22 summer Sunday lunch recipes

As the weather gets warmer, there's no doubt that it's out the window with hot roasts and in with more summer Sunday lunch salads and other tasty alternative recipes. 

This collection of exciting summer Sunday lunch recipes will be sure to put a spring in your step this summer, as they offer a lighter alternative to the roast dinners (opens in new tab) that we all know and love in the colder months.

If you love a BBQ then you're in luck, we've got plenty of BBQ ideas (opens in new tab) to help you fire up the coals as the temperature gets warmer and bring a new style to Sunday lunch. But if you don't have any outdoor space or don't have a barbecue, then don't worry because almost all BBQ recipes can be styled to work in the kitchen.

Dishes like curry and roast chicken don't have to be confined to the colder months, when you need them to keep warm. Summer alternatives are available and while you won't want to eat cold curry unlike roast chicken, something lighter like a chickpea curry could be the perfect treat on a Friday night.

In fact, roast chicken is one of the specialities on our list. It's such a versatile meat, ideal if you need something just to go in the oven for a couple of hours while you get on with other things, and can be flavoured to suit your tastes however you like. We particularly favour a recipe for lemon and garlic chicken, as it's as close to a traditional roast as you're going to get while offering a fresh twist with the citrus infusion.

If you're a great lover of salads in the summer then we've got you covered! Salads don't have to be boring either, by incorporating things like avocado and couscous, you can make sure that they'll fill you up for the rest of the day while not leaving you unable to move.

Like our list of Sunday summer lunch recipes? Why not try this selection of chicken wing recipes (opens in new tab) to incorporate something a little different into your weekend? And for dessert, this beautiful selection of summer cupcakes (opens in new tab) will continue to bring sunshine into your dining room.

Take a look at our great summer Sunday lunch recipes...

Roast haddock supper

Tray bake your fish with tomatoes and potatoes to make this roast haddock supper,

Get the recipe: Roast haddock supper (opens in new tab)

Chickpea curry

While perhaps not exactly what you'd think of for a summer meal, a classic chickpea curry (opens in new tab) is the surest way to satisfy those curry cravings from the colder months while not having to get too warm in the kitchen. This recipe from Slimming World is easy to make and trust us, even easier to eat.

Avocado and couscous salad

Another recipe that your mind probably doesn't immediately jump to when you hear "summer lunch recipes" but we promise that this avocado and couscous salad (opens in new tab) is the way forward for a filling meal in the summer months.

Salmon, courgette and plum tomato parcels

Baking your fish in these salmon, courgette and plum tomato parcels gives them plenty of flavour and makes the veg extra tasty. Serve with a cheesy potato gratin.

Get the recipe: Salmon, courgette and plum tomato parcels (opens in new tab)

Traditional paella

You don't need to be in Spain to enjoy a traditional paella for lunch. This treat would be lovely if you've got guests over and space to eat in the garden.

Get the recipe: Traditional paella (opens in new tab)

Lemon and garlic roast chicken

Traditional roasts aren't off the menu in the summer months, you just need to give them a fresh twist. This lemon and garlic roast chicken is easy and so full of flavour.

Get the recipe: Lemon and garlic roast chicken (opens in new tab)

Mediterranean aubergines

Meat can be a bit heavy in the heat so if you fancy something lighter, try these Mediterranean aubergines, which are filled with a tangy tomato and olive mixture. The in-season vegetable has a thick, meaty texture so will keep you full.

Get the recipe: Mediterranean aubergines (opens in new tab)

Moroccan chicken salad

Powerful flavours and chunks of marinated chicken turn a simple salad into a centre piece dish for your Sunday lunch. Serve this Moroccan chicken salad with couscous to make it more filling.

Get the recipe: Moroccan chicken salad (opens in new tab)

Summer beef nicoise salad

Just because it's too hot for a full roast with Yorkshire puds, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy beef for Sunday lunch. This summer beef nicoise salad features tender strips of roast beef, new potatoes, green beens and lots of veg.

Get the recipe: Summer beef nicoise salad (opens in new tab)

Smoky cheese, bacon, baby leek and potato tart

Filling but not too heavy, this smoky cheese, bacon, baby leek and potato tart would be lovely served with some cooked veg or some salad.

Get the recipe: Smoky cheese, bacon, baby leek and potato tart (opens in new tab)

Feta and black olive crusted rack of lamb

A simple roast lamb recipe from essentials magazine, packed full of flavour it’s the perfect Sunday family meal.

Get the recipe: Feta and black olive crusted rack of lamb (opens in new tab)

Beer can chicken

Throwing a BBQ? Cook your Sunday chicken over coals instead of in the oven. Standing it on an open beer can gives the meat an amazing flavour. Just follow our easy step-by-step beer can chicken recipe to find out how.

Get the recipe: Beer can chicken (opens in new tab)

Tomato tarte tatin

Tomatoes are everywhere in the summer months and they are just delicious in this savoury spin on the classic dessert. This tomato tarte tatin would also be perfect for picnics.

Get the recipe: Tomato tarte tatin (opens in new tab)

Lamb chops and sweetcorn salsa

For a lighter alternative to a joint, serve these lamb chops with a delicious sweetcorn salsa and potato wedges or roasties.

Get the recipe: Lamb chops and sweetcorn salsa (opens in new tab)

Rosti fish pie

This delicious Woman's Weekly fish pie is filled with asparagus and haddock, which are both in season now, in a naughty Hollandaise sauce.

Get the recipe: Rosti fish pie (opens in new tab)

Mackerel horseradish salad

Too hot for roast potatoes? Turn a cool and creamy potato salad into Sunday lunch by following Michel Roux's recipe for potato salad with grilled mackerel and horseradish.

Get the recipe: Mackerel horseradish salad (opens in new tab)

Courgette and goat's cheese frittata

Got courgettes to use up? Try them in this lovely vegetarian goat's cheese frittata for two. Just add crusty bread and a big bowl of salad if you're serving a crowd.

Get the recipe: Courgette and goat's cheese frittata (opens in new tab)

Poached egg salad Nicoise

For a fresh twist on Sunday lunch why not serve up tuna steaks in this gorgeous fresh salad of beans, potatoes and tomatoes. Finished with an egg, this tasty salad is filling and rich.

Get the recipe: Poached egg salad Nicoise (opens in new tab)

Beetroot and goat's cheese tart

Beetroot comes into season in July. Why not make the most of it with this simple beetroot and goat's cheese tart recipe using ready-roll puff pastry?

Get the recipe: Beetroot, goat's cheese and hazelnut tart (opens in new tab)

Seabass beetroot rosti

Seabass is in season and on offer in some supermarkets - it makes a delicious and healthy alternative to meat in a Sunday lunch especially in this seabass beetroot rosti recipe, served with crunchy beetroot rosti.

Get the recipe: Seabass beetroot rosti (opens in new tab)

Gino D'Acampo's roast chicken with courgettes

For roast chicken with a summery twist, try Gino's roast chicken with in-season courgettes. 'It doesn't take any time to prepare so you can enjoy your weekend while its cooking,' says the This Morning chef.

Get the recipe: Gino D'Acampo's roast chicken with courgettes (opens in new tab)

Where to next?

10 ways with roast chicken

BBQ recipes (opens in new tab)

Summer recipes (opens in new tab)