Easy and Delicious Summer Beef Dishes

Now that the sunshine’s making a more regular appearance and the evenings are stretching out, it feels like the right time to change what we’re cooking at home. At Copas Farm Shop, summer means fresh veg from the fields, relaxed meals with friends in the garden, and making the most of good-quality meat—without spending hours in the kitchen.

Beef might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of summer cooking, but it’s incredibly versatile. When used well, it can be just the thing for a light, satisfying summer meal. Whether you’re grilling outdoors or preparing a quick midweek supper, here are a few of my favourite easy beef ideas to enjoy while the weather’s on our side.

BBQ Beef Salad – Fresh, Quick and Full of Flavour

There’s something about the smoky taste of grilled beef paired with crisp salad that just works on a warm evening. One of my go-to summer dishes is a BBQ beef salad – it’s simple, full of flavour and doesn’t take much effort.

Start with a base of mixed salad leaves – whatever looks best that week – and add in sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a bit of red onion for crunch. Thin strips of beef, seasoned with a dry rub or just a pinch of salt and pepper, go straight onto the grill or into a hot pan. Once they’ve got a nice bit of colour, slice them up and add them warm over your salad.

I usually make a quick dressing with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a teaspoon of honey. If I’ve got any feta or goat’s cheese in the fridge, I’ll crumble that over the top, along with a few toasted pine nuts if I have them. It’s one of those meals that looks impressive but takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish.

Stir-Fry with a Summer Twist

When it’s warm out, I often want something quick, light, and packed with flavour—and a stir-fry fits the bill perfectly.

I usually go for strips of beef with colourful peppers, sugar snap peas, and carrots. A splash of soy sauce, some fresh ginger and garlic, and it's done in minutes. You can serve it with rice, but I often opt for cauliflower rice or even a bed of greens if I want something lighter.

The key is not to overcook it. The vegetables should still have some crunch, and the beef should stay tender. It’s ideal for a midweek meal when time is short and you want something fresh and satisfying.

Beef Kebabs – Great for the BBQ or Grill

You really can’t go wrong with a classic kebab during barbecue season, and beef works brilliantly on skewers with a few colourful vegetables.

I like to marinate chunks of beef in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a handful of chopped herbs – rosemary and thyme are favourites. Then I thread the beef onto skewers with red onion, courgette and cherry tomatoes.

A few minutes on the grill is all they need. Serve with warm flatbreads, a bit of yoghurt and cucumber, or a simple salad. It’s an easy way to feed a group and feels like proper summer food – light, flavourful and enjoyable to eat outside.

Something Chilled – Leftover Roast Beef Salad

If you’ve done a roast over the weekend and have a bit of beef leftover, don’t let it go to waste. One of my favourite ways to use it up is in a chilled summer salad.

Thinly slice the beef and toss it with rocket, peach slices (or nectarines if that’s what you’ve got), a bit of soft cheese like goat’s cheese or blue cheese, and a light vinaigrette. It might sound like an unusual combination, but the sweet fruit, rich cheese and savoury beef work beautifully together.

Copas Beef Boxes 

Whatever you’re cooking this summer, starting with high-quality beef makes all the difference. At Copas Farm Shop, we’re proud to offer Premium Dry Aged Heritage Beef – pasture grazed right here on the farm and dry aged for a deeper, fuller flavour. It’s the kind of beef that really stands out in simple dishes, where the quality of the ingredients speaks for itself.

Our Beef Boxes include a great mix for easy summer cooking – from steaks and mince to roasting joints – all prepared with care to make your meals both convenient and delicious. So if you’re after straightforward, satisfying dishes to enjoy in the warmer months, I hope you’ll give a few of these ideas a try.