A collection of vibrant and delicious vegan summer dinner ideas, from hearty plant-based dinner recipes to light and refreshing salads, there’s something for everyone!
Light Bites, Big Flavors: Easy, Breezy Vegan Summer Dinner Ideas 🌮
Summer is here! As the temperature rises, it’s time for more colorful, lighter, and fresher meals.
When it comes to vegan summer meals, it’s all about keeping them light and hydrating and embracing the vibrant seasonal produce.
Whether you’re just curious about plant-based dinners or you’re a long-time vegan, here are some delicious vegan dinner ideas that are perfect for warm, sunny days.
From one-pot vegan dinners to meals ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe roundup of vegan summer dinner ideas has everything you need to get through the hot summer days.
Why You’re Gonna Love These Recipes
🍋 Seasonal Fresh Produce: Summer is abundant with seasonal produce. From red ripe tomatoes to sweet berries and fresh herbs. These recipes take full advantage of the seasonal summer produce.
🍋 Light yet Filling: You don’t have to indulge in heavy meals just to enjoy a satisfying dinner. These vegan summer dinner ideas are light yet satisfying. Think refreshing soups, fresh salads, and vibrant, nutrient-rich bowls packed with all the good stuff your body needs.
🍋 Quick and Easy Meals: All these recipes are surprisingly quick and easy to make, so you can spend less time in the hot kitchen and more time chilling. Perfect for those busy weekdays and lazy weekends!
🍋 Perfect for Large Crowds: These vegan summer dishes are not only great for a quick dinner but also for whipping up a big batch for BBQs, gatherings, or parties. Plus, they’re sure to impress everyone, vegans and non-vegans alike!
What to Include in Your Vegan Summer Dinner Ideas
Summer meals are all about having light and hydrating ingredients but are also filled with nutrients and proteins. Here’s what you can include in your vegan summer meals that will keep you energized, hydrated, and satisfied.
Hydrating Ingredients
Include foods with high water content such as cucumbers, watermelons, leafy greens, and berries. These water-rich ingredients will help you stay hydrated and refreshed on hot summer days.
Seasonal Summer Produce
Make the most of summer by hitting up the local farmer’s market. Get fresh summer produce like red, juicy tomatoes, sweet berries, colorful bell peppers, and sweet corn.
Fresh Herbs
Use fresh herbs such as mint, basil, cilantro, and dill to make your vegan summer dinners more refreshing.
Protein-Packed Food
To keep your meals well-balanced, it’s important to include high-protein ingredients in your light summer meals. Try incorporating protein-rich foods like tofu, tempeh, chickpeas, lentils, and beans.
Healthy Fats
Don’t forget to include healthy fats in your meals to maintain your energy levels, absorb all those vitamins, and make your meals tastier. Include olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados in your diet.
A List of Vegan Seasonal Summer Produce to Include in Your Diet 📝
Summer is the best time to include seasonal summer produce in your diet. Not only does it make the meals more exciting, but it also provides you with essential nutrients to keep you fueled in the hot summer!
Here is a list of seasonal summer produce to look for in your local farmer’s market:
Summer Vegetables:
Tomatoes 🍅: This juicy and ripe red fruit is super versatile. You can include it in salsas, sandwiches, and salads, or enjoy it as a snack. Heirloom tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes are abundant in summer.
Cucumbers, Zucchini, and Summer Squash 🥒: Crisp cucumbers are super hydrating and perfect for salads, drinks, and more. Summer squash and zucchini are among the most versatile vegetables; they can be roasted, added to stir-fries, casseroles, or spiralized into noodles for low-carb meals.
Leafy Greens🥬: Lettuce, kale, arugula, and spinach are at their peak in summer. Include them in wraps, salads, or sauté them for a light side dish.
Bell Peppers: Green, red, and yellow bell peppers are great in stir-fries, hummus, pasta, fajitas, or as a colorful side dish.
Corn, Beans, Eggplants, & Okra 🌽: Crisp and fresh sweet corn, green beans, eggplants, and okra can be used in curries, soups, casseroles, stir fries, roasted greens, etc.
Fresh Herbs: Use fresh herbs such as dill, basil, mint, cilantro, and more in refreshing salads, dressings, sauces, and marinades.
Summer Fruits
Berries 🍓: Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries are at their peak in summer. They are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, making them perfect for smoothies, desserts, salads, or quick snacks.
Tropical Fruits 🍍: Enjoy a touch of tropical paradise in your meals by including tropical fruits such as papayas, pineapples, and mangoes. Use them in smoothies, salads, and fruit salads, or you can even grill them to add a smoky flavor to sweet fruits.
Stone Fruits 🍒: Fresh cherries, plums, nectarines, peaches, and apricots are in full swing in summer. Use them in desserts, add them to salads, smoothies, and more.
Melons & Grapes 🍉: Melons such as honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelons are super hydrating and refreshing, making them perfect for hot summer days. They’re great as a cooling snack, in salads, and for blending into refreshing smoothies.
Green, red, and black grapes are versatile fruits ideal for snacking. You can also freeze them for a cooling treat or use them to make refreshing drinks.
Tips to Include Summer Produce in Your Vegan Dinners
1. Explore Local Farmer’s Market
You can easily find fresh summer seasonal produce in your local farmer’s market. Use this season to explore and experiment with your summer meals. Look for summer seasonal fruits and vegetables harvested at their peak ripeness and make the most of this fresh produce with creative meals.
2. Try Growing Your Own Vegetables and Herbs
Use this summertime to grow some fresh veggies, herbs, and microgreens at home.
Learn some basic gardening skills and start small with easy-to-grow plants such as leafy greens, herbs, and tomatoes.
3. Get Creative and Experiment with Recipes
Find innovative ways to use summer seasonal produce in different recipes and different cuisines. Here are some ideas for you to try:
Raw Vegan Meals: Try using fresh vegetables in gazpachos, sushi rolls, wraps, and salads. You’ll love the fresh flavors and vibrant colors.
Grilled & Roasted: Pair veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplants with marinades and sauces, then grill or roast them for a smoky flavor. Try one-sheet pan meals or foil-packet meals for quick vegan summer dinners.
Here is a recipe roundup of easy foil packet meals, where you can find some vegan meals and inspiration for making vegan versions of other recipes.
- Smoothies and Juices: Blend the fresh veggies and fruits into refreshing drinks and nutrient-rich smoothies. Also, try overnight smoothie bowls and oat jars for breakfast or brunch.
- Salads: Mix and match different seasonal summer produce in a salad, making it healthy, colorful, and nutritious.
- Stir-fries: You can use almost any vegetable in stir-fries, and add a protein like tofu, seitan, and tempeh to make a wholesome vegan dinner.
4. Preserve Summer Produce for Later
Enjoy the seasonal produce all year long by preserving them. You can use one of the following methods for preserving such as freezing, canning, fermenting, or drying.
Try incorporating these seasonal fruits, colorful veggies, and fresh herbs into your plant-based dinners to keep you hydrated, nourished, and cool all summer long!
Farm-Fresh and Flavorful: Colorful Vegan Summer Dinner Ideas 🥗
1. Vegan Bulgogi Bowl
Recipe by Feasting at Home
Why You’ll Love It ~ a vegan bowl made with marinated jackfruit instead of meat. Pair it with seasoned rice, kimchi, and some seared fresh veggies. The best part? It comes together in just 25 minutes!
Get the Recipe for Vegan Bulgogi Bowl!
2. Creamy Avocado Pea Gazpacho
Recipe by Rainbow Plant Life
Why You’ll Love It ~ Creamy and satisfying meal! Made with good-for-you ingredients like avocados, peas, cucumbers, cilantro, and coconut milk. Ready in 25 minutes!
Get the Recipe for Creamy Avocado Pea Gazpacho!
3. Broccoli & Za’atar Chickpeas with Yogurt Sauce
Recipe by Rainbow Plant Life
Why You’ll Love It ~ a plate of protein-packed punchy flavors and veggies that comes together in 20 minutes!
Get the Recipe for Broccoli & Za’atar Chickpeas with Yogurt Sauce!
4. Spanish Vegetarian Paella
Recipe by Gathering Dream
Why You’ll Love It ~ colorful veggies and saffron-infused rice. One skillet meal that is incredibly easy to make and takes just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe for Spanish Vegetarian Paella!
5. Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice
Recipe by Veggie Society
Why You’ll Love It ~ made with cooked rice, sweet pineapple chunks, crisp veggies, and savory seasonings in under 30 minutes. Sweet, savory, healthy, filling, and gluten-free!
Get the Recipe for Vegan Pineapple Fried Rice!
6. Mediterranean Grilled Tofu
Recipe by Crowded Kitchen
Why You’ll Love It ~ tofu marinated with a flavorful Mediterranean spice blend marinade, then grilled to golden perfection. Enjoy the perfectly charred tofu with hummus, pita, and a fresh salad!
Get the Recipe for Mediterranean Grilled Tofu!
7. Sesame-Ginger Cucumber Noodle Salad
Recipe by Simple Veganista
Why You’ll Love It ~ made with soba aka buckwheat noodles which are 100% gluten-free and a light sesame-ginger scallion sauce. A refreshing and delicious vegan summer meal idea!
Get the Recipe for Sesame-Ginger Cucumber Noodle Salad!
8. BBQ Vegan Black Bean Meatballs
Recipe by Food by Maria
Why You’ll Love It ~ completely plant-based version of traditional meatballs, perfect for any vegetarian or vegan diet.
Get the Recipe for BBQ Vegan Black Bean Meatballs!
9. Summer Dinner Salad with Wild Rice
Recipe by Crowded Kitchen
Why You’ll Love It ~ packed with fresh seasonal fruits, colorful veggies, and hearty grains. This summer salad with wild rice can be enjoyed as an entree or a light dinner for hot days!
Get the Recipe for Summer Dinner Salad with Wild Rice!
10. Curry Cauliflower Grill Packets with Yogurt Sauce
Recipe by Vegan Yack Attack
Why You’ll Love It ~ this vegan foil packet meal is made with cauliflower, fresh peas, cherry tomatoes, diced potatoes, and a zesty yogurt sauce. It is dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and great as a summer camping food!
Get the Recipe for Curry Cauliflower Grill Packets!
11. Vegan Stir Fry Noodles
Recipe by Gathering Dream
Why You’ll Love It ~ an easy and comforting meal that you can make with any leftover veggies you have! A colorful, comforting dinner that you can put together in less than 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe for Vegan Stir Fry Noodles!
12. Quinoa Salad with Vegan Green Goddess Dressing
Recipe by Crowded Kitchen
Why You’ll Love It ~ made with quinoa, colorful seasonal summer veggies, and a homemade vegan green goddess dressing. This delicious salad is protein-rich, great for meal prep, and ready in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe for Quinoa Salad!
13. Vegetarian Summer Chili
Recipe by Jar of Lemons
Why You’ll Love It ~ savory and hearty meal made with all the good-for-you summer produce in just 35 minutes. Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, also perfect for a filling summer dinner!
Get the Recipe for Vegetarian Summer Chili!
14. Zucchini Ribbon Salad With Corn & Tomatoes
Recipe by Vanilla and Bean
Why You’ll Love It ~ a fresh salad drizzled with a creamy Avocado Lime Dressing. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
Get the Recipe for Zucchini Ribbon Salad!
13. Crunchy Vegetable Rice Noodle Salad
Recipe by Family Style Food
Why You’ll Love It ~ crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, rice noodles, all tossed in a spicy, tangy-sweet almond butter and lime dressing.
Get the Recipe for Crunchy Vegetable Rice Noodle Salad!
16. Vegan Chickpea Curry
Recipe by Gathering Dreams
Why You’ll Love It ~ made by combining protein-rich chickpeas in an aromatic and creamy tomato sauce with warm Indian spices. Warm, comforting, and protein-packed vegan meal.
Get the Recipe for Vegan Chickpea Curry!
17. Mushroom Ragu (Mushroom Bolognese)
Recipe by The Plant based School
Why You’ll Love It ~ simple, budget-friendly ingredients, and it takes around 45 minutes to make the vegan version of this classic dish.
Get the Recipe for Mushroom Ragu!
18. Creamy Vegan Green Chile Casserole
Recipe by Minimalist Baker
Why You’ll Love It ~ made with just 9 ingredients and within 35 minutes, this creamy vegan casserole is a perfect summer weeknight dinner for a family!
Get the Recipe for Creamy Vegan Green Chile Casserole!
19. Vegan Sushi Bowl
Recipe by Gathering Dreams
Why You’ll Love It ~ packed with tons of crisp veggies, flavorful crispy tofu, creamy avocado, and tasty sushi rice. A perfect vegan meal with well-balanced and protein-rich ingredients!
Get the Recipe for Vegan Sushi Bowl!
20. Vegan Enchilada
Recipe by Well Plated
Why You’ll Love It ~ made with firm tofu, fresh spinach, and black beans, topped with a rich and vibrant red enchilada sauce and creamy avocado. A delicious yet easy option for make-ahead freezer meals!
Get the Recipe for Vegan Enchilada!
21. Vegan Pizza with Tempeh Sausage
Recipe by Nora Cooks
Why You’ll Love It ~ the vegan pizza of your dreams in under an hour!
Get the Recipe for Vegan Pizza with Tempeh Sausage!
22. Satay Sweet Potato Lentil Curry
Recipe by Nutriciously
Why You’ll Love It ~ perfect vegan recipe for a filling and hearty meal prep that requires only 25 minutes!
Get the Recipe for Satay Sweet Potato Lentil Curry!
23. Lentil Mushroom Wellington
Recipe by The Plant Based School
Why You’ll Love It ~ a stunning dish with plenty of plant-based protein from lentils and mushrooms. Easy to make and definitely a crowd-pleaser!
Get the Recipe for Lentil Mushroom Wellington!
24. Vegan Chipotle Bowls
Recipe by Dishing Out Health
Why You’ll Love It ~ hearty and healthy bowl with black beans, quinoa, sautéed onions, and peppers, all drizzled in a creamy chipotle sauce.
Get the Recipe for Vegan Chipotle Bowls!
25. Vegan Curried Cauliflower Soup
Recipe by Nourish Plate
Why You’ll Love It ~ vegan and gluten-free soup made with good for your health veggies in under 30 minutes or less.
Get the Recipe for Vegan Curried Cauliflower Soup!
26. Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Recipe by Purely Kaylie
Why You’ll Love It ~ made with simple ingredients, these stuffed sweet potatoes are protein-packed, dairy-free, gluten-free, and healthy vegan meal prep!
Get the Recipe for Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes!
27. Smoky Baked Vegan Pasta Bake
Recipe by Recipes from a Pantry
Why You’ll Love It ~ full of deliciously rich, melty, cheesy vegan goodness. Under 30 minutes vegan meal!
Get the Recipe for Smoky Baked Vegan Pasta Bake!
28. Vegan BBQ Tempeh Meal Prep Bowls
Recipe by Fit Mitten Kitchen
Why You’ll Love It ~ a great meal prep recipe that lets you mix and match with other ingredients. Hearty, filling, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan!
Get the Recipe for Vegan BBQ Tempeh Meal Prep Bowls!
29. Moroccan Chickpea Hand Pies
Recipe by Rainbow Nourishments
Why You’ll Love It ~ full of veggies, a touch of spice, and a hearty tomato sauce, all encased in a crispy gluten-free wrap.
Get the Recipe for Moroccan Chickpea Hand Pies!
30. Vegan Lemon Lentil Soup with Turmeric
Recipe by Running on Real Food
Why You’ll Love It ~ easy to make, a healthy one-pot meal with Middle Eastern flavors. Ready in under 40 minutes!
Get the Recipe for Vegan Lemon Lentil Soup!
31. Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Recipe by Eat with Clarity
Why You’ll Love It ~ a simple meal made with wholesome ingredients. It’s vegan-friendly, dairy-free, and gluten-free!
Get the Recipe for Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Pasta!
32. Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Slider
Recipe by Vegan Bell
Why You’ll Love It ~ juiciest BBQ Jackfruit Slider that’s ready in 15 minutes. Simple, easy to make, yet wholesome!
Get the Recipe for Vegan BBQ Jackfruit Slider!
33. Farmer’s Market Salad
Recipe by Simply Veganista
Why You’ll Love It ~ made with vibrant seasonal summer ingredients. Ready in 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe for Farmer’s Market Salad!
34. Vegan Loaded BBQ Dogs
Recipe by Vegan Yack Attack
Why You’ll Love It ~ loaded with delicious toppings and comes together quickly and deliciously!
Get the Recipe for Vegan Loaded BBQ Dogs!
35. Vegan Falafel Burger
Recipe by We Are So Vegan
Why You’ll Love It ~ crispy falafel patties nestled in a soft bun with crunchy and refreshing veggies and herbs. One of the best vegan summer dinner ideas!
Get the Recipe for Vegan Falafel Burger!
And there you have it—simple vegan summer dinner ideas for you to try!
Thank you for taking the time to read the post! ❤️
I really hope you give one of the recipes a try and love it! Don’t forget to leave a star rating ★ in the comment section below. Your feedback will help others and also means a lot!
Connect with ‘Kurry Kitchen’ on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest, and don’t forget to hit that follow button.
Happy cooking! 👩🍳
