In July, summer is in full swing—and it is HOT! Heating up the kitchen never sounds appealing during mid-summer. Here’s an easy summer meal plan for the week that helps you stay cool and enjoy good meals without turning on the oven.
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🍗 Sunday: Grilled Chicken, Veggies & Bread 🥦🍞
Grilled chicken is a summer meal must! We usually go for chicken thighs or drumsticks and rotate our marinades—simple BBQ, teriyaki, honey mustard, or even just olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic.
On the side, I’ll do a salad or sautéed veggie. This past Sunday, we sautéed fresh zucchini and tomatoes with garlic, salt, and pepper—such a garden-fresh side! If the kids need a little more, we add bread and butter as an easy filler.
🌮 Monday: Chicken Tacos or Burrito Bowls
When grilling on Sunday, we set aside some chicken with just basic seasoning to use for Monday’s meal. Chicken tacos or burrito bowls are a weekly go-to in our house.
We serve with sautéed peppers and onions, black or pinto beans (cooked in my must-have kitchen appliance—the Instant Pot!), rice, and cheese. A great way to use leftovers without heating up the house.
🍝 Tuesday: Tortellini Pasta Salad
I recently found a delicious tortellini pasta salad recipe that we’ve all been loving. We use the tortellini from Costco and make a big batch. It’s great for a quick, cooling dinner—and leftovers make the perfect easy summer lunch.
🥩 Wednesday: Grilled Steak Salad 🥗
Steak might not sound budget-friendly, but when you purchase a half cow, it becomes a great value—and you get all cuts, including steaks! Steak salads are a perfect way to stretch your cuts further.
Just season generously with salt and grill. Our go-to salad toppings: microgreens or spring mix, corn, peppers, red onions, and feta cheese. Here’s a simple guide on how to grill steak perfectly (insert link if you have one!).
🍗🥗 Thursday: Chicken Salad or BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
I love chicken salad, especially with avocado mayo from Costco and fresh raw veggies—carrots, peppers, onions, whatever’s on hand. My husband’s not a mayo fan, though, so we grill chicken breast (olive oil, salt, and pepper), then split it: I make chicken salad, and he tosses his in BBQ sauce.
We give the kids the option of either version—served in wraps or on bread. You can also serve this over greens for a gluten-free option. Everybody’s happy!
🌱 Friday: Bean Salad Night
Bean salads have been my go-to this summer! I cook a big batch of beans in the Instant Pot and prep a refreshing dinner that often doubles as lunch.
Two of our favorites:
Serve with tortilla chips or toasted bread slices—easy and satisfying!
🍔 Saturday: Grilled Hamburgers
What’s summer without sizzling hamburgers? Time to fire up the grill again! We make patties using Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos), salt, pepper, and a bit of olive or coconut oil.
I love making these Taste of Home 40 minute Hamburger Buns, but if you don’t want to turn on the oven, store-bought it is!
Serve with a refreshing watermelon & chips! Simple, Easy, & Delicious!
💪🥤 Bonus Breakfast or Snack: Protein Smoothies
Protein smoothies are one of our favorite summer go-tos—for breakfast, snack, or even a light dinner.
We stock up on frozen fruit – strawberries, blueberries, triple berry blend, mangoes, & a tropical blend – from Costco. This gives the kids & I constant variety of smoothie! We blend the frozen fruit with milk and either collagen or gelatin. To avoid added sugar, the kids sweeten with honey or stevia drops. Straws are essential—our kids love these silicone straws!
💡 Tip: Make a large batch of smoothie and freeze into popsicles!
We have loved the Miaowoof 10-cavity silicone popsicle molds! They let you create ten mini popsicles at once—perfect for nourishing, grab-and-go snacks for a large family. Crafted from flexible, BPA-free silicone, these molds make it easy to pop out each treat without any mess. The included silicone lid keeps spills at bay and holds the sticks upright during freezing, and with 50 wooden sticks included, you’re all set to start mixing your favorite smoothies or other delicious creations. Plus, the slim, stackable design fits neatly in your freezer and cleanup is a breeze since the molds are dishwasher safe. These popsicle molds have been a total game changer for our homemade popsicle experience!
Our Favorite Grilling Tools
Since this week’s plan includes lots of grilling, here are some of our favorite tools we use all summer long:
- Weber Grill – we can feed way more people than the grill ratings. This can easily feed a dozen!
- Meat Thermometer – got a meat thermometer upgrade! Very accurate and screw in back so the battery does not fall out.
- Grill Tool Set – a complete set of grilling tools – everything you need!
I hope this helps with your summer meal planning!
Have a favorite summer dinner your family loves? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what’s on your table this season!
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