Popular Summer Meal Ideas With Mains And Sides
Summertime is my favorite season—lots of fresh produce, grilling, and classic flavors! Whether you’re looking for summer meals to take to picnics or enjoy out on the patio, we have you covered.
Your pressure cooker is the perfect tool for a hot day—no heating up the house or slaving over a hot grill.
However, we know that most readers use their pressure cookers to supplement the meal, rather than cooking all the parts of it.
Therefore, we wanted to create a round-up that does just that. Here’s a snapshot into what we really eat during the summer.
Looking for more summer dish ideas? Check out our full list of the 80+ Best Summer Recipes. It’s full of easy summer dinners, sides, and desserts to fill up your meal plan!
Pressure Cooker Summer Meals
Go-To Crowd-Pleaser
BBQ Baby Back Ribs are the perfect make-ahead summer meal. Pressure cook ribs ahead of time, toss them in the fridge to wait until your guests arrive, and finish them on the grill for that sticky, caramelized BBQ flavor everyone loves.
Serve with: Quick Pressure Cooker Potato Salad OR Corn on the Cob(pressure cook this while the ribs are on the grill. Serve with lots of fresh fruit.
Sweet and Tangy BBQ
Easy Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork is an easy dinner to make, plus it makes a big batch for you to serve a crowd or freeze for later.
Serve with: Homemade Coleslaw, Air Fryer Green Beans with Panko, and Fresh Watermelon
Slow-Cooked Island Flavor
Looking for a super easy summer dinner idea? This hands-off Kalua Pork recipe brings strong Hawaiian luau flavors home with this zesty Instant Pot summer recipe.
Best of all, kalua pork is just 4 ingredients.
Serve with: White Rice seasoned with Furikake (just like your favorite Hawaiian restaurant), steamed edamame, and Grilled Pineapple (scroll down past the recipe card for grilling instructions).
Go the extra mile and serve it with a non-alcoholic Frozen Strawberry Margarita.
All-in-One Meal
We love this Green Goddess Salad with Chicken and Bacon because it starts with pre-cooked chicken you can have on-hand for busy nights. Toss in lots of fresh vegetables and savory, crispy bacon, and you’ve got a one-bowl meal that has everything you need.
Make sure to hard-boil the eggs beforehand so they’re ready to go when you need them.
Summer Classic
You can’t go wrong with grilled meat! Whether it’s a nice steak (we’ve liked the tri-tip for a less expensive option) or easy grilled chicken, have your sides cooked in the Instant Pot and ready to go when your meat comes off the grill.
Use your favorite blend of spices (we like Spade-L Ranch for steak).
Serve with: Corn on the Cob made in the Instant Pot, Italian Pasta Salad(half this recipe if you’re not feeding a crowd), and in-season fresh fruit.
Dress Up a Humble Favorite
If you’re not making a fancy hot dog (smoked or grilled), then try this easy Homemade Chili Dog Sauce, which takes regular hot dogs to the next level.
(This Instant Pot summer recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.)
Serve with: Chips (for scooping up extra chili) or Air Fryer Tater Tots
Light and Fresh
These Chicken Caesar Wraps have a fresh, light taste and lots of contrasting textures from the crunchy lettuce and croutons to the tender, soft chicken, tortillas, and cheese. These are another all-in-one option where you don’t need to hassle with sides if you don’t want to.
Burgers and Fries
There’s nothing like juicy burgers fresh off the grill on a summer evening. (Our family favorites are Smashburger Hamburgers or Southwest Chipotle Burger.)
Don’t want to heat up the house? You can also make easy hamburgers with your Instant Pot.
Serve with: Homemade Air Fryer French Fries, fresh tomatoes from your garden, and all the classic condiments.
Summer Sweets to Round Out Your Summer Meals
Looking for the perfect summer dessert to pair with your summer meals? Here are a few of our favorites to eat after a hot summer day:
Our Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake is a reader-favorite for a reason! The creamy tangy cheesecake gets a sweet and patriotic topping from the fruit compote on top.
Pressure Cooker Key Lime Pie is tart, refreshing, and perfect for summer.
Pina Colada Rice Pudding tastes like a piña colada, thanks to smooth coconut milk, creamy arborio rice, and sweet pineapple. Don’t forget the whipped cream and coconut for a tropical dessert treat!
S’mores Cheesecake brings campfire flavors anytime of year, with a graham cracker crust and marshmallow topping.
Strawberry Mango Salsa Cups are the freshest tasting little bites that combine classic fruit flavors, tied together with just a little sweetness and a little lime—it’s impossible to stop after just one.
Using the pressure cooker to avoid heating up the house during summer is such a smart tip. While the ribs are on the grill, I often put on some ambient ASMR to keep the mood calm and focused.
Instant Pot is my favorite way to cook all summer long!