Choose from this collection of Healthy Summer Side Dish Recipes to round out your summer dinners, barbecues and picnics. I love going to the weekly farmer’s market to see what fresh produce is in season. By mid-summer, the stalls are full of fresh tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, potatoes, zucchini and more.
This summer, I’m growing a few tomato, cucumber and hot pepper plants on my patio. However, I will need to supplement our vegetables with produce from the farmer’s market.
Although we have our family favorites such as Tomato Caprese (sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh pesto, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh ground black pepper), Corn Tomato Avocado Salad and Mexican Corn Salad, I’m always looking for new ways to enjoy the bounty of summer produce.
The following healthy summer side dish recipes were shared with me by my blogger friends, and I hope you find fresh recipe inspiration as I have.
Summer Salads
These salads feature summer produce at their peak. I’ve noted recipes that fit into specific diets to make it easier in case you’re on a special diet.
- Heirloom Tomato Salad (Vegan)
- Cherry Tomato Salad
- Mexican Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Chopped Veggie Salad
- 7 Layer Salad with Creamy Homemade Dressing – Lighten up this recipe using light mayo and Greek yogurt
- Rainbow Salad (Paleo)
- Grilled Summer Salad
- Balsamic Berry Arugula Salad
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Greek Yogurt Honey Dressing
- Crunchy Broccoli Salad
- KETO Broccoli Salad (Keto)
- Broccoli Bacon Salad (Whole 30/Paleo)
- Strawberry Spinach Salad (Keto)
- Greek Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Cauliflower Rice Salad (Vegan)
- Avocado Salad (Vegan)
- Keto Tabouli (Keto)
- Mock Keto Potato Salad (Cauliflower stands in for potatoes in this recipe)
Vegetable Side Dishes
These are recipes that require a little bit of cooking, whether on the grill, oven, or stove. All of these side dish recipes are vegetarian, so they could also serve as main courses for any vegetarians in your family.
- Zucchini Tomato Summer Squash Gratin
- Grilled Asparagus with Mint Feta Pesto
- Grilled Cauliflower with Rosemary and Thyme (Vegan)
- Tomato Pie (Gluten-Free)
- Grilled Ratatouille (Vegan)
- Grilled Vegetable Kabobs (Vegan)
- Roasted Vegetable Medley (Vegan)
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms (Vegan)
- Balsamic Portobellos Caprese
- Italian Style Zucchini and Mushrooms (Vegan)
- Grilled Caprese Zucchini Boats
- Grilled Broccoli (Keto/Paleo/Vegan)
Potato Side Dishes
What’s a summer barbecue without some sort of potato salad. Most potato salads can be lightened up by using low-fat Greek yogurt and low-fat mayonnaise.
- Greek Potato Salad (Mayo-Free, Egg-Free)
- Non-Creamy Potato Salad (Mayo-Free, Egg-Free) – Make this recipe healthier by using olive oil
- Loaded Baked Potato Salad – Make this recipe lighter by substituting low-fat Greek yogurt for sour cream
- Healthy Herbed Potato Salad (Vegan)
- Spicy Greek Yoghurt Potato Salad
- Creamy Vegan Potato Salad (Vegan) – Features a vegan cashew mayo
- Baked Potatoes On The Grill
- Easy Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
- Grilled Potato Salad Skewers
- Crispy Potato Fritters
Corn & Bean Side Dishes
These recipes feature sweet summer corn, beans and other summer vegetables, and would go well with grilled proteins. The recipes with beans would be particularly good for vegetarians in your family.
- Fireworks Black Bean Salad (Vegan)
- Corn Tomato Avocado Salad (Vegan)
- Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Corn Salad
- Quinoa Corn Caprese Salad With Summer Corn
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
- Corn Salad (Vegan)
- Caramelized Corn and Green Bean Skillet
- Cowboy Caviar (Vegan)
- Vegan Three Bean Salad (Vegan)
- Mediterranean Bean Salad
- Chickpea Edamame Salad (Vegan)
- Avocado Black Bean Corn Salad (Vegan)
Pasta Salads
These pasta salad recipes include beautiful summer vegetables and fresh herbs. Substitute whole grain pasta for a healthier option, or gluten-free pasta to meet your family’s dietary needs.
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad
- Fresh Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad
- Easy Broccoli Lemon Pasta Salad (Mayo-Free)
- Vegan Rainbow Macaroni Salad (Vegan)
- Vegan Greek Pasta Salad (Vegan, Oil-Free)
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Weight Watchers Macaroni Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta
- Potsticker Pasta Salad
- Vegetable Herb Pasta Salad (Vegan)
- Avocado Pasta Salad (Vegan)
- Zucchini Pasta Salad
- Bowtie Pesto Pasta Salad
- Lazy Summer Pasta SaladÂ
- Veggie Pasta Salad
Vegetable Slaws
Why make traditional slaw when there are so many fresh approaches to coleslaw.
- Asian Slaw with Spicy Peanut Dressing
- Healthy Artichoke & Red Pepper Coleslaw
- Caulislaw (uses cauliflower instead of cabbage)
- Healthy Coleslaw (Whole 30)
- Easy Vegan Coleslaw with Creamy Cashew Mayo (Vegan)
- Low Carb Coleslaw (Spicy)
- Sugar-free sweet and spicy Bang Bang Sauce for Coleslaw (Keto)
- Pickle Slaw with Bacon (Keto)
- Creamy Cilantro Slaw
- Red Cabbage Slaw (Vegan)
- Crunchy Broccoli Slaw
- Coleslaw Orzo
I hope you find inspiration in this special collection of healthy summer side dish recipes. Let me know what you make. I’d love to hear!
These salads look really good and there is so much to choose from- thank you. I noticed a photo of a burger but can’t find the recipe-
Hi Judee – it’s the grilled Portobello Mushrooms