12 summer comfort food recipes

Nothing screams summer louder than a hand-formed patty on the grill—bonus points for a melty, cheesy middle. Serve it alongside your favourite potato salad and corn on the cob for peak BBQ. Get the recipe: Cheesy Camp Burgers (Looking to live your best grill life in a veg way? Try our chickpea burger.)

Fresh green beans are nice and all, but they’re spectacular turned into fries. Trust this creamy sweet potato and Greek yogurt dip to keep them on the virtuous side. Get the recipe: Green Bean Oven Fries with Sweet Potato Dip

Our recipe calls for tangy marinated chicken to be baked, but it’s summer, so your hearty grain bowl will happily receive it grilled. Get the recipe: Baked Chicken Freekeh Bowl

Pasta doesn’t have to feel heavy. Thin strands of zucchini (aka zoodles) lighten up this bowl for hot summer nights. Get the recipe: Spaghetti with Pesto and Zucchini Threads

It doesn’t get more comforting than a proper macaroni salad. This one offers just the right amount of crunch with sweet pickles, celery and carrot. Get the recipe: Creamy Macaroni Salad

Juicy steak is a summer staple. Our recipe plays up the flavours of the season with pops of fresh corn and plump cherry tomatoes. Get the recipe: Flank Steak with Fresh Salsa

We took traditional strawberry shortcake and switched it right up by piercing it with a skewer, grilling it, adding a marshmallow and chocolate drizzle. It’s a good time, promise. Get the recipe: Strawberry Shortcake

You’re picnic ready with this baked-not-fried-but-still-tastes-so-damn-good chicken recipe. Pair it with coleslaw, macaroni salad and a gingham blanket. Get the recipe: “Fried” Chicken and Coleslaw

Top naan bread with the season’s best produce before throwing it on the grill. It’s simple, adaptable and a fun one for kids to help with. Get the recipe: Grilled Veggie Pizza

No fancy ice cream machines needed for this rich summer treat. Sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream make the base, then you can layer on your favourite flavour. In this case, it’s vanilla bean. Get the recipe: Three-Ingredient Vanilla Ice Cream

Sweet and sticky is the name of this game. Melted pieces of your favourite caramel-filled chocolate bar are topped with toasted mallow. Swipe graham crackers through to make deconstructed s’mores. Get the recipe: Caramel Skillet S’Mores

Think of this as the chowder of summer. It’s fresh, light and no-cook. Perfect for those hot summer nights, it just feels right. Get the recipe: Fresh Corn Soup

Read more:
6 outrageously easy sheet pan recipes 5 fresh grain bowls 12 summer potluck recipes that don't suck