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55 Quick Summer Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes

Spend beautiful summer days outside instead of in the kitchen with quick summer dinners that go from start to table in just 30 minutes.

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Grilled Peach, Rice & Arugula Salad

This hearty salad was created when I needed to clear out some leftovers from the fridge—and it became an instant hit! The grilled peaches are the ultimate “tastes like summer” salad booster. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas

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Popcorn Shrimp Tacos With Cabbage Slaw Exps Tohas20 245361 F04 07 1b Home 8

Popcorn Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

I love combining classic flavors in new ways. This healthy recipe combines crispy popcorn shrimp and tacos! It’s one of my family’s favorites. To make the tacos lower in carbs, use lettuce instead of tortillas. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Applesauce Barbecue Chicken Exps Ft20 41953 F 0128 1 14

Applesauce Barbecue Chicken

You only need a few ingredients to create this sweet and peppery chicken. The subtle flavor of apple makes this tender barbecue dish stand out from the rest. —Darla Andrews, Farmers Branch, Texas
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Ginger Pork Stir Fry Exps Qebz20 17024 E01 23 3b 2

Ginger Pork Stir-Fry

My recipe box is full of delicious pork recipes, but this fast-to-fix stir-fry really stands out from the rest. My family loves the citrus glaze that coats the tender pork and vegetables. Ginger, garlic and orange juice provide the glaze's terrific taste. —Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan
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Grilled Mahi Mahi

Instead of grilling the usual hamburgers or chicken breasts, prepare this grilled mahi mahi and reel in raves! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Indian Spiced Beefy Lettuce Wraps Exps Gbbz20 237884 C10 16 7b 5

Indian-Spiced Beefy Lettuce Wraps

Since I love the flavors of Indian food, I almost always have coconut milk, a jar of mango chutney and garam masala seasoning in my pantry. This recipe is one of my go-tos when I am short on time but want something that tastes spectacular. If you’d like to give this a different style of Asian flair, use hoisin sauce in place of chutney and Chinese five-spice powder in place of garam masala. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet

We love Italian sausage sandwiches, but because the bread isn't diet-friendly for me, I created this recipe to satisfy my craving. If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers. —Tina Howells, Salem, Ohio
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Halibut Soft Tacos Exps Ft20 48539 F 0521 1 Home 4

Halibut Soft Tacos

I sometimes serve these halibut tacos wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. Either way, the mango salsa tastes amazing with grilled halibut. This warm-weather recipe is quick, colorful and full of nutrients. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana
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Corn Dogs Exps Tohjj20 1362 B01 31 2b 1

Corn Dogs

Prepare corn dogs at home just like you'd get at the fair. Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
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Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops Exps Sdas18 205261 C03 29  6b 4

Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops

These sweet, spicy chops can be thrown together in minutes, but they definitely don't taste like it. Serve them with a side of jasmine rice and you'll feel as if you're on a tropical vacation. —Allison Ulrich, Frisco, Texas
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Cheeseburger Quesadillas Exps Tohcom22 185114 P3 Dr 12 14 1b

Cheeseburger Quesadillas

I created these fun cheeseburger quesadilla mashups in honor of my family's two favorite foods. They are so yummy and easy to make! —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
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Chicken Taco Pockets Exps Sdas18 205120 C03 28  4b 3

Chicken Taco Pockets

We love these taco-flavored sandwiches made with crescent dough. They make a quick, easy lunch or supper with a bowl of soup or a crisp salad. I also like to cut them into smaller servings for parties. —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky
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Salsa Steak Garlic Toasts

These open-faced steak sandwiches play up the popular combo of steak and garlic bread. The salsa, sour cream and garnish elevate it into quick, satisfying meal. Substitute chopped green onions or chives for the cilantro if desired. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Rosemary Salmon And Veggies Exps Tohas20 245937 F04 14 2b Home 2

Rosemary Salmon and Veggies

My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this rosemary salmon meal. It's a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
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Grilled Chicken Ranch Burgers Exps Sdjj19 176470 C02 07 3b 12

Grilled Chicken Ranch Burgers

This is one of the most fantastic, flavorful burgers I've ever made. Ranch is a favorite in dips and dressings, and believe me, it doesn't disappoint in these burgers, either! —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa
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Tequila Lime Shrimp Zoodles Exps Hck19 207696 C09 21 1b 8

Tequila Lime Shrimp Zoodles

This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois
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Chicken Nectarine And Avocado Salad Exps Bfbz19 200496 B01 16 1b 1

Chicken, Nectarine and Avocado Salad

This salad is really summery and comes together very quickly. Using granola adds crunch and makes it different. I've tried using a various types of granola, and our favorites have been those that aren't overly sweet but have lots of nuts. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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Quinoa Unstuffed Peppers Exps Sddj18 206214 D08 08 3b 2

Quinoa Unstuffed Peppers

This deconstructed stuffed pepper dish packs a wallop of flavor. I truly make it all the time, and I make sure my freezer is stocked with single-serve portions to take to work. —Rebecca Ende, Phoenix, New York
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Spinach Shrimp And Ricotta Tacos Exps Tham19 84415 E11 08 6b 3

Spinach, Shrimp and Ricotta Tacos

I was looking for a new recipe for tacos, and this version was a perfect solution. With shrimp, green chiles, spinach and ricotta, it's made up of ingredients I love that aren't normally associated with traditional tacos. —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
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Sausage And Swiss Chard Pasta Exps Sddj19 214848 B07 17 7b 1

Sausage and Swiss Chard Pasta

I whipped up lunch with fresh produce from the farmers market, and the result was amazing. —Kate Stiltner, Rockford, Michigan
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Grilled Buttermilk Chicken Exps Bfbz19 193422 B01 16 4b 2

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

I created this recipe years ago after one of our farmers market customers, a chef, shared the idea of marinating chicken in buttermilk. The chicken is easy to prepare and always turns out moist and delicious! I bruise the thyme sprigs by twisting them before adding them to the buttermilk mixture; this tends to release the oils in the leaves and flavor the chicken better. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Cucumber Salad Boats

Scoop out the seeds and fill fresh cucumbers with your favorite salad for a crunchy and refreshing light lunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Grilled Brats With Sriracha Mayo Exps Sdjj17 166036 D02 14 2b 3

Grilled Brats with Sriracha Mayo

I am a Sriracha fanatic, so that’s what inspired this dish. You can boil the brats in your favorite beer to reduce the fat and give them flavor before grilling, or spread garlic butter on lightly toasted buns. —Quincie Ball, Olympia, Washington
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Grilled Kiwi Chicken Kabobs With Honey Chipotle Glaze Exps Thso17 145457 B04 20 1b 6

Grilled Kiwi-Chicken Kabobs with Honey-Chipotle Glaze

When guests bite into these juicy grilled kabobs, their eyes always widen with satisfaction. Our four kids are crazy about the spicy-sweet sauce. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
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Sesame Beef Asparagus Salad Exps Thfm17 2708 D09 27 7b 8

Sesame Beef & Asparagus Salad

Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies—especially when it comes to experimenting with fresh ingredients like these. This meaty salad is wonderful at the start of asparagus season. —Tamara Steeb, Issaquah, Washington
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Fresh Corn Tomato Fettuccine

Fresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccine

This recipe combines delicious whole wheat pasta with fresh garden produce. It's tossed with heart-healthy olive oil, and a sprinkling of feta cheese gives it bite. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
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Dijon-Crusted Fish

Dijon, Parmesan and a hint of horseradish give this toasty fish lots of flavor. The preparation is so easy, it takes just 5 to 7 minutes to get 4 servings ready for the oven. —Scott Schmidtke, Chicago, Illinois
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Grilled Ribeye with Garlic Blue Cheese Mustard Sauce

This simple steak gets a big flavor boost from two of my favorites: mustard and blue cheese. My husband and I make this recipe to celebrate our anniversary each year! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Classic Cobb Salad Exps Thfm17 4728 D09 27 4b 2

Classic Cobb Salad

Making this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I “plant” everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
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Grecian Chicken Exps Thjj17 186712 B02 07 5b 12

Grecian Chicken

The caper, tomato and olive flavors will whisk you away to the Greek isles. This easy skillet dish is perfect for hectic weeknights. —Jan Marler, Murchison, Texas
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Grilled Garden Veggie Pizza

Pile on the veggies—the crisp, grilled crust can take it! This colorful, healthy pizza looks as fresh as it tastes. —Diane Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
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Pesto Corn Salad With Shrimp Exps Tohas23 170439 P2 Md 03 10 4b

Pesto Corn Salad with Shrimp

This recipe showcases the beautiful bounty of summer with its fresh corn, tomatoes and delicious basil. Prevent browning by spritzing the salad with lemon juice. —Deena Bowen, Chico, California. If you’re looking for more, you must check out these summer recipes for a backyard bash.
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Strawberry-Turkey Spinach Salad

This light, refreshing salad is a true showstopper, visually and nutritionally, with fresh strawberries and yellow pepper strips tossed with fresh baby spinach. Serve with warm whole wheat rolls or flax or bran muffins. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Baked Chicken With Bacon Tomato Relish Exps Sdas18 206099 C03 28  6b 18

Baked Chicken with Bacon-Tomato Relish

We eat a lot of chicken for dinner, so I'm always trying to do something a little different with it. My children love the crispiness of this chicken, and my husband and I love the flavorful relish—you can't go wrong with bacon! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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Exps158452 Sd163615c04 07 5b 2

Simple Grilled Steak Fajitas

After moving to a new state with two toddlers in tow, I came up with effortless fajitas. They make an easy weeknight meal on the grill or in a cast-iron skillet. —Shannen Mahoney, Odessa, Missouri
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Grilled Ham Burgers Exps Thjj17 186158  C02 07 4b 110

Grilled Ham Burgers

My family loves my ham loaf, so I decided to make the ham loaf mixture into patties and grill them—it was an instant hit. Adding the arugula gives these burgers a peppery bite and honey mustard dressing adds just the right sweet and sour flavor. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
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Shrimp and Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

When I meet former co-workers for lunch at our favorite restaurant, we always order this salad. I wanted to share it with my husband, so I made it my mission to re-create it. Mission accomplished! —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi
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Beef Broccoli Stir Fry Exps Sddj18 8896 B08 08 7b 7

Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry

My family often requests this tasty beef and broccoli stir fry. It's great because it combines tender beef and nutritious vegetables in one dish. We enjoy this broccoli beef recipe year-round but especially in summer, when I grow my own broccoli and onions. Plus, it doesn't heat up the kitchen. —Ruth Stahl, Shepherd, Montana
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Exps167014 Sd153321b01 30 2b 1

Chicken with Peach-Cucumber Salsa

To keep our kitchen cool, we grill chicken outdoors and serve it with a minty peach salsa that can easily be made ahead. —Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas
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Ginger Honey Marinated Salmon

Ginger, garlic powder and green onion blend nicely for this marinated salmon. We've found it tastes even better when marinated in the fridge overnight. We also like to use this versatile mixture when grilling chicken! —Dan Strumberger, Farmington, Minnesota
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Exps141668 Sd153321b02 03 4b 3

Grilled Flatbread Veggie Pizza

We pile veggies onto flatbread for a fun way to eat healthier. Our go-to recipe for weeknights easily changes with different veggies or meats. —Darla Andrews, Lewisville, Texas
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Pork Chops With Nectarine Sauce  Exps Sdjj17 182617 B02 09 8b 3

Pork Chops with Nectarine Sauce

As a dietitian, I’m always looking for ways to make meals healthy and delicious. These juicy chops are fast, too. —Suellen Pineda, Victor, New York
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Tangy Turkey Tostadas Exps23117 Sd143205a01 28 3bc Rms 3

Tangy Turkey Tostadas

I'm a health fitness specialist and personal trainer, so I know how important it is to make smart food choices to fuel my day. These fast and filling tostadas are packed with lean protein, fiber and a good dose of veggies. Have them any night of the week. —Julie Huntington, Memphis, Tennessee
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Cajun Boil on the Grill

I came up with these everything-in-one seafood packets for a family reunion, since the recipe can be increased to feed a bunch. The foil steams up inside, so open carefully. —Allison Brooks, Fort Collins, Colorado
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Tortellini With Asparagus Lemon Exps165025 Sd143205a01 29 4b Rms 2

Tortellini with Asparagus & Lemon

This is a terrific warm-weather dish, loaded with fresh flavors. I make mine meatless, but some sliced grilled chicken on top would be awesome, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
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Barbecue Chicken Tostadas

Lots of my recipes (just like this one) start out as fun ways to use leftovers. My kids love tostadas, so this day-after-cookout dinner was a big hit. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
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Meat 'n' Potato Kabobs

They're summery, but these kabobs really stick to your ribs. A microwave makes quick work of cooking the potatoes, so grilling is done in a flash. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Exps130833 Sd153321b01 30 4b 4

Chili-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

While exploring Mexican restaurants, I tasted chiles rellenos and wanted to make them at home. My husband and I teamed up to create this stuffed poblano peppers recipe, which is one of our favorites. —Lorrie Grabczynski, Commerce Township, Michigan
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Chipotle-Raspberry Pork Chops

Chipotle-Raspberry Pork Chops

With only three ingredients and ten-minute prep time, this supper's fast enough to throw together after a long day of work.—Jennifer Ray, Poncha Springs, Colorado
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Grilled Basil Chicken And Tomatoes Exps Dsbz17 37304 B01 19 5b 2

Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes

Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It's one of those basil recipes that tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania
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Stuffed Peppers For Four Exps Sdjj17 39426 D02 10 5b 7

Stuffed Peppers for Four

Truly a meal in one, this quick supper has it all: Veggies, meat, pasta and sauce, packed into tender peppers. It’ll look so pretty on your table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mediterranean Pork and Orzo

On a really busy day, this meal in a bowl is one of my top picks. It's quick to put together, leaving a lot more time to relax at the table. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
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Cherry Chicken Lettuce Wraps Exps153299 Sd143205d01 31 2b Rms 1

Cherry-Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I came up with this amazing recipe when I had a load of cherries on hand. My family polished them off fast, and asked for more. Luckily I had enough fruit to make them again the next day! —Melissa Barlow, Fruit Heights, Utah
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Creamy Herb Grilled Salmon Exps136705 Sd2847494d02 14 7bc Rms 2

Creamy Herb Grilled Salmon

I have a huge herb garden and love using herbs in almost everything I cook. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we eat a lot of wild-caught salmon, so I use fresh herbs in this moist and delicious grilled recipe. On cooler days, bake it instead. —Michelle Glassmeyer Wunsch, Bothell, Washington
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Exps155169 Sd153321b01 30 7b 15

Zucchini & Sausage Stovetop Casserole

Gather zucchini from your garden or farmers market and start cooking. My family goes wild for this wholesome casserole. You can grate the zucchini if you'd like. —LeAnn Gray, Taylorsville, Utah

Dana Meredith
Dana is an editor and writer who shares her passion for travel, food and the beauty of American landscapes. When she's not wielding her red pen, she can be found tending her flower gardens, remodeling her house, creating one-of-a-kind jewelry or dancing to "Uptown Funk."