Beat the Heat with Must-Make Summer Eats
Jun 06, 2025
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Sun-drenched evenings deserve a roster of really good foods that steal the spotlight. Start the spread with gooey-good Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions, then stack high those Eggplant Napoleons with Whipped Ricotta beside a crispy-hot Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich ready for a slather of Sweet and Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce (Mustard-Based Classic). A mound of Fresh Corn & Tomato Salad keeps things garden-bright, while Cast Iron Peach and Blueberry Cobbler with Ginger Biscuits sends everyone home grinning. Scroll on for the recipes that make any porch supper feel downright legendary!
Table of Contents
- Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions
- Eggplant Napoleons with Whipped Ricotta
- How to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Baked Figs with Roquefort and Honey – A Seasonal Treat
- Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich
- Sweet and Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce (Mustard-Based Classic)
- All American OREO Coconut Cream Pie
- Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries (No Jello)
- County Fair Lemon Pie
- Cast Iron Peach And Blueberry Cobbler With Ginger Biscuits
- Fresh Corn & Tomato Salad
- Creamy Southern Coleslaw
- Best Southern Corn Pudding
Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions
Sweet Vidalia onions crackle under a molten quilt of cheese and spice, bubbling until blister-gold. Serve next to ribs, crown a burger, or next to your fave barbecue—Tennessee onions bring hero-size flavor for almost zero elbow grease.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Tennessee Onions
Eggplant Napoleons with Whipped Ricotta

These Eggplant Napoleons are a delightful vegetarian appetizer or light dinner. Layers of crispy eggplant, creamy ricotta, and slow-roasted tomatoes create a dish that’s both elegant and flavorful. Perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a sophisticated meal.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Napoleons with Whipped Ricotta
How to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken

This buttermilk fried chicken recipe is crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. It’s easier than you think to make this classic comfort food at home. Enjoy!
Get the Recipe: How to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Baked Figs with Roquefort and Honey – A Seasonal Treat

These Baked Figs with Roquefort and Honey are the perfect blend of sweet and savory. The juicy figs pair perfectly with tangy Roquefort cheese and a drizzle of honey, creating an appetizer that’s both easy to make and sure to impress your guests. This seasonal treat is perfect for any occasion.
Get the Recipe: Baked Figs with Roquefort and Honey – A Seasonal Treat
Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

This Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette is a fresh and flavorful dish that’s perfect for spring and summer. Crisp greens, juicy berries, and creamy mozzarella come together in this easy-to-make salad, all tossed in a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a delightful combination of sweet and savory that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Blueberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich
A tangy buttermilk soak keeps the bird outrageously juicy, while a golden, seasoned crust delivers crunch that practically echoes—meet your new favorite crispy chicken sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Sweet and Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce (Mustard-Based Classic)
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Get the Recipe: Sweet and Tangy Carolina BBQ Sauce
All American OREO Coconut Cream Pie
This Oreo Coconut Cream Pie combines the best of both worlds: a rich Oreo crust and a creamy coconut filling. Top it off with whipped cream, toasted coconut, and fresh berries for a show-stopping dessert. It’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion!
Get the Recipe: All American OREO Coconut Cream Pie
Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries (No Jello)
This Strawberry Poke Cake is bursting with fresh strawberry flavor in every bite! This recipe uses a homemade strawberry sauce instead of gelatin to poke into the cake, making it extra delicious. Topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting, this cake is perfect for Easter or any spring celebration.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Poke Cake with Fresh Strawberries (No Jello)
County Fair Lemon Pie

This no-bake County Fair Lemon Pie is an irresistible dessert perfect for special occasions or anytime you crave an easy lemon treat. With a simple biscotti crust and a creamy lemon filling, it’s a refreshing and delightful dessert that’s sure to impress. Top with whipped cream and fresh lemon for the perfect finishing touch!
Get the Recipe: County Fair Lemon Pie
Cast Iron Peach And Blueberry Cobbler With Ginger Biscuits

This Cast Iron Peach and Blueberry Cobbler with Ginger Biscuits recipe uses pantry staples to make a sweet and delicious dessert. The crystallized ginger adds a unique twist to the classic cobbler, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect treat.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Peach And Blueberry Cobbler With Ginger Biscuits
Fresh Corn & Tomato Salad

This fresh corn and tomato salad is the perfect side dish for any summer meal! It’s made with just four ingredients and a lively vinaigrette. You can use grilled or raw corn, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and red onion.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn & Tomato Salad
Creamy Southern Coleslaw

This Creamy Southern Coleslaw recipe adds a zing with horseradish, setting it apart from the rest. Perfect for make-ahead convenience, this coleslaw is an ideal side dish for barbecues, potlucks, and holiday gatherings, melding classic Southern flavors with a creamy texture. Prep it the night before to allow the flavors to meld!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Southern Coleslaw
Best Southern Corn Pudding
This Southern corn-pudding casserole bakes peak-summer kernels into a creamy dish that cozies up to everything from backyard steaks to sloppy Joes.
Get the Recipe: Best Southern Corn Pudding


