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27 Summer Meals for a Crowd

We’ve rounded up a list of easy and satisfying summer meals that are easy to scale, from burgers to grilled salmon with corn avocado salsa.

Summer is a great time to stop thinking.

As a kid, it was an opportunity to really turn my brain off. The only math I worried about was the countdown until adults-only swim time ended at the pool and we could cannonball back to a game of Marco Polo. There were no useless facts to memorize unless they were about Beanie Babies, Pogs, or Pokémon. (Okay, that’s a generational-specific thing, but you get where I’m going with this.)

The point is that summer is a great time to turn your brain off and recharge, especially if it’s incredibly hot out. But just because your brain is hibernating doesn’t mean your stomach is. Planning dinner can feel too overwhelming. And if you’re entertaining for a crowd? That’s practically calculus.

Group of friends eating dinner at a table outside in the summer

So we’re doing the work for you. We’ve rounded up a list of easy and satisfying summer meals that are easy to scale. And for maximum convenience, there’s a little button when you’re reading each recipe to multiply the quantities so you can easily figure out how many tomatoes, ears of corn, or avocados you need to pull off the perfect meal, regardless of the size of your gathering.

And if this list of summer meals isn’t enough, here are 10 more no-cook recipes perfect for summer.

Save this list using the little “heart” icon over there to the bottom right and get off your phone to go enjoy the season!

1
Grilled Open-Faced Avocado Caprese Sammies Photo
Meghan Yager
Grilled Open-Faced Avocado Caprese Sammies Recipe
Grilled Open-Faced Avocado Caprese Sammies are my go-to option for whenever I’m craving a caprese salad, a grilled cheese sandwich, and/or avocado toast. Grilled bread is topped with bright cherry tomatoes, little balls of cheese, fresh basil, avocado, and my favorite simple balsamic glaze. Eat it as a snack, or for a light lunch or even savory breakfast!
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2
Miso Glazed Burger Photo
Meghan Yager
Miso Glazed Burger Recipe
These spicy Miso Glazed Burgers with Asian Cucumber Pickles are my twist on a thick and juicy sandwich of beefy goodness. The grilled patties are spicy and savory, with a rich miso glaze that brings out the savory flavors in the meat. Time to fire up the grill!
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3
Kale Blueberry Pineapple Salad Photo
Olivia Ribas
Kale Blueberry Pineapple Salad Recipe
Kale Blueberry Pineapple Salad has nutrients, vitamins, and great flavor. The salad you can feel totally good about.
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4
Carne Asada Steak Tacos with Fries Photo
Meghan Bassett
Carne Asada Steak Tacos with Fries Recipe
Carne Asada Steak Tacos with Fries have all your favorite carne asada fries flavors, in handheld form! The spicy, rich carne asada steak will blow your taste buds away with complex flavors, piled underneath avocado, red onion, and most importantly… FRIES. Can you say taco party?!
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5
Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats Photo
Nora Rusev
Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe
Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats has a fresh tomato sauce an savory sausage. Sprinkled with a little cheese on top, you’ve got a meal where everyone will be begging for seconds!
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6
Peach Raspberry Galette Photo
Amanda Powell
Peach Raspberry Galette Recipe
There is nothing better to showcase the best part of summer than a peach raspberry galette. This delicious freehand pie is as simple to make as it is delicious.
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7
Paleo Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps Photo
Amanda Livesay
Paleo Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Mango Salsa Recipe
Get ready to taste summer! Paleo Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Mango Salsa make it easy.
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8
Tex Mex Crab Cakes Photo
Serene Herrera
Tex Mex Crab Cakes Recipe
Tex Mex Crab Cakes have a great kick from spice and jalapeño. One fantastic appetizer!
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9
Courtesy Grilled Summer Squash Recipe Photo
Johnny Autry
Grilled Summer Squash Recipe with Garlic Chili Crisp
Popular Chef William Dissen shares one of his favorite grilling recipes, and a garlicky chili crisp to top it off.
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10
Pesto Chicken Pull Apart Sliders Photo
Stacey Mebs
Pesto Chicken Pull Apart Sliders Recipe
These easy to make, pesto chicken pull apart sliders are the perfect quick and easy dinner. And the leftover sliders are amazing for lunch the next day!
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11
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Fried Rice Photo
Nora Rusev
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Fried Rice is a meal your kids will eat again and again. Quick, easy, and utterly amazing!
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12
BBQ Chicken Summer Rolls Photo
Taylor Kiser
BBQ Chicken Summer Rolls Recipe
BBQ Chicken Summer Rolls are an amazing appetizer your guests won’t be able to resist. The barbecue sauce will keep them coming back!
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13
Roasted Veggie Feta Pasta Recipe Photo
Cyd Converse
Roasted Veggie Feta Pasta Recipe
Packed with delicious roasted vegetables, this easy feta pasta recipe makes an easy dinner any night of the week.
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14
Crockpot Quinoa Photo
Taylor Kiser
Crockpot Quinoa Recipe
Crockpot Quinoa adds a little Mexican flavor in with your quinoa. Effortless and tasty.
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15
Cajun Grilled Cod Photo
Taylor Kiser
Cajun Grilled Cod Recipe
Cajun Grilled Cod makes a sweet, spicy summer dinner that everyone will rave over. Clean up is also super simple!
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16
Loaded Crunchy Taco Salad Recipe Photo
Cyd Converse
Loaded Crunchy Taco Salad Recipe
This loaded crunchy taco salad is easy to make and a total crowd favorite topped with our creamy tomatillo dressing.
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17
Quinoa Avocado Salad Photo
Jennifer W.
Quinoa Avocado Salad Recipe
Quinoa avocado salad made bright and earthy with fresh tomatoes and sweet corn. Taste those last few bites of summer in this fantastic…
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18
Mango Salsa Photo
Serene Herrera
Mango Salsa Recipe
Mango salsa. This fresh, sweet and slightly spicy fruit 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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19
Easy Shrimp Rolls Photo
Tanya Schroeder
Easy Shrimp Rolls Recipe
Easy Shrimp Rolls are a great lunch or dinner that will take you right back to the beach cafe. Even if you’re land locked!
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20
Jerk Chicken Mango Avocado Sliders Photo
Meghan Yager
Jerk Chicken Mango Avocado Sliders Recipe
Jerk Chicken Mango Avocado Sliders are a trip to the tropics, without ever having to leave your kitchen! Shredded jerk chicken is made easily in the Instant Pot, then piled high on toasted Hawaiian buns with mango salsa and avocado. It’s a killer game day appetizer!
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21
Taco Pasta Salad Photo
Erin S.
Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
This creamy pasta salad has all your favorite taco toppings! Great to make ahead and have in the fridge for dinner or to take to any gathering.
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22
Roasted Corn and Tomato Salad Photo
Serene Herrera
Roasted Corn and Tomato Salad Recipe
This easy to make roasted corn and tomato salad is bursting with fresh, bright flavors. This chilled salad is perfect for serving as a side dish during the summer with any BBQ or potluck.
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23
Gluten Free Pulled Pork Green Chile Slaw Photo
Brianna Hobbs
Gluten Free Pulled Pork with Green Chile Slaw Recipe
Gluten Free Pulled Pork Green Chile Slaw is cooked slowly in gluten free hard cider. The guajillo peppers add the perfect smoky subtleness!
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24
Quinoa Greek Salad Photo
Olivia Ribas
Quinoa Greek Salad Recipe
Quinoa Greek Salad is incredibly easy to make. Just make the quinoa ahead of time, and you’re all set.
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25
Grilled Salmon with Corn Avocado Salsa Photo
Meghan Yager
Grilled Salmon with Corn Avocado Salsa Recipe
Grilled Salmon with Corn Avocado Salsa brings a bunch of spice to the party, without any guilt! The bright and flavorful salsa on top of a heartily spiced fish is a simple way to make the most of fresh summer flavors. This is going to become your new favorite summertime dinner.
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26
Trailblazer Burger Photo
Heather Tullos
Trailblazer Burger Recipe
This Trailblazer Burger is a sight to behold. Look at all that sauce!
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27
Pan Roasted Chicken with Peach Blueberry Sauce Photo
Mary Kay DeSola
Pan Roasted Chicken with Peach Blueberry Sauce Recipe
Pan Roasted Chicken with Peach Blueberry Sauce gives the flavors of summer in a main dish. Sunday supper can be on the table in less than…
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