As the sun beams down, and the temperature rises, there's nothing quite like enjoying a delicious meal among friends. Whether you're grilling in your backyard or enjoying a picnic in the park, summertime calls for vibrant, refreshing menu ideas that celebrate the season's bounty.
With the help of renowned chefs and culinary experts, we've gathered a treasure trove of delicious dishes that capture the essence of warm-weather dining. From light appetizers to cool beverages, our summer menu ideas aim to thrill your taste buds and evoke the spirit of the season.
Unsurprisingly, statistics show that summer is the busiest time for restaurants. More people take advantage of the good weather, including both locals and visitors. Events like festivals and parades also increase restaurant traffic. According to Thrillist, some of the most popular summer foods are watermelon, Italian ice, hot dogs, lobster rolls, s’mores, fresh tomatoes, and of course, corn on the cob.
So, whether you're planning a backyard barbecue or a sunset soiree, join us for a tour through a delectable summer menu divided into four sections: appetizers, entrees, desserts, and beverages.
Let’s kick it off with appetizers, the first course of the evening. Summer appetizers should be light, with a focus on fresh, crisp, and fruity flavors. Keep portion sizes small, and don’t be afraid to get creative with inventive flavors.
1. Watermelon & Feta Salad: A fruit-forward appetizer that impeccably balances sweet and savory flavors with its refreshing watermelon cubes, salty crumbled feta cheese, tangy balsamic glaze, and fragrant mint leaves. Perfect for a summer outdoor dining experience.
2. Bruschetta Trio: Served on toasted bread, featuring a wide variety of toppings: fresh mixtures of tomatoes & basil, cucumber salsa, and smoked salmon spread. This versatile starter primes the palate for what's yet to come.
3. Shrimp Ceviche Cups: These citrus-marinated shrimp mingle beautifully with finely diced vegetables within delicate lettuce “cups”, offering perfect portions of zesty goodness to revitalize appetites stifled by the heat.
Now we dive into entrees, the meat and potatoes (pun intended) of the meal. This should be your most elaborate dish, combining textures and flavors to make a mouth-watering masterpiece. But, as this is a summer menu, remember to keep the entrees light and fresh. Try to find a nice balance between fulfilling and heavy – you don’t want your guests feeling stuffy in the summer heat.
1. Caprese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms: A bright and delightful melding of portobello mushroom caps filled with velvety mozzarella cheese, ruby cherry tomatoes, and generous spoonfuls of silky pesto sauce.
2. Citrus-Kissed Seared Scallops: A true delight from sea to shore, these freshly seared succulent scallops are presented alongside mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables with microgreens or edible flowers for garnish.
3. Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Skewers: Marinated overnight, these chameleon chicken skewers coated in zesty herbs, lemon, and extra virgin olive oil are grilled perfectly while locking in flavors, making it summer's unsung hero.
Now it’s time for our favorite part of the meal, dessert. Your summer desserts should incorporate seasonal fruits for a light and refreshing finish. Even if dessert isn’t your thing, you will want to pay special attention to your offerings, as this will be your guests’ final impression. Don’t skip on presentation or creativity, and ensure you end the evening on a (sugar) high.
1. Mango & Basil Sorbet: This delightful sorbet combines lush mangoes and fragrant basil leaves to create an exquisite dessert offering a sweet yet refreshing touch to any summertime meal.
2. Strawberry Shortcake Sliders: Bite-sized puff pastry sliders filled with luscious whipped cream and fresh strawberries infuse classic and nostalgic flavors into your summer desserts. It's a delicious treat that appeals to all ages.
3. Summer Berries Panna Cotta: This Italian twist on panna cotta incorporates juicy raspberries and scrumptious blueberries into the smooth and creamy dessert. The use of these zesty berries gives it lively flavors perfect for capping off a sun-drenched evening.
Lastly, let’s sink into summer beverages. As you may have noticed, the theme of this summer menu is light and refreshing, and your drinks should reflect this as well. White wine and fruity sangria are always summer favorites, but if you want to offer your guests something special, below are three delicious options — and if you want to refresh your entire summer drink menu, check out twelve fan-favorite cocktails here.
1. Cucumber Mint Mojito: Combining the refreshing flavors of cucumber and mint, this revitalizing mojito drink fuses crisp ingredients with the ideal sweetness to cool off those warm summer days.
2. Peach Lavender Mocktail: Blending succulent peach juice with soothing lavender, this exquisite mocktail presents an aromatic experience alongside awe-inspiring natural flavors perfect for relaxing under the warm evening sun. And you can always add gin to make this a light and refreshing alcoholic beverage.
3. Watermelon Coconut Chiller: This delicious concoction harmonizes vibrant watermelon flavors with subtly sweet coconut for a frosty and memorable summertime drink, sure to be a hit during outdoor parties and gatherings.
Summer is a season that offers a plethora of fresh and flavorful produce, and the above summer menu is just an example of the many ways you can explore and appreciate the abundance of flavors that come with the season. From the citrus-kissed seared scallops to the refreshing watermelon salad, these menu ideas will surely thrill your guests’ taste buds and leave them craving more. We wish you an enjoyable and refreshing summer full of great food, good company, and lots of happy memories. Happy feasting!
“In the labor numbers, we were reporting about a $300 to $400 difference than what we were getting through Push!”
-Tara Hardie, ZZA Hospitality Group, 16 locations
