21 Best Summer Beef Recipes

Delight in these crowd-pleasing summer beef recipes, lightened up for your active summer, from tacos to sandwiches, salads and more! Choose from our top 5 recipe picks to save you some time, then check out our summer suggestions to add some fun to your summer.

Beef lovers, this one’s for you. Summer is in full swing, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with the savory delights of summer beef recipes! Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a family picnic, or just enjoying a sunny day outdoors, beef takes center stage in various succulent dishes that capture the essence of the season.

While grilling transforms the meat into mouthwatering masterpieces, the culinary journey doesn’t end there. Dive into these beef-centric recipes, from refreshing salads to savory empanadas, and embrace the full spectrum of summer’s bounty.

Top 5 Recipe Picks

No time to lose? Let’s make it quick. Here are the faves:

• Every bite of #2 Shish Kabob is bright, tangy, savory, and smoky!
• #3 Double Cheeseburger isn’t just delicious, but it’s beautifully presented as well. 
• #8 Teriyaki Beef & Zucchini is a great option when you’re short on time.
• Customize #14 Black & Blue Salad to your liking by adding and removing ingredients. 
• #19 Bruschetta Burgers use a balsamic glaze to add an elegant touch to the burger.

Best Summer Beef Recipes

1. Grilled Steak

This Grilled Steak has a golden brown crust and a tender, juicy interior. For perfect grilling, create two heat zones on your grill: sear the steak on the hotter side for a golden crust, then shift it to the cooler zone to complete the cooking.

2. Shish Kabob

This traditional Middle Eastern recipe starts by threading cubes of meat and vegetables onto skewers and then grilling them over medium-high heat. Serve with rice, pita bread, or a dipping sauce.

3. Double Cheeseburger

This delectable recipe combines two juicy beef patties: melted cheese, tangy pickles, ketchup, mustard, and onions packed in a toasted bun. It’s simple to make, and the ingredients are readily available.

4. Mojo Steak Tacos

These steak tacos are bursting with flavor! The citrus juices in the marinade give the steak a tart and refreshing flavor, while the garlic and aromatic herbs add depth and complexity.

5. Traeger Smoked Beef Back Ribs

You can enjoy these smoked beef ribs with just a few simple ingredients and a little time. The recipe uses a simple dry rub and low and slow smoking to create fall-off-the-bone tender ribs with a delicious smoky flavor.

6. Thai Beef Salad (Yum Nua)

This classic Thai dish highlights the beef and fish sauce blend, offering a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavor. The beef is grilled in advance, so all you need to do is chop up the veggies and toss everything together with the dressing.

7. Gourmet Beef Sliders

These mini burgers combine juicy beef patties, melted cheese, and all your favorite toppings. The key to their savory, umami flavor comes from adding Worcestershire sauce.

8. Teriyaki Beef & Zucchini

This recipe features tender beef and zucchini cooked in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. The dish is prepared in just 30 minutes and captures the essence of Asian cuisine in every delicious bite.

9. Beef Stir-Fry

This Beef Stir-Fry is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. The broccoli is cooked until tender-crisp, and it adds a fresh, vegetal flavor to the dish. As it simmers, the sauce thickens, creating a glossy coating over the broccoli and meat.

10. Grilled Flank Steak Salad

Grilled Flank Steak Salad is an easy-to-make summer meal that is perfect for entertaining. The steak is marinated in a simple spice rub for extra flavor, and the whole salad is tossed in a cilantro lime dressing.

11. Taiwanese Beef Rolls

These beef rolls are filled with a savory and satisfying pairing of hoisin sauce, scallions, and cucumber. The recipe uses a traditional braising method that results in rich, tender beef.

12. Birria Quesadilla

Birria Quesadillas are a savory, cheesy, filling Mexican dish made with slow-cooked, shredded beef birria, melted cheese, and corn tortillas. They are often dipped in the birria’s broth for an extra layer of flavor.

13. Beef & Bean Burritos

These burritos use simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand, and it can be made in just 30 minutes. The spices give the recipe a bold and authentic Mexican taste.

14. Black & Blue Salad

This Black & Blue Salad is perfect for a summer barbecue or a light lunch on the go. It has a flavor combo of smoky, briny, and tangy, and the steak is grilled to medium-rare, so expect a juicy and tender texture in every bite.

15. Korean Ground Beef Rice Bowl (Bibimbap)

This meal showcases ground beef that’s cooked with a delectable sauce and then topped with rice, veggies, and a fried egg. It’s then finished with sesame oil and sesame seeds.

16. Savory Galette

This savory galette features a flaky pastry crust filled with tender beef, bell peppers, and leeks. The rich and savory flavors of the filling are perfectly balanced by the flaky crust, making every bite a delight.

17. Roast Beef Sandwich

This recipe for a roast beef sandwich is a classic for a reason. The thinly sliced roast beef is perfectly tender and juicy, and the horseradish cream adds a touch of heat and tang.

18. Steak Fajitas

This recipe highlights thinly sliced flank steak marinated in a blend of spices and then grilled to perfection. The steak is then served with grilled peppers, onions, and all the fixings for your favorite fajitas.

19. Bruschetta Burgers

These Bruschetta Burgers are a tasty recipe combining classic bruschetta flavors with a juicy burger. The key is to use sturdy bread to hold up the juices from the burger and the toppings.

20. Shredded Beef Taco Salad

This savory salad features tender shredded beef cooked in the pressure cooker and then topped with all of your favorite taco toppings. The recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to your liking.

21. Beef Empanadas

These Beef Empanadas can be baked or fried, depending on your preference. The filling requires high-quality ingredients, and the pastry dough is flaky and buttery.

Fun Games To Pair With Summer Beef Recipes

Pairing games with summer beef recipes adds a fun twist to the dining experience! Here are some games you can enjoy while munching on your favorite summer beef dishes:

• Trivia night. Answer trivia while eating burgers.
• Guess the ingredient. Taste beef dishes and guess the ingredients.
• Cards against humanity. Enjoy BBQ and play this edgy card game.
• Codenames. Guess words while munching beef tacos or kebabs.
• Pictionary or telestrations. Sketch and guess with a beef salad.
• Charades. Act out hints after having beef sliders.
• Jenga. Pull blocks in this tense game during a BBQ.
• Would you rather. Pose dilemmas while eating beef ribs.
• 20 questions. Think and guess during a beef feast.
• Two truths and a lie. Share facts and fiction over steak.

The bottom line

From the familiar sizzle of burgers to the elegance of grilled steaks, these summer beef recipes embody the season’s vibrant energy and communal spirit. 

The interplay between the rich flavors of beef and a hot grill or skillet brings about an experience that’s more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of everything that makes summer memorable.

More Summer Recipes

• Summer Cakes 
• Summer Slow Cooker Recipes
• Summer Snacks
• Summer Cookies
• Summer Instant Pot Recipes
• Summer Salads
• Summer Pasta Recipes 
• Summer Cocktails 
• Summer Casseroles
• Summer Potluck Ideas