Delicious Side Dishes That Will Outshine the Main
Spring is all about sunshine, outdoor gatherings, and of course, delicious food! But that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our health goals for flavor. In this article, we’re diving into the world of healthier side dishes that will satisfy your taste buds without weighing you down. From vibrant salads bursting with seasonal produce to light and refreshing fruit salsas, these recipes are packed with nutrients and flavor. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a backyard barbecue or planning a picnic at the park, these dishes are perfect for any summer occasion.
Hasselback Potato Gratin
This hasselback potato gratin is a sublime union of hasselback potatoes and a creamy, cheesy potato gratin. So easy and truly delicious.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potato Gratin
Sheet Pan Hash Browns
These homemade sheet pan hash browns, made from scratch, are perfectly crisp on the outside and tender in the middle.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Hash Browns
Cheesy Garlic Crack Bread
This incredible cheesy garlic crack bread is so fun and easy to make. Stuffed with cheese, garlic and onions, and baked until gooey and hot.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Crack Bread
Apple Coleslaw
This creamy apple coleslaw is the perfect side dish and incredibly quick and easy to make. Sweet, tart apples, cabbage and creamy dressing.
Get the Recipe: Apple Coleslaw
Corn On The Cob In The Oven
Oven Roasted Corn is the only way I make corn now. It’s easy to make corn on the cob in the oven and roasting it imparts so much flavor. {gluten free}
Get the Recipe: Corn On The Cob In The Oven
Perfect Seasoned Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Sweet Potatoes are the perfect fall side dish that is full of flavor and so easy to make. Make some ahead of time and eat them all week!
Get the Recipe: Perfect Seasoned Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
These Oven Roasted Spiced Sweet Potato Fries are a great addition to any weeknight meal. They are full of salty spices and so easy to bake in the oven. (gluten free, paleo, whole30, vegan)
Get the Recipe: Spiced Sweet Potato Fries
Roasted Mini Potatoes Recipe
Roasted Mini Potatoes are bite-sized potatoes seasoned with a little garlic, salt and pepper and baked in the oven for golden and tender perfection. They feature a crispy skin and creamy interior and pair well with your favorite main dish.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Mini Potatoes Recipe
Grilled Zucchini
Easy Grilled Zucchini with balsamic glaze is such a simple but delicious summer side dish and great way to use up garden fresh zucchini!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini
Very Berry Avocado Salad
This Very Berry Avocado Salad is full of fresh fruit and ripe avocados for a healthy summer treat! It’s easy to make and perfect as a BBQ side or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Very Berry Avocado Salad
Low Carb Rainbow Asian Slaw
Low carb rainbow asian slaw is great for summer with it’s colorful vegetables & sugar free Thai dressing. Only 86 calories & 3.2g net carbs!
Get the Recipe: Low Carb Rainbow Asian Slaw
Healthy Yellow Summer Squash Casserole
This healthy Summer Squash Casserole is an easy and delicious way to enjoy fresh yellow squash! Make it ahead of time and pop it in the oven!
Get the Recipe: Healthy Yellow Summer Squash Casserole
Spinach Orzo Salad With White Beans
This spinach orzo salad with white beans is a simple and healthy summer side dish with the fresh flavors of lemon and basil.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Orzo Salad With White Beans
Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad With Sour Cream Dressing
Make this Creamy Cucumber Salad! It’s a refreshing side dish recipe for your next summer barbecue or potluck with a light, tangy dressing.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Cucumber Salad With Sour Cream Dressing
Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad
This Mediterranean black lentil salad is a healthy easy side for summer. It has feta cheese, red peppers, cucumbers and spinach in it and is gluten-free.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad
Heirloom Tomato Salad
Heirloom Tomato Salad is a fresh and juicy salad that’s easy to make with different colored tomatoes and a delicious garlicky vinaigrette.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Salad
Simple Sautéed Swiss Chard
This is the most simple (fool-proof) way to cook Swiss Chard and it’s totally delicious! Plus it’s super healthy, vegan and low carb!
Get the Recipe: Simple Sautéed Swiss Chard
Mediterranean Cobb Salad
A Mediterranean Cobb Salad, full of veggies, bacon, avocado, and eggs, is a satisfying, high-protein summer salad that you can throw together in 15 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cobb Salad
Healthy No Mayo Potato Salad With Cucumber & Mint {Vegetarian}
Enjoy this no-mayo potato cucumber salad with a hint of mint as a lighter alternative; perfect for summer & ideal for picnics and pot lucks.
Get the Recipe: Healthy No Mayo Potato Salad With Cucumber & Mint {Vegetarian}
Lemon And Garlic Roasted Zucchini And Corn
Lemon and Garlic Roasted Zucchini and Corn- An easy, impressive, simple summer side dish with sweet corn, toasty garlic, and fresh lemon zest. Vegetarian/Vegan, gluten free, and healthy!
Get the Recipe: Lemon And Garlic Roasted Zucchini And Corn
Low Calorie Pasta Salad {Low Cal, Gf, Vegan}
This Low Calorie Pasta Salad is loaded with vegetables and chickpea pasta. Made light and healthy for a tasty, gluten free pasta salad recipe.
Get the Recipe: Low Calorie Pasta Salad {Low Cal, Gf, Vegan}
Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad)
This Big Mac salad recipe (cheeseburger salad) is an easy low carb meal in 20 minutes! All the flavors of the drive-thru, but much healthier.
Get the Recipe: Big Mac Salad Recipe (Cheeseburger Salad)
Simple Corn Succotash
Simple Corn Succotash is made with fresh sweet corn and frozen lima beans or edamame. Check out this simple 20-minute veggie side dish!
Get the Recipe: Simple Corn Succotash
Berry Fruit Salad
The BEST Berry Salad: easy, healthy, and completely irresistible! A refreshing honey lime dressing takes this easy fruit salad recipe to a whole new level!
Get the Recipe: Berry Fruit Salad
Keto Cucumber Salad
Summer in a bowl! This Keto Cucumber Salad is light, refreshing, and so EASY to make. It’s perfect for meal prep, picnics, cookouts, and potlucks. {keto, paleo, whole30, dairy free, gluten free}
Get the Recipe: Keto Cucumber Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad
This Cucumber and Tomato Salad is super simple and packed with flavor. Fresh summer tomatoes are full of sweetness and color. Toss them with a simple dressing to really take it over the top. {gluten free, keto, whole30, vegan}
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tomato Salad
Watermelon And Cucumber Salad
This Watermelon and Cucumber Salad is the perfect way to celebrate a warm and sunny summer day, especially when you pair it with a light glass of wine. This healthy salad is full of watermelon, cucumber, feta, avocados, and mint. {gluten free}
Get the Recipe: Watermelon And Cucumber Salad
Skinny Watermelon Feta Salad
Skinny Watermelon Salad with Feta is the perfect potluck dish for summer barbecues and parties. It’s bursting with refreshing, juicy watermelon, fresh lime juice, and salty feta cheese with a hint of fresh mint. {gluten free}
Get the Recipe: Skinny Watermelon Feta Salad
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
This easy Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is a cinch to make and it’s packed with flavor. Using lots of herbs really fills it with seasonal goodness. (gluten-free)
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Strawberry Feta Salad
This Strawberry Feta Salad is one of the best summer salads for healthy eating. It is packed with flavor and texture and made with simple ingredients like baby kale, fresh strawberries, crunchy pecans, and creamy feta. Coated with a simple balsamic vinaigrette, this salad will surely be a hit at your table.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Feta Salad
Pearl Couscous Salad With Roasted Asparagus And Chickpeas
This Israeli or Pearl Couscous Salad with roasted asparagus and chickpeas is the perfect side dish for summer picnics, BBQs and meal prep!
Get the Recipe: Pearl Couscous Salad With Roasted Asparagus And Chickpeas
Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe Two Ways (Macaroni And Cheese Casserole)
Baked Mac and Cheese is one of my favorite foods. We’ve got TWO different flavors in this amazing Macaroni and Cheese Casserole, making it the best Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese recipe.
Get the Recipe: Baked Mac And Cheese Recipe Two Ways (Macaroni And Cheese Casserole)
How To Cook Asparagus: 4 Easy Ways
Learn How to Cook Asparagus from a chef! The best way to cook asparagus and how to cook asparagus in the oven, sautéed, steamed and blanched.
Get the Recipe: How To Cook Asparagus: 4 Easy Ways
10 Minute Air Fryer Zucchini
This air fryer zucchini recipe is the easiest way to get a delicious, fresh, flavorful side dish on the table in about 10 minutes!
Get the Recipe: 10 Minute Air Fryer Zucchini
Buttered Noodles Recipe
Find out how to make the perfect Buttered Noodles with egg noodles, butter, and a bit of garlic. Even the picky eaters will love this dish!
Get the Recipe: Buttered Noodles Recipe
15 Minute Air Fryer Tater Tots
These air fryer tater tots take less than 15 minutes to make and come out perfectly crisp for the perfect quick and easy weeknight side dish!
Get the Recipe: 15 Minute Air Fryer Tater Tots
Honey Roasted Carrots
This recipe for honey roasted carrots is whole carrots, bathed in honey and seasonings, then roasted over until tender and caramelized.
Get the Recipe: Honey Roasted Carrots
Scalloped Corn Recipe
This creamy and cheesy scalloped corn casserole is so easy to make, and it’s the perfect veggie side dish to add to your holiday table!
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Corn Recipe
Simple Warm German Potato Salad
This German Potato Salad recipe is so easy ( I used a few tricks to make the process so much faster) and it’s also healthier with zero refined sugar and
Get the Recipe: Simple Warm German Potato Salad
Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli is simple, delicious, & healthy. This baked broccoli side dish is perfect for any meal. Try this garlic, lemon, & parmesan broccoli recipe tonight!
Get the Recipe: Lemon Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Simple Skillet Green Beans
These simple skillet green beans are a perfect healthy side dish for lazy days of summer. Simple one-pot green bean recipe with garlic, olive oil and a little spice. Vegan, paleo and naturally gluten-free.
Get the Recipe: Simple Skillet Green Beans
Creamed Peas Recipe
These Creamed Peas are so easy to make. Let the peas simmer in a lightly-seasoned cream sauce, and they’ll be ready in 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Creamed Peas Recipe
Healthy Zucchini Casserole
This healthy zucchini casserole is an easy gluten-free and low-carb recipe to bring to a potluck and it only takes about 15 minutes to prep.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Zucchini Casserole
Asian Pickled Red Onions
Asian pickled red onions are tangy, slightly sweet, and packed full of umami flavor. It is easy to make in 10 minutes with 5 ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Asian Pickled Red Onions
7 Layer Salad
Better than traditional seven layer salad, this easy side dish recipe is high protein, loaded with cheese, bacon, eggs and a creamy dressing.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad
Cheesy Asparagus Au Gratin
This super cheesy baked asparagus au gratin is quick to cook, and it has the most amazing three cheese sauce.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Asparagus Au Gratin
