25 Easy Summer Lunch Ideas You’ll Crave On Hot Days
Pack 'em up for a picnic outside.
Busy summer days call for a quick and simple lunch that’s still refreshing and satisfying—especially for the Drummonds. 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 includes all of the summer lunch ideas you need.
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 (and quick) backyard cookout ideas like pasta salads, hot dogs, and burgers.
And, 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."
Sounds yummy, right? Try Ree's grilled steak wraps or homemade chicken burgers for a lightened-up lunch, then pair it up with seasonal summer produce like tomatoes, corn on the cob, and a fruity twist on lemonade.
Air Fryer Hot Dogs
Too hot to grill but craving a hot dog? The air fryer to the rescue! You’ll have perfectly crisp hot dogs in just a few minutes.
Get the Air Fryer Hot Dogs recipe.
Italian Sandwich
This over-the-top sandwich is perfect for bringing to a picnic. 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.
Pork and Rice Noodle Salad
Sweet, tangy, and savory pork tenderloin meets cool noodles and crunchy vegetables! It’s a great way to use up leftovers. Top with fresh herbs for extra flavor.
Get Ree’s Pork and Rice Noodle Salad recipe.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Escape to the Mediterranean with this flavorful combination of orzo pasta and vibrant veggies. It’s dressed in a bright and tangy vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs.
Get Ree's Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe.
Cobb Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
As Ree says, there’s so much “glorious goodness” in this salad: crisp greens, savory bacon, creamy avocado, juicy chicken, hard-boiled eggs, ripe tomatoes, and rich blue cheese dressing bringing it all together.
Get Ree’s Cobb Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing.
Cherry Tomato Pasta
Ready in just 30 minutes, this summer pasta is loaded with ripe cherry tomatoes, vibrant basil, and creamy ricotta. It's simple and full of seasonal flavor! Serve it as is or pair it with grilled chicken and a crisp salad for a fuller dish.
Get the Cherry Tomato Pasta recipe.
Chili Dogs
For a heartier but still so summery option, you'll want to cook up these hot dogs complete with a tangy and bold homemade chili topping that's customizable with your favorite add-ons like cheddar cheese, diced onions, or even coleslaw.
Pickle Cheeseburger Bites
You can turn a cheeseburger into the perfect lunch portion thanks to this fun recipe that swaps traditional buns for dill pickle chips. Stack mini beef patties, cheese, lettuce, and tomato onto skewers, then serve with a creamy ketchup-mayo dipping sauce.
Get Ree's Pickle Cheeseburger Bites recipe.
Shrimp Salad Rolls
This quick, coastal-inspired meal is so ideal for summer days! It features fresh shrimp tossed with mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery, and herbs, that get stuffed in a toasted hot dog bun. Serve with classic potato chips or a side of pasta salad.
Get Ree's Shrimp Salad Rolls recipe.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Hot Honey and Bacon
Looking to spice up your summer lunches? This ultimate flavor-packed sandwich takes toasted ciabatta buns and fills them with juicy grilled chicken marinated in a zesty honey mustard sauce, topped with crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese.
Get Ree's Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Hot Honey and Bacon recipe.
Asparagus Salad
Tossed with crispy bacon, shaved parmesan, crunchy walnuts, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, this easy-to-prepare asparagus dish is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Better yet, it stays fresh in the fridge for days. Hello, simple meal prep!
Get the Asparagus Salad recipe.
Lemon Pasta
If you get a craving for pasta on a summer afternoon, this light and zesty option is sure to hit the spot! Made up of mostly pantry staples, like lemons, olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese, it can be ready for lunch in less than 30 minutes.
Get the Lemon Pasta recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Wraps make for a classic and cool lunch! With tender, shredded chicken and bold buffalo sauce, this recipe is hearty, too! That gets layered with a creamy ranch sauce, crunchy cabbage, and fresh veggies, all wrapped up in a soft tortilla.
Get Ree's Buffalo Chicken Wraps recipe.
Esquites
Roasted corn is one of the best treats of late summer! Strip it off the cob and combine with creamy dressing, cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro for a refreshing lunch.
Get the Esquites 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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