make ahead summer dinners

Summer is just TOO good to spend all evening cooking.

Those long, sunny days and warm nights are meant for fun, not for stressing over what’s for dinner!

Imagine having your meal practically ready before you even think about eating.

That’s the WONDERFUL thing about make-ahead dinners.

You get to soak up every last bit of summer, with less time in a hot kitchen.

If you’re nodding along, then this list is DEFINITELY for you.

We’ve gathered 31 amazing make-ahead summer dinner ideas below.

1. Tarragon Potato Salad

Tarragon Potato Salad

This creamy Tarragon Potato Salad offers a fresh, bright twist on a classic side dish.

You’ll love the delightful hints of lemon and tarragon that make every bite absolutely delicious.

It’s the perfect addition to your next meal.

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2. Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts

Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts

Discover the ultimate Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts, truly the best chicken salad recipe you’ll find.

This classic chicken salad with grapes and walnuts is perfect for a delicious, light lunch.

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3. Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken is a wonderfully flavorful, one-pot meal.

Enjoy tender shredded chicken with vibrant fiesta flavors, perfect for easy weeknight tacos or bowls.

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4. BBQ Jackfruit Tacos

BBQ Jackfruit Tacos

Enjoy smoky, “meaty” BBQ Jackfruit Tacos that are incredibly satisfying.

This quick and easy recipe uses pantry staples and comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a perfect kid-friendly meal.

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5. Crispy Farro Salad with Peas and Feta

Crispy Farro Salad with Peas and Feta

This Crispy Farro Salad with Peas and Feta offers a delightful blend of textures and fresh flavors.

You will enjoy the satisfying crunch of the crispy farro, perfectly complemented by sweet peas and tangy feta.

It is a simple and delicious salad, ideal for any meal.

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6. Shaved Zucchini Taco Salad with Crispy Chickpeas

Shaved Zucchini Taco Salad with Crispy Chickpeas

Shaved Zucchini Taco Salad with Crispy Chickpeas is a vibrant dish featuring tender raw zucchini.

It’s topped with a creamy cilantro lime avocado dressing, making every bite delicious and fresh.

This high-protein, vegetarian salad is sure to become a new favorite.

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7. Chicken Meatballs

Chicken Meatballs

These delicious Chicken Meatballs are baked until golden brown, infused with garlic, herbs, and spices.

Enjoy these versatile chicken meatballs as a perfect appetizer or generously served over a big plate of spaghetti.

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8. Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken is a super-simple way to make meal prep easier all week long.

Just a few chicken breasts in your Instant Pot quickly yield versatile shredded chicken perfect for topping salads, stirring into casseroles, and more.

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9. Heirloom Tomato Galette with Mascarpone and Herbs

Heirloom Tomato Galette with Mascarpone and Herbs

This Heirloom Tomato Galette with Mascarpone and Herbs is a truly delightful savory galette recipe.

It features juicy heirloom tomatoes and fresh garden herbs nestled in a creamy mascarpone filling, all within a flaky, buttery herb crust.

This beautiful tomato galette is perfect for any occasion.

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10. One Pot Beef Chuck Roast For Tacos And More

One Pot Beef Chuck Roast For Tacos And More

This One Pot Beef Chuck Roast For Tacos And More slow cooks to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

Seasoned with a bold blend of spices, this Dutch Oven Beef Chuck Roast becomes incredibly tender shredded meat.

It’s ideal for delicious beef tacos, sandwiches, or as an easy meal prep protein.

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11. Strawberry BBQ Chicken

Strawberry BBQ Chicken

Strawberry BBQ Chicken is a delicious and unique spin on classic BBQ Chicken. This recipe features a tangy strawberry BBQ sauce that perfectly complements a fresh strawberry salsa. A cooling avocado cream sauce adds a wonderful finish to this flavorful dish.

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12. Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken

Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken

Crock Pot Mediterranean Chicken makes dinner effortlessly easy and delicious.

This tender, slow cooker chicken is packed with bright flavors from garlic, lemon, and feta.

It’s a wonderful low carb option for a satisfying family meal.

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13. Mexican Pasta Salad

Mexican Pasta Salad

Enjoy the easiest Mexican Pasta Salad recipe that’s truly simple to make. It is loaded with vibrant veggies and coated in a creamy, flavorful Mexican pasta salad dressing. This delicious dish is perfect for any occasion.

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14. Ratatouille

Ratatouille

This Ratatouille is a colorful and tender vegetable casserole, inspired by Julia Child’s classic recipe.

You’ll find meaty eggplant, tangy tomato, and rich zucchini creating a savory ratatouille dish.

It’s a delightful vegan casserole, perfect for a wholesome and flavorful meal.

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15. Grilled Butter Chicken Pasta Salad

Grilled Butter Chicken Pasta Salad

Elevate your next gathering with a delightful Grilled Butter Chicken Pasta Salad. This unique salad combines creamy, mildly spicy flavors with juicy grilled chicken pieces in a savory dressing.

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16. Balela Salad

Balela Salad

Balela Salad is a flavorful Middle Eastern bean salad that comes together in just 15 minutes.

This quick Mediterranean chickpea salad is packed with fresh herbs and a tangy vinaigrette.

Enjoy it as a refreshing side dish or a light, satisfying lunch.

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17. Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers

Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers

Enjoy these delicious Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers. Each bite-sized piece of tender chicken is perfectly grilled and bursting with bright coconut lime flavor. These chicken skewers are a fantastic, easy meal for any occasion.

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18. Chicken Burrito Bowls

Chicken Burrito Bowls

These delicious Chicken Burrito Bowls are a fun and flexible meal for the whole family. This easy burrito bowl recipe comes together effortlessly, especially when you use a slow cooker for the chicken. Their versatility makes these flavorful bowls easy to customize with all your favorite toppings.

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19. Roasted Crispy White Bean and Veggie Pitas with Parsley Sauce (vegan)

Roasted Crispy White Bean and Veggie Pitas with Parsley Sauce (vegan)

These Roasted Crispy White Bean and Veggie Pitas with Parsley Sauce are packed with flavor and wholesome goodness. You’ll love the crispy white bean pitas and fresh veggies, all tied together with a zesty parsley sauce. It’s a perfect plant-based meal for a simple weeknight.

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20. Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken Marinade with Rice

Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken Marinade with Rice

This Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken Marinade with Rice is a guaranteed winner, making dinner a breeze. The easy marinade infuses tender chicken with bright lime, creamy coconut milk, and a hint of fresh garlic and ginger. Get ready for a juicy, flavorful meal that will quickly become your favorite.

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21. Slow Cooker Salsa Beef Fajitas

Slow Cooker Salsa Beef Fajitas

Slow Cooker Salsa Beef Fajitas offers tender, flavorful beef.

It slow-cooks with zesty salsa, onions, and peppers to create delicious beef fajitas.

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22. Crockpot Taco Meat

Crockpot Taco Meat

This Crockpot Taco Meat recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd with minimal effort. Enjoy flavorful taco meat effortlessly prepared in your slow cooker. It’s an incredibly simple way to make dinner a breeze.

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23. Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls with Cashew Curry Sauce

Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls with Cashew Curry Sauce

Enjoy vibrant Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls featuring a delightful mix of textures and fresh flavors.

A creamy Cashew Curry Sauce brings everything together, making these delicious vegan quinoa bowls ready in under an hour.

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24. Coronation Chicken Salad

Coronation Chicken Salad

This Coronation Chicken Salad is a delicious classic British dish, originally made for Queen Elizabeth II.

Tender chicken pieces are tossed in a light curry dressing, creating a vibrant and savory chicken salad.

Enjoy it as a tasty sandwich filling or simply served over fresh lettuce.

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25. Citrus Chicken Marinade Recipe

Citrus Chicken Marinade Recipe

This Citrus Chicken Marinade Recipe is your go-to for incredibly juicy chicken.

It’s the perfect way to infuse bright citrus flavor into any grilled chicken recipe.

Get ready for delicious chicken on the grill that everyone will love.

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26. Healthy Taco Salad

Healthy Taco Salad

This Healthy Taco Salad is a quick and easy meal, loaded with plant-based protein, flavor, and texture.

It’s the perfect choice for a summer weeknight meal.

For an extra delicious boost, finish this vegan taco salad with creamy southwest-flavored ranch dressing.

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27. Korean Style Meatballs

Korean Style Meatballs

These Korean Style Meatballs are incredibly flavorful with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

Each glazed meatball is a delight, whether served as a tasty dinner over rice or as an irresistible appetizer.

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28. Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken Caesar Salad

Enjoy this classic Chicken Caesar Salad featuring crisp romaine and juicy grilled chicken. It’s tossed in a homemade garlicky dressing made with Greek yogurt and bright lemon juice for a fresh, zesty flavor.

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29. Briam Greek roasted vegetables

Briam Greek roasted vegetables

This Briam Greek roasted vegetables recipe brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your table.

This traditional Greek vegetable bake is packed with fresh vegetables and amazing flavor.

It’s perfect served with a side of creamy feta cheese, crusty bread, and olives.

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30. Gluten-Free Summer Pasta Salad

Gluten-Free Summer Pasta Salad

This Gluten-Free Summer Pasta Salad brings all the fresh flavors of the season to your plate. It’s packed with delicious pasta, vibrant vegetables, and a zesty dressing. Serve this perfect BBQ appetizer or side dish at your next gathering.

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31. Smoked mackerel salad

Smoked mackerel salad

This Smoked Mackerel Salad is incredibly easy to prepare.

It’s packed with goodness from the smoked mackerel and chickpeas, making it perfect for a quick and healthy lunch or dinner.

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