These Easy Summer Lunches Will Get You Through the Hottest of Days
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During those busy summer days when you're running from baseball practice to trips to the beach, having a light and easy summer lunch is the key to keeping you fueled up for whatever the season has in store. And for the Drummond family, that also includes plenty of long, hot days working cattle. "Summer is the busiest time on the ranch,” Ree says, so she doesn't always have time for a big sit-down lunch. That's why this list of summer lunch ideas includes tons of easy lunch recipes that you can grab-and-go, like her pesto Caprese panini. Of course, those who prefer to slow things down come summertime will also enjoy the summer recipes on this list. Just look at the tomato pie that’s perfect for a lazy afternoon spent on the porch.
When planning a summer lunch, the key is to keep your cool—whether that means whipping up portable picnic foods to take with you to a shady spot in the park or sticking to classic backyard cookout ideas, like pasta salads, hot dogs, and burgers. Of course, if you're anything like Ree, you might want to enjoy your lunch early (before the heat really sets in). "In the summer, we'll usually have a big lunch before noon—we do the cooking outside and keep the fixings cool and crisp." Try Ree's grilled steak wraps or homemade chicken burgers for a lightened-up lunch, then pair it up with seasonal summer produce like tomato recipes, grilled corn, and a fruity twist on lemonade.
Southwestern Salad
This green salad is both refreshing and hearty at the same time. That's because it's chockfull of corn, beans, cheese, and tortilla chips! But if you want to make it even more filling, just top the salad with grilled chicken or steak.
Get the Southwestern Salad recipe.
Tomato Sandwich
Make summer tomatoes the star of this simple weekday sandwich. Aside from the thick slices of juicy heirloom tomatoes, there's only two other ingredients: fluffy white bread and flavorful garlic-basil aioli.
Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.
Caprese Frittata
This easy frittata is packed with summer flavor that's inspired by a classic caprese salad. Not only does it have burst cherry tomatoes and mozzarella pearls, but there's also a drizzle of pesto on top.
Get Ree's Caprese Frittata recipe.
Ramen Noodle Salad
This cool, crunchy twist on ramen proves that the noodles aren't just for wintertime. They make for a really fun picnic salad along with coleslaw mix and juicy mandarin orange slices.
Get the Ramen Noodle Salad recipe.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
These perfectly crisp hot dogs take just a couple of minutes. And you can even whip them up in the comfort of your air conditioned home. That means no standing in front of a hot grill to make 'em!
Get the Air Fryer Hot Dogs recipe.
Burrata Salad
Creamy burrata, juicy tomatoes, and tangy balsamic glaze—what's not to love here? This salad is just as easy to make for a casual lunch as it is for an elegant afternoon soiree.
Get the Burrata Salad recipe.
Chicken Pasta Salad
This recipe combines two lunchtime favorites: chicken salad and pasta salad! It has tons of tasty mix-ins like juicy grapes and crunchy celery, plus the hearty addition of shredded chicken and pasta.
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Brisket Tacos
Make a big batch of tender, shredded brisket with adobo sauce early in the week, then use it for tacos as a quick weekday lunch. Just don't forget the toppings!
Get the Brisket Tacos recipe.
Chickpea Salad
This hearty salad is delightfully refreshing thanks to summer produce like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Not to mention there's plenty of fresh herbs and a light lemony vinaigrette.
Get the Chickpea Salad recipe.
Homemade Chicken Burgers
Lean ground chicken often gets a bad rap, but these are packed with sour cream and chives for moisture and flavor. Top them off however you prefer: BBQ sauce, avocado slices, or even crumbled blue cheese!
Get the Homemade Chicken Burgers recipe.
Italian Sandwich
This over-the-top sandwich is perfect for bringing to a picnic and sharing with your favorite cowboy. You can assemble it the day before, wrap tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and store in the refrigerator overnight.
Get the Italian Sandwich recipe.
Tea Sandwiches
Treat your friends to a light and pretty picnic in the park or set up a tea party at home (with the air conditioning). Either way, these tea sandwiches will be so much fun for snacking. Serve them with a pitcher of iced tea in the summer.
Get the Tea Sandwiches recipe.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
A made-from-scratch ranch dressing gives this pasta salad its herby flavor and creamy texture. Once you start making your own ranch dressing, you'll never look back.
Get the Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe.
Easy Taco Salad
This recipe is everything you love about tacos in one bowl. And the best part is that it comes together in just 15 minutes.
Get the Easy Taco Salad recipe.
Egg Salad
Fresh dill and chives keeps this egg salad fresh and flavorful. You can serve it on a sandwich or over a bed of greens, but in the summertime, we like to take Ree's advice and scoop it onto a thick slice of seasonal tomato.
Get the Egg Salad recipe.
Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Pesto Mayo
Store-bought pesto makes this sandwich a breeze, but you can also use homemade pesto made from garden-fresh basil.
Get Ree's Ham Sandwiches with Arugula and Pesto Mayo recipe.
Tomato Pie
One of the best things about this seasonal, savory pie is that it can be made a day in advance, refrigerated, and served cold or at room temperature for your next picnic. Another great thing about it? The beautiful summer tomatoes.
Get the Tomato Pie recipe.
Mediterranean Salmon-Veggie Grain Bowl
Grain bowls are perfect for lunch because they're easy to prep ahead and totally customizable. Swap the quinoa for rice, add a zesty tzatziki sauce, or use herbs from your garden.
Get Ree's Mediterranean Salmon-Veggie Grain Bowl recipe.
Grilled Steak Wraps with Peanut Sauce
These flavorful wraps are a great way to use up leftover steak. Simply wrap the steak in grilled tortillas with crunchy salad and homemade peanut sauce.
Get Ree's Grilled Steak Wraps with Peanut Sauce recipe.
Greek Salad with Chicken
This cool, crisp salad gets a few additions (grilled chicken and crispy pita chips) which make it hearty enough for even a cowboy to enjoy.
Get Ree's Greek Salad with Chicken recipe.
Pesto Caprese Panini
Summer tomatoes and fresh mozzarella are a classic combination. Add roasted peppers, herby pesto, and toasted bread for a sandwich that's simple and delicious.
Get Ree's Pesto Caprese Panini recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Shrimp barely need any time on the grill at all! They cook up quickly in a matter of minutes so you can get lunch on the table fast! Serve them over a bed of greens for a refreshing salad.
Get the Grilled Shrimp Skewers recipe.
Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers
Make your afternoon cookout a little more interesting with chicken burgers topped with charred red onion, tangy pepperoncini, and creamy tzatziki (a Greek yogurt sauce).
Get Ree's Spinach and Feta Chicken Burgers recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Panzanella
Panzanella is a classic salad made with juicy tomatoes and cubes of bread. This version adds grilled shrimp for another summery twist.
Get Ree's Grilled Shrimp Panzanella recipe.
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls
Using your Instant Pot will make BBQ chicken easier than ever! Prepare a big batch to use on grain bowls or even salad bowls throughout the week.
Get Ree's Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls recipe.
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Bacon-wrapped hot dogs are a cookout revelation! They're delicious with classic hot dog toppings or even some fun new additions like slices of jalapeño.
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs recipe.
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