Do you find yourself home more for lunch during the summer? I sure do! When my kids were growing up, I got so tired of chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and pb&j’s. The very thought actually makes me gag! While I couldn’t always convince my kids to try something different, I sure did! I’m always on the hunt for something that is yummy, doesn’t make too much mess or have too much prep, and doesn’t involve much cooking in the summer! Here’s some of the best easy yummy summer lunches, as well as some new ones to try!
Balsamic Apricot Flatbread
This is a concept that my friend, Tana, at Your Marketing BFF came up with. Tana has some other great recipes , like this grilled havarti tomato basil sandwich, and the easiest bowtie pasta salad.
Start off with some Naan, or other brand flatbread. Drizzle olive oil over it, and toast it under the broiler, or on the grill. Just long enough to be golden brown, and the desired crispiness. Top with some diced apricots or peaches, tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella, and mixed greens (if desired).
Drizzle with balsamic vinegar, or a balsamic vinegar reduction.
Place it back under the broiler or on the grill, just long enough to melt the cheese, and wilt the greens -if you used any.
That’s all there is to it! It’s so yummy, and you can really top it with whatever you like! Change it up with mozzarella, pizza sauce and some pepperoni for the kids!
Juliet’s Chicken Salad
This salad is a twist on the classic because she uses grilled chicken and Greek yogurt! She adds onions and celery for the crunch factor, and dark sweet cherries for some sweetness!
Karin’s Sweet Bell Pepper Peperonata Salad
This easy yummy summer lunch has bell peppers, capers, onions, and more, and is topped with homemade croutons!
Jenn’s Cashew Pea Salad
This Cashew Pea Salad is crispy, creamy, and has bacon! Enough said! I love salads that have a crunch, and plenty of protein, and this salad has both!
Lynne’s Spinach and Mandarin Orange Salad
Goat cheese cranberries add a special something to this delicious salad!
Misty’s Fried Green Tomatoes
Can you believe I only had fried green tomatoes for the first time a few years ago! It’s just not a thing in the Southwest like it is in the South. But they sure were tasty, and this recipe adds an extra zing with goat cheese and herbs!
Lynne’s Red, White, and Blue Summer Salad
My kids love strawberries in salad, this easy yummy recipe is just perfect for summer! Especially around the 4th of July, with it’s pretty red and blue berries! The tangy lemon vinagrette adds an extra twist!
Or this strawberry salad with feta and fresh herbs from Pinecones and Acorns!
Now that you have all of these Favorite Easy Summer Lunches, you never have to eat chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, or PB&J again!!!
Want some more easy summer recipes? Check out these air fryer recipes, and eliminate the oven in the summer! Or a fancy brunch that involves zero cooking! Or how about a beautiful summer tablescape to eat your lunches on!
What a great post! So many healthy and delicious looking meals! Thank you for including mine!
Thank you for contributing! I can’t wait to try all of them!
Such yummy recipes for summer! I am pinning this! I have lots of family coming for the 4th so these recipes will be perfect for all of us!
Thanks so much for including my pepper salad!
I hope your daughter recovers quickly from Covid and that no one else gets it in your family.
Hugs,
Karin
Yay! I hope you can make some of these! Thanks for your pepper recipe! Thanks so much-I’m sure we’ll all be fine!
All these recipes look scrumptious and a huge upgrade from what I’ve been scrounging for lunch. I’ve fallen into a rut of the same old, uninspired things … you’ve given me some great inspiration to kick things up a notch! xo
I know what you mean-I get in ruts too! I think this will help, there’s a lot of yummy recipes here!
every one of these looks delicious! thanks for sharing the wonderful ideas!
I can’t wait to try them all! I love to try cool, easy things for lunch!
These all look so good and so easy to make! Perfect summer fare!!
Easy was my goal! I can’t wait to try them all!
Great recipes. I especially love the flat breads
It’s so yummy! I want to go through and try every recipe!
My diet is so different in Summer than Winter! Thanks so much for sharing all of these great recipes:)
Mine is too! I don’t like anything hot in the summer!
Thank you for all of these great lunch suggestions!
Thanks for reading, Paula! I’m always on the hunt for new things to try for lunch!
This was such a good post! So many yummy recipes all in one spot! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Kim! I can’t wait to try all of them!
Apricots are one of my favorite summer fruits. This flatbread looks so yummy!
It’s so yummy, Marie! I hope you try it!
I am literally drooling over the photos of your Balsamic Apricot Flatbread. YUM!
It’s so good! I hope you try it!
Wow, such an epic collection of lunch idea! Variety is certainly a good thing in meals, too. 🙂
Thanks so much, Josiah! I like to have a variety of things to eat for lunch!
These all look delicious! I am such a fan of flat bread pizza, brings me back to my vacation in Italy. So yummy!
Visiting Italy is a dream of mine! The flatbread recipe is so yummy!
Oh my gosh, every one of these recipes looks yummy! Pinned for dinner this week!!
Yay! I hope you were able to make some!
Oh my gosh! Stop! I just had breakfast and I’m hungry again after looking at all this wonderful food.
Now you have something for lunch! Thanks so much, Carol!
Great round-up of lunch recipes Danielle! Salads with fruit and berries are so yummy! Thanks for sharing – pinning!
Thanks for reading, Cindy! There’s so many yummy recipes here!
These Summer lunches look so delicious, thanks for sharing these recipes!
They really are! I need to try them all!
Thank you for including my salad. I have pinned all of these so that I can make them. I cannot wait to try the flatbread, the chicken salad and all of the rest. Thank you Danielle! Have a wonderful Weeknd.
Your salad looks delicious! I am making my way through all of these trying them out!