This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

If summer has you juggling cookouts, family dinners, and “what are we eating tonight?” on repeat, you’re not alone. This collection of seasonal menus is here to help—with easy summer dinner ideas, full recipes, and simple swap suggestions to keep things flexible. You’ll find meal plans for Father’s Day, the Fourth of July, and those summer nights when you’re just trying to get through a Tuesday without turning on the oven.

Log in or sign up to save recipes and customize your own summer menu plans.

Father’s Day Menu Plans

These Father’s Day menus are packed with summer dinner ideas the whole crew will actually want to eat. Choose a full lineup or pull inspiration for your own supper and swap recipes with more ideas from the roundups below these menus.

Choose a full menu, then mix and match your favorite mains, sides, or desserts. You’ll find plenty of swap suggestions below. Don’t forget to log in to save your custom plan.

Main Dishes for Summer Dinner Ideas

Looking for summer dinner ideas beyond burgers and hot dogs? These main dishes are flavorful, crowd-friendly, and easy to swap into any of our seasonal menus.

Slow-Roasted Pork ShoulderSlow-Roasted Pork ShoulderShredding pulled pork to show the smoke ring.Traeger Pork ShoulderChipotle Pulled PorkChipotle Pulled PorkA ribeye steak on a plate next to a baked potatoe.Ribeye Steak in the OvenOverhead view of Reverse sear cowboy steak on cutting boardReverse Sear Cowboy SteakFlank Steak FajitasFlank Steak FajitasA smoked sea bass fillet on a serving dish.Traeger Smoked Sea BassA large pot of clams in red sauce.Clams in Red SauceA one pot salmon and orzo on a white plate.One Skillet Salmon with Lemon OrzoA tender beef rib being pulled apart with a fork.Oven Braised Beef Short RibsBrushing sweet and spicy bbq sauce on country style ribs.Sweet and Spicy Korean Pork RibsEasy Barbecue Pork RibsLow and Slow BBQ Oven to Grill RibsClose up of 3 pulled pork sliders on a plateEasy Pulled Pork SlidersTwo halves of a chicken sandwich stacked together with a wooden pick plus potato chips on a plate.Chicken Caesar SandwichA slice of a sandwich made with focaccia bread, meats, and cheese.Italian Pressed Focaccia SandwichGrilled Lamb Kofta Kabab SandwichesGrilled Lamb Kofta Kabab SandwichesA plate with a chicken bacon ranch sandwich stacked and a wood food pick. Potato chips alongside the sandwich.Chicken Bacon Ranch SandwichSloppy joes and potato chips on a lunch plate.Homemade Sloppy Joes

Warm Side Dishes for Summer Dinners

From baked beans to herbed potatoes, these warm side dishes bring the comfort food energy that rounds out any summer dinner. They’re easy to mix into any summer meal.

A serving dish with caramelized brown sugar pearl onions.Caramelized Pearl OnionsA dish of baked beans made from dry beans in the oven.Baked Beans from Dry BeansTwo bowls of instant pot pinto beans with some corn chips.Instant Pot Pinto Beans with BaconA dish with slow cooker baked beans next to a spoon.Crockpot Baked BeansA 13 x 9 baking dish with baked seafood mac and cheese.Seafood Mac and CheeseA spoonful of creamy mac and cheese.Betty Crocker Mac and CheesePotatoes with a spoonPotatoes Au Gratingarlic and rosemary roasted potatoesGarlic and Rosemary Roasted Potatoesroasted lemon chili broccoliLemon Roasted Broccoli with ChiliEggplant roasted with herbs on a serving platter.Roasted Eggplants with Fresh HerbsSqueezing lime in a bowl with carrots and cilantro.Roasted Cilantro Carrots with LimeClose up of a baked corn casseroleBaked Corn Casserole with Sundried Tomatoes

Summer Salads and Cold Side Dishes

These summer salad and cold side recipes are perfect when the grill’s hot and the kitchen is not. Light, make-ahead-friendly, and easy to pair with just about anything.

A serving bowl filled with baby red potato salad with creamy yogurt dressing.Red Potato Salad with Yogurt DressingA serving bowl filled with Japanese potato salad.Japanese Potato SaladPicnic Potato SaladClassic Picnic Potato SaladA spoon scooping a serving of potato salad with bacon and eggs.Potato Salad with Bacon Egg and CheesePouring dressing over the broccoli salad with cranberries.Broccoli Cranberry SaladA large bowl of green bean salad with bacon and tomatoes.Green Bean Salad with Bacon and TomatoesClose up of a tomato in a bowl of black rice salad.Black Rice Salad with Tomatoes and BasilTropical Fruit salad with honey Yogurt DressingTropical Fruit Salad with Honey Yogurt DressingWinter fruit salad with lemon-honey vinaigrette pourMinted Fruit SaladA bowl filled with a noodle salad; miso dressing and peanuts in the background.Cold Noodle Salad with Miso Ginger DressingA serving of Thai glass noodle salad with shrimp and garnished with mint, Thai basil and chopped peanuts.Thai Glass Noodle Salad with ShrimpA lemon orzo salad in a bowl mixed with tomatoes, feta, and spinach.Lemon Orzo Salad with FetaPouring vinaigrette over a Cobb salad.Classic Cobb SaladPouring vinaigrette dressing over a salad.Grilled Eggplant SaladSliced carrots in a skillet being tossed with cilantro.Spicy Moroccan Carrot SaladA simple carrot salad with raisins in a white bowl.Old Fashioned Carrot Raisin Salad

Appetizers to Kick Off Your Summer Menu

These appetizers work for cookouts, casual suppers, or just feeding hungry people while the main dish finishes up. Add one or two to round out your menu.

Small crock pot with cheese dip and a spoonful of the dip.Crock Pot Beer Cheese DipDipping toast in whipped ricotta.Whipped Ricotta DipA spoon scooping a savory ricotta dip from a baking dip.Baked Ricotta DipHot Crab DipHot Crab DipFeta Cream salad Dressing and DipFeta Cream Salad Dressing and DipA bowl filled with smoked salmon dip.Smoked Salmon Spread

Desserts to Round Out the Meal

A good dessert is non-negotiable. These summer dessert ideas are easy to prep ahead and guaranteed to make your menu feel complete.

A partially eaten slice of chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream.Triple Chocolate Cake With Chocolate ButtercreamChocolate peanut butter tart with chocolate ganache on top.Chocolate Peanut Butter TartA partially eaten no bake chocolate coconut caramel cheesecake bar next to a cup of coffee.Chocolate Samoa Dessert LasagnaSliced cake on serving board with knifeChocolate Wafer Icebox CakeA serving of raspberry peach cobbler in a bowl with ice cream.Raspberry Peach Cobbler with Buttermilk Drop BiscuitsOverhead view of part of thenskillet peach cobbler withCast Iron Skillet Peach Cobblerslice of pie topped with whip cream, fork and napkin in backgroundBlueberry Rhubarb PieA slice of blackberry peach pie on a plate.Blackberry Peach PieA slice of truffle-like Chocolate Caramel TartChocolate Caramel TartA slice of strawberry and pretzel dessert on a plate.Strawberry Pretzel SaladA stack of nine crunchy lemon biscuits stacked on top of each other.Thin Crispy Lemon CookiesA stack of salted chocolate truffle cookies on a platter.Chocolate Truffle CookiesA strawberry galette with a cheesecake bottom next to a fork.Strawberry Cream Cheese GaletteSlices of semifreddo on a serving platter.Triple Strawberry SemifreddoOverhead view of Chocolate Pistachio Ice Cream Cake RollChocolate and Pistachio Ice Cream Cake Roll

Hosting a Father’s Day dinner, planning a weekend cookout, or just looking for fresh summer recipe ideas? These recipes and menu plans are built to help. Save your favorites, swap in what you like, and build a meal that works for your schedule.

Meal Planning Tips

Choose your centerpiece: Pick the main dish first, it sets the tone for the whole meal. Build everything else around it so your menu actually makes sense.

Use the Save feature: Log in and stash your recipes in a collection so they’re easy to find when it’s go-time. Bonus: you can make a shopping list straight from your saved recipes and avoid that last-minute scramble at the store.

Make a timeline: It sounds extra, but jotting down when to start the grill, toss the salad, or pull the pie out of the fridge will keep your day smooth. Trust me, “winging it” is only fun until you realize the burgers are still frozen.

Prep ahead: Marinate the meat, mix up the slaw, slice the onions, and set the table the night before. The more you knock out early, the more you get to chill with everyone else.

Rely on make-ahead dishes : Cold salads, baked beans, desserts that set in the fridge; these are your low-stress heroes. They’re happy to hang out in the fridge while you work your magic on the grill.

Know when to outsource: Store-bought buns, good-quality pre-washed greens, or even a bakery dessert? Go for it. You’re feeding people, not auditioning for a cooking show.

Stick to one showstopper, then keep the rest easy: Let the brisket, steak, or ribs be the star. Everything else can be simple, delicious, and low-effort so you can enjoy time in the sun.

Plan ahead if you’re eating outside: Have a plan for shade, bugs, and how to keep food cool (or hot). Covered dishes, coolers, and a fan or two go a long way toward keeping both the food and hungry mouths happy.

Set up a self-serve drink station: Fill a cooler with drinks, pop in a stack of cups, and keep it away from the cooking zone. It keeps people hydrated and out of your prep space.

Choose food that holds up outside: Think pasta salads, foil-wrapped baked potatoes, grilled corn; anything that won’t wilt, melt, or demand babysitting.

Bring more tongs than you think you need: Same goes for napkins, serving spoons, and foil.

Twelve photos showing recipes that can be used for menu planning for Fathers day.
Email this recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Twelve photos showing recipes that can be used in menu plans for summer.

About Dahn Boquist

Dahn Boquist is a retired nurse turned recipe developer, home cook, and baker with years of hands-on experience creating and testing from-scratch recipes. She specializes in whole-food cooking with creative twists on classic dishes. When she’s not in the kitchen, she enjoys sharing meals with family, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Read More About Me

You May Also Like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *