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Modified: Sep 16, 2022 | Categories: Recipes

Healthy Summer Recipes

Written by Anna Pashkova, MS, RDN, LD, ACSM-EP / Reviewed by Chef Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, CD, FAND

Let's take a look at some of my best healthy summer recipes!

Summer is the perfect time to take advantage of all of the delicious in-season produce available to eat.

From corn, zucchini, tomatoes, peaches, berries and more, there's no shortage of healthy summer recipes to choose from.

Whether you're looking for no-cook recipes for those hot summer days, a fresh salad idea or a simple dinner with seasonal ingredients, there's something for everyone here.

PIN THESE IDEAS FOR LATER!

The best healthy summer recipes

Ricotta & Beef Zucchini Roll-Ups

This recipe is a fan-favorite and makes for a super satisfying, yet light summer meal.

Zucchini takes the place of traditional pasta noodles used in lasagna roll-ups, which takes away the need to boil pasta ahead of time.

It also makes for a fun and delicious way to add more veggies into the mix (spinach makes an appearance too).

There's no shortage of flavor that comes from fresh basil, garlic, spices & herbs, three types of cheese and marinara.

A must-try summer recipe, for sure!

Ricotta & Beef Zucchini Roll-Ups as a featured healthy summer recipe

Caprese Pesto Pasta Salad

The best summer caprese salad right here.

This cold salad recipe screams warmer weather and features spinach basil pesto, cherry tomatoes and of course, fresh mozzarella.

A vegetarian dish that's packed with both nutrients and flavor.

If you're looking for something to make for a get-together or just for your family at home, this dish is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

The best part? The leftovers are great for days!

Caprese Pasta Salad (a favorite summer recipe)

Berry Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

If you're looking for a fresh summer salad that takes advantage of seasonal greens and mixed berries, this is it.

Seared chicken breast and quinoa add protein to this salad to make it a filling and balanced meal.

A light honey balsamic dressing tops it off with simple pantry ingredients you likely already have on hand.

This also makes the perfect meal prep recipe for quick lunches during the week - whether that's at home, at work, or while you're out and about.

Berry Chicken Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette in a white bowl (one of the featured summer recipes)

Strawberry Basil Bruschetta

These strawberry basil bruschetta are made with mini toasts, goat cheese, juicy strawberries in balsamic and fresh basil.

The perfect, easy summer appetizer!

Strawberry basil bruschetta uses in-season strawberries

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes: Fluffy whole grain lemon ricotta pancakes with berry compote. Easy to make, healthy and absolutely delicious!

And I'm excited that today is the day I'll be sharing my special recipe!

(I mean, not literally sharing them, but sharing the recipe - this stack is all mine).

Stack of lemon ricotta pancakes on a white plate

Spicy Tuna Cucumber Sushi Rolls

Are you ready for the easiest, most fun and most delicious no-cook meal... ever?

They're called spicy tuna cucumber sushi rolls, and you're about to fall in love.

A light summer recipe option of spicy tuna cucumber sushi rolls on a  marble counter.

Peach Guacamole

When you think of guacamole, you think of creamy avocado, spicy jalapenos, tangy onion and garlic, herbaceous cilantro, and bright lime juice.

We deliver all of those things, but to a whole new level when we add some sun-kissed sweet peaches to the mix!

Overhead shot of peach guacamole in a white bowl.
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Mango Cucumber Salsa

This bright and spicy mango cucumber salsa is the perfect thing to serve on a hot summer night!

Scoop it up with chips, or serve it on grilled chicken, steak, or fish.

Overhead shot of mango salsa in a bowl with chips.

Salmon Nicoise Salad

Sounds fancy, but nicoise salad is traditionally a French salad served with greens, tuna (and in this case, salmon), potatoes, green beans and hard-boiled eggs with other veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers and olives.

I of course wouldn't even consider leaving the olives off because they provide such fabulous flavor, but you can absolutely switch things up to make this salad the way you like it!

Salmon Nicoise Salad in a white bowl

Healthy Broccoli Salad with Sweet Lemon Dressing

Who is in the mood for healthy broccoli salad with sweet lemon dressing? I sure am!

It's like your favorite potluck broccoli salad, but has more flavor and the dressing is quite a bit healthier than the traditional.

But trust me, you won't even know it.

Broccoli salad in a white bowl

Green Bean Potato Salad

This green bean potato salad is made with tender potatoes, crisp green beans, hard-boiled eggs, fresh herbs and an olive oil-based dressing that's delightful.

It's literally going to give us life this summer.

Healthy summer recipe for green bean potato salad in a white bowl

Italian Tortellini Salad

The best Italian pasta salad made with cheese filled tortellini, uncured salami, tomatoes, cucumber, fresh mozzarella and pepperoncini, all tossed in the best Italian dressing!

This salad is the perfect side dish for all of your summer potlucks!

A summer Italian Tortellini Salad in a white bowl

Caramelized Onion Burgers with Arugula

This perfectly grilled beef burger is juicy, flavorful and everything you’re looking for!

It is topped with melty muenster cheese, heaps of caramelized onions and fresh, peppery arugula.

Give it a try – I promise it’ll become your new favorite!

P.S. peep my blog post on how to grill the perfect burger!

A side shot of a burger with caramelized onions and arugula.

Summer Vegetable Minestrone

This vegetarian soup is filled with carrots, spinach, tomatoes, cannellini beans, pasta and zucchini with Italian herbs and seasonings in a Parmesan broth.

It's cozy, flavorful and you'll want to curl up with a bowl, ASAP.

An overhead shot of a pot of vegetable minestrone.

Sweet Corn Soup

You know how much I love soup and even when it's the middle of summer and super mega hot, I still love a good bowl of soup.  

It seems like a lot of people like soup because it warms them up in the cold winter months, but I find soup equally satisfying all-year-round, especially when it's reminiscent of one of my favorite summer salads - sweet corn soup.

Overhead shot of Mexican Street Corn Chowder

Crispy Zucchini Fritters

Are you here for the crispy zucchini fritters?

When you’re craving something utterly and insanely delicious, pull out your boxed grater and a few zucchini for the crispiest and most savory fritters you’ve ever tasted!

A side shot of a tray of zuchcini fritters.

Sweet Corn & Zucchini Gnocchi Skillet

This Sweet Corn & Zucchini Gnocchi Skillet is the perfect summer skillet with fresh zucchini and sweet corn in a light creamy lime sauce with fresh basil.

There's gnocchi. There's sweet corn. There's basil. There's a creamy lime sauce.

Seriously, it's SO good, and I know you'll love it.

Healthy summer recipe for gnocchi skillet in a white dish

Rustic Heirloom Tomato Pizza

In the food space, I have heard many people refer to 'rustic' food as lazy food.

But I beg to differ that this rustic heirloom tomato pizza is anything but a treasure.

It's a deliciously robust vegetarian pizza with crispy crust, creamy boursin cheese, sliced heirloom tomatoes and fresh herbs.

You're going to dig it.

Rustic Heirloom Tomato Pizza on marble board, one of the healthy summer recipe examples.

Blueberry Date Muffins

Everyone loves blueberry date muffins, right?

Well I'll tell you what - these babes are super duper good, made with hearty whole grain pastry flour, some dark brown sugar, pure vanilla extract, chopped up dates and loads of blueberries.

Blueberry Date Muffins in a bowl is a great healthy summer recipe to try

Strawberry Rhubarb Cupcakes

Strawberries and rhubarb go together like peanut butter and jelly.

These strawberry rhubarb cupcakes with coconut frosting are light, fluffy, not too sweet, and incredibly tender.

They’re everything you want in a summer dessert!

A side shot of astrawberry rhubarb cupcakes.

Mixed Berry Oatmeal Cookie Crisp

We're in for quite the treat, friends! Summer is closing in on us and I am enjoying all the berry things as if I never ever want summer to be over.

Which is obviously true.

And my current fave is this mixed berry oatmeal cookie crisp.

These mini crisps are packed with lightly sweetened berries and an oatmeal toppings reminiscent of a cookie.

You can't beat it!

Mixed berry crisp in white bowls with spoons

Mini Peach Bundt Cakes

These mini bundt cakes are made with an oatmeal cake batter sweetened with brown sugar.

Slices of peaches are baked into the bottom of the pan with walnuts to make for the cutest and most delicious little mini cakes, ever.

Overhead shot of mini peach bundt cakes using summer peaches
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hi, i’m julie!

chef, registered dietitian & mom
passionate about simple, healthy cooking

*formerly the gourmet RD*

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