Our Favorite Summer Recipes: A Virtual Recipe Box from Our Home to Yours

There’s something special about recipes that aren’t just delicious—but hold memories, too. Whether they’re passed down from Grandma, invented during a slow summer afternoon, or crowd favorites at family gatherings, these are the dishes we turn to again and again. This summer, we’re sharing some of our family’s go-to meals and snacks in a downloadable, printable PDF inside the HomeImagined Facebook Group.

From refreshing drinks to nostalgic desserts, think of this blog as a virtual summer recipe box—made with love, and designed for real life.

Orange Pineapple Sparkling Refresher

A summer favorite that’s quick, healthy, and ultra-refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Orange Pineapple Electrolytes (Just Ingredients)

• 4 scoops of ice

• Sparkling water or tonic water to top

Mix, stir, and sip. This makes the perfect meal prep drink to stay hydrated whether you're gardening, camping, or chasing kids at the beach. Bonus: It’s packed with clean ingredients and no added sugar.

Cowboy Dip

This colorful, flavor-packed dip is a crowd-pleaser at any picnic or BBQ.

Ingredients:

• 1 can each of pinto, black, and garbanzo beans (rinsed + drained)

• 1 can whole kernel corn (drained)

• 1 green, 1 red, and 1 orange/yellow pepper (diced)

• 4 celery stalks (chopped)

• 1 yellow onion (diced)

Dressing:
In a saucepan, simmer:

• ½ cup sugar

• ½ cup vinegar
  Once sugar is dissolved, pour over the mixture and add ¾ cup vegetable oil.

Serve with chips or over greens. Store leftovers in the fridge for easy, flavor-packed lunches all week long. A perfect addition to your summer meals recipe collection.

5 Cup Salad

This one is as easy as it is nostalgic.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup diced pineapple

• 1 cup mandarin oranges

• 1 cup mini marshmallows

• 1 cup shredded coconut

• 1 cup sour cream

Mix and chill. That’s it! A light, fruity side dish that’s perfect for summer dinners, potlucks, or even brunch.

Grandma’s Rhubarb Crisp

“My grandma always had a rhubarb patch wherever she lived, and this was her go-to. She wasn’t much of a cook—but baking was her thing. Her crust was always the best—light, buttery, and perfectly golden.”

This family-favorite dessert uses fresh rhubarb and a buttery crumble topping. We’ve preserved the recipe card as it was handwritten, and you can view the full recipe + printable version in the HomeImagined Facebook Group.

Pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a warm summer evening.