Summer is officially here! Soak up all that this short season has to offer by making some delicious sips, snacks, sweets, and everything in between! Read on and click each image to take you directly to each of these summer recipes. Enjoy!
Nothing beats sweet summer corn! Combine it with red pepper, jalapeño, red onion, and cilantro to make a super tasty Fresh Corn Salsa.
Grilling strawberries transforms them in to jammy and smoky jewels of flavor. Creamy and herby cheese is the perfect pairing! One of my favorite summer recipes paired with a bottle of wine on a patio.
This guac is one for the books! Take things to the grill by giving poblano peppers and sweet corn the char treatment. Salty, smoky, and so delicious. This one’s addicting!
Every good road trip or patio happy hour needs a good salty snack. Let this Dill Pickle Snack Mix be yours! Packed with salty and sour flavors, this is one snack you won’t be able to stop at one handful with!
If looking to take your summer supper up a notch, start with these fancy appetizers. They feature marinated zucchini, salty prosciutto, and grillable Halloumi cheese!
Summer’s bounty shines in this Fresh Blender Salsa! Follow the recipe or use what looks freshest from your Farmer’s Market, grocery store, or garden!
One of my favorite summer recipes to enjoy while at the cabin: Crab Dip! Rich grab meat is combined with mayonnaise, celery, shredded cheese, and onion in this addictive spread. Perfect with buttery crackers and a glass of rosé!
One word for this recipe: FRESH. Sweet Bay Scallops are combined with tart lime juice and grapefruit juices, Serrano and bell pepper, and red onion in this super delicious ceviche!
Highlight summer’s bounty with the Farer’s Market Bruschetta! Sweet summer corn, juicy tomatoes, and slices of tender zucchini are layered on a cheese-topped crostini. Fresh herbs are the only garnish needed!
Shrimp is a summer must, and these mini tostadas would be the perfect appetizer at gathering with friends! Serve with other Mexican favorites and your favorite lagers for a fun bite sized party.
Juicy cantaloupe stands in for the traditional tomato in these fresh and tasty skewers. A balsamic glaze adds tart and sweet flavor to the fresh mozzarella, melon, and spicy basil.
Yes please! Sweet and juicy mango is combined with red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro in this tasty salsa. The perfect addition to Mexican night!
My favorite summertime snack by the pool (after big slabs of watermelon) is homemade hummus with fresh veggies and pita chips. This version is whipped to a fluffy consistency and features bright lemon and dill!
Some may call it by another name, but we all know that this chip dip is a favorite! Fresh veggies, black eyed peas, and cilantro are combined in this classic, and only gets bette the longer it sits in the fridge! Don’t overlook serving it with scrambled eggs or spooned over grilled chicken!
Excuse me while I pour one of the most gorgeous and effervescent cocktails of summer! This G&T gets the Spanish treatment in the type of Gin selected, in addition to a number of aromatic ingredients. One of my favorite summer cocktails!
Fresh squeezed blood orange juice and mint are the stars in this super fresh cocktail! You can choose your favorite flavored sparkling water to add extra bubbly fun.
Blueberries are incomparable in the summer months. It’s hard to believe each little berry can hold so much flavor! This cocktail features a blueberry simple syrup, lemon juice, basil, and gin. So refreshing – the perfect lakeside sip.
More basil in cocktails, please! This supremely summery libation is tart, tangy, and fresh. And don’t forget: there is no substitution for fresh squeezed lemon juice!
Sumac is a tart and lemony spice that’s deeply hued and so delicious. I infuse its flavor in to a simple syrup in this lovely cocktail, yielding a highly drinkable beverage that everyone will be asking about!
You may be familiar with the Paloma, which is a grapefruit and tequila based cocktail. I swapped out the grapefruit for its big sis, the Pomelo! Similar in flavor, the pomelo adds bitter sweetness, which masks some of the bite from the tequila. Cheers!
Almost too pretty drink! This summery sangria is made with rosé wine, a rhubarb simple syrup, and is garnished with fresh summer berries. Summer in a glass!
So fresh, and so cool! This Cucumber Mint Cooler is beyond refreshing, featuring two ingredients that were practically made for each other: cucumber and mint! Toast the long summer days with this cooling sip.
While I hope this cocktail doesn’t induce a nap, I won’t tell if it does! Tequila and bitter Campari are combined with fresh squeezed citrus in this pontoon pounder. Might want to make a big batch!
Spicy and sweet, this Ginger Lemonade is hydrating and so tasty. Fresh lemon juice and fresh ginger are combined with tantalizing ginger beer.
A delicious way to start the day! This Creamy Berry Banana Smoothie is one I make on repeat in the summer when it’s simply too hot to cook a warm breakfast! Add your favorite protein powder for extra hunger-busting.
This is a recipe I can’t help but make a triple batch of: everyone loves it! Incredibly hydrating coconut water serves as the base in this thirst quenching limeade.
One of my favorite things to prep for a long weekend at the cabin, my Homemade Cold Brew is one we make regularly around here! Keep it in your refrigerator and save yourself the $5 coffee house bill!
It should be considered a crime to not consume copious amounts of strawberries daily this time of year. These scones are absolutely divine, and would make a lovely addition to a summer brunch table.
Bagels may just be one of my favorite foods, and making them is surprisingly a lot easier than you would expect! This is a fun weekend project to get the whole crew involved with! Maybe you could even season your own cream cheese to make it extra special!
Is it a breakfast or a treat? I can’t be sure, since I enjoy these wholesome bars as both! Tart raspberry jam is sandwiched between layers of a yummy oat and seed-based mixture.
Brunch should be anything but basic. Impress your guests by swapping out the traditional English muffin with a homemade zucchini fritter! Don’t forget the hollandaise (who could?) – this one includes Greek yogurt which offers flavorful tang.
Equally delicious with yogurt and fruit, with a splash of almond milk or simply eaten by the handful: this Triple Coconut Granola is a staple! One of my very first recipes I shared on So Happy You Liked It, this one’s been around for a long time! Make a double batch – you’ll regret it if you don’t!
Tender shredded turkey cooks all day as you play! Pile it high on brioche buns and douse with horseradish sauce (my personal favorite way to enjoy!).
I envision this beautiful supper being enjoyed with a bottle of wine, some crusty bread, and a light salad by candlelight on the deck. You too? These Steak Roll Ups are packed with delicious flavor. An impressive date night in!
Just stop scrolling. If you’re looking for one recipe to try from this roundup, it should be this one! I tried the trial tomato and feta pasta hack last summer, and after making it this way, well….let’s just say I ate a LOT of pasta after that! So creamy and delicious!
These poke bowls feature the “waygu” of salmon: Ora King Salmon! These delicious bowls include cooling ingredients that bring fresh flavor, and satiate any poke craving.
A seasonal low carb dinner option that packs major flavor! Thinly sliced zucchini is rolled with herbed ricotta cheese, and baked in a hearty marinara sauce.
These salmon burgers are next level! A creamy slaw and slab of smoky grilled pineapple top these tender and flavorful salmon burgers.
Aptly called “summer steak”, this recipe hails from parents dear friend, Bob! His daughter Morgan shared the simple marinade recipe with me, and I haven’t been able to stop drooling over it since! A must make this summer!
It wouldn’t be summer in Minnesota without walleye! I lightly fry walleye fillets and Panko breadcrumbs, top them with tomatoes and shredded lettuce, and a briny caper tartar sauce. YUM!
Shredded barbecue pork is a must in the summer, and these sandwiches are the best! Pickles, a creamy slaw, and pickled red onion are my favorite ways to top these awesome sandwiches. And…this won’t take all day! My Slow Cooker Shredded Pork is made in a pressure cooker, meaning slow roasted flavor in a fraction of the time.
A stunning dish! Beautiful snapper is grilled whole and served with a wildly flavorful mint chimichurri. Delicious served alongside grilled vegetables!
Art, in bowl form! Shredded pork stands alongside crunchy cucumber, pickled carrots and radish, fresh herbs, and spicy peppers. Put it all on top of a bowl of your favorite grain, and you have one gorgeous meal.
The salty olive-based topping for this Mediterranean Salmon is to die for! Served atop of abed of greens, this is a light and fresh supper that s a cinch to make.
Who doesn’t love a fish taco?! The key to making them extra delicious? A damn good slaw! I include dill in mine, an unexpected yet insanely good addition.
Looking for spice? This recipe is for you! Scotch Bonnet peppers are a traditional ingredient in Jamaican cooking, which add unique flavor and kick to this simple dinner. Serve with a cooling fresh mango salsa!
We love skewers in my house, and these include some of our favorite ingredients to throw on a kabob! Juicy shrimp, spicy jalapeño, sweet pineapple, onions, and bell peppers: yum!
These lamb burgers highlight cooling ingredients commonly found in Greek cooking: cucumber, feta, mint, and yogurt. Serve with a light Greek salad for a delicious summertime meal!
Grilled pizza is a summer must! This version includes some of summer’s best: zucchini, asparagus, and fresh herbs. Slabs of brie add decadence, although this dish still feels light! So delicious!
Hello summer! A Shrimp Boil is such a fun way to surprise and delight when entertaining. Peel and eat shrimp, clams, potatoes, and corn, are boiled in an Old Bay spiked liquid yielding that quintessential east coast flavor. Grab a bib – this one is as much of an activity to eat as it is to make!
It isn’t summer without potato salad! This classic recipe has been in my family for years. In my options, it is the perfect potato salad! Creamy, tangy, with lots of texture. Try this one at your next barbecue!
If you know, you know. Broccoli Salad is a summer classic featuring raw broccoli, a creamy sauce, red onion, raisins, and bacon. An odd combination that you simply have to try!
Spicy, satiating, and fresh, this summer salad is a stunner! The dressing gets its creaminess from tahini, and extra briny kick from pickled jalapeño liquid! Make this one for lunch this week!
While fresh summer peaches are arguably best eaten straight from your hand, I love featuring them in savory dishes for an unexpected dash of flavor and color. Goat cheese is an excellent accompaniment! This light salad is a great side for grilled chicken.
Panzanella is a bread salad that features fresh, cool, and crunchy veg and warm, tasted bread. When combined, it’s heaven! Grilling the bread offers a nice char and smoky flavor.
Another recipe that has been in my family for years, this one is a summer must-make! Freshly picked strawberries were simply made for poppyseed dressing. My version includes greek yogurt providing extra tang!
For those evenings when all you have energy for boiling water and chopping some stuff up, this one’s for you! This Asian Noodle Salad is cool, crisp, and packed with bright and zippy flavors.
Watermelon, tomatoes, and burrata cheese are combined in this summertime stunner! Fresh chopped basil, olive oil, and salt and pepper top it off. You won’t believe how good this one is!
Pasta salad – my favorite! This version combined grilled vegetables and creamy mozzarella cheese offering deep flavor and awesome texture. It’s all tossed in a balsamic dressing that adds a layer of sweetness.
When late summer hits, there will be no limit to the number of tomato sandwiches I consume. The simplest ingredients don’t need much to shine! Grainy bread, good mayo, thick slabs of sun ripened tomatoes sprinkled with salt and pepper: this is what summer dreams are made of!
Another pasta salad, another day. Pro is the perfect pasta for this salad which includes all the best Greek flavors: feta cheese, kalamata olives, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, and pepperocinis!
Just. Make. This. You will not regret it, and it will very likely become your new favorite way to eat zucchini. Enough said!
A classic Minnesota treat: the Scotcharoo bar! Peanut butter, butterscotch, and chocolate are combined with crisp rice cereal in these addictive bars!
Tres Leches Cake may use be my favorite dessert ever! Make individual portions to serve at your next get together. Everyone will love the creamy cake topped with whipped cream and cinnamon!
If you’re looking for a fun new recipe to use rhubarb for, this impressive dessert is a fabulous one to try! Frangipane is an almond based pastry cream, and pairs perfectly with strawberries and rhubarb in these gorgeous tarts.
Blueberries and rhubarb: two exquisite summertime flavors! They come together in this delicious buckle, which essentially is a cake. A tasty summer recipe!
Not much beats Key Lime Pie! This recipe makes the classic dessert as bars, making eating them with your hands absolutely appropriate. Tart, sweet, and creamy – these are to die for!
An absolute classic! My version steeps basil in fresh cream before it’s whipped to fluffy perfection to top the shortcakes. Such a stunning yet simple summertime sweet!
I learned how to make this bright and sunny Italian Lemon Cake in the Amalfi Coast years ago. The dense cake is topped with a lemon syrup which offers moisture and tart flavor. Delicious served with whipped cream!
One of my top summer recipes, this ice cream is one that I’ve received countless messages about! It’s so simple to make (no churn!), and is packed with delicious flavor. You have to try this!
I couldn’t have a summer recipe roundup without S’mores! I offer a few tips for making a build your owns s’mores platter that every will love! And yes: homemade graham crackers REALLY DO make a difference!
Another no churn ice cream that everyone will love! This mint chip version reminds me of growing up, since there was always a gallon of it in the freezer in the basement. Nostalgic, sweet, and cooling!
Tried it? Loved it? Share it!
Did you try any of these Summer Recipes and love them? Use the hashtag #sohappyyoulikedit and tag @sohappyyoulikedit on social media so I can see your creations!
Let’s be friends! Find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to check out my YouTube Channel!