Soak Up The Sun With These Six Summer Meal Ideas

1,564 total views, 1 views today

Some meals are just better during certain times of the year. Few people are firing up the barbecue in the middle of winter, for example.

Even without a massive grill, though, there are plenty of ways to make amazing meals that work far better in the summer than they do during other times of the year. Here are six summer recipes that are perfect to bring outside as the sun beams down and the warmth pervades everything.

Grilled Fish Tacos with Orange Cilantro Slaw, from Florida Citrus

Oranges and orange juice, peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and white fish — Florida Citrus recommends mahi-mahi, but cod or tilapia will also work — form the essence of this delicious, multicultural delight. After grilling the well-marinated fish for no more than five minutes, top it with an orange-cabbage slaw inside slightly warmed tortilla shells and serve hot.

Carribean Mango Tilapia, from Genius Kitchen

Summer is just the perfect season for fish dishes, not to mention mangoes. A bit of orange juice goes a long way in this recipe too, as do a handful of shallots, garlic cloves, and serrano chiles. Marinate the fish before grilling it, but save the marinade: After boiling it on the stove for five minutes, it gets reused as the sauce for the freshly filled, tender, flaky fish.

Pork Chops With Fruity Red Cabbage, from BBC Good Food

Those who eat pork enjoy it year round, but this recipe gives it a twist that makes it perfect for summer. Roast the potato wedges to serve aside the pork chops while stir-frying the red cabbage with cranberry sauce, apples, and water. Next, roast the pork chops with a layer of mustard, and serve everything together for a dish as joyful to look at as it is to eat.

Sloppy Joes, from Five Heart Home

This American sandwich staple is perfect for those warm, sunny, long days. Use ground beef or turkey as the base for the sandwich filling, and don’t be shy with ketchup, tomato sauce, or Worcestershire sauce. After the ground meat is fully cooked in a pan, add the sauces in and combine everything until fully mixed and heated through, then ladle onto sandwich bread for a sloppy, scrumptious meal.

Southwestern Roast Beef Wraps, from My Recipes

A package of deli-made roast beef slices becomes six delicious, healthy wraps with this simple, easy-to-make recipe. Refried beans, monterrey cheese, red onions, and corn kernels add extra flavor and bite. For another meat lovers’ twist on this easily enjoyable recipe, replace the roast beef slices with turkey strips — both options are especially great for summer lunch.

Stir-Fried Chicken With Pineapple and Peppers, from All Recipes

After chopping up boneless chicken breasts into one-inch cubes, this recipe comes together in no time. As the chicken stir-fries in a large pan, combine the liquid ingredients, seasonings, and cornstarch into a sauce. Save this sauce to be added after the onions, vegetables, and pineapples are stirred in, and serve the final stir-fry over rice, with optional almonds or peanuts.

What are some of your favorite summer recipes? Share your ideas in the comments!