Stay light and fresh with these easy tips summer side dish. Made with seasonal ingredients, this side is colorful, delicious, and perfect for a hot summer day!
I don't know about you, but during the summer months I often spend more time thinking about sides than I do main dishes! Often we throw chicken or shrimp on the grill. In other words, planning dinner means choosing fresh, seasonal side dishes to pair with a simple protein.
Below, check out our list of 25 summer side dishes that change often in our house. Light and flavorful, it's packed with summer fruits and veggies that we can't get enough of this time of year.
Greek Orzo Salad Recipe
Whether it's a weeknight dinner or a backyard barbecue, pasta salad is a summer staple, and this Greek-inspired version will be your go-to. In addition to brined olives and feta cheese, add garden tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers for a fresh summer flavor.
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Caprese Salad
This might be the quintessential summer salad. Tomatoes are paired with mozzarella, basil, and balsamic vinegar to create a simple side dish with the perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and creaminess.
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Grilled Corn on the Cob
Boiled corn is good, but grilled corn is even better! Adding a smoky element to sweet summer corn can really take it to the next level. Seasoned or enjoyed as is, it's the easiest summer side dish.
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low carb potato salad
Made with cauliflower instead of potatoes, this low-carb faux “potato” salad is perfect for keto cooking or if you're looking to cut back on carbs.
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Red Potato Salad Recipe
Potatoes may not be a vegetable we associate with summer, but potato salad is a summer staple paired with hot dogs and burgers. This lighter version has just enough mayonnaise to make it creamy without overpowering the potatoes.
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Homemade Coleslaw
This homemade coleslaw recipe goes great with anything this summer! Eat as a side dish with sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, etc.
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My favorite macaroni salad
Many macaroni salad recipes are calorie bombs full of mayonnaise and sugar, but this one breaks the mold. It has a creamy feel without being heavy, and the tomatoes add a summer flavor.
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skillet mexican pumpkin
Not every night is bake night! When you're cooking indoors, you'll love these Mexican-inspired zucchini recipes. Add some jalapenos to liven it up. Do not worry. The melted cheese helps balance the heat.
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Panzanella (Italian bread salad)
Panchanella is an Italian salad made with sun-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, cucumbers, red onions, and bread aged in olive oil. If croutons are your favorite part of a salad, this is for you!
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Summer Pasta Salad with Baby Greens
This recipe is one of my favorites when it comes to making pasta salad without mayonnaise. Arugula and spinach add bulk without the carbs, while sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and Parmesan cheese are delicious without the mayonnaise.
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vegetable kebab
Another representative summer side dish! What I love about these vegetable kebabs is that not only are they easy to make on a weeknight, but they are always a hit when entertaining. No one can resist those gorgeous roasted vegetables!
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tomato salad
If your garden has given you more tomatoes than you know what to do with, this tomato salad is the answer. I love making it with colorful heirloom tomatoes I buy at the farmer's market.
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Zucchini Carpaccio
Every time I make this recipe, I remember how delicious zucchini tastes when cooked raw. This one is light and elegant, easy enough for a weeknight meal (only 5 ingredients!) yet fancy enough to serve to guests.
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Watermelon Feta Salad
Watermelon really shines when paired with delicious foods like kalamata olives, flaky salt, or feta in this easy summer side dish. There are only 4 ingredients needed to make it!
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Roasted Corn Salad with Cotija
In my opinion, Mexican street corn tastes much better without mayonnaise. And this roasted corn salad proves my point! It's full of flavor with sweet summer corn, tagine and cotija.
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Roasted Eggplant Sticks
Eggplants are often overlooked as a summer vegetable, but this easy side dish puts them in the spotlight. Instead of French fries, enjoy a grilled burger with eggplant sticks on the side.
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Ratatouille with farro
Ratatouille is made with a variety of summer favorites, such as tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant. Here it is paired with farro to create a delicious side that can also be used as a meatless main dish.
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Corn Salsa Recipe
Here's the plan: Serve this corn salsa as a side dish for dinner. You can eat it with a fork like a cold salad, spoon it over grilled chicken, or spoon it with tortilla chips for leftovers throughout the week.
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Fiesta Bean Salad Recipe
We all need a back pocket bean salad recipe and this is mine. Cumin-lime vinaigrette adds flavor to black beans and chickpeas.
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String Beans with Garlic and Oil
Green beans may be difficult to prepare, but they are worth the effort. Especially in this garlic side dish recipe! It goes well with almost anything, and leftovers are fantastic served cold straight from the fridge.
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Roasted Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad
Roasted vegetables make this orzo pasta salad special. You can customize this recipe using any food you buy at the farmer's market or vegetables you grow in your garden.
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