Simple Summer Dinner Ideas (GF + DF)

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Photos of simple summer dinner ideas that are gluten-free and dairy-free

Hot summer nights call for fresh, simple meals! So we’ve gathered our FAVORITE simple summer dinner ideas that’ll keep you cool and make the most of the season’s produce. Think bright + vibrant dishes, quick sandwiches, refreshing salads, and more! Scroll through to find your new favorite summer meal!

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

Close up shot of a Vegan Pizza Burger on a ciabatta bun with parsley and marinara
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Easy Pizza Burgers
Hearty pizza burgers made with whole food ingredients like chickpeas, parsley, and marinara sauce. Just 30 minutes required for this flavorful plant-based meal!
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Using wooden salad spoons to grab a serving of our colorful Mango Salad with Peanut Dressing
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Vibrant Mango Salad with Peanut Dressing
A quick and easy Thai-inspired salad with fresh vegetables and mango! Drizzle on a simple peanut dressing for a delicious side, or add a protein of choice to make it an entrée.
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AMAZING BBQ Black Bean Burgers! 10 wholesome ingredients, BIG flavor, so satisfying #vegan #glutenfree #burger #plantbased #recipe #minimalistbaker
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Smoky BBQ Black Bean Burger
Smoky, hearty black bean burgers with sweet potato, mushrooms, quinoa, and pecans. Wholesome, satisfying, BIG on flavor, and just 10 ingredients required! The ultimate veggie burgers for the grill or stovetop.
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Platter of crispy tofu lettuce wraps with fresh vegetables and peanut sauce
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Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce
Crispy, flavorful tofu wraps with fresh veggies and our go-to peanut sauce. Crunchy, light yet satisfying, and BOLD flavors. Just 10 ingredients required!
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BBQ tempeh sandwich resting on a cutting board
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BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches with Sweet & Spicy Slaw
Smoky, saucy BBQ tempeh sandwiches with creamy sriracha slaw! A hearty, 30-minute plant-based meal with just 10 ingredients required!
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Plate with two Portobello Steaks topped with Avocado Chimichurri
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Portobello Steaks with Avocado Chimichurri
Grilled, marinated portobello steaks with a spicy avocado chimichurri sauce! An incredibly hearty and flavorful 30-minute plant-based meal!
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Close up shot of a vegan tempeh and hummus sandwich with fresh vegetables
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Chipotle Hummus Sandwich with Smoky Tempeh Bacon
A quick and easy sandwich with spicy chipotle hummus, smoky tempeh bacon, and fresh veggies. Plant-based, fiber- and protein-packed, and just 7 ingredients and 15 minutes required!
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Bowl of pita bread triangles and two big plate of Chickpea Shawarma Salad
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Chickpea Shawarma Salad
All of the flavor of a Middle Eastern-inspired chickpea shawarma sandwich in a salad! Shawarma-spiced chickpeas, fresh salad, and a creamy 4-ingredient Garlic Dill sauce! A flavorful, filling, plant-based meal.
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Fork and knife on a plate for cutting into a Vegan Zucchini Boat
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Easy Vegan Zucchini Boats
Hearty yet light, these EASY vegan zucchini boats are seared then stuffed with flavorful marinara and our homemade vegan sausage, then baked until bubbly and tender. The ultimate side or main for Italian night. Just 10 ingredients required!
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Tamari and a vegan sushi bowl with ginger marinated tofu
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Vegan Sushi Bowls with Ginger Marinated Tofu
Easy vegan sushi bowls with marinated tofu, fresh vegetables, rice, seaweed, and quick pickled carrots! All the fresh, delicious flavor of sushi in convenient, versatile bowl form. Just 10 ingredients required!
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Grabbing a slice of gluten-free vegan Socca Pizza from a plate
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Socca Pizza with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Pesto
A grain- and gluten-free alternative to traditional pizza with chickpea flour crust, vegan pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes! Just 10 ingredients required!
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Platter filled with our incredible Noodle-Free Pad Thai recipe
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Noodle-Free Pad Thai (30 Minutes!)
Amazing noodle-free Pad Thai with rainbow vegetables and a spicy-sweet almond butter sauce. Just 30 minutes required and SO versatile!
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Plate with a corn tortilla topped with beans, jicama slaw, and guacamole
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Smoky BBQ Bean Tacos (Vegan, GF)
Smoky BBQ bean tacos pack serious, saucy flavor. Serve with our Jicama Slaw for the ultimate plant-based side or entrée. Ready in 25 minutes with 10 basic ingredients!
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Cutting board with several Raw Burritos, lime wedges, and bowls of hot sauce, pickled onion, and salsa
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Vegan Collard Green Burritos
Easy-to-make, 8-ingredient, 30-minute vegan burritos wrapped in collard greens! Stuffed with wholesome ingredients like Raw Vegan Taco Meat, Vegan Mexican Cheese, Red Salsa, avocado, and more! The perfect quick and portable lunch or snack.
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Wooden spoon on a platter of our heirloom tomato panzanella recipe
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Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad
All of the flavors of classic caprese married into a summery panzanella salad featuring ripe heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, and a balsamic vinaigrette! Just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes required.
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Parchment-lined cutting board with Rainbow Spring Rolls and a bowl of Ginger Peanut Sauce
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Rainbow Spring Rolls with Ginger Peanut Sauce
30-minute spring rolls filled with a rainbow assortment of fruit, vegetables, and fresh herbs. So fresh, crisp, and served with a spicy-sweet ginger peanut sauce! A satisfying, quick, and healthy meal.
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Platter of Raw Romaine Taco Boats for a refreshing vegan dinner
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Rainbow Raw-maine Taco Boats
Rainbow “Raw-maine” lettuce boats with hummus, fresh veggies, sprouts, and a creamy tahini sauce. Just 15 minutes and no cooking required! Serves 2 as an entrée and 4 as a side / appetizer!
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Overhead shot of a bowl of Mediterranean orzo pasta salad
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Mediterranean-Inspired Orzo Pasta Salad
Fresh, colorful Mediterranean-inspired Orzo Pasta Salad! Plant-based, gluten-free optional, and perfect for BBQs, picnics, and beyond. Just 30 minutes required!
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Wooden salad bowl filled with our Sweet Potato and Avocado Salad drizzled with tahini dressing
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Sweet Potato & Avocado Green Salad
A simple yet flavorful and satisfying salad with organic greens, roasted sweet potato, creamy avocado, and a lemon-maple tahini dressing. 30 minutes, naturally sweetened, so delicious!
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Overhead shot of a bowl of creamy vegan pesto pasta
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Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta (30 Minutes!)
Creamy vegan pesto pasta with roasted tomatoes and undetectable spinach! The perfect quick, comforting dish for a weeknight dinner, with just 8 ingredients and 30 minutes required!
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Wood platter filled with Roasted Vegetable Salad drizzled with chimichurri
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Roasted Vegetable Salad with Magic Green Sauce
30-minute, colorful roasted vegetable salad over greens with macadamia nut cheese and chimichurri-inspired dressing! A satisfying plant-based meal or side!
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Chopsticks resting on a bowl filled with our Thai Noodle Bowl recipe with Crispy Almond Butter Tofu
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Rice Noodle Bowls with Almond Butter Tofu
30-minute rice noodle bowls with fresh veggies and crispy almond butter tofu! A flavorful, healthy, satisfying plant-based meal.
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Using salad tongs to pick up a serving of gluten-free Crunchy Cabbage Slaw with Sesame Ginger Dressing
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Crunchy Cabbage Slaw with Sesame Ginger Dressing
Easy, flavorful, crunchy slaw with cabbage, shredded chicken, carrots, and a ginger-sesame dressing! Almonds and sesame seeds add crunch to this delicious, 30-minute salad!
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Bite of flaky salmon on a fork next to a smoky salmon salad
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Smoky Summer Salad with Lime-Crusted Salmon (30 Minutes!)
Flavorful lime-crusted salmon atop a fiber-rich salad of greens, cabbage, and black beans, topped with smoky chipotle dressing and fresh peach salsa. Just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes required!
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Spoonful of dairy-free chipotle aioli resting on a platter of Grilled Fish Tacos with Pineapple Cabbage Slaw
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Grilled Fish Tacos with Pineapple Cabbage Slaw
Quick & easy grilled fish tacos with pineapple-cabbage slaw and creamy chipotle aioli! Light flavors, perfect for grilling season and beyond! Just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes required.
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Overhead shot of a salmon sushi bowl
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Easy Salmon “Sushi” Bowls
Savory salmon “sushi” bowls with a crunchy cucumber salad! All the satisfaction of sushi without finding sushi-grade fish or assembling rolls. Just 9 ingredients!
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If you try any of these summer dinner ideas, let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

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