
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
At face value nothing about fried rice necessarily boasts a tropical vibe. Load it up with barbecue chicken, fresh veggies and pineapple, however, and you’re talking a different story. My favorite part about this Hawaiian barbecue chicken fried rice is not just how savory and delicious it is – no, it’s the fact that you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. A win for every parent.
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2
Amanda Livesay
Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Mango Salsa
A virtual taste of the tropics, these summery lettuce wraps packed with blackened shrimp and a fresh mango salsa is about to steal the show at the dinner table. The homemade mango salsa is a simple mix of fresh mango, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. The ever-so-slightly spicy shrimp cooks up in just a few minutes – and the flavor level is out of this world.
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3
Meghan Yager
Jerk Chicken Mango Avocado Sliders Recipe
Trust me when I say that these jerk chicken mango avocado sliders are a trip to the tropics, without ever having to leave your kitchen! Shredded jerk chicken cooks up in a cinch in the Instant Pot before being piled high on toasted Hawaiian buns with mango salsa and avocado. We love serving these sliders as a fun appetizer for summer parties or even as a fresh, summery dinner.
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4
Serene Herrera
Peach Raspberry Margarita Recipe
When you say “margarita” I am instantly thinking about warm beaches, salty air and vacation vibes all day long. These frozen peach raspberry margaritas are like a vacation in a frosty glass. Made with real juice, this might just become your favorite margarita recipe, boasting sweet juicy peaches with tart raspberries, tequila and orange liqueur for an instant vacation in a glass.
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5
Meghan Bassett
Spicy Ginger Grilled Chicken with Mango Avocado Salsa
A perennial Food Fanatic favorite, these spicy ginger grilled chicken thighs topped with mango avocado salsa are juicy, flavorful nd a truly tropical inspired recipe that you’ll want to make all summer long. Eat the thighs as is with the mango salsa, shred the meat to make tacos, or make crostini out of the meat with the salsa on top. It is grilled dishes like this that always give you an excuse to celebrate!
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6
Taylor Kiser
Thai Mango Avocado Salad with Grilled Sweet Potatoes Recipe
This Thai mango avocado salad with grilled sweet potatoes is a refreshing and unique salad that has a decidedly tropical feel. It pairs perfectly with anything you might be tossing on the grill – shrimp, chicken, fish, or even burgers! Ready in 20 minutes or less, the flavors and textures also stand alone as arguably the perfect summer weeknight dinner.
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7
Serene Herrera
Mango Salsa Recipe
It’s impossible to talk about the tropical inspired recipes we love most for the summer without speaking of our favorite mango salsa recipe. This is it, friends. A perfectly fresh mango salsa made with red onion, red bell pepper, fresh jalapeño, cilantro and lime. This sweet, slightly spicy salsa is the perfect way to add some flavor to your chips and salsa routine. It also packs a punch when paired with fish, shrimp, or chicken tacos!
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