30 Easy & Cheap Summer Recipes You Need to Try!

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Easy and Cheap Summer Recipes

These are some of my favorite go-to easy and cheap summer recipes.

Summer is about having fun, enjoying delicious picnics and time in the sun with family and friends.

When is warm out all I want to do is make light fresh meals that are cheap without sacrificing taste.

The great thing is that these easy summer recipes are frugal, economical and super easy to prepare.

I have included classic summer recipes and new trending summer meals as well as some easy summer crockpot recipes.

All of these easy summer dinner recipes are going to wow your guests without all the hard work and hot kitchen.

30 Cheap Summer Recipes

easy and cheap summer meals

We all are looking for meal ideas that are not going to break the budget.

I have gathered fo you in one place this list of frugal meal ideas.

Saving money on groceries is super important to me and I wanted to share easy and simple to make summer meals on a budget.

These cheap summer recipes are ideal for making light meals such as delicious fruit salads, also perfect summer meal prep or any other summer inspired dishes you can imagine.

And without any further ado here are some of the best and easiest cheap summer recipes.

1. Chicken Ceasar Salad Wraps

Chicken caesar salad wrap on a white plate.

These chicken caesar salad wraps are so quick and easy to put together, and so delicious perfect for quick summer meal.

This cheap summer recipe takes just minutes to put together.

2. Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs

hawaiian chicken kebabs on a white platter.

Who doesn’t love a tasty kebab recipe? Ideal on a warm summer day more! Fun to make with the kiddos.

This dish goes great with coleslaw. It’s a flavorful chicken dinner to switch things up and one the whole family can agree on!

3. Potato Salad

potato salad garnished with chives.

This is a classic potato salad with a creamy mayonnaise dressing with relish, mustard and celery salt coating potatoes and chopped hard boiled eggs.

Potato Salad is one of the most popular summer side dish. It is a fun, easy and cheap summer recipe.

4. Italian Caprese Sandwich

Italian caprese sandwich

Nothing says ‘Flavor of Italy” as an Italian Caprese Sandwich.

Made with fully ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and a good quality salami.

Dressed with fresh basil and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt.

5. Chicken Quesadillas

These quesadillas are perfect cheap summer recipe.

These authentic chicken quesadillas made with shredded leftover chicken are a crowd favorite.

They are cheesy, crispy, easy to make and super delicious.

6. Sausage with Onions & Peppers

Cast iron skillet with sausage onions and peppers on a wooden table.

If you are looking for a healthy and delicious meal in just minute this is it!

I love this easy meal. It is full of flavors and ready in just 20 minutes.

Your family would love it.

7. Shrimp Butter-Lemon Pasta

Garlic lemon shrimp pasta

This Shrimp Garlic Butter-Lemon Pasta is a very fast, simple and easy to make meal.

It’s super easy to make, ready in just 20 minutes.

It is another simple summer dish that will wow your family.

8. Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

A great pasta meal that is easy and frugal.

This spaghetti and meat sauce with garlic bread is a cheap and easy recipe to make.

It is also one of those very quick recipes to put on the table in just minutes.

9. Grilled Lime Chicken

grilled chicken lime with white rice and salad.

Fabulous for a quick midweek meal and ESPECIALLY great for the BBQ!

Bonus: super healthy at less than 300 calories for a whole chicken breast.

The trick to getting depth of flavor in a simple lime marinade is to use soy sauce for saltiness, plus a touch of sugar for great caramelization.

10. Summer Corn Salad

grilled corn salad on a white bowl.

A summer favorite! Corn Salad is one of our favorite easy sides!.

This easy Corn Salad features sweet fresh corn off the cob, crisp cucumbers and ripe juicy garden tomatoes all combined in a light and easy vinaigrette.

11. Grilled Pork Chops

Grilled pork chops.

These grilled pork chops are soaked in a flavorful marinade, then cooked to golden brown perfection.

A quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for any BBQ or summer gathering!

Best budget-friendly summer meal, super juicy and packed with delicious flavors.

12. Pico De Gallo

pico de gallo salsa

Everyone that has tried this Pico de Gallo simple and authentic recipe has loved it.

Just 5 ingredients and you will have the best salsa you have ever tried!

It is made in just 10 minutes with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, fresh squeezed lime juice and jalapeño.

13. Fresh Homemade Guacamole

This is another delicious summer recipe your crowd will love!

I have tried many variations and this is the one that comes back a winner time and time again.

Always use fresh ingredient for an authentic guacamole flavor.

14. Grilled Pineapple Meatball Skewers

Grilled pineapple meatball skewers.

You have to try these easy Grilled Pineapple Meatball Skewers! Budget-Friendly summer recipe.

A simple summer dinner recipe that’s kid-friendly and on the table in less than 20 minutes!

It has a great sweet and tangy flavor.

15. Chicken Pasta Salad

chicken pasta salad.

If you are looking for a cheap chicken meal full of flavor look no further.

This Chicken Pasta salad is full of flavor and easy to make!

Make for potlucks, parties, or even to go with lunch and dinner.

16. Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry

Teriyaki chicken stir-fry on a black plate with chopsticks.

A frugal chicken meal that is loaded with vegetables, full of lean chicken breasts, and served over rice for a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to Japanese takeout.

The sauce recipe is made from soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and hints of ginger and garlic for one of the best Asian bowls you have ever made at home!

17. Pork Chops with Peach Rum Sauce

pork chops with peach rum sauce.

Looking for a simple, delicious budget summer recipe?

This easy grilled pork chops recipe comes with a side of delicious peach rum sauce.

The pairing is divine. So up your grilling game with this easy pork chops recipe for dinner tonight! Yum.

18. Tuna Macaroni Salad

tuna macaroni salad.

This thrifty summer salad can be made in less than 15 minutes!

It’s a versatile recipe meaning if you don’t want to make macaroni salad with tuna you can swap in chicken or even leave the protein out.

Great for potlucks, keep it chilled as it’s a cold tuna macaroni salad with mayo.

19. Zesty Summer Pasta Salad

Zesty Summer Pasta Salad.

This is a perfect summer salad kids will love it too.

This simple summer salad recipe will blow your mind away!

It is perfect for feeding the entire family on a budget without sacrificing flavor.

20. Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos

Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos.

Easy and frugal summer dish with just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep.

These are an absolute lifesaver on busy nights!

Enjoy them very simply, just rolled in tortillas … or create a festive taco bar featuring your family’s favorite toppings!

21. Chicken Lime Foil Packs

Chicken Lime Foil Packs.

This easy and cheap meal save the day for summer camping meal prep!

Assembled in just a few minutes and packed into the cooler, these foil packs are perfect for your next camping trip.

22. Instant-Pot BBQ Chicken

Instant Pot 30 Minute Barbecue Chicken.

This Instant Pot barbecue chicken is so easy and so tasty!

A very easy frugal meal for the whole family.

It’s finished in 30 minutes and made with all whole ingredients.

23. Italian Chopped Salad

Italian Chopped Salad Recipe.

This recipe is perfect for hot summer days when you don’t want to turn on the stove.

Packed with favors, fresh ingredients and refreshing vinaigrette perfect summer dish.

24. Avocado Chicken Salad

Healthy Avocado Chicken SaladHealthy Avocado Chicken Salad.

A salad that is perfect for hot summer nights.

Take chicken salad to a new level with the addition of avocado.

This naturally creamy chicken and avocado salad is healthy and budget-friendly.

25. Gratin Sausage Skillet

Au Gratin Sausage Skillet.

Easy weeknight meal on a budget.

This cheap dinner is affordable and super tasty.

Get this delicious summer recipe on the table in no time.

Even a picky eater loves it.

26. Bacon & Spinach Orzo Salad

Bacon & Spinach Orzo Salad.

If you are looking for summer meals on a budget this is the recipe for you.

You will be making this easy and cheap recipe all summer long.

Its super tasty and even easier to put together in no time.

27. Crock-Pot Baked Beans

easy crock pot baked beans with bacon & brown sugar.

This is the perfect no heat in the kitchen summer recipe.

You can’t go wrong with your good ole’ slow cooker when it comes to making baked beans for a crowd!

This tried and true crock pot baked beans recipe is loaded with brown sugar and bacon and makes enough for the whole gang at your next summer gathering.

28. Quinoa Salad

QUINOA TABBOULEH.

Excellent summer recipe and great for meal prep too.

Fresh and vibrantly flavored, this Quinoa has all the familiar flavors of a great quinoa salad minus the heat in the kitchen.

Best recipe for summer.

29. Sweet and Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple

Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple on a white platter.

Nothing screams summer food as adding grilled pineapples.

It’s the perfect day to fire up the barbecue.

Try this fun new summer recipe.

It’s quick and easy, and it will take your cookout to the next level.

30. Cucumber Tomato Salad

Cucumber Tomato Salad in a wooden bowl.

This is a classic salad perfect for summers.

It’s light, cooling, and oh-so refreshing.

This easy salad is made with sliced cucumbers & juicy tomatoes and enhanced with slivers of red onion and a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

Conclusion

During those warm summer days these easy and cheap summer recipes are perfect! There is something in this list of frugal summer recipes you will love.

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