46 Healthy Summer Recipes You'll Want to Make on Repeat
Summer brings to mind everything colorful, vibrant and full of life—like long al fresco lunches with friends, barbecues in the backyard, lazing poolside with a cocktail in hand and stretching out on the beach with the sand in our toes and hopefully a sandwich beside us. You know, the best summer food and drinks!
These 46 recipes are proof that one of the best parts of summer cooking is that because there are so many great fruits and veggies at their peak right now you don't have to do much to make light, healthful summer meals.
Related: Best Sandwich Recipes For Summer
What's Good to Eat on a Hot Summer Day?
When it's a million degrees outside, we crave light, easy recipes that will help us chill out (in more ways than one). With all the fresh summer produce, salads are great go-to—and there are plenty in this list to choose from—but there are so many delicious ways to make a light summer meal.
Related: Easy Summer Salad Recipes For Backyard Barbecues
Healthy Summer Dinner Ideas
There are so many great healthy summer dinner recipes that it's hard to know where to start—or stop. Here's just a taste of what you can make.
Grilled food fans can try Grilled Garlic Butter Mushrooms, Grilled Chicken and Pineapple skewers or Grilled Lime Salmon with Mango Salsa. And remember that noodles don't have to be served hot. Give Cucumber and Cashew Noodle Salad, Pan-Seared Halibut with Zucchini Noodles or a Summer Roll Rice Noodle Bowl a try. Tacos are a favorite year-round. Come summer, go with seared shrimp or grilled fish instead of beef or pork.
Want more? Here are 46 easy (and healthy!) summer recipes that perfect for the season ahead.
Best Healthy Summer Recipes
Stephanie Mullins
Your summer entertaining just got a lot more decadent with avocados stuffed with creamy crab salad.
Get the recipe: Crab Salad Avocado Boats
Ragan Wallake
A "kitchen sink" recipe that you can adapt with what you have on hand.
Get the recipe: Harissa Chicken and Lentil Bowl with Arugula and Herbs
Mark Boughton
Charring the tomatoes and lemons brings out a new level of flavor.
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs and Charred Tomatoes and Lemons
Ronni Lundy
If you decide to grill any fruit this summer, make sure it is watermelon!
Get the recipe: Watermelon Salad with Grilled Halloumi
Bobby Flay
Salmon is so great on the grill and takes almost no time at all.
Get the recipe: Grilled Salmon with Mustard BBQ Sauce
Teresa Blackburn
When Taco Tuesday calls for something light and simple.
Get the recipe: Seared Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Slaw
Mark Boughton
With a little advance prep, these grilled tequila lime fish tacos are an easy tailgating dish.
Get the recipe: Grilled Tequila Lime Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema
Joe Keller
This taco recipe swaps fried fish for sauteed salmon, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids known for reducing blood pressure and triglycerides. The slaw adds extra crunch and nutrients, thanks to vitamin K-packed collard greens and vitamin C-rich jicama.
Get the recipe: Heart-Healthy Salmon Tacos
Krista Marshall
The honey lime dressing gives this fruit salad a sweet note without overpowering the flavor of the fruit.
Get the recipe: Honey Lime Fruit Salad
Alison Ashton
If you're doing tacos in the summer, make them super fresh and light with grilled salmon.
Get the recipe: Grilled Salmon Tacos
Amy Neunsinger
This cucumber kimchi salad has a clean, fresh flavor that's perfect for summer.
Get the recipe: Cucumber Kimchi Salad
Nassima Rothacker
This noodle salad looks beautiful—vibrant and green—and it tastes so fresh thanks to the mint and lime. It’s a great lunchbox option too. Just take the dressing in a separate little pot and stir it together when you’re ready to eat.
Get the recipe: Cucumber and Cashew Noodle Salad
Lucy Shaeffer
Chock-full of mouthwatering color and zingy flavor, this detox salad with lemon chia dressing is perfect for a cleanse.
Get the recipe: Detox Salad
Mark Boughton
All the flavors we love from a Greek salad piled on a light, summer-inspired pizza.
Get the recipe: Greek Salad Pizza
Alison Ashton
Colorful, crunchy and quick to make, this chicken Caesar salad is full of ingredients that are good for you.
Get the recipe: Cheater Chicken Caesar Salad
Connie Miller
This cheery weeknight-friendly pasta recipe is proof that you don’t always need cream or cheese for creamy results.
Get the recipe: Campanelle Pasta with Sweet Corn, Tomatoes and Basil
Alison Ashton
This easy sheet-pan pasta toss is full of bright color, big flavor and heart-healthy ingredients.
Get the recipe: Healthy Roasted Tomato Caprese Sheet Pasta
Healthy Fitness Meals
This healthy chicken salad recipe is lightened up using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. So creamy, flavorful and easy to make.
Get the recipe: Healthy Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocados
Feasting at Home
A simple, healthy fish recipe served over lemony zucchini noodles with olive oil, garlic and Italian parsley, topped with sweet summer tomatoes. A quick and easy low-carb meal!
Get the recipe: Pan-Seared Halibut with Lemony Zucchini Noodles
Peas and Crayons
This scrumptious summer salad is fun, fruity and flavorful, and topped with the most amazing homemade blueberry balsamic dressing.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Blueberry Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Dressing
The Endless Meal
These grilled garlicky mushrooms are a super easy-to-make, healthy and delicious summer BBQ recipe. They make the perfect side dish recipe or meatless main course.
Get the recipe: Grilled Garlic Butter Mushrooms
Joyous Apron
The perfect no-cook side dish for summer cookouts and dinners! Juicy tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella and fresh basil drizzled with tangy balsamic glaze.
Get the recipe: Caprese Salad with Avocado
Savory Nothings
This salad is a quick and refreshing side dish for hot days. The easy homemade dressing and fresh herbs make this the best-ever summer salad!
Get the recipe: Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
Downshiftology
This poke bowl recipe is made with ahi tuna, a tamari soy sauce marinade and sushi rice. It’s delicious, flavorful, healthy and entirely gluten-free.
Get the recipe: Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl
The Girl on Bloor
This dish is like summer on a plate, made with mozzarella cheese, sliced plum tomatoes and fresh basil.
Get the recipe: Hasselback Baked Caprese Chicken
Chelsea Joy Eats
These paleo fish tacos cook up quickly and deliver a spicy-and-sweet combo thanks to a simple dry rub for the fish and the tropical mango salsa.
Get the recipe: Paleo Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
Feel Good Foodie
A quick and easy summer recipe, this Mediterranean couscous dish is made with shrimp, tomatoes, feta, olives and capers for an irresistible lunch or dinner option.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Couscous with Shrimp
Blooming Nolwenn
These vegan rice paper summer rolls are perfect for a quick, healthy and delicious lunch or dinner. They only take 10 minutes to make and taste amazing with soy sauce.
Get the recipe: Vegan Rice Paper Summer Rolls
The Girl on Bloor
These low-carb burger lettuce wraps are made with double-stacked patties sandwiched between layers of cheddar cheese and special sauce!
Get the recipe: Low-Carb Burger Lettuce Wraps
Healthy Fitness Meals
You gotta love a summer salad filled with veggies you can pick straight from your backyard garden.
Get the recipe: Zucchini Corn Salad
The Endless Meal
Peaches are grilled until smoky and extra sweet and served with arugula, blueberries, candied curry pecans, and a honey vinaigrette.
Get the recipe: Grilled Peach Salad
The Endless Meal
These are everything you love about burgers but served as a bowl. The chicken burger patties are super easy to make and so flavorful.
Get the recipe: Chili Chicken Burger Bowls with Avocado Pesto
Lil' Luna
This bright and fresh pesto gnocchi will become your go-to summer meal. It's bold, full of flavor, and so delicious!
Get the recipe: Pesto Gnocchi
Skinny Taste
A light and refreshing salad that requires no cooking! Lime juice and cilantro are the key ingredients to creating this wonderful, healthy salad you’ll want to make all summer long.
Get the recipe: Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Family Style Food
This fresh, healthy rice noodle salad is like a Vietnamese summer roll in a bowl— crisp vegetables, herbs and a spicy, tangy-sweet almond butter and lime dressing.
Get the recipe: Summer Roll Rice Noodle Bowl
Evolving Table
Yellow squash and zucchini are baked in the oven to perfection with a crispy crust made from Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. This easy casserole is amazing for summer picnics and potlucks.
Get the recipe: Healthy Summer Squash Casserole
The Food Charlatan
This sheet pan gnocchi with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella looks deceptively fancy. But it’s basically four ingredients and is a killer 30-minute dinner.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella
The Seasoned Mom
Loaded with fresh seasonal produce, this easy ground beef dinner with summer vegetables is a simple and healthy dish that the whole family will love. Serve the meat and veggies with rice, pasta, or your favorite bread for a one-pot 30-minute meal!
Get the recipe: Ground Beef with Summer Vegetables
She Likes Food
These pitas are great for a quick and easy lunch or a healthy no-cook dinner!
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Chopped Salad Pitas
Cooking Classy
This is a restaurant-quality meal that you can make and enjoy in the comfort of your own home. It’s packed with fresh, irresistible flavors that will leave you craving more!
Get the recipe: Grilled Lime Salmon with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice
Related: 75 Ridiculously Easy Rice Dishes
Recipe Runner
Flavored with chili garlic sauce and sweetened with honey, these paleo and gluten-free chicken skewers are perfect for a protein-packed, healthy summer dinner!
Get the recipe: Sweet and Spicy Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Skewers
Damn Delicious
This is truly the most amazing zesty cilantro-lime marinade ever. And the chicken comes out perfectly juicy and tender.
Get the recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
Damn Delicious
Simple, healthy and fresh with the creamiest peanut sauce ever. Prep ahead of time and use up lingering veggies!
Get the recipe: Vegetable Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
Recipe Runner
This pasta supper is perfect for summer! Simple ingredients, but tons of flavor thanks to grilling and the pesto lemon sauce. Serve it warm or cold for a delicious and healthy weeknight dinner!
Get the recipe: Grilled Chicken Asparagus Pesto Pasta
Cupful of Kale
This creamy vegan pesto potato salad makes for the best summer side dish! New potatoes are tossed in a homemade pesto and mayonnaise dressing.
Get the recipe: Vegan Pesto Potato Salad
Diethood
This grilled zucchini salad with corn and tomatoes is tossed in a lemon dressing for the ultimate summer salad recipe! It’s fresh, healthy, and really easy to make.
Get the recipe: Grilled Zucchini Salad
Related: 40 Baked Zucchini Recipes From Main Dishes to Sides
