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These dinners are quick enough to make any night of the week. You only need 25 minutes or less to whip up any of these simple summer meals, from veggie sandwiches to fresh salads. With ingredients like cucumbers, peaches, tomatoes and melon on the menu, you’re in for a healthy seasonal meal with lots of flavor. Recipes like our Grilled Peach & Brie Smothered Chicken and Scallops & Cherry Tomatoes with Caper-Butter Sauce are delicious ways to enjoy summer flavors.
01of 25Cucumber SandwichView RecipePhotographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth BlackburnThis creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese-yogurt spread complements the crisp refreshing cucumber, while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together.
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Cucumber Sandwich
View Recipe
Photographer / Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Ruth Blackburn

This creamy, crunchy cucumber sandwich recipe strikes a lovely balance between decadent and light. The cream cheese-yogurt spread complements the crisp refreshing cucumber, while the hearty flavor and texture of the whole-wheat bread hold everything together.
02of 25One-Pot Shrimp with Tomatoes & FetaView RecipeJason DonnellyThanks to quick-cooking shrimp, this one-pot meal comes together in record time. Tomatoes add a burst of color and acidity, while chopped basil brings freshness. Serve over pasta or whole grains.
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One-Pot Shrimp with Tomatoes & Feta
Jason Donnelly

Thanks to quick-cooking shrimp, this one-pot meal comes together in record time. Tomatoes add a burst of color and acidity, while chopped basil brings freshness. Serve over pasta or whole grains.
03of 25Grilled Peach & Brie Smothered ChickenView RecipeThis super-fast and healthy smothered chicken tastes best on the deck with a chilled glass of gewürztraminer. The fruity white pairs nicely with the peaches here.
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Grilled Peach & Brie Smothered Chicken

This super-fast and healthy smothered chicken tastes best on the deck with a chilled glass of gewürztraminer. The fruity white pairs nicely with the peaches here.
04of 25Grilled Flank Steak with Tomato SaladView RecipeCutting the steak immediately after cooking breaks all the rules on meat cookery, but in this recipe we do it intentionally in order to capture the juices and incorporate them into the dressing. Serve this grilled flank steak recipe with crusty bread to soak up the deliciousness.
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Grilled Flank Steak with Tomato Salad

Cutting the steak immediately after cooking breaks all the rules on meat cookery, but in this recipe we do it intentionally in order to capture the juices and incorporate them into the dressing. Serve this grilled flank steak recipe with crusty bread to soak up the deliciousness.
05of 25Scallops & Cherry Tomatoes with Caper-Butter SauceView RecipeThese pan-seared scallops come together in just 20 minutes for a delicious, easy dinner. You’ll want some whole-wheat angel hair pasta or polenta to sop up all the rich, briny sauce.
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Scallops & Cherry Tomatoes with Caper-Butter Sauce

These pan-seared scallops come together in just 20 minutes for a delicious, easy dinner. You’ll want some whole-wheat angel hair pasta or polenta to sop up all the rich, briny sauce.
06of 25Mahi-Mahi Fish TacosView RecipeIn this mahi-mahi fish taco recipe, chili-coated fish gets a lovely crust from the hot pan. The creaminess of the avocado sauce complements the crisp crunch of the jicama, and it’s all pulled together in 20 minutes.
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Mahi-Mahi Fish Tacos

In this mahi-mahi fish taco recipe, chili-coated fish gets a lovely crust from the hot pan. The creaminess of the avocado sauce complements the crisp crunch of the jicama, and it’s all pulled together in 20 minutes.
07of 25Caprese SandwichView RecipePhotographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine KeelyThis caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.
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Caprese Sandwich
Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely

This caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.
08of 25Seared Scallops with Green Goddess SlawView RecipePhotographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey BulatAvocado, yogurt and buttermilk lend creaminess to the herbaceous dressing coating this salad.
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Seared Scallops with Green Goddess Slaw
Photographer / Jacob Fox, Food styling / Sue Mitchell, Food Styling / Kelsey Bulat

Avocado, yogurt and buttermilk lend creaminess to the herbaceous dressing coating this salad.
09of 25Orange-Mint Freekeh Salad with Lima BeansView RecipeJacob FoxThis salad is loaded with colorful produce: fresh mint, snap peas, radishes and oranges. For pretty snap pea slices, cut them into long, thin strips.
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Orange-Mint Freekeh Salad with Lima Beans
Jacob Fox

This salad is loaded with colorful produce: fresh mint, snap peas, radishes and oranges. For pretty snap pea slices, cut them into long, thin strips.
10of 25Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Cilantro DressingView RecipeBrie PassanoThis healthy vegetarian salad recipe features chickpeas and quinoa for a boost of protein. Cilantro adds color and flavor when blended to make a creamy dressing. Serve this cold salad for lunch or dinner.
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Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
Brie Passano

This healthy vegetarian salad recipe features chickpeas and quinoa for a boost of protein. Cilantro adds color and flavor when blended to make a creamy dressing. Serve this cold salad for lunch or dinner.
11of 25Chicken Caprese SandwichView RecipePhotographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine KeelyThis chicken caprese sandwich has all the classic flavors of a caprese salad with an added boost of protein from grilled chicken. Using store-bought grilled chicken makes assembly quick and easy. This sandwich for one is made in a skillet but would work equally well in a panini press if you have one on hand.
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Chicken Caprese Sandwich

This chicken caprese sandwich has all the classic flavors of a caprese salad with an added boost of protein from grilled chicken. Using store-bought grilled chicken makes assembly quick and easy. This sandwich for one is made in a skillet but would work equally well in a panini press if you have one on hand.
12of 25Crab SaladView RecipePhotographer / Jen Causey, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Chelsea ZimmerThis fresh and clean crab salad sits on top of crunchy romaine lettuce with extra crunch coming from bell pepper and celery. The sweet crab is laced with a creamy dressing (thanks to Greek-style yogurt and mayo) with just a hint of Old Bay seasoning. Lemon and herbs bring it all together and brighten everything up.
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Crab Salad
Photographer / Jen Causey, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke, Food Stylist / Chelsea Zimmer

This fresh and clean crab salad sits on top of crunchy romaine lettuce with extra crunch coming from bell pepper and celery. The sweet crab is laced with a creamy dressing (thanks to Greek-style yogurt and mayo) with just a hint of Old Bay seasoning. Lemon and herbs bring it all together and brighten everything up.
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Pesto Salmon
Will Dickey

14of 25Hot Honey Grilled ShrimpView RecipeJason DonnellyShrimp are coated in sweet heat thanks to hot honey and Sriracha. If you want to take the heat down a notch, use regular honey instead.
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Hot Honey Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp are coated in sweet heat thanks to hot honey and Sriracha. If you want to take the heat down a notch, use regular honey instead.
15of 25Shrimp & Avocado SaladView RecipeJennifer CauseyPeppery fresh radishes complement sweet shrimp and creamy avocado in this quick salad. Enjoy this healthy salad as a quick light dinner or for lunch.
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Shrimp & Avocado Salad
Jennifer Causey

Peppery fresh radishes complement sweet shrimp and creamy avocado in this quick salad. Enjoy this healthy salad as a quick light dinner or for lunch.
16of 25Lentil Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, Cucumbers & OlivesView RecipeJennifer CauseyThis Mediterranean lentil salad, with chopped veggies, feta cheese and a light dressing, is perfect to have on hand for a quick lunch.
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Lentil Salad with Feta, Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Olives

This Mediterranean lentil salad, with chopped veggies, feta cheese and a light dressing, is perfect to have on hand for a quick lunch.
17of 25Grilled Caprese ChickenView RecipeJason DonnellyThe topping of this caprese-like chicken gets nice and melty on the grill. While you’re there, crisp up some crusty bread to serve alongside. It’s great for soaking up all the flavorful juices left on your plate.
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Grilled Caprese Chicken

The topping of this caprese-like chicken gets nice and melty on the grill. While you’re there, crisp up some crusty bread to serve alongside. It’s great for soaking up all the flavorful juices left on your plate.
18of 25Grilled Shrimp TostadasView RecipeJason DonnellyGrilling gives these shrimp tostadas a boost of smoky flavor. Skewering the shrimp prevents them from falling through the grates while getting even char on each side. If you have a grill basket, you can throw them in that instead; just make sure to get them into a single layer so they don’t steam.
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Grilled Shrimp Tostadas

Grilling gives these shrimp tostadas a boost of smoky flavor. Skewering the shrimp prevents them from falling through the grates while getting even char on each side. If you have a grill basket, you can throw them in that instead; just make sure to get them into a single layer so they don’t steam.
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Blackened Chicken with Chopped Salad

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Spicy Grilled Shrimp with Feta Dipping Sauce
Caitlin Bensel

21of 25Cantaloupe, Arugula & Goat Cheese SaladView RecipeBuy a melon that feels heavy for its size and smells slightly sweet. Picking a ripe one ensures the right balance of flavors in this arugula and goat cheese salad.
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Cantaloupe, Arugula & Goat Cheese Salad

Buy a melon that feels heavy for its size and smells slightly sweet. Picking a ripe one ensures the right balance of flavors in this arugula and goat cheese salad.
22of 25Prosciutto, Mozzarella & Melon PlateView RecipeThis perfect picnic for two is great for an outdoor date night or even just a quick, romantic dinner at home. The fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese pair perfectly with prosecco for sipping. Chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert make the meal extra-special.
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Prosciutto, Mozzarella & Melon Plate

This perfect picnic for two is great for an outdoor date night or even just a quick, romantic dinner at home. The fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese pair perfectly with prosecco for sipping. Chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert make the meal extra-special.
23of 25Grilled Corn Salad with Chili-Miso DressingView RecipeServe this salad with grilled steak, chicken or firm white fish like halibut. You can also double the recipe and bring it to your next potluck. If you can find tatsoi, a peppery Asian leafy green, use it instead of mild-mannered spinach. Store-bought Thai sweet chili sauce and umami-packed white miso build fast flavor in this easy summer salad.
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Grilled Corn Salad with Chili-Miso Dressing

Serve this salad with grilled steak, chicken or firm white fish like halibut. You can also double the recipe and bring it to your next potluck. If you can find tatsoi, a peppery Asian leafy green, use it instead of mild-mannered spinach. Store-bought Thai sweet chili sauce and umami-packed white miso build fast flavor in this easy summer salad.
24of 25Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini NoodlesView RecipeEnjoy classic shrimp scampi lightened up with zucchini noodles in place of pasta. The tomatoes add some sweetness and color, while the cheese contributes nuttiness and richness.
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Easy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles

Enjoy classic shrimp scampi lightened up with zucchini noodles in place of pasta. The tomatoes add some sweetness and color, while the cheese contributes nuttiness and richness.
25of 25Sheet-Pan Caprese PizzaView RecipeThis light and flavorful caprese pizza is ready when the tomatoes are just heated through and the mozzarella cheese is slightly melted. If you want a little more on this pizza, it’d be delicious with a few slices of prosciutto. Chef tip: Let your dough come up to room temperature before you stretch it—it’ll make it much easier to work with.
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Sheet-Pan Caprese Pizza

This light and flavorful caprese pizza is ready when the tomatoes are just heated through and the mozzarella cheese is slightly melted. If you want a little more on this pizza, it’d be delicious with a few slices of prosciutto. Chef tip: Let your dough come up to room temperature before you stretch it—it’ll make it much easier to work with.
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