What to Cook This Week (June 30 – July 6)
Easy Summer Meals + 4th of July Favorites
It’s the week of red, white, and BBQ—and whether you're planning a full celebration or keeping it simple with family at home, summer meals this week call for easy prep, fresh flavors, and just a little sparkle.
From make-ahead dishes to no-bake treats, here are 4th of July recipes I love—and easy weeknight dinners to carry you through the rest of the week.
What to Make This Week
🇺🇸 4th of July Favorites
Grilled Baby Back Ribs – tender, spiced, fall off the bone
Classic Macaroni Salad – creamy and nostalgic
Red, White & Blueberry Fruit Salad – festive and fresh
No-Bake S'mores Icebox Cake – a cool twist on a summer favorite
Southern Sweet Tea – my go-to for warm weather sipping
🥗 Easy Meals for the Rest of the Week
Shrimp Pasta with Garlic and Lemon – light and summery
Cold Cucumber Soup – perfect for hot evenings
5 Minute Salmon Bowl — no-cook and ready in minutes
Asian Coleslaw with Grilled Chicken – crunchy, cool, and quick
Easy Greek Souvlaki – easy to grill and picnic-perfect
🌿 From the Pantry (or Farmers’ Market):
If you're making a grocery run this week, don’t forget:
Cucumbers, berries, corn, cherry tomatoes, lemons, and fresh herbs
A pack of skewers and extra marshmallows, just in case
✨ One Simple Thing: Keep the pitcher full
When entertaining this week, fill a pitcher in the morning with your favorite iced tea or lemonade—add citrus slices or mint—and keep it chilled for guests (and yourself!). Hospitality doesn’t have to be complicated.
One Simple Thing: Keep the Pitcher Full
There’s something about summer that invites a slower pace—bare feet on warm floors, sunlight lingering into the evening, and a pitcher waiting on the table.
💬 Quote of the Week
“All great change in America begins at the dinner table.”
— Ronald Reagan