Summer’s too short to be sweating over the stove while everyone else is out in the garden. You need real-deal easy dinner ideas for Summer Bank Holiday.
Meals that are mom-approved, kid-friendly, and dad-can-grill-it too.
Whether you’re juggling water fights or just trying to make dinner without a meltdown, these summer recipes are practical, tasty, and made for real-life. No fluff – just solid dinner ideas that work.
1. BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizzas (Done in 15 minutes)
I threw this together on a whim last summer when we had leftover grilled chicken, and it’s been a hit ever since.
Grab store-bought naan or pita bread – no dough drama.
Spread BBQ sauce, shredded grilled chicken, thinly sliced red onions, and shredded mozzarella. Bake or grill it for 5 to 6 minutes until bubbly.
Fresh cilantro on top? Game changer. It tastes like something you’d get at a food truck, but your kids won’t know it’s that simple.
Why it works: No prep, no fuss. It uses leftovers smartly and feels like pizza night without the commitment.
2. Grilled Halloumi Veggie Bowls
I never thought my kids would go near grilled zucchini – but if you call it “crispy cheese bowls,” they’re in.
Grill thick slices of halloumi cheese, zucchini, red bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
Toss with cooked couscous, olive oil, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
This dish screams summer. It’s protein-packed without needing meat, and cleanup is a breeze.
And to be honest if you ask me, I’d say grill everything on skewers so you don’t lose half your veggies through the grates.
3. One-Pan Creamy Pesto Chicken with Corn
This is my wife’s go-to when we want “real food” but don’t want the kitchen to look like a war zone. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Sear them in a pan, remove, and in the same pan throw in fresh corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, a spoon of cream cheese, and a dollop of pesto.
Return the chicken to finish cooking. Done in 25 minutes. No oven. No complaints.
And also, you can swap corn with zucchini or broccoli depending on what the picky eater will tolerate that day.
4. Lazy Dad’s Grilled Sausage & Veggie Foil Packs
You know those meals that look impressive but require zero effort? This is it. Chop sausages (chicken, beef, whatever you like), baby potatoes, red onions, and bell peppers.
Toss in olive oil, garlic, salt, and rosemary. Wrap tightly in foil. Grill for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway. Serve it straight from the pack – no plates needed.
My 10-year-old calls this “camping dinner.” Works for me.
Why it slaps during summer holidays: You can prep everything in the morning, toss it on the grill at sunset, and boom – hot food without being stuck in the kitchen.
5. Creamy Lemon Tuna Pasta (Cold or Warm)
When you’ve got zero energy but still need to feed humans, this one saves you. Boil pasta.
Mix together drained canned tuna, cream cheese, lemon zest, a splash of milk, salt, and a lot of cracked pepper.
Stir it into the warm pasta or serve it chilled like a pasta salad.
Throw in peas if the kids allow. This one feels like a light summer recipe, but it’s secretly loaded with protein.
6. Golden Crunch Chicken Strips with Sweet Tangy Mustard Bliss
This is a bank holiday classic in our house – because it tastes like takeout, but way cheaper and made with real ingredients.
I use boneless chicken breasts, slice them into strips, dunk in beaten egg, then coat with crushed cornflakes, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika.
Bake at 200°C for 20–25 minutes until golden and crunchy. Serve with homemade honey mustard (equal parts Dijon and mayo, with a spoon of honey). Kids love it. Moms steal bites when they think no one’s watching.
7. Veggie Quesadillas with Hidden Cheese
This one’s for the veggie dodgers. I shred carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers super fine and mix with cheese – cheddar, mozzarella, whatever’s on hand.
Slap it between two tortillas, toast on a pan until golden, slice into triangles.
I usually sneak in beans for protein, but you can just load it up with cheese and call it a day. Serve with yogurt or salsa on the side.
8. Sweet & Spicy Mango Chicken Skewers
I tried this one at a beach BBQ last summer and now it’s our go-to. Marinate diced chicken breast in mango puree, a little chili sauce, garlic, and soy sauce.
Skewer it with bell peppers and red onion. Grill or broil until charred at the edges.
It’s tangy, spicy, slightly sweet – basically, the flavor of summer on a stick. Moms love it with a chilled rosé. Kids love it without the chili.
Flavor tip: Use ripe mango. If you go canned, get the unsweetened pulp or it gets too sugary.
9. Dad’s No-Oven Taco Rice Bowl
I whipped this up one evening when our oven blew, and honestly – it’s better than tacos.
Cook basmati or jasmine rice. Saute ground beef or turkey with taco seasoning, corn, and black beans.
Load your bowl: rice at the bottom, meat mix on top, then shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, and crushed tortilla chips.
Easy to customize. My wife adds avocado, the kids go heavy on cheese. I go for hot sauce.
10. Creamy Avocado & Egg Sandwiches
This is our no-fuss Sunday comfort plate for long weekend vibes.
Toast some sourdough or multigrain bread. Smash avocado with salt, lemon juice, and chili flakes.
Fry or boil eggs (depending on who’s in the mood). Layer it up. You can even add sliced tomato or bacon if you’re feeling fancy. I serve it with a quick cucumber salad on the side, and boom – done.
It’s light but satisfying and no kid complains if the egg is cooked the way they like it.
11. Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon Packets
We made this the first time during a backyard campout and it’s now a summer holiday staple.
Take salmon fillets, lay them on foil. Add a slice of lemon, a small cube of butter, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of dill or parsley.
Wrap the foil like a gift and toss it on the grill or in the oven at 200°C for about 15–18 minutes. No mess, no stink, no drama.
12. Mini Turkey & Cheese Sliders with Sweet Buns
This is for when you’ve got a house full of cousins, kids, and chaos. Use Hawaiian rolls or any sweet dinner rolls.
Cut in half, layer cooked turkey patties (or deli turkey), cheddar cheese, and a touch of mayo.
Top it, brush with melted butter and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until everything’s gooey. Serve with watermelon or oven fries. These disappear fast. Real fast.
13. Veggie-Packed Creamy Mac & Cheese Bake
Sometimes you just need a classic – but with a summer twist.
I cook elbow macaroni, then stir in a mix of sauteed veggies (I go for peas, carrots, and zucchini) with a quick homemade cheese sauce: butter, flour, milk, cheddar, pinch of mustard powder.
Toss it all into a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake till golden. Serve it with a side salad or grilled corn. Nobody questions the vegetables when there’s cheese involved.
Summer smart tip: Bake it early in the morning before the house heats up.
14. Tangy Yogurt Chicken Wraps
These wraps are light, cool, and made for hot days. I marinate boneless chicken in Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and cumin – then pan-sear or grill it.
Slice and wrap in warm tortillas with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and a drizzle of tahini or ranch.
It’s the kind of dinner that tastes like a lunch date at a Mediterranean café, except you made it with stuff already in your fridge.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the deal – easy dinners for the Summer Bank Holiday don’t have to be boring or repetitive.
If anything, this list proves you can mix flavor, simplicity, and creativity even during chaos. I’ve learned that the best summer meals aren’t just about speed – they’re about flexibility.
Being able to pivot when the chicken’s still frozen or when your kid randomly decides they “hate cheese” this week. That’s the real win. Try these. Tweak them.
Own them. And if one dinner bombs? Laugh it off. That’s what summer – and being a parent – is all about.
