When the weather turns warm, the sun is shining, and the days get longer, it’s time to fire up the grill and invite your friends and family over. From seasonal salads and vegetable sides to salmon, steak, burgers, and chicken fajitas (plus some yummy fresh fruit desserts), here are some of our all-time favorites plus some fun new additions that we think you’ll love as much as we do.

Labor Day Recipe: Summer Sweet Corn, Green Bean, and Cherry Tomato Sauté with Lemon and Fresh Herbs
This sweet-tart veggie combination is a summertime winner. It’s great as a vegetarian main dish served over grilled polenta, or as a side dish for grilled salmon, chicken, or steak.

Corn, Green Bean, and Cherry Tomato Sauté (Wendy Goodfriend)

Recipe: Sweet Summer Blueberry Crumble
Buttery, crunchy topping gives way to jammy baked blueberries in this couldn’t-be-easier summer dessert.

Sweet Summer Blueberry Crumble (Wendy Goodfriend)

Hot Summer Recipe: Grilled Pork Tacos, Al Pastor Style
These tasty tacos take time to marinate, but are a snap on the day of the party. Serve them up with plenty of cold beer.

Grilled Pork Tacos, Al Pastor Style (Wendy Goodfriend)

Summer Dessert Recipe: Classic Strawberry Shortcake
Ripe seasonal strawberries, softly whipped cream, and tender biscuits—sometimes the sweet simplicity of a classic recipe is just what you are looking for—and this one shines brightly.

Classic Strawberry Shortcake (Wendy Goodfriend)

Summer Recipe: Grilled Corn, Red Pepper, Black Bean and Avocado Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
Juicy corn and red bell peppers are naturals for the grill. They add sweetness, color, and a kiss of smoke to this hearty vegan-friendly black bean salad.

Grilled Corn, Red Pepper, Black Bean and Avocado Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette (Wendy Goodfriend)

Fall-Off-The-Bone BBQ Baby Back Ribs with Homemade Barbecue Sauce
You don’t need 15 hours and a smoker to make fabulous baby back ribs – just follow this shortcut method and wow your guests at your next backyard get together.

Fall-Off-The-Bone BBQ Baby Back Ribs with Homemade Barbecue Sauce (Wendy Goodfriend)

Summer Decadence: Crispy Zucchini Fritters with Lemony Yogurt-Herb Dip
Crisp-edged, pan-fried zucchini cakes—like a summery latke—make use of the season’s delicious bounty. Top them off with a flavorful lemony yogurt and herb dip.

Summer Decadence: Crispy Zucchini Fritters with Lemony Yogurt-Herb Dip (Wendy Goodfriend)

Whole Grilled Rainbow Trout Stuffed with Lemon and Herbs
Grilling a whole fish keeps the meat super tender, and this celebration-worthy recipe couldn’t be easier.

Whole Grilled Rainbow Trout Stuffed with Lemon and Herbs (Wendy Goodfriend)

Throw Your Potato Salad On The Grill
Grilled potatoes with plenty of crisp bacon all bathed in mustardy vinaigrette? Sounds like potato salad has a whole new life at your next BBQ.

Grilled Potato Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette (Wendy Goodfriend)

Bet You Can’t Stop Eating These: Vanilla Pavlovas with Summer Nectarines, Berries, and Cream
Crispy-chewy meringue nests envelop whipped cream and vanilla-scented summer fruit for an ethereal, and gluten-free dessert that is impossible to stop eating.

Crispy-Chewy Vanilla Pavlovas with Whipped Cream and Vanilla-Scented Nectarines and Berries. (Wendy Goodfriend)

4th of July Spicy Treat: Buffalo Cauliflower “Hot Wings”
Forget about chicken wings, and say hello to cauliflower—America’s new favorite vegetable. It’s so versatile that you can transform it into deep-fried pub food!

Buffalo Cauliflower “Hot Wings” (Wendy Goodfriend)

Grilled Corn, Avocado, Heirloom Tomato, Red Onion Salad
This grilled corn recipe is like a mash-up of salad meets salsa. It’s great as a barbecue side dish, or serve it atop grilled meats or fish.

Grilled Corn, Avocado, Heirloom Tomato, Red Onion Salad (Wendy Goodfriend)

A Luscious Sweet Summer Nectarine Upside-Down Cobbler
This cobbler takes the cake. It actually makes you forget about cake at all, because, who needs cake when you can have a crisp, chewy, buttery cobbler infused with vanilla and covered in bubbling tender juicy nectarines?

Luscious Sweet Summer Nectarine Upside-Down Cobbler (Wendy Goodfriend)

Get Your Grill On: Herbed Lamb Burgers Topped with Chopped Greek Salad
This is our go-to lamb burger when the sun comes out and we can finally fire up the grill.

Herbed Lamb Burgers topped with Chopped Greek Salad (Wendy Goodfriend)

A Simple, Versatile Summer Salad: Shaved Zucchini with Lemon, Almonds, and Asiago
This is hands down my favorite summer salad. It’s particularly great when you’re in a hurry and if you have a surplus of plump zucchini.

A Simple, Versatile Summer Salad: Shaved Zucchini with Lemon, Almonds, and Asiago (Wendy Goodfriend)

Hot Summer Cookout: Grilled Chicken Fajitas
This go-to Tex-Mex meal is a real family-friendly crowd pleaser. This summer, we’ve taken our fajitas off the stovetop and out to the grill for some smoky, flame-licked fun.

Grilled Chicken Fajitas (Wendy Goodfriend)

Summer BBQ Recipe: Throw Your Corn On The Grill!
Sweet smoky corn-on-the-cob is a grill’s best friend in the summer. It’s quick, easy, and when you slather it with homemade cilantro-lime pesto, it’s out of this world.

Summer BBQ Recipe: Throw Your Corn On The Grill! (Wendy Goodfriend)

Summer BBQ Recipe: Grilled Marinated Flank Steak with Arugula Salad
There’s nothing like the smell of steak hitting a hot sizzling grill. Pop open a beer and kick up your heels, this party is about to get started.

Summer BBQ Recipe: Grilled Marinated Flank Steak with Arugula Salad (Wendy Goodfriend)

Bring On the Barbecue: Grilled Corn Salad with Sugar Snap Peas, Cherry Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese
Now that summer is in full swing, it’s time to up your summer salad game. Serve this up for 4th of July or at your next big backyard BBQ and watch it disappear.

Bring On the Barbecue: Grilled Corn Salad with Sugar Snap Peas, Cherry Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese (Wendy Goodfriend)

A Bounty of Summer Stone Fruit in a Salad
When summer brings ripe, juicy peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, and cherries, put them all together in this gorgeous fruit salad.

A Bounty of Summer Stone Fruit in a Salad (Wendy Goodfriend)

Summer Celebration: How to Roast a Whole Salmon
Want to impress your guests at your next big backyard gathering? Fire up the grill and cook a whole salmon.

Throw Your Salad on the Grill: Grilled Mushroom, Kale, and Bacon Salad
Grilling meaty mushrooms, especially when brushed with garlic and herb oil, highlights their umami flavors. Tossing them into a kale salad graced with bacon and lemon will highlight your meal.

Throw Your Salad on the Grill: Grilled Mushroom, Kale, and Bacon Salad (Wendy Goodfriend)

Simply Awesome Grilled Bone-in Ribeye Steak
If you are going to eat steak, make sure it’s a really good steak. Choose it well, treat it right, keep it simple, and make it an event worth eating.

Awesome Grilled Bone-in Ribeye Steak (Wendy Goodfriend)

Grilled Shrimp Salad with Zucchini Noodles, Baby Greens, and Spicy Thai Basil Vinaigrette
Simple and healthy, and with plenty of punchy flavor, this salad makes the perfect summer salad for a weekend BBQ.

Grilled Shrimp Salad with Zucchini Noodles, Baby Greens, and Spicy Thai Basil Vinaigrette (Wendy Goodfriend)

Fresh Fruity Rainbow Popsicles for Pride!
Whimsical rainbow ice pops are not only brilliantly colorful but also beautifully healthy and a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate!

Fresh Fruity Rainbow Popsicles (Wendy Goodfriend)

[ad fullwidth]

[ad floatright]

strawberry shortcakestrawberry shortcake

Summer Eats Recipe Guide: Grilling and BBQ, Healthy Salads, Seasonal Desserts

Summer Dessert Recipe: Classic Strawberry Shortcake

InDIYpendent Culture Faire and Strawberry Shortcake