Home Seasons Summer
Kristin SutterUpdated: Feb. 12, 2024
Your cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven is a lifesaver for the cookout! Make and serve barbecue-classic main dishes, sides and desserts all in one trusty pan. Everything's cooked to perfection and cleanup's a breeze.
1/29
Ginger-Orange Wings
The sweet-and-sour sauce in this recipe was originally for pork spareribs, but my family has always enjoyed it this way. The longer the wings sit in the ketchup, ginger and orange marmalade sauce, the better they taste. They can be served warm or cold.-Lora Fletcher, Lyons, Oregon
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2/29
Tangy Baked Seven Beans
Everyone needs a go-to side dish for school events, picnics and potlucks. Here's mine. Freeze leftovers for future outings. —Rod Lundwall, Tooele, Utah
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3/29
Patriotic Potatoes with Mustard Sauce
Show your true spirit with a bowl of red, white and blue potatoes dressed with bacon and sour cream. They’re tops in my hit parade of patriotic dishes. —Julie Murphy, Peachtree City, Georgia
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4/29
2-Ingredient Biscuits
These 2-ingredient biscuits make a satisfying accompaniment to any meal. I never made biscuits until I tried this recipe, now my husband wants them all the time! —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
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5/29
Zucchini Salsa
I received this recipe through a friend at a weight loss group. I make at least eight batches of the salsa every year. It's truly a hit with family and friends! —Cheryl Jacobsen, Warburg, Alberta
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6/29
Rhubarbecue
This simmered sauce is a roller-coaster ride for your tongue. It's a wonderful blend of complex flavors that goes with any meat. — Rd Stendel-Freels, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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7/29
Cast-Iron Skillet Steak
If you’ve never cooked steak at home before, it can be a little intimidating. That’s why I came up with this simple steak recipe that’s so easy, you could make it any day of the week. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
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8/29
Fried Dill Pickles
You may be surprised when you see how easy it is to make a batch of these fried pickles. They'll get snatched up in a flash! —Eloise Maynor, Scottsboro, AL
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9/29
Peach and Berry Cobbler
This is one of my favorite summer recipes because it features peaches and berries that are in season, but it is just as delicious with frozen fruit. The quick biscuit topping brings it all together. —Lauren McAnelly, Des Moines, Iowa
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10/29
Dr Spicy BBQ Pork
I served this at my son’s graduation party and kept it warm in a slow cooker after roasting it in the oven. The pork is superb by itself or piled high on rolls. For a classic combo, serve it with warm biscuits and coleslaw. —Michelle Gauer, Spicer, Minnesota
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11/29
Homemade Potato Chips
Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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12/29
This warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
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13/29
Bacon Cheeseburger Balls
The first time I served these, my husband and kids thought we were having plain meatballs. Then they cut into the flavorful filling inside! —Cathy Lendvoy, Boharm, Saskatchewan
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14/29
Barbecued Strawberry Chicken
When it’s time to impress family and friends, we serve barbecued chicken garnished with strawberries. It’s easier than anyone would ever guess. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
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15/29
Big-Batch Jambalaya
I make this dish for football-watching parties because it feeds so many people. It leaves my mouth watering for it the rest of the year! —Kecia McCaffrey, South Dennis, Massachusetts
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16/29
Classic Crab Cakes
Our region is known for good seafood, and crab cakes are a traditional favorite. I learned to make them from a chef in a restaurant where they were a bestseller. The crabmeat's sweet and mild flavor is sparked by the blend of other ingredients. —Debbie Terenzini, Lusby, Maryland
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17/29
Corn Bread with a Kick
Nothing says southern cooking like crisp corn bread made in a cast iron skillet. I use a very old skillet that belonged to my great-aunt. It will be passed on for generations. —Geordyth Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
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18/29
Crusted Salmon
These delicious salmon fillets are wonderful for company since they take only a few minutes to prepare, yet they taste like you fussed. I receive requests for the recipe every time I serve them. —Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah
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19/29
Festive Corn 'n' Broccoli
This recipe is delicious and versatile. I often substitute a tablespoon of minced fresh basil for the dried, and two to three ears of sweet corn (about a cup cut fresh from the cob) for the Mexicorn. —Lucile Throgmorton, Clovis, New Mexico
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20/29
Garlic Ranch Chicken
The simple ingredients in this recipe give it flavor the whole family will enjoy. A no-nonsense salad will round out the meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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21/29
Grilled Cranberry Pear Crumble
My husband loves it when I make dessert. Fruit crisps are easy and quick to prepare, so I make them often! I created this fall-flavored grilled version with fresh pears and items I had on hand. We loved it. —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
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22/29
I also call this "my grandson's mac and cheese." Zachary has been to Iraq and Afghanistan with both the Marines and Navy, and I've been privileged to make his favorite casserole for him for over 20 years. —Alice Beardsell, Osprey, Florida
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23/29
Hush Puppies
A fish dinner isn’t complete without a side of hush puppies, and my mom is well-known for this recipe. It's the best! —Mary McGuire, Graham, NC
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24/29
Basil-Butter Steaks with Roasted Potatoes
A few ingredients and 30 minutes are all you’ll need for this incredibly satisfying meal. A simple basil butter gives these steaks a very special taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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25/29
Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle
My grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
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26/29
Mexican Homemade Salsa
In the summertime, I love to make this easy, zippy homemade salsa recipe with fresh tomatoes from my garden. I even have a special pan for roasting the peppers. —Roger Stenman, Batavia, Illinois
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27/29
Rhubarb Crisp
I found this strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe on a box of Quaker Oats about 20 years ago. It's quick and easier to make than pie. It's versatile, too, because you can add strawberries in spring or apples in fall. I usually pop it into the oven shortly before we sit down to eat so it's still warm for dessert! —C.E. Adams, Charlestown, New Hampshire
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28/29
Short Rib Cobbler
This recipe was inspired by my family's love of two things—beef stew and biscuits. After years of making the two separately, I put the biscuits on top of the stew like a cobbler. This supper's as down-home as it gets. —Janine Talley, Orlando, Florida
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29/29
Apricot Kielbasa Slices
This easy-to-fix kielbasa appetizer is coated in a thick, zesty sauce with just the right amount of sweetness. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania
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Originally Published: April 25, 2019
Kristin Sutter
A big fan of homegrown cooking, Kristin has been a writer and editor for nearly 20 years. She has mastered the art of learning from her inexpert riffs on other people's truly good recipes.