These are simple, easy and fresh Summer dishes. These sides are made of seasonal ingredients, rich in colors and delicious, perfect for hot summer days!
Healthy summer dishes
The last thing you want when the grill is shot out is boring side dishes. These fresh and healthy summer sides are glowing next to burgers, chicken, fish, or anything you throw on the grill. From pasta salad to grilled vegetables, each recipe is easy to make and rich in seasonal flavors, perfect for backyard grills, weekend dinners or weekend picnics. Choose your favorites and mix and play – these aspects make summer meals better here.
Below you will find our list of over 25 summer dishes that are frequently rotated at home. They are light and delicious, and all these summer fruits and vegetables we can’t get enough of this time of year. Pair any of my BBQ recipes!
Classic summer side dishes
Healthier is a barbecue staple such as potato salad, salad and pasta salad.
Greek Orzo Salad Recipe
Whether it’s weekday dinner or backyard barbecue, pasta salad is a summer staple, and this Greek-style version will be your go-to. In addition to roasted olives and feta, I also added garden tomatoes, chili and cucumbers to introduce a fresh summer flavor.
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Homemade coleslaw
This homemade coleslaw recipe is the ideal aspect to go with anything you bake this summer! Use it as a side dish for side dishes, burgers, hot dogs, and more.
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My favorite macaroni salad
So many macaroni salad recipes are calorie bombs filled with mayonnaise and sugar, but this breaks the mold. It manages to be creamy without being heavy, and the tomatoes add some summer flavor.
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Red Potato Salad Recipe
Although potatoes aren’t the veggies we associate with summer, potato salads are a summer staple paired with hot dogs and burgers. This lightener version just has enough mayonnaise to make it creamy without overwhelming the potatoes.
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Low Carb Potato Salad
A low-carbon artificial “potato” salad made with cauliflower instead of potatoes is perfect for ketones, or you just want to eat less carbs.
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Fresh summer vegetables summer side dishes
Simple roasted, roasted or marinated vegetables that everyone loves.
Capres salad
This may just be a typical summer salad. Tomatoes are paired with mozzarella, basil and balsamic vinegar to create a simple side dish with a perfect balance of sweetness, sour and creamy state.
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Baked corn on the stick
Cooking corn is good, but roasting corn is even better! Adding smoky elements to sweet summer corn has really taken it to the next level. Dress up with seasonings or just enjoy it in the simplest summer dishes.
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Mexican zucchini frying pan
Not every night is a barbecue night! When you cook inside, you will love this Mexican-style zucchini recipe. It comes with some jalapeno, but don’t worry – the melted cheese helps balance the heat.
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Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)
Panzanella is an Italian salad that combines the bread of the day with sun-fusion tomatoes, fresh basil, cucumber, red onions and olive oil. If croutons are your favorite part of salad, this is for you!
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Summer pasta salad and baby vegetables
For pasta salad without mayonnaise, this recipe is one of my absolute favorites. Arugula and spinach are enlarged without carbs, while sun-dried tomatoes, capers and parmesan make it delicious without loading mayonnaise.
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Vegetarian kabobs
Another classic summer dish! One thing I love about these vegans is that they are easy on a weekday night, but they are always popular as well when you are entertaining. No one can resist all these colorful roasted vegetables!
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Tomato salad
If your garden gives you more tomatoes than you know, this tomato salad is the answer. I like to make it with colorful heirloom tomatoes from farmers markets.
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squash
Every time I make this recipe, I remember it as the original zucchini. This side is lightweight and elegant, which is another easy to enjoy on a weekday evening (only 5 ingredients!), but also enough to appreciate the guests’ service.
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Watermelon Feta Salad Recipe
Watermelon does shine when paired with something savory: kalamata olives, flaky salt, or in this simple summer side dish, feta cheese. You only need 4 ingredients to complete!
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Grilled Corn Salad with Cotia
I think that without mayonnaise, Mexican Street corn is even more delicious, and this grilled corn salad proves my point! With sweet summer corn, Tajin and Cotija, full of flavor.
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Roasted eggplant sticks
Eggplant is often overlooked when it comes to summer vegetables, but this simple side dish makes it the spotlight. Use these eggplant sticks instead of fries to serve a grilled burger.
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rato farro
Ratatouille is made from a summer favorite bunch including tomatoes, zucchini, pepper and eggplant. Here I pair it with Farro to make a delicious side that doubles as a meatless body.
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Corn salsa recipe
Here’s the plan: Use this corn salsa as a side dish for dinner – you can eat it with a fork, etc. or grilled chicken, and scald the rest of the week with the rest of the week with the remaining tortillas.
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Carnival Bean Salad Recipe
We all need that kind of back pocket bean salad recipe, and this is mine. Cuminite vinaigrette infuses so much flavor to black beans and chickpeas.
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Grilled Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad
Grilled vegetables make this Orzo pasta salad a little special. You can customize this recipe by vegetables you happen to grow in a farmers’ market or garden.
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Need barbecue inspiration?
These summer sides are taken with the baking power supply! Find easy, delicious ideas in my complete barbecue recipes – from chicken and seafood to vegetables and burgers.
