Amazing Healthy Summer Meals For You To Try!
With summer already here, it’s the perfect time to change up your food game and try out a few new recipes. That said, healthy summer recipes never go out of style – providing both deliciousness and nutrients for all that summer has to offer.
We love summer – and we love trying new healthy recipes – so this was the perfect excuse to ask fellow bloggers for their best healthy recipes. This was the response we got! So, from meals done on a budget to low carb and even vegan, here are some great healthy summer recipes for you to try out.
Keep in mind: These recipe ideas include both lunch and dinner options. To make it a bit easier to find suitable recipes if you don’t eat meat/are vegan, we have grouped them into recipes with meat/fish, vegetarian and vegan recipes.
Healthy Summer Meals – With Meat/Fish
Alright – let’s begin with some summer meals that include a bit of meat. Many of these recipes include fish – this is because we think fish is great for summer. Fish is also often a healthier option than red meats! See if there are any recipes below that you want to try out this summer!
Tuna Panzanella Salad
Salads are probably one of our favorite summer meals – that’s why you’ll find quite a few different salad recipes in this roundup! But it doesn’t always have to be a standard green salad. Try this delicious tuna panzanella salad if you’re a fan of fish!
While you could use canned tuna, this recipes calls for seared tuna steaks and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare – making it perfect for lunch or a light dinner!
You can find this awesome recipe by Inside The Rustic Kitchen here.
Pan-Seared Salmon With Chimichurri Sauce
Salmon has to be one of Lisa’s favorite kinds of fish and she’s always looking for new recipes to try. Since this recipe uses frozen fish it’s great if you like to meal plan for the week and/or are trying to eat healthy while on a budget.
The chimichurri sauce – a kind of herb sauce from Argentina – sounds like a great addition and we can’t wait to try this recipe on a summer night soon!
You can find this tasty recipe by The Rising Spoon here.
Chicken Mango Salad
If you’re looking for a salad that includes meat and has a slightly tropical flair, then you should give this chicken mango salad a try.
Not only does this recipe include crunchy vegetables, avocado, and juicy chicken but it is also Paleo and Whole30 compliant in case you are following one of these ways of eating. We’re for sure going to make this tasty, colorful salad soon – maybe substituting the chicken for tofu for Lisa.
You can find this awesome recipe by Love Food Nourish here.
Grilled Salmon Kabobs With Lemon Dill Marinade
If you’re looking for a new recipe to try at your next grilling party, then look no further than this grilled salmon kabobs recipe. With a marinating time of less than 30 minutes and simple ingredients, (almost) everybody can make this recipe. Since we both enjoy some good salmon every now and then, this is a recipe we’ll certainly try out this summer!
You can find this delicious recipe by Plating Pixels here.
Healthy Tuna Poke Bowl
Poke Bowls are so much fun since you can customize your bowl exactly how you want. That makes it a great meal idea when eating with friends or family.
Raw tuna might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but in this recipe it sounds delicious – so try it at least once before rejecting it! Not only does this tuna poke bowl look quite colorful, it is also a nutritious powerhouse that is perfect for summer!
You can find this awesome recipe by Beyond Mere Sustenance here.
Pesto Pork Chop And Summer Vegetables Foil Dinner
If you’re looking for a summer meal that includes both meat and lots of vegetables, then this recipe might be something for you. Not only is it a super simple recipe, you also won’t have to dirty lots of dishes. You can also easily modify the recipe by using vegetables you and your family like to eat. Give this recipe a try if you want to make use of your grill more often!
You can find this awesome recipe by Good Life Eats here.
Prawn And Avocado Salad
Sometimes a green salad is all you need for a tasty summer dinner. However, just because it is a green salad, it doesn’t mean that is has to be boring. Try this tasty prawn and avocado salad to see what we mean! It is Whole30 approved so if you’re following this way of eating, then this might be the perfect recipe for you.
You can find this delicious recipe by Recipe This here.
Prosciutto Salad With Peach And Mozzarella
Summer is the perfect time to experiment with your salad recipes and incorporate some juicy fruit. This prosciutto salad with peach and mozzarella looks and sounds absolutely delicious.
We both enjoy eating arugula, mozzarella, and peaches but have never eaten them all in the same dish. The fact that it takes very little time to prepare is an added bonus. That’s why we’re really looking forward to trying this summer recipe very soon!
You can find this awesome recipe by Caroline’s Cooking here.
Lobster Fresh Spring Rolls With Sesame Dipping Sauce
Spring or summer rolls are one of our favorite food for these warm summer evenings. However, we have never tried them with lobster – and we have to admit that we are quite intrigued. It will only take you around 30 minutes to prepare and beside the lobster tails you won’t need any fancy ingredients. The sesame dipping sauce only further enhances the flavors. We can’t wait to give it a try!
You can find this tasty recipe by Delightful Plate here.
Chicken Burrito Bowl With Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
We really like eating “bowl meals” during the summer since they are usually quite easy to prepare and can be customized to be exactly how you like them. This chicken burrito bowl with cauliflower rice sounds like a great meal idea if you’re looking for a low carb dish. If you’re into meal prepping then you’ll love this recipe!
You can find this awesome recipe by Flavor The Moments here.
Low Fat Summer Turkey Stew
Sometimes there’s this perception that stews are only for cold fall and winter months. While they are certainly perfect then, there are also some stew recipes that are great for summer.
Not only are stews an inexpensive meal, this one pot dinner is also easy to prepare and won’t take longer than an hour total. If you’re looking to use up some turkey leftovers and want to incorporate lots of veggies, then this might be a recipe for you!
You can find this tasty recipe by Neil’s Healthy Meals here.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Cutlets With Arugula Salad
We don’t eat a lot of meat currently, but these lemon pepper chicken cutlets certainly look appetizing. Not only is it a simple and refreshing dinner, but by baking the cutlets instead of pan-frying them you can also avoid lots of excess oil. The arugula salad compliments the meat perfectly – but you could always eat your favorite in-season vegetables as a side as well!
You can find this awesome recipe by Killing Thyme here.
Grilled Chili Lime Turkey Burgers
We couldn’t write this article without at least including one burger recipe. Maybe it’s because of summer being the BBQ season? For us, burgers are a go-to meal for summer gatherings with family and friends.
This grilled chili lime turkey burger is slightly different than your standard burger which makes us want to try this recipe even more. In addition to the turkey meat, this recipe calls for garlic, chili, and lots of other spices that perfectly compliment the grilled turkey meat.
You can find this delicious recipe by Mom’s Dinner here.
Healthy Summer Meals – Vegetarian
Now, it’s on to the vegetarian meals! If you’re craving summertime meal goodness and want to exclude meat – this is where you should begin. Keep in mind that many of these recipes have cheese, but we do cover vegan-only recipes down below!
You can also very well make these vegetarian recipes vegan by substituting/removing the cheese! Have a look at these recipes for fresh and healthy summer recipes.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Strawberries are a great addition to salads to give them a “summery vibe”. Not only are they sweet and juicy, but they contain some good vitamins as well. This tasty salad makes the perfect side dish and can go quite well with meat or fish. If you want to make it vegan, just skip the feta cheese and choose a meat-free protein alternative to go along with it!
You can find this delicious recipe by Sweat & Savory Meals here.
Easy Zucchini Boats
If you’re looking for a tasty vegetarian summer meal that is eaten warm, then these easy-to-make zucchini boats might be for you. Not only are zucchinis in season during the summer but they are also quite easy to cook with. Using just a handful of additional ingredients, by following this recipe you’ll have a healthy vegetarian meal in just slightly over 30 minutes!
You can find this awesome recipe by Masala Herb here.
Greek Salad
A Greek salad has to be one of our all-time favorite summer recipes. Not only is it great as a side dish but it is also perfect as a main dish during the warm summer months. The combination of cool cucumbers and tomatoes with tangy feta cheese make for a delicious combination. If you’re looking for a classic Greek salad recipe, then give this one a try!
You can find this easy-to-make recipe by Pinch and Swirl here.
Southern Summer Vegetable Casserole
Who says casseroles are just for winter? This delicious casserole dish uses a lot of vegetables that are popular in the summertime – such as zucchini, yellow squash, and Southern field peas.
Another great thing about this recipe is that it tastes just as good at room temperature as it does fresh out of the oven. That makes it perfect if you’re looking for a dish to bring to a family get-together or a potluck.
You can find this delicious recipe by Syrup & Biscuits here.
Cherry Balsamic Quinoa Salad
If you’ve been reading our blog for a while, you might know that we are both huge fans of quinoa. Combining it with cherries, spinach and feta cheese in a salad sounds absolutely delicious.
The great thing about this recipe is that it only takes 25 minutes to make – and with a cost per serving of just over $1 it is a perfect summer meal idea for frugal people. We’re going to try it out very soon!
You can find this tasty recipe by Frugal Nutrition here.
Halloumi Burgers
Are you looking for a no-meat alternative for your next BBQ? Then these Halloumi burgers should be right up your alley. With grated zucchini and herbs, they are easy to make and can be served on a bun, with a side salad, or maybe some healthy fries. There are some great suggestions at the bottom of the recipe so be sure to check it out!
You can find this delicious recipe by Divalicious Recipes here.
Minty Pea And Almond Salad
Peas always remind Lisa of when she was a child and would pick peas from her grandparent’s garden. That’s probably one of the reasons why this minty pea and almond salad sounds so appealing to her.
This recipe is super easy to prepare since it calls for simple ingredients and can be made in only 15 minutes. You’ll be surprised how delicious this recipe with down-to-earth ingredients can be!
You can find this awesome recipe by The Rustic Foodie here.
Noodle Salad With Peanut Sesame Dressing
If you’re looking for a filling summer meal that is easy and quick to make, then this noodle salad with a peanut sesame dressing might be for you! It doesn’t call for fancy ingredients and can be made in around 15 minutes.
This makes it perfect for those nights when you’re looking for a cooked meal but don’t want to spend lots of time in the kitchen. You can also add tofu or chicken to make it even more filling!
You can find this delicious recipe by The Cook Report here.
Asparagus And Sundried Tomato Orzo Pasta Salad
If you’re looking for a summer pasta salad with a twist, then this asparagus and sun-dried tomato orzo pasta salad might be for you.
Not only is it super easy and quick to make (it only takes about 15 minutes) but it also incorporates one of our favorite vegetables for late spring/early summer – green asparagus. If you’re looking for a light dinner option or quick side dish, then you should definitely give this pasta salad recipe a try!
You can find this awesome recipe by My Kitchen Love here.
Fresh Tomato Soup With Basil
While soup is not usually our go-to dish during the warm summer months, there is something to be said about a fresh tomato soup. This tomato soup with basil sounds like the perfect dish to try during one of the colder, rainy summer days – which we’ll inevitable also get.
If you’re growing tomatoes in your garden, this is a great way to use some of them. And you can even freeze some of the soup to enjoy later in the year!
You can find this tasty recipe by Neighbor Food Blog here.
Grilled Corn Avocado Salad
This grilled corn avocado salad does not only look absolutely delicious but it also makes the perfect side dish for a barbecue. It can be prepared in less than 30 minutes and you can also change the ratio of the ingredients to make the salad perfect for you. If you wanted to make it even more filling, you could also add some chicken and turn it into a full meal!
You can find this delicious recipe by Supergolden Bakes here.
Summer Buddha Bowls With Green Goddess Tahini Dressing
If you’re looking for another healthy “bowl recipe” full of deliciousness, then this summer Buddha bowl with a tahini dressing is a must-try! The original includes a great mix of juicy fruit, brown rice, beans, and avocado, but you can always customize the bowl to your liking.
Not only is it a filling dish with lots of plant-based protein, but we think that it also incorporates the flavors of summer perfectly.
You can find this awesome recipe by The Roasted Root here.
Strawberry Soup
To be honest, we have never tried strawberry soup before but this recipe sounds certainly intriguing. While summer is the perfect time to make the recipe with fresh strawberries, you can make it during the rest of the year with frozen strawberries instead as well. The good thing about this soup is that it is enjoyed cold, making it perfect for these warm summer days.
You can find this delicious recipe by Savoring The Good here.
Masala Chana Chaat
This Indian chickpea salad recipe is perfect for vegetarians looking for plant-based protein and spice lovers. Of course, you can always modify it and make it less spicy if you want.
Not only does this salad include chickpeas and potatoes – making it quite filling – but the recipe also calls for pomegranates, mango chutney, as well as lots of delicious spices and herbs. If you’re looking for a filling salad that doesn’t include any meat, then this might be one for you to try!
You can find this tasty recipe by Greedy Gourmet here.
Healthy Summer Meals – Vegan
And last – but certainly not least – we have the vegan recipes on the list. These recipes specialize in freshness, contain loads of vegetables, and are definitely healthy summertime options! There are many we want to try ourselves – we’re big fans of rice paper summer rolls!
Rainbow Summer Rolls
Summer rolls have been one of Lisa’s favorite healthy summer meals for a long time so we’re super excited to include this recipe here! Summer rolls are perfect on a hot day since they are eaten cold and you can mix up the vegetables you use to fit your personal preference.
This recipe calls for carrots, watermelon radish, and sprouts – among other awesome, fresh ingredients. How delicious!
You can find this tasty recipe by The View From Great Island here.
Black Bean Bowl With Fried Plantains
Plantains are a food that we don’t eat often enough – but should definitely try to make use of more. This delicious looking black bean bowl sounds like a perfect recipe to do just that.
With a great mix of spicy, salty, and sweet, it is sure to please many different taste buds. If you’re looking for a filling and inexpensive summer meal idea, then this might just be the recipe for you!
You can find this awesome recipe by Cadry’s Kitchen here.
Warm Garlic Herb Red Potato Salad
Potato salad has always been a staple for any summer family gatherings for Lisa. However, the problem with many recipes is that they either include mayonnaise or other ingredients that shouldn’t be left out in the sun for too long.
This vegan potato salad with garlic and lots of herbs sounds like the perfect alternative – especially if you have plant-based family members or friends. You won’t need a ton of ingredients and the recipe is very easy to follow, so give it a try when you’re looking for a new side dish to try for a summer gathering!
You can find this delicious recipe by The Fit Cookie here.
Pearl Couscous Salad
If you like couscous as much as we do, then this pearl couscous salad might be something for you. Not only does it include zucchinis and tomatoes but it also calls for cranberries and pine nuts, giving it a very interesting flavor. In around 20 minutes you’ll either have a great side dish or a light lunch depending on what you’re in the mood for.
You can find this awesome recipe by Girl Heart Food here.
Summer Harvest Vegan Burrito Bowl
We’re always big fans of colorful dishes and this tasty looking summer harvest vegan burrito bowl is no exception. The dish includes rice and black beans in addition to lots of summer vegetables which makes it a great option if you’re looking for a filling, vegan summer meal.
What’s great about recipes like this is that you can always switch out vegetables to adapt the recipe to what you have at home or what you enjoy eating!
You can find this delicious recipe by Occasionally Eggs here.
Easy Vegan Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich
Banh Mi Sandwiches have to be one of Lisa’s favorite Vietnamese foods and she was so happy to have found this vegan version. This recipe is great for anyone looking for a meatless sandwich option.
Not only are they the perfect food to bring on a picnic lunch or dinner but they also make great meals to prepare in advance and bring on the road for any summer adventure you have planned.
You can find this awesome recipe by Vegan Runner Eats here.
Pita Pockets With Roasted Veggies And Hummus
This recipe includes lots of our favorite food items – you just can’t go wrong with pita bread, roasted vegetables, and hummus. These pita pockets can be either eaten warm or cold and make for a great lunch. If you wanted to, though, you could also eat them for a picnic dinner!
The great thing about the recipe is that you can adjust the vegetables depending on what you have at home. And if you’re in a time-crunch, you always cook using store-bought hummus, too. You should try making your own hummus at least once though – and this recipe tells you exactly how to do that!
You can find this tasty recipe by Happy Kitchen here.
Watermelon Salad With Cucumber And Mint
Few fruits scream “summer” as much as watermelon does. This watermelon salad with cucumber and mint is the perfect dish to bring to a summer gathering and can be made either savory or sweet.
Not only will the watermelon slices provide some extra hydration, but the recipe is also super versatile allowing you to make it exactly how you like it. Click through to read more about how exactly you can make this salad sweet or savory – we’ll definitely give both versions a try!
You can find this awesome recipe by Know Your Produce here.
Vegan Eggplant Sandwich
If you’re looking for another packable summer recipe, then this vegan eggplant sandwich might be for you. Made with toasted ciabatta or panini bread, this delicious recipe will include lots of flavors because of the marinated eggplant slices.
We’re both big fans of baked or grilled eggplants, so this recipe will come in handy when we’re planning our next summer picnic!
You can find this delicious recipe by Little Sunny Kitchen here.
Healthy Vegan Ramen Noodle Salad
Ramen noodles don’t always have to be eaten in a soup – they also make for a great salad addition. This ramen noodle salad does not only make for a great side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or the like – but it is also super easy and quick to make.
In only 15 minutes you’ll have a filling salad with crunchy vegetables and a tasty dressing. If you’re looking for a fresh vegan salad recipe, then give this one a try!
You can find this awesome recipe by VNutrition And Wellness here.
And there you have it – 37 of the freshest, most summertime-ready recipes we could pull together! In the end, there are so many more to try out – but we think these are a great place to start! What do you think? Have you tried any of these? A huge thank you to our fellow bloggers for sharing their recipe knowledge!
As always, Stay Curious,
-B&L
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