These summertime meal prep ideas will help you eat healthy, delicious meals even in the busy summer months. Dietitian-crafted recipes.
The summer months are busy, in the best way. Evenings at the pool, family roadtrips, unpredictable schedules – there's a lot going on. No one wants to spend the whole summer in the kitchen. But, no one wants to arrive home at 7PM with hangry kiddos and no idea what's for dinner either…
That's where my easy summertime meal prep ideas come in! I know it's easy to let meal prep slide during life's busy seasons. Speaking from personal experience though, I always regret it if I let this happen! Instead, try to simplify your summer meal prep so that it's actually doable. Choose 10 of the below easy summer recipes and make them on repeat if you like.
I've included mostly summer meal prep dinners, but also some breakfasts, snacks and desserts perfect for summer meal prep. I hope you find some new family favorites!
Summertime Meal Prep Ideas
Breakfast Summer Meal Prep
Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
I love the bright flavor of these muffins for summer. These are gluten free, paleo, AND nut free.
Banana Bread Granola
Sometimes I just don't want a hot breakfast in the summer months. This granola is perfect for that. Enjoy with some Greek yogurt or chilly almond milk for the perfect summer meal prep breakfast.
Eggs in Bell Peppers
This simple meal prep breakfast recipe is the perfect way to include some of that beautiful summer produce in your morning meal. The eggs in bell pepper rings are accompanied by a beautifully simple tomato basil salad.
Strawberry Mint Smoothie
On a really hot day, nothing is more refreshing than a smoothie! I always make sure to include some protein and healthy fats in mine. If you want more of a protein boost, you can add some hemp seeds or a scoop of collagen to your smoothies.
Blueberry Chia Pudding
Lite coconut milk makes this chia pudding so creamy! Use any beautiful summer fruit you like.
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Bowl
Surprise your kiddos with chocolate for breakfast! Serve in a bowl and pile on the toppings.
Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies
I love stashing an on-the-go breakfast like these meal prep peanut butter breakfast cookies in the freezer for road trips or early morning camp drop-offs.
Quick Summer Dinners (Good for Lunch too!)
Salmon Wraps
If you want summertime meal prep ideas for lunch and dinner, these salmon wraps are perfect! You can make the salmon and homemade caesar dressing ahead of time so these come together so quickly.
Chicken Salad Wraps
Make a big batch of chicken salad in your summer meal prep session and enjoy for lunches all week long! Or serve this chicken salad for dinner on a night when it's simply too hot out for a warm meal.
Grilled Curry Chicken Skewers
Nothing beats dipping freshly grilled curry chicken into a cool, creamy yogurt mint sauce. Serve these next time you have a bbq!
Grilled Mojo Chicken
You'll marinate your chicken in a citrusy mix of orange, lemon and lime juice along with some fresh garlic before tossing on the grill. So bright and fresh!
Grilled Veggie & Bean Tacos
These hearty vegetarian tacos are perfect for summer meal prep! You'll grill the corn and poblanos, giving them the best smoky flavor.
Mediterranean Salmon Salad
I don't know about you but my desire to eat salads goes up exponentially when the Texas summer hits. Sometimes it's just too hot out to want a hot meal! This Mediterranean salmon salad is perfect for those hot summer nights.
Grilled Pork Caprese
The grill is perfect for summer meal prep – no need to heat up the house! These grilled pork chops are topped with a mini caprese salad, so lovely for summer
Grilled Pork w/ Peach Slaw
Here's one more grilled pork chop recipe for you. The pork chops are accompanied by a summer peach slaw to take full advantage of one of my favorite summer fruits!
Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
When it comes to summertime meal prep ideas, chicken salad has to be at the top of the list! It's filling enough for dinner but not at all heavy. And if you want to cook the chicken without heating up the house, you can make it in the Instant Pot.
Tuna Salad
This hearty tuna salad with quinoa and grapes is cool, creamy, slightly sweet and crunchy – pretty much everything you could want in quick summer dinners.
Grilled Burgers
Summer is simply not complete without a perfectly smoky, homemade grilled burger. This roundup has 4 of my all-time favorite burger recipes, as well as some fun toppings to take it to the next level.
Steak Salad with Blackberries
If you're looking for healthy, yummy dinner recipes everyone will love, this one is for you! It's also incredibly simple to make, with only 8 ingredients including salt and pepper.
Corn and Black Bean Quesadillas
When I think of summertime meal prep ideas, one thing I want is a few “back pocket” recipes. You know, those recipes where you can easily keep all of the ingredients on hand and whip them up in 15 minutes or less. These tasty quesadillas are prefect for this.
Paleo Fish Taco Bowls
Cilantro and lime give this dish a brightness that simply screams summer to me.
Middle Eastern Salad
This Middle Eastern Salad is perfect for a simple summer lunch or a quick summer dinner. The homemade tahini sauce is everything!
Summer Quinoa Salad
If you're looking for summer meal prep ideas to bring to a get-together, my summer quinoa salad is a lovely choice. It also makes a nice, light summer dinner at home!
BLT Lettuce Wraps
Bacon, tomatoes, avocado and a creamy basil dressing, all wrapped into a collard wrap – what could be better for summertime? This dish is creamy, savory and just plain fun to eat.
Shrimp Cobb Salad
This shrimp cobb salad is perfect for the salad skeptics in your life. It's just so satisfying and full of different flavors and textures. You're gonna want to add this one to the weekly rotation!
Grilled Coconut Lime Shrimp
These shrimp kabobs taste like vacation on a stick! Coconut, lime, a touch of honey and cilantro – so many delightful seasonal flavors here.
Pecan Crusted Chicken Collard Wraps
Packed with veggies and protein, this is one quick summer dinner that will leave you feeling amazing. The pecan crusted chicken in this recipe is a long time favorite with kiddos and adults alike.
Grilled Steak Kabobs
A simple lemon pepper seasoning lends so much bold flavor to these steak kabobs. They really don't need anything else!
Grilled Chicken w/ Sweet & Spicy Chili Sauce
Oh my goodness, if you haven't had the chance to try this sweet & spicy chili sauce, you are in for such a treat! It's delicious on chicken, but also on shrimp, fish roasted veggies and eggs. So many possibilities!
BLT Pasta Salad
Everything is better with bacon! This gluten free pasta salad is no exception. The cool, creamy basil dressing really brings this one to the next level too. Bring it to your next bbq or potluck and watch it disappear fast!
Southwestern Steak Salad
I love everything about this salad but, for me, the homemade salsa ranch really steals the show. It's one of my favorite salad dressings ever!
Watermelon, Feta & Arugula Salad
I'm a big fan of incorporating all of that gorgeous summer fruit into my summer meal prep in fun ways. This salad is the best way to use up that watermelon!
Tomato, Red Onion & Cucumber Salad
This 5 ingredient salad is the perfect summer side dish. Add some grilled chicken and your summer dinner is done.
Summer Meal Prep Snacks
Energy Bites
Energy bites are great all year but I particularly love them for summer. Why? Two reasons. First of all, you can use batching to make a ton at once and stash them in the freezer for easy grab and go snacks. Second, you can grab them from the freezer on your way out the door and they'll be thawed by the time your kids are hungry at the pool. You'll find 5 types of energy bites here!
Mini Peppers w/ Guacamole
Who doesn't love guacamole! These are a perfect party food and always disappear fast!
White Bean Hummus
I love this twist on hummus! A bit of balsamic vinegar and a touch of basil add so much flavor.
Easy Summer Recipes for Dessert
Strawberry Lemon Bars
If you want to include desserts in your summer meal prep ideas, these strawberry lemon bars are a lovely choice. With an almond flour crust and a lemon & strawberry filling, these bars are the perfect little summer treat.
Watermelon Pizza
Lay out the toppings and let everyone build their own watermelon pizza!
Paleo Peach Cobbler
This paleo cobbler crust is incredible! Dare I say it's better than the original? It's made with butter (or coconut oil), dates, pecans, coconut, almond flour and spices. So tasty!
Dairy Free Whipped Cream & Berries
I'm a huge fan of coconut milk whipped cream. It's never better than when paired with the perfection that is ripe summer berries.
Pineapple Raspberry Pops
Homemade popsicles are just plain fun! These beauties have whole raspberries inside foe a healthy summer meal prep treat.
FAQ – Everything You Need to Know about Summer Meal Prep Ideas
What foods are good for meal prepping?
If you're not going to meal prep your whole week's meals, start by prepping some simple proteins and chopping some veggies. This makes it super easy to throw together healthy meals.
What's a good light summer dinner?
For a good light summer dinner, try my caesar salmon wraps, grilled coconut lime shrimp, summer quinoa salad or chicken salad wraps. So many more summer meal prep ideas for you above!
What are 3 keys to successful meal prep?
First, start small. If you begin by trying to prep a whole week's meals and you've never meal prepped before, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Second, make a plan. Look at the week ahead and see which days you most need meals prepped for. Finally, include variety! Meal prep doesn't have to mean eating the same lunch or dinner all week. For inspiration, check out the done-for-you Prep Dish meal prep meal plans.
What is not good to meal prep?
Certain produce, like berries and cucumbers, taste best when they're chopped right before eating. I don't usually recommend chopping potatoes ahead of time either, although you can store them in water if you do chop ahead to prevent them from turning brown.
What food to eat in hot summer?
I love cool meals like salads or wraps in the summer. Additionally, foods that either don't require the oven or cook very quickly are great so you don't heat up the house.
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