31 Quick Dinners for July
Updated: Jan. 05, 2022
July is the peak of summer, and no one wants to spend those long, lazy days laboring in the kitchen! Here are quick dinner recipes for every night of the month.
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Day 1: Halibut Soft Tacos
I sometimes serve these halibut tacos wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. Either way, the mango salsa tastes amazing with grilled halibut. This warm-weather recipe is quick, colorful and full of nutrients. —Kristin Kossak, Bozeman, Montana
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Day 2: Pressure-Cooker Tequila Salsa Chicken
I had this dish at a local Mexican restaurant when celebrating a friend's birthday. I fell in love with the spicy, smoky flavor from the tequila and decided to try Instant Pot salsa chicken at home. Boy, was it a success! It's also great stuffed into flour tortillas or for making nachos. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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Day 3: Corn Dogs
Prepare corn dogs at home just like you'd get at the fair. Both kids and grown-ups will love this hearty corn dog batter. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
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Day 4: Burger Americana
Go on a burger road trip in your own backyard. Grill the patties and load them sky-high with your favorite toppings. For instance, peanut butter and bacon make them southern style; coleslaw and tomatoes, a northern version. —Susan Mahaney, New Hartford, New York
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Day 5 : Grilled Kiwi-Chicken Kabobs with Honey-Chipotle Glaze
When guests bite into these juicy grilled kabobs, their eyes always widen with satisfaction. Our four kids are crazy about the spicy-sweet sauce. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
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Day 6: Buttery Grilled Shrimp
This grilled shrimp recipe is easy and delicious! These shrimp are great with steak, but for a special occasion, brush the sauce on lobster tails and grill. —Sheryl Shenberger, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Vegetarian Linguine
Looking for a tasty alternative to a meat-and-potatoes meal? Try this colorful pasta dish, which is the brainchild of my oldest son. It’s a stick-to-your-ribs meal that includes loads of fresh veggies as well as basil and provolone. —Jane Bone, Cape Coral, Florida
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Day 8: Grilled Pork with Avocado Salsa
I love the zesty taste of this moist grilled tenderloin. The cumin, avocado and jalapeno give it southwestern flair. It's an easy, elegant way to prepare pork. —Josephine Devereaux Piro, Easton, Pennsylvania
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Day 9: Applesauce Barbecue Chicken
You only need a few ingredients to create this sweet and peppery chicken. The subtle flavor of apple makes this tender barbecue dish stand out from the rest. —Darla Andrews, Farmers Branch, Texas
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Tomato-Poached Halibut
My halibut with a burst of lemon comes together in one pan and stays super moist. Try it with polenta, angel hair pasta or crusty bread. —Danna Rogers, Westport, Connecticut
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Grilled Chicken Chopped Salad
Layered desserts always grab my family’s attention, but salads? Not so much. I wondered if I could get everyone on board by presenting a healthy salad in an eye-catching way. I’m happy to say that it worked. —Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts
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Light & Lemony Scampi
A touch more lemon helped me trim the calories in our favorite shrimp scampi recipe. For those who want to indulge, pass around the Parmesan. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
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Crispy Tofu with Black Pepper Sauce
Sometimes tofu can be boring and tasteless, but not in this recipe! Here, the crispy vegetarian bean curd is so loaded with flavor, you'll never shy away from tofu again. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
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Day 14: Skillet Mac & Cheese
This creamy mac ’n’ cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
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Day 15: Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops
These sweet, spicy chops can be thrown together in minutes, but they definitely don't taste like it. Serve them with a side of jasmine rice and you'll feel as if you're on a tropical vacation. —Allison Ulrich, Frisco, Texas
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Day 16: Easy Stuffed Poblanos
My partner adores these saucy stuffed peppers—and I love how quickly they come together. Top with low-fat sour cream and your favorite salsa. —Jean Erhardt, Portland, Oregon
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Triple Tomato Flatbread
Tomatoes are the reason I have a vegetable garden, and I developed this recipe as a way to show off my garden's plum, sun-dried and cherry tomatoes. The dish is easy and will impress. —Rachel Kimbrow, Portland, Oregon
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Walking Tacos
These Walking Tacos are perfect for an on-the-go dinner, a campfire meal or an easy game-night supper. The ingredients go right into the chip bags! —Beverly Matthews, Richland, Washington
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Mediterranean Bulgur Bowl
You can also transform this tasty bowl into an Italian version with mozzarella, pesto, tomatoes, spinach and basil. —Renata Smith, Brookline, Massachusetts
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Day 20: Sweet-and-Sour Pork
After my sister moved away to the university, I used to visit her on weekends. She often made this wonderful and tangy pork dish. Now, every time I make it for my family, it reminds me of those special visits. Everyone who tries it loves it. -Cherry Williams, St. Albert, Alberta
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Day 21: Chicken Breasts with Melon Relish
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Day 22: Vegetarian Skillet Enchiladas
Whether served for meatless Monday or your family's everyday vegetarian meal, these unconventional enchiladas will leave everyone asking for more. —Susan Court, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
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Jiffy Ground Pork Skillet
Some people call it dinner hour, but many of us call it rush hour. Slow down the pace with this so-simple mouthwatering ground pork meal. The only thing you'll have left over is time to share with your family at the table. —Brigitte Schaller, Flemington, Missouri
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Day 24: Rosemary Lime Chicken
I experimented with herbs and seasonings quite a bit before creating the final version of this entree. The tartness of the lime juice really complements the rosemary. Everyone loves it.—Nicole Harris, Mt. Union, Pennsylvania
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Day 25: Baked Chicken with Bacon-Tomato Relish
We eat a lot of chicken for dinner, so I'm always trying to do something a little different with it. My children love the crispiness of this chicken, and my husband and I love the flavorful relish—you can't go wrong with bacon! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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Day 26: Chicken Ole Foil Supper
These Tex Mex–style chicken packets can be assembled ahead and frozen if you like. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge, then grill as directed. I like to serve them with warm tortillas and fresh fruit on the side. —Mary Peck, Salina, Kansas
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Day 27: Air-Fryer Coconut-Crusted Turkey Fingers
My granddaughter shared this recipe for turkey fingers with me. With a plum dipping sauce, they're just the thing for a light supper. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Vegetarian Bean Tacos
I love Mexican food but was looking for a healthier option to share. My family devours these tasty tacos whenever I make them. —Amanda Petrucelli, Plymouth, Indiana
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Dijon-Crusted Fish
Dijon, Parmesan and a hint of horseradish give this toasty fish lots of flavor. The preparation is so easy, it takes just 5 to 7 minutes to get four servings ready for the oven. —Scott Schmidtke, Chicago, Illinois
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Day 30: Moroccan Flatbreads
My family loves these tacos with Middle Eastern seasoning lots of vegetables. Ground turkey or beef may be substituted for the lamb. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Lemony Shrimp & Snow Pea Pasta
This pretty pasta is a family favorite —the kids love the light lemony flavor and I love that they devour the fresh veggies. You can use other types of pasta for variety, like bow ties or corkscrews. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, TexasOriginally Published: June 22, 2020
