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Outrageously Good Healthy Summer Side Dish Recipes

Created On: May 28, 2021 | Updated: October 27, 2021 | 1 Comment

Memorial Day weekend has arrived, woo-hoo! It is officially summer. Here is a round-up of healthy and divine summer side dish recipes with lots of crunchy, creamy salads and fiery salsas and dips that are just begging for some chips.

From a swoon-worthy sweet corn and zucchini pie to a perfect pickle potato salad, these recipes celebrate summer ingredients and pack up picnic-ready no matter where this summer you roam.

I have decided that the side dishes are the unsung heroes of summer. Guacamole swoops in, time and again, to satisfy hungry guests while dinner is getting prepared. Mango salsa is that pow that wakes up taco night. Vegetarian Italian pasta salad is the perfect idea for what to bring to a picnic.

Side dishes always round out the menu and give it pizazz. What would barbeque be without coleslaw and potato salad? Side dishes are also the opportunity for fruits and vegetables to shine. And don’t I love it, when plants have their moment!

Cuban corn salad always steals the show. Salads with summer tomatoes never fail to wow guests. It is impossible not to marvel at the gorgeousness that is summer vegetables and fruits. You can just taste the sunshine and earth.

That is why I have given you in this compilation, a plethora of beautiful ways to serve up this bounty. These recipes really celebrate the flavors of corn, tomatoes, peaches, and fresh herbs. And they are combined with the ingredients that elevate and enhance their beauty. Sharp cheeses, toasted nuts, and exciting dressings all liven salads and dips to make them extra special. So, as we kick off this glorious season of frolic and fun, bookmark this list as a reference, and all throughout the season, you will have great side dishes to enhance your summer meals.

Let's get cooking!

Plant Strong Party Dips for Summer

Spicy Avocado Mango Salsa

Get ready for some culinary fireworks with this spicy mango and avocado salsa. Fresh and sweet with a kick from jalapeno, this condiment is perfection with grilled meats and tacos.

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Spicy Mango Avocado Salsa

Healthy Guacamole

The best simple and healthy guacamole recipe, perfect for snacking, as a toast topping.

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close up of white bowl of guacamole

Green Goddess Ricotta Dip

Creamy ricotta cheese with fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil. Simple enough to throw together at a moment's notice, delicious enough to make over and over again.

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Green Goddess Ricotta Dip Ingredients

Beet Sumac Hummus

Healthy and delicious hummus made with beets and citrusy sumac spice as pretty as it is healthy! A very easy recipe that is the perfect healthy snack!

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Easy Beet Sumac Hummus with Veggies

Instant Pot Artichokes with Creamy Basil Parmesan Dip

Simply steamed artichokes made quick and easy in the Instant Pot. Yielding perfectly tender results. Ideal as a healthy appetizer, side dish or snack, paired with a healthy and delicious parmesan basil dip!

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artichokes resting on top of basil leaves on an oval dish beside a creamy sauce

Healthy Summer Sides

Dill Pickle Potato Salad

Crunchy dill pickles tossed together with creamy red, white, and blue potatoes, a huge handful of fresh dill and scallions. Dill pickle potato salad is quite literally THE BEST potato salad you will ever eat, for pickle lovers everywhere!

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Crunchy dill pickles tossed together with creamy red, white, and blue potatoes, a huge handful of fresh dill and scallions. Dill pickle potato salad is quite literally THE BEST potato salad you will ever eat, for pickle lovers everywhere!

Vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad

Perfectly roasted cauliflower, roasted red pepper, tons of fresh basil, mozzarella cheese all tossed together in a zippy Italian dressing. Vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad will be your new favorite pasta salad recipe!

Check out this recipe

Fresh Basil and Roasted Cauliflower pasta salad - roasted cauliflower, fresh mozzarella, chickpeas, roasted bell peppers, and tons of fresh basil. This is the easiest and healthiest vegetarian pasta salad. | abraskitchen.com

Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad

Perfectly charred corn and jalapeno tossed with cilantro, lime juice, red onion, and cheese. This healthy Mexican street corn salad recipe is easy to prepare with only 6 ingredients and is the perfect summer side dish or, with the addition of protein, is the perfect healthy lunch.

Check out this recipe

Perfectly charred corn and jalapeno tossed with cilantro, lime juice, red onion, and cheese. This healthy Mexican street corn salad recipe is easy to prepare with only 6 ingredients and is the perfect summer side dish or, with the addition of protein, is the perfect healthy lunch.

Sweet Corn and Zucchini Pie

The perfect veggie treat! Fresh sweet corn, shredded local zucchini, melty cheese, this pie is crust-less (hello easy), and best served with fresh slices of tomato and flaky sea salt!

Check out this recipe

Vegetarian Sweet Corn and Zucchini Pie

Almond Pesto Potato Salad with Green Beans

A bright and healthy side dish bursting with summer flavor. Almond pesto potato salad with green beans is easy to make and loaded with good for you ingredients, the perfect alternative to a mayonnaise-based potato salad.

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Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Grilled Halloumi Cheese

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with grilled halloumi cheese and a tangy sumac vinaigrette. Great for a quick and healthy lunch packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients!

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Easy Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

This quick and easy Korean cucumber salad recipe is a family favorite! Cooling cucumbers paired with spicy Korean chili peppers and nutty sesame seeds. The perfect side dish for rich meats, bbq, or grilled fish.

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Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad with Sesame Seeds

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Avocado and Fresh Peaches

A fresh heirloom tomato salad with juicy sweet peaches, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs. This healthy, simple salad is the very representation of savoring the final weeks of summer using only seasonal local produce.

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A fresh heirloom tomato salad with juicy sweet peaches, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs. This healthy, simple salad is the very representation of savoring the final weeks of summer using only seasonal local produce.

Mediterranean Farro Salad with Roasted Eggplant

Nutty chewy (and super healthy) farro meet a bounty of fresh herbs, perfectly roasted eggplant, garden fresh tomatoes, and lots of kalamata olives! All tossed together in a garlic vinaigrette. This healthy vegan grain salad is easy enough to prepare and so delicious!

Check out this recipe

Nutty chewy (and super healthy) farro meet a bounty of fresh herbs, perfectly roasted eggplant, garden fresh tomatoes, and lots of kalamata olives! All tossed together in a garlic vinaigrette. This healthy vegan grain salad is easy enough to prepare and so delicious!

Greek Crunch Salad

You are going to LOVE this new Greek crunch salad, made with thinly sliced crunchy romaine lettuce, cucumber, fresh dill, scallions, and creamy feta cheese and then topped with a spiced super seed blend. My new favorite salad!

Check out this recipe

Greek Crunch Salad

Salmon Farro Salad with Corn and Bacon

Seared blackened salmon, crispy bacon, nutty farro, sweet summer corn, and fresh garden tomatoes all tossed together with a simple dijon dressing.

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Salmon Farro Salad with Corn and Bacon

Mediterranean Roasted Shrimp and Vegetable Orzo Salad

Loaded with fresh roasted vegetables, shrimp, dill, and feta cheese this Mediterranean inspired lemony orzo salad is a quick and easy summer side dish and is fantastic served warm or cold.

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Loaded with fresh roasted vegetables, shrimp, dill, and feta cheese this Mediterranean inspired lemony orzo salad is a quick and easy summer side dish and is fantastic served warm or cold.

Spicy Thai Broccoli Salad with Peanut Dressing

This super healthy and delicious Thai broccoli salad is loaded with colorful veggies and a mouthwatering spicy peanut butter dressing. This healthy broccoli salad is gluten-free, vegan and makes the perfect side dish or main dish any night of the week!

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This super healthy and delicious Thai broccoli salad is loaded with colorful veggies and a mouthwatering spicy peanut butter dressing. This healthy broccoli salad is gluten-free, vegan and makes the perfect side dish or main dish any night of the week!

Carrot Top Tabouli Salad

A light refreshing salad filled with fresh herbs, veggies, and heart healthy bulgur. Carrot top tabouli is my favorite summer lunch.

Check out this recipe

A light refreshing salad filled with fresh herbs and veggies, and heart healthy bulgur. Carrot top tabouli is my favorite summer lunch. Vegan, Plant Strong! |abraskitchen.com

Strawberry Avocado Salad with Crumbled Blue Cheese

Sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, and addictive blue cheese come together to create the worlds most perfect strawberry avocado summer salad.

Check out this recipe

Sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, and addictive blue cheese come together to create the worlds most perfect summer salad.

Farmers Market Lentil Salad

Farmer’s market lentil salad with fresh cherries, sugar snap peas, and fresh oregano. A beautiful bounty of healthy local seasonal veggies and protein rich lentils. An easy to make, super delicious, vegan and gluten-free summer salad.

Check out this recipe

Farmer's market lentil salad with fresh cherries, sugar snap peas, and fresh oregano. A beautiful bounty of healthy local seasonal veggies and protein rich lentils. An easy to make vegan and gluten free summer salad.

I hope you love these summer side dish recipes! If you've tried any of these recipes snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @abrapappa or use the hashtag #abraskitchen so I can feature your photo!

Created by Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN

Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN holds a master's degree in functional medicine and clinical nutrition from the University of Western States. Abra practices functional nutrition in New York City with a clinical focus on eating disorders, digestive imbalances and women’s health. Abra is the publisher of the popular food blog, Abra’s Kitchen, a celebration of wholesome food, and has appeared in dozens of publications as a recipe developer, and wellness authority. Abra speaks and teaches on the topics of functional nutrition and mindful eating throughout the country.

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Dana Suss says

May 29, 2021

Perfect for this weekend (and always!). Thanks Abra!

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