Cooking

10 Easy-Does-It Recipes for One Delicious Summer

The dip you need for every party, produce-packed side dishes, foolproof grilled mains, and a fireworks finale for dessert.
By Editors of Bon Appétit
Image may contain Food Food Presentation Lunch Meal Leaf Plant Dish and Platter
Photograph by Heami Lee Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero Prop Styling by Emma Ringness

Summer is upon us. And we’ve got the recipes you need for every cookout, beach picnic, and pool party to come. It all starts with a creamy and smoky Charred Guacamole, perfect for chips, veggie trays, burgers, and everything else in need of a spread or a dunk. On the side, we’re talking low-cook, high-reward dishes like Stone Fruit and Salami Panzanella and Orecchiette With Fresh Corn Alfredo that let peak-season produce do all the work for you.

Are you all geared up for grilling? We’ve got four main dishes that serve a crowd, and can be easily doubled for bigger gatherings or smarter meal prep. Try our Peruvian-Style Tofu With Creamy Cilantro Sauce, which can seamlessly level up grain bowls long after the grill has cooled. To cap it all off, a fireworks finale: Peaches Foster with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. It’s summer in a sundae.

Can you make them all before Labor Day? Hop to it.

  • Image may contain Food Plate Guacamole and Food Presentation
    Photograph by Heami LeeFood Styling by Maggie RuggieroProp Styling by Emma Ringness
    1/10

    Charred Guacamole

    A kiss of heat makes an otherwise lovable dip simply irresistible.

    View Recipe
  • Tomatoes With Curry Yogurt on a white plate placed on a red background
    Photograph by Heami Lee Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero Prop Styling by Emma Ringness
    2/10

    Tomatoes With Curry Yogurt

    Best served chilled.

    View Recipe
  • Orecchiette With Fresh Corn in a skillet on a orange fabric
    Photograph by Heami Lee Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero Prop Styling by Emma Ringness
    5/10

    Orecchiette With Fresh Corn Alfredo

    Raw corn kernels add pops of crunchy sweetness to this quick weeknight pasta.

    View Recipe
  • Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Thighs on a green plate placed on a blue background
    Photograph by Heami Lee Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero Prop Styling by Emma Ringness
    6/10

    Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Thighs

    A blender dressing does double duty as both a flavorful marinade and a final dressing in this pared-back version of Vietnamese-style lemongrass chicken.

    View Recipe
  • tofu on a white plate with a bowl of sauce on the left side
    Photograph by Heami Lee Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero Prop Styling by Emma Ringness
    9/10

    Peruvian-Style Tofu With Creamy Cilantro Sauce

    The high-impact flavors traditionally used in the marinade for Peruvian chicken—soy sauce, cumin, and paprika—are applied to grilled tofu with resounding success.

    View Recipe
  • Peaches Foster in a skillter
    Photograph by Heami Lee Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero Prop Styling by Emma Ringness
    10/10

    Peaches Foster

    This speedy one-pan summer dessert channels peaches and cream with a twist.

    View Recipe
Explore Bon AppétitcookingGrillingSummer