Summer is the perfect time to explore fresh, vibrant, and easy recipes that bring family and friends together. Jamie Oliver shares a collection of delicious dishes ranging from juicy steaks to wholesome breakfast bowls and flavorful chicken meals that anyone can whip up. Whether you’re looking to impress with minimal effort or just want to enjoy good food with simple steps, these recipes are packed with flavor and fun. Let’s dive into some of the best summer cooking ideas that will keep your kitchen buzzing all month long!
Juicy Seared Steak with North African Flair
Steak is a classic favorite, but Jamie takes it a step further by infusing it with Moorish-inspired flavors. The secret to perfect couscous is simplicity: just cover it with boiling water and add fresh mint stalks to infuse flavor. Let it plump up for 12-15 minutes, and you get a light and fresh base that pairs beautifully with steak.
For the steak, Jamie recommends choosing one thick sirloin steak for two people to achieve a perfect medium or medium-rare cook. Season generously with black pepper to create a crust-like "bark" and sea salt to enhance flavor. Whether cooked on the barbecue or in a pan, start by rendering the fat side for about three minutes before flipping repeatedly to get a gorgeous brown exterior.
To complement the steak, toast some almonds for nuttiness and prepare sweet cherry tomatoes by halving them. Jamie also introduces artichokes, which can be conveniently used from jars, cooked with preserved lemons to add a zesty punch. Finish the veggies with fresh mint leaves for a fragrant and colorful dish.
Once rested, slice the steak and pour the honey-infused resting juices over it. Serve on a bed of couscous and veggies, sprinkled with toasted almonds for texture. This dish bursts with vibrant flavors and is a fantastic way to enjoy steak with a refreshing twist.
Cajun Steak with BBQ Baked Beans
For a soul food vibe, Jamie pairs Cajun-seasoned steak with homemade BBQ baked beans and collard greens. The baked beans are cooked in a hot pan with olive oil until they start crisping, then mixed with a simple barbecue sauce made from ketchup, Tabasco, English mustard, Worcestershire sauce, honey, and passata. A touch of cheddar cheese melted on top adds richness.
The steak is seasoned with sea salt, pepper, dried thyme, and sweet paprika, then cooked quickly in olive oil to a juicy medium-rare or medium, depending on preference. The beans and steak come together in a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for summer casual dining.
Avocado Pastry Quiche: A Healthy Pastry Twist
Avocado lovers will appreciate Jamie’s inventive avocado pastry, which replaces butter with ripe avocado to create a nutritious and delicious dough. The pastry is made by rubbing avocado into self-raising flour with a pinch of salt, then brought together with water and rested before rolling out.
The filling is a vibrant blend of frozen peas, basil, cheddar cheese, and free-range eggs, blended to a silky smooth texture and poured into the pre-baked pastry case. After baking until set, it’s served with a crisp salad of apple matchsticks and fresh leaves dressed with lemon and olive oil.
This quiche is a fresh, healthy option for brunch or lunch, offering a unique way to enjoy avocado beyond guacamole.
Cod with Avocado Hollandaise and Seasonal Asparagus
This quick midweek meal features delicate cod steamed with tender asparagus, served with a silky avocado hollandaise. Jamie simplifies the classic hollandaise by blending eggs and ripe avocado with a lemon, white wine vinegar, spring onions, and tarragon, eliminating the risk of splitting and making it much easier to prepare.
The cod and asparagus are steamed together in a small amount of water, ensuring both are perfectly cooked in about four minutes. A garnish of thinly sliced spring onions, chili, and fresh tarragon adds a fresh, crunchy contrast.
The avocado hollandaise offers richness with a tangy brightness that complements the flaky fish and crisp asparagus, making this dish a classy yet effortless option for any night of the week.
Ultimate Grilled Chicken & Avocado Sandwich
This impressive stuffed loaf sandwich layers grilled chicken breasts, charred peppers, courgettes, avocado, and crisp gem lettuce inside a hollowed round cob loaf. The chicken is butterflied for quick cooking and marinated in a simple olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper dressing, which also bathes the grilled veggies.
The sandwich is assembled in layers, pressed tightly, and chilled to meld the flavors. Jamie pairs it with a tangy, creamy dipping sauce made from yogurt, parmesan, parsley, and lemon zest and juice, which adds a delightful finishing touch.
This sandwich is perfect for sharing, packed with fresh, vibrant ingredients and textures that will impress any crowd.
Fresh & Colorful Smoothie Breakfast Bowl
Start the day with a fun and nutritious smoothie bowl made from frozen bananas, porridge oats, cinnamon, and creamy yogurt. This base provides slow-release energy and protein to keep you full until lunch.
Jamie blends a portion of the smoothie with frozen mixed berries to create a thick, refreshing topping. He then adds crunchy muesli, a dollop of peanut butter, and a sprinkle of nuts and seeds to boost flavor and texture.
This breakfast bowl is a delightful way to break the monotony of traditional breakfasts and is quick enough to make even on busy mornings.
Veggie Quesadillas: A Hidden Veggie Delight
Quesadillas are a fantastic way to sneak veggies into meals, and Jamie’s version is loaded with finely chopped leeks, peppers, grated carrot, and cheese. By using wholemeal tortillas, you add fiber and extra flavor.
The filling is mixed with herbs like parsley and mint, then sandwiched inside tortillas and toasted in a dry pan until golden and oozy. Served with a quick homemade hummus dressing, which is brightened with lemon and olive oil, this dish is kid-friendly, flexible, and full of vibrant flavors.
Lemon Marinated Chicken with Smashed Sweet Potato & Sprouting Broccoli
This quick, healthy dinner features chicken breasts marinated in a vibrant blend of spices including paprika, cayenne, turmeric, garlic, lemon, parsley, and tomato puree. The chicken is grilled to caramelized perfection alongside charred lemon halves, which add a sweet and sour depth when squeezed over the dish.
Jamie pairs the chicken with smashed sweet potatoes and sprouting broccoli tossed with olives, making for a colorful and well-balanced plate that’s perfect for midweek meals.
One-Pan Wonder: Crispy Buffalo Style Chicken Wings
Buffalo wings get a simple, delicious makeover with a spice rub of smoked paprika, cayenne, ground garlic, bicarbonate of soda (for crispiness), salt, and pepper. Jamie shows how to prepare the wings by separating the winglets and creating “lollipops” for a fun twist.
After baking until golden and crispy, the wings are glazed with a tangy mix of butter, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Frank’s Red Hot sauce, and honey, then finished in the oven’s residual heat to stick perfectly. Served with a sprinkle of spring onions and optional blue cheese dressing, these wings are a crowd-pleasing, hassle-free treat.
Scallops & Oysters: Weekend Seafood Indulgence
Diver-caught scallops are a luxurious weekend treat. Jamie carefully cleans and prepares them, then cooks them with smoked bacon lardons and crispy sage leaves in butter for a perfect caramelized finish. Served with a rich buttery mash, this dish is all about precision and indulgence.
For oysters, Jamie cooks them gently in ash until they pop open, then serves them with a fiery Tabasco beurre noisette sauce made by browning butter with lemon juice and Tabasco, delivering a smoky, tangy kick.
Tex Mex Chicken Traybake with Tortillas and Salad
This one-tray chicken dish is a family favorite, combining juicy chicken thighs with quartered onions, cherry tomatoes, and a seasoning of smoked paprika, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Everything roasts together to create a harmonious, flavorful meal.
Jamie serves this with charred sweetcorn, fresh gem lettuce, and warmed wholemeal tortillas, which are kept flexible by wrapping in a clean tea towel. The chicken is pulled apart and mixed with the roasted veggies, then wrapped in tortillas with a dollop of yogurt and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing finish.
Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas with Fresh Salsa
Jamie’s veggie enchiladas are a simple, healthy way to enjoy Mexican-inspired flavors. The sauce is a smoky, charred blend of peppers, ripe tomatoes, spring onions, garlic, and chili, pureed with olive oil, coriander, lime, salt, and pepper.
The filling features seasoned black beans mixed with crumbled feta and herbs, wrapped in tortillas, topped with the sauce and a sprinkle of feta, then baked until golden and bubbling.
The dish is served with a fresh corn salsa made by charring corn, slicing it off the cob, and mixing with lime juice, spring onions, coriander, chili, and pepper for a sweet, smoky, and crunchy contrast.
Perfect Barbecue Chicken Thighs and Legs with Homemade Spice Rub
Jamie demystifies barbecue chicken with a detailed guide to making your own spice rub and marinade. Using fennel seeds, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin seeds, black pepper, smoked sea salt, and cloves, you can create a fragrant and layered seasoning that’s perfect for chicken, pork, lamb, or goat.
The rub is ground in a pestle and mortar, then mixed with olive oil and lemon juice to become a marinade. Jamie recommends making small puncture holes in the chicken with a fork to help the marinade penetrate deeply.
Cooking on a Weber kettle barbecue, he explains how to set up for indirect roasting using charcoal baskets and fruitwood for smoking. After searing the chicken skin-side down, it’s roasted with the lid on at 180°C (350°F) until tender.
The chicken is then glazed with a homemade barbecue sauce and returned to the grill at a lower temperature to develop a sticky, shiny finish without burning the sugars.
This method guarantees tender, juicy meat with a sweet, smoky glaze that’s perfect for summer gatherings.
These easy recipes show that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. From quick midweek meals to impressive weekend treats, these summer ideas bring fresh flavors and simple techniques to your table. Whether you're searing steak with a North African twist or whipping up a vibrant smoothie bowl, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to keep your taste buds happy all season long.
Tasty Summer Recipes & Ideas To Try This Month: Cooking Easy Recipes with Jamie Oliver. There are any Tasty Summer Recipes & Ideas To Try This Month: Cooking Easy Recipes with Jamie Oliver in here.
