Introduction
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy all the delicious flavors of the season. From juicy watermelon to sweet corn on the cob, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. But if you’re looking for something a little more unique, why not try some old-fashioned summer recipes? From classic pies to refreshing drinks, these recipes are sure to bring back some fond memories. So grab your apron and get ready to make some delicious dishes that will have your family and friends asking for seconds. Here are 23 old-fashioned summer recipes you need to make. Enjoy!
23 Old-Fashioned Summer Recipes You Need To Make
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy some classic recipes that have been around for generations. From classic BBQ dishes to refreshing summer salads, these old-fashioned recipes are sure to please. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a hearty dinner, these recipes are sure to hit the spot. So, grab your apron and get ready to make some delicious summer dishes!
1. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Nothing says summer like a plate of grilled corn on the cob. This classic summer side dish is easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. All you need is some fresh corn, butter, salt, and pepper. Grill the corn for a few minutes until it’s lightly charred and enjoy!
2. Potato Salad
Potato salad is a classic summer side dish that’s perfect for picnics and barbecues. Boil some potatoes until they’re tender, then mix them with mayonnaise, mustard, celery, and other seasonings. Serve it chilled and enjoy!
3. Watermelon Salad
This refreshing summer salad is perfect for hot days. Start by cubing some watermelon and adding it to a bowl. Then, add some feta cheese, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette. Serve it chilled and enjoy!
4. BBQ Ribs
BBQ ribs are a classic summer dish that’s sure to please. Start by marinating the ribs in a mixture of your favorite BBQ sauce and spices. Then, grill the ribs until they’re tender and serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side. Yum!
5. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic summer side dish that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by shredding some cabbage and carrots. Then, mix them with mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and other seasonings. Serve it chilled and enjoy!
6. Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a classic summer dish that’s sure to please. Start by marinating the chicken in buttermilk and spices. Then, coat the chicken in a mixture of flour and spices. Fry the chicken until it’s golden brown and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
7. Baked Beans
Baked beans are a classic summer side dish that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by soaking some beans overnight. Then, mix them with bacon, onions, and a sweet and tangy sauce. Bake the beans until they’re tender and enjoy!
8. Cornbread
Cornbread is a classic summer side dish that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by mixing together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then, add some butter and milk and mix until it’s combined. Bake the cornbread until it’s golden brown and enjoy!
9. Peach Cobbler
Peach cobbler is a classic summer dessert that’s sure to please. Start by mixing together some peaches, sugar, and spices. Then, top it with a mixture of flour, butter, and sugar. Bake the cobbler until it’s golden brown and serve with a scoop of ice cream. Delicious!
10. Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables are a classic summer side dish that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by slicing some vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. Then, brush them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the vegetables until they’re tender and enjoy!
11. Fried Okra
Fried okra is a classic summer side dish that’s sure to please. Start by slicing some okra and coating it in a mixture of flour and spices. Then, fry the okra until it’s golden brown and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Yum!
12. Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a classic summer appetizer that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by boiling some eggs until they’re hard-boiled. Then, mix the egg yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and other seasonings. Pipe the mixture into the egg whites and serve chilled. Delicious!
13. Potato Chips
Potato chips are a classic summer snack that’s sure to please. Start by slicing some potatoes into thin slices. Then, fry the potatoes until they’re golden brown and season with salt. Serve the chips with your favorite dip and enjoy!
14. Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried green tomatoes are a classic summer side dish that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by slicing some green tomatoes and coating them in a mixture of flour and spices. Then, fry the tomatoes until they’re golden brown and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Delicious!
15. Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is a classic summer dessert that’s sure to please. Start by mixing together some mandarin oranges, pineapple, marshmallows, and coconut. Then, add some whipped cream and mix until it’s combined. Serve the salad chilled and enjoy!
16. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic summer lunch that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by buttering some bread and adding some cheese. Then, grill the sandwiches until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. Serve the sandwiches with your favorite condiments and enjoy!
17. Fried Catfish
Fried catfish is a classic summer dish that’s sure to please. Start by marinating the catfish in a mixture of buttermilk and spices. Then, coat the catfish in a mixture of flour and spices. Fry the catfish until it’s golden brown and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
18. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Baked macaroni and cheese is a classic summer side dish that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by boiling some macaroni until it’s al dente. Then, mix the macaroni with cheese, butter, and milk. Bake the macaroni and cheese until it’s golden brown and enjoy!
19. Corn Fritters
Corn fritters are a classic summer side dish that’s sure to please. Start by mixing together some corn, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Then, add some butter and milk and mix until it’s combined. Fry the fritters until they’re golden brown and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
20. Fried Squash
Fried squash is a classic summer side dish that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by slicing some squash and coating it in a mixture of flour and spices. Then, fry the squash until it’s golden brown and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Delicious!
21. Baked Beans and Bacon
Baked beans and bacon is a classic summer side dish that’s sure to please. Start by soaking some beans overnight. Then, mix them with bacon, onions, and a sweet and tangy sauce. Bake the beans until they’re tender and enjoy!
22. Potato Salad with Bacon
Potato salad with bacon is a classic summer side dish that’s perfect for BBQs and picnics. Start by boiling some potatoes until they’re tender. Then, mix them with bacon, mayonnaise, mustard, celery, and other seasonings. Serve it chilled and enjoy!
23. Grilled Peaches
Grilled peaches are a classic summer dessert that’s sure to please. Start by slicing some peaches and brushing them with butter. Then, grill the peaches until they’re lightly charred and serve with a scoop of ice cream. Delicious!
Summer is here and it’s time to dust off the grill, bust out the fresh berries and tomatoes and keep the oven (mostly) turned off. This summer, we’re looking back to old-fashioned classic recipes like potato salad, corn on the cob, fragrant butter burgers, and every no-bake dessert we can stir up!
Read on for our favorite old-fashioned summer recipes that will take you back to your childhood and help you make new food memories with your own family.
This classic southern dish is perfect for using delicious summer tomatoes. Make this savory pie with chopped fresh tomatoes and basil, topped with a creamy mayonnaise-cheese mixture, and bake it in a store-bought shell.
Get the recipe from The Hungry Blue Bird.
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If you’re an 80s kid, your parents definitely served this on the back deck on a summer night when it was too hot to cook. You’ll need ground beef (or shredded chicken), fresh lettuce, chili beans, and Fritos or Doritos mixed with a sweet and zingy dressing for this simple throwback.
Get the recipe from Cooking on the Ranch.
Your grandmother’s secret ingredient for that perfect creamy potato salad? Evaporated milk! This recipe combines the creaminess of evaporated milk (this recipe is extremely not healthy!) and tart vinegar for that taste you remember.
Get the recipe from Town and Country Living.
This salad takes some work, but if you don’t mind peeling a few eggs, you can enjoy this family-friendly, budget-conscious hearty salad. Mustard and paprika give it that extra kick.
Get the recipe from Love Bakes Good Cakes.
Maybe you still make this classic recipe, but the combo of grilled corn with lime and chili is a real summer slam-dunk. Wrap the cob in foil with butter and season with chili powder, cayenne, lime zest, and juice, then just throw it on the grill.
Get the recipe from Serious Eats.
Hearty lima beans and fresh summer corn have made this bright salad a side dish favorite for decades.
Get the recipe from Better Homes & Gardens.
Use up all those extra tomatoes with this easy make-ahead recipe – simply shake ingredients in a jar and pour over the fruit to marinate.
Get the recipe from Taste of Home.
There are so many ways to do cucumber salad in the summer, but this classic recipe with dill and vinegar will taste like summer at grandma’s house. This mayo-based, slightly tart salad is a perfect cookout accompaniment.
Get the recipe from Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen.
You’ve probably had this at a summer party in the past, and we think it’s time to bring it back – not only is this dip with hummus, feta, olives, and fresh veggies tasty – but it’s a showstopper if you get the layers just right. It’s also easy to make ahead and the flavors set into the layers to make the dip so savory!
Get the recipe from Better Homes & Gardens.
If you’ve never tried this old-fashioned recipe of plump juicy grapes topped with a tangy sour cream dressing and candied pecans, this is the summer to start with these fresh and classic flavors.
Get the recipe from Taste of Home.
Keep the kitchen cool and be ready for the cookout with classic slow cooker spareribs. Simmer for five hours in honey, soy, ketchup, and ginger for that childhood favorite flavor.
Get the recipe from All Recipes.
Midwesterners know, that the best burger is topped with a dollop of butter. It gives the meat a little extra umami and juiciness. You don’t really need a full recipe, just add a teaspoon of butter while the meat rests and let it sink in.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Dredged in buttermilk and coated in fine cornmeal (don’t use the coarse stuff!), fried catfish is a classic southern summer dish that appeals to fish lovers and the fish reluctant alike. Just tell your kids it’s chicken, they’ll never know.
Get the recipe from Simply Recipes.
Something about sitting outside with a plate of chicken fried steak and a nice slaw sure reminds us of summer at Grandma’s house. While it’s a labor-intensive meal to make, the crowd-pleasing crunch is worth it.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Of course, hot dogs are classic summer eats, but this classic crescent dough and little dogs recipe are perfect for getting the party started. Put out a selection of dips like mustard, ketchup, and BBQ sauce and watch the dogs disappear.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Easy to make ahead and keep fresh, there’s nothing that complements grilled meats, slaw, and beans like a stack of sweet cornbread on the table.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
This cake first appeared about 100 years ago, during the dawn of the icebox (a precursor to our modern refrigerator). Made by layering ingredients such as wafer cookies, cream, condensed milk, and fruit that are set in the refrigerator, this easy dessert is a certified classic.
Get the recipe from The Kitchen Magpie.
If you’ve ever visited a beach or lake town and picked out some fudge to take home for dessert, you’ve got to try making it at home. Why? The secret is it’s super easy to make and really only three ingredients – unless you want to add nuts or peanut butter chips!
Get the recipe from All Recipes.
Like a trifle or icebox cake, this classic recipe is no-bake, so it’s perfect for the summertime when you want to keep your house cool. Just layer bananas, wafers, and the pudding mixture for a fruit-forward treat.
Get the recipe from All Recipes.
Sure, you can hit the ice cream shop this summer, but what’s more fun than mixing custom flavors at home just in the old days? Try a custard-style recipe and you won’t need an ice cream machine.
Get the recipe from Taste of Home.
This delightfully jiggly treat is perfect for kids’ parties, Pride events, or any celebration. While it’s a little time-consuming to layer and chill, it’s not difficult and if you follow the directions (it’s all about patience!) you’ll have a showstopper dessert everyone will love.
Get the recipe from House of Nash Eats.
This treat has gotten fancy over the past decade or so, but we’re here to bring back the classic plain graham cracker, marshmallow, and milk chocolate version. Try it this summer, we promise it’s as good as you remember!
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Berries in sugar and lemon, topped with fresh whipping cream and a slice of shortbread take us back to lazy summer days. Bring those childhood memories back with this classic.
Get the recipe from Martha Stewart.