When the summer sun is shining, we love to enjoy meals that are light, tasty, and good for us. Healthy summer sides are the perfect companions to your barbecue or picnic. These recipes can include fresh salads packed with fruits and veggies, grilled vegetables with a hint of smoky flavor, or cool, zesty pasta dishes made with whole grains.
Healthy Summer Sides Recipes
They not only add a splash of color and variety to your plate but also give you the nutrients your body needs to stay active and happy under the warm sun. With easy-to-follow recipes, you can whip up these delicious sides in no time and make your summer meals both satisfying and healthy.
Fattoush Salad
Uses: This Middle Eastern delight transforms leftover pita bread into crispy, golden chips, mixing them with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, radishes, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Baked, not fried, these pita pieces add a satisfying crunch to every bite. Dressed in lemony olive oil with a mint and parsley kick, Fattoush Salad is a refreshing, easy-to-make dish that brings summer into your bowl.
Ingredients:
For the pita chips:
- 2 rounds pita bread (8- to 12-inches)
- Olive oil (for toasting the pita)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the salad:
- 4 Persian, pickling, or other small cucumbers, thinly sliced (or 1 English cucumber, trimmed, halved vertically, and thinly sliced)
- 4 radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced
- 2 large tomatoes, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ red onion, very thinly sliced
- ¼ cup sliced scallions, white and light green parts
The dressing:
- Juice of 1 lemon, or more to taste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- Large handful fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped
- Large handful fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
Napa Cabbage Picnic Salad
Uses: Preferred at potlucks, Napa Cabbage is a hit with its sweet sesame ginger mayo dressing that coats the sturdy Napa cabbage, punchy radishes, and crisp snow peas. Toasted slivered almonds bring a welcome crunch. Make it ahead, pack it easy—this salad stays fresh and crunchy longer than its leafy cousins, letting you savor every bite, even hours into your sunny spread. Add chicken or salmon, and you've got a complete, satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup slivered almonds
- 4 cups (½ pound) coarsely shredded napa cabbage
- 6 ounces snow peas, sliced into half-inch slices on the diagonal
- ⅔ cup thinly sliced radishes
- ⅔ cup thinly sliced green onions (including greens)
- ⅔ cup lightly packed chopped cilantro
Dressing ingredients
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 ½ teaspoons rice vinegar (seasoned or unseasoned)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ clove peeled and minced garlic (about ½ teaspoon)
- ¼ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne powder
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Uses: With fresh cucumbers, ripe tomatoes, and onions soaked in a simple homemade dressing, this dish is a celebration of summer freshness. It loves to chill, becoming even more flavorful after a few hours in the fridge. Perfect alongside any meal, it's the ease and versatility of this salad that has home cooks reaching for seconds.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 3 cucumbers, peeled and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 3 tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 onion, sliced and separated into rings
Old-Fashioned Potato Salad
Uses: Splashed with a tangy dressing and hints of sweet pickle relish, Old-Fashioned Potato Salad beloved dish scores big at family gatherings. It's simple to whip up with kitchen staples, and even better, it holds up beautifully for picnics and potlucks. Loved for its creamy texture and comforting taste, this salad is a timeless favorite.
Ingredients:
- 5 medium potatoes
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup chopped celery
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup sweet pickle relish
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- ground black pepper to taste
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Uses: A charming mix of cheese, ham, and veggies, Bow Tie Pasta Salad is perfect for any summer meal. The fun-shaped pasta, dressed in a creamy homemade mix, catches the dressing in every fold. Easy to toss together, this salad shines as a side dish at barbecues and packs well for picnics. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's a make-ahead marvel that tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients:
- ½ tsp. kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1 lb. bow tie pasta
- 1 ½ c. frozen peas
- ½ c. mayonnaise
- ½ c. sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ c. olive oil
- ¼ c. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 3 Tbsp. yellow mustard
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp. honey
- ½ tsp. ground black pepper
- ½ lb. deli ham, cubed
- ½ lb. cheddar cheese, cubed
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 green onions, sliced thin
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Uses: Coming from the Aloha State, it's a side dish staple enjoyed alongside saucy meats and rice. Simple yet satisfying, it combines tender macaroni with a dash of veggies and a dressing that's both sweet and tangy.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. elbow macaroni
- 1 ¼ c. mayonnaise
- ¼ c. whole milk
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 1 large carrot, shredded
- ½ c. chopped celery
- ⅓ c. chopped green onion, plus more for serving
- ¼ c. grated yellow onion
Mango Salad With Avocado And Lime
Uses: Easy to make with a few simple cuts, it's a salad that satisfies with every bite, making it a refreshing choice for any meal. This dish celebrates freshness with juicy mango, smooth avocado, crisp cucumber, and a kick of red pepper. It's a salad that breaks free from leafy greens, creating a vibrant bowl of colors and flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 mangos, sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned
- ½ english cucumber, julienned
- 2 tablespoon fresh basil, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoon fresh mint, coar
- 1 lime, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt, to taste
- ground pepper, to taste
Stone Fruit Salad With Tomato And Burrata
Uses: Stone Fruit Salad with Tomato and Burrata is a celebration of summer's bounty. This refreshing salad pairs juicy peaches, plums, and cherries with sweet tomatoes and creamy burrata, all dressed simply with olive oil and fresh basil. It’s a quick fix, taking only 10 minutes to create a dish that’s full of vibrant colors and contrasting textures.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ripe stone fruits, peaches, pears, plums, necartines, cherries
- 1 lb ripe tomatoes
- ½ c loosely packed basil leaves
- ½ teaspoon maldon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 8 oz fresh burrata cheese
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Uses: Whether scooped on a crunchy pita or served as a zesty side, this salad is a refreshing touch to any meal, showcasing the pure joy of simplicity and flavor. With just a few fresh picks like juicy tomatoes, crisp English cucumbers, and zingy onions, all dressed in a simple blend of olive oil and vinegar, this dish is a breeze to make.
Ingredients:
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium sized cucumber (I like to use a seedless hothouse cucumber)
- ½ small onion, diced
- Small handful fresh herbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Homemade Pico De Gallo
Uses: This classic chunky salsa, enhanced with a kick from jalapeños and a splash of lime juice, is perfect for dipping or adding a flavorful touch to tacos and burrito bowls. Easy to dice and delightful in every bite, it's a colorful mix that gets better with every scoop, truly the heart of summer snacking.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups small diced tomatoes
- 1cup small diced white onion
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup small diced jalapeño, or more if desired
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- Salt, to taste
