Light Summer Dinner Ideas That The Whole Family Will Enjoy

Summer is finally here, which means it’s time to change things up in the kitchen and start cooking some lighter meals. Of course, my son demands his burgers, steak and pasta every night — but in the heat, that’s the last thing I want to cook or eat. I make it for us anyway and never feel great afterwards.

Culinary nutritionist Marti Wolfson says, “In the summer months, as heat increases within, our appetites naturally diminish and we tend to want to eat lighter and cook foods like fruit, vegetables and salads. It is a natural tendency in order to not overheat. Heating foods that are too oily, spicy or pungent like garlic and ginger and curries, will overtax the digestive system and increase the internal temperature."

Although it isn't so easy to ditch our typical dinner routines, we desperately need some new recipes in this house. Which is why I checked in with some parents and experts to help me discover some new and lighter summer dinner ideas. Here’s what they suggested:

Garden Feast

David Minerva Clover writes, “When it was really hot last week we made a massive salad with stuff from the garden (and store bought ingredients too) in it, multi grain bread, yogurt, berries and peanuts. I thought I was being lazy by not 'cooking' but it turned out to be a really lovely and satisfying dinner.”

Mediterranean Spread

Brandy Gonsoulin writes, “We've started a family style 'Mediterranean' spread, which was mostly meant to get my toddler to eat more, but also because it's lighter. I put out a main protein like meatballs or chicken and then a bunch of sides. Add sliced veggies, hummus, pre-packaged grape leaves, olives (for me!) and whatever else fits. Super easy.”

Snack Night and Pupu Platter

Many of the moms I spoke to create snack platters for dinner on some evenings, filled with "something for everyone," according to Carol 'Steffes' Heffernan. This is a photo of one of her recent platters which was a hit at her home.

Taco Salads

Dana Lee says, "Try a taco salad. Get Thousand Island and Catalina salad dressings, iceberg lettuce, make some ground beef with taco seasoning, tortilla chips, tomatoes and spring onions. Add the ingredients in a huge bowl and mix together." This also gives me the idea to create burritos or tacos with lettuce instead of the corn tortillas too, for that lighter touch.

Go Sweet and European

Olga Mecking says, "Eastern and Central Europe have sweet dinners and lunches. Examples include bilberry (you can use blueberries), strawberry or tart cherry pierogi. Try 'lazy pierogi' made with flour, egg and curd cheese combined, then you make 'snakes' out of the dough and cut off little pieces, served with butter, sugar and cinnamon (and sometimes bread crumbs fried in butter). Try crepes too. Find more sweet Polish recipes here. Otherwise, salads and cold soups, as well as pasta and rice dishes work too."

No Cook Dinners

Dana Lee adds, "I'm a big fan of no-cook dinners and cold salads in the summer, like tuna, salmon, shrimp salad, etc. Basically pick your fish of choice, mayo or yogurt, celery, very fine chopped peppers and in the morning if you boil a few eggs you can add one. Splurge on lovely bread at the bakery."

Salad and Tarts
Wolfson recommends some other recipes that are light, healthy and look delicious like fish kabobs with an herb pesto, tomato and zucchini tart, black bean tostados with grilled vegetables and guacamole and watermelon feta salad with an arugula salad.

As I finish writing this story, I am feeling bloated from the burger I ate for dinner tonight because my boy wanted his meat and I didn't want the extra food to go to waste. Tomorrow, a new summer dinner menu begins filled with light snacks, recipes and salads — and I can't wait!

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