Golden light filtered through lush trees, strains of music drifting through the air and the comforting sizzle as savory summer meals are cooked to perfection on the grill… There’s truly nothing quite like summer, is there? After what has seemed like a particularly long year, it’s safe to say this summer can be summed up in one word: celebratory. From our favorite summer sports, to summer styles, to summer recipes, it’s certain that backyard barbecues are making a comeback worth celebrating.
Personal taste and preferences can vary widely, but every great summer meal will check off a few boxes when it comes to flavor, ease of preparation, the use of fresh ingredients, and overall “crowd appeal.” From Steakburgers to Surf ‘n Turf, we’re proud to serve up a heaping helping of summer dinner ideas and summer recipes that will elevate your backyard grill game.
When it comes to convenience and flavor, you can’t go wrong with everyone’s favorite cookout staples: burgers and hot dogs. Whether you serve them simple or stacked, this is one crowd-pleasing combo guaranteed to deliver everything good about summer, on a plate. For a homerun, try one of our favorite summer recipes for steakburgers or hot dogs…or both!
Savory steakburgers are marinated in citrus juices with soy sauce, garlic, honey mustard, onion and sesame seeds, then grilled to juicy perfection. Elevate your Hawaiian Steakburger with a ring of fresh pineapple, lettuce and mayo.
Our favorite steakburgers are seasoned lightly and grilled, then topped with thinly sliced smoked ham, swiss cheese, mayo, roasted garlic and dijon mustard. Serve with dill pickles, our exclusive Kansas City Steak Fries and a frosty beverage.
Kansas City may be known for our Kansas City Strip, but we think Kansas City’s favorite way to style a hot dog is also worth noting. Melted swiss cheese and sauerkraut are served atop delicious all-beef franks and housed in a sesame seed bun. We may be biased, but we’re okay with that.
Chicago Style hot dogs are earmarked by a plethora of fresh toppings, including hot peppers, onion, relish, dill pickle spears and fresh tomato.
Summer meals are nothing if not simple, quick and flavorful, so steaks and seafood are an obvious choice. From filet mignon to ribeye’s, and from crab cakes to salmon, there’s no shortage of delicious summer recipes for every palate. For your consideration, here are a few of our personal favorites.
Butter tender Crown Filet Mignon is grilled and topped with homemade herbed butter. Serve with Twice Baked Potatoes and a fresh salad, loaded with in season vegetables and tossed in a light vinaigrette.
Rich, flavorful ribeye steak is marinated in a homemade Cajun marinade, then grilled and topped with flavorful Creole Butter.
Filet Mignon is “butterflied” open and stuffed with a mixture of lump crabmeat, celery, onion, mayo, lemon juice, salt and pepper, dried mustard flour and an egg yolk, then grilled to your desired temperature. Serve with grilled vegetables.
Wild-caught cold-water Maine Lobster tails are “butterflied” and brushed with a mixture of melted butter, lemon juice, orange peel, salt, ginger and paprika, and grilled. Serve with a perfectly grilled filet mignon or strip steak.
Whatever the occasion and whichever summer recipes you decide to serve, don’t forget that enjoying summer meals together is cause for celebration! Tell us your favorite summer recipes in the comments below, then share with your Facebook friends!
