56 Healthy Summer Recipes We Can’t Stop Making

Summer Salad by the Lake

I came up with this healthy summer recipe to show appreciation to all the teachers at my son’s school. The dish had to be as special as the teachers, who always go the extra mile for their students. I think this salad did the trick! It’s hearty, earthy, sweet and loaded with nothing but good stuff. —Ramya Ramamurthy, Fremont, California

Go to Recipe

Farmers Market Street Tacos

I love going to my local farmer's market and seeing what fresh produce is in season that I can throw into a taco. Use whatever fresh veggies they have; I promise it will be delicious. —Ralph Jones, San Diego, California

Prosciutto Shrimp with Tropical Mango Salsa

Prosciutto and melon are a quintessential pairing. I took things a few steps further by adding an assortment of other fresh ingredients, including mango, pineapple and papaya. Finally, add shrimp and you’ve got yourself one tasty starter. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida

Triple Tomato Flatbread

Tomatoes are the reason I have a vegetable garden, and I developed this healthy summer recipe as a way to show off my garden’s plum, sun-dried and cherry tomatoes. The dish is easy and will impress. —Rachel Kimbrow, Portland, Oregon

Spicy Fresh Tomato and Eggplant Sauce

My garden is overflowing with fresh tomatoes and eggplant toward the end of summer, so I’ve been thinking of ways that those ingredients were used in the old country. A heart gravy (what it’s called in Sicily) for pasta is just the ticket. You can add meat or sprinkle it with Parmesan if you’d like, but this healthy summer recipe is good on its own. It also freezes well. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

Low-Carb Shrimp Sushi Bowl

This is an easy-to-prepare healthy summer recipe that can be ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s low carb and packed with vegetables. If you don’t like shrimp, you can substitute cooked shredded chicken or firm tofu. —Kristyne Mcdougle, Lorain, Ohio

Greek Ouzo Pork Kabobs

Do dinner like the Mediterraneans with these delightfully different kabobs. The ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur, and the tzatziki dipping sauce give you a real taste of the Greek islands. —Francine Lizotte, Surrey, British Columbia

Cilantro-Topped Salmon

This cilantro lime salmon has been a favorite with everyone who's tried it. A bright and fresh cilantro-lime sauce complements tender salmon fillets in this entree. —Nancy Culbert, Whitehorn, California

Slow-Cooker Al Pastor Bowls

You'll love this easy version of a traditional Mexican favorite. Serve this al pastor bowl over rice or in tortillas with your favorite toppings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado Sauce

Heart-healthy avocado makes this healthy summer recipe feel indulgent without being overly rich. The flavorful sauce is so luscious, you’ll think there is cream hiding in there. It’s guilt-free and dairy-free, but with a texture and consistency that’s similar to traditional cream-based sauces. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Lemon-Apricot Fruit Pops

With just 31 calories, 4 teaspoons of sugar total and lots of vitamin C, this is one light and refreshing summer dessert everyone can find room for! —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

Tequila Lime Shrimp Zoodles

This tangy healthy summer recipe is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois

One-Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

I’m still settling into married life and learning how to balance our busy schedules. This quick one-dish healthy summer recipe helps keep us on track throughout the week. —Shannon Barden, Alpharetta, Georgia

Caprese Salad Kabobs

Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. In addition to preparing these for get-togethers, I often make this healthy summer recipe as a snack for my family. And because assembly is so easy, the kids often ask to help. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, California

Easy Seafood Salad

This super simple, healthy summer recipe was inspired by a seafood salad I had in the Bahamas that featured conch. I substituted crab and shrimp for the conch and like it even more! —Cindy Heyd, Edmond, Oklahoma

Pressure-Cooker Lemon Chicken with Basil

No matter when I eat it, this tangy chicken dish always reminds me of summer meals with friends and family. The recipe produces a lot of lovely sauce; serve it as is or spoon it over some lightly herbed couscous. —Deborah Posey, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Coconut Milk Strawberry-Banana Pops

These four-ingredient freezer pops are a delicious way to use up a pint of fresh strawberries. You'll love the hint of tropical flavor, thanks to the coconut milk. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

I can never get enough of this healthy summer recipe! Even though my grocery store sells them in the frozen foods section, I still love to pull sweet potatoes out of my garden and slice them up fresh! —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

Rosemary Salmon and Veggies

My husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this healthy summer recipe. It’s a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington

Vegan Taco Salad

The best salads are made with ingredients that have different textures and complementary flavors. In this vegan taco salad, you'll love the crunch of the tortilla chips mixed with the sweet, crisp lettuce and "meaty" crumble mixture. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chia Seed Protein Bites

I keep these little bites on hand in my refrigerator and grab them for breakfast or a snack when I'm in a hurry. We have a lot of food allergies in our family and I like to keep healthy snacks around that everyone can eat. This recipe has no gluten, eggs, dairy or corn, so it's the perfect go-to treat in our house. —Tanja Miller, Peoria, Arizona

Chicken with Peach-Avocado Salsa

This super fresh dinner is pure summer—juicy peaches, creamy avocado, grilled chicken and a kick of hot sauce and lime. To get this healthy summer recipe on the table even quicker, make the salsa ahead. —Shannon Roum, Cudahy, Wisconsin

Nectarine Smoothies

This nectarine smoothie recipe tastes great on a warm summer day. Enjoy it on your patio or at a picnic! —Joni Rodriguez, Silverton, Oregon

Spicy Cajun Potato Salad

A sprinkle of Cajun seasoning makes this Cajun potato salad a deliciously spicy twist on the classic. The best part? The recipe is ready in just 30 minutes!

Golden Beet and Peach Soup with Tarragon

One summer we had a bumper crop of peaches from our two trees, so I had fun experimenting with different healthy summer recipes. After seeing a beet soup recipe in a cookbook, I changed it a bit to include our homegrown golden beets and sweet peaches. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Pressure-Cooker Fabulous Fajitas

When friends call to ask for healthy summer recipe to try, suggest these tasty fajitas. Top as you like to add healthy color and extra flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Blueberry Pancake Smoothie

My family loves this pancake smoothie in the morning. I don’t normally measure the blueberries, so go crazy! If you have fresh blueberries, I would recommend freezing the banana ahead of time. —Kailey Thompson, Palm Bay, Florida

Thai Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

I created this healthy summer recipe to replicate one I tried on a cruise several years ago. It goes over very well at family gatherings and potlucks year-round. We love the spice of the Thai chile, but if your family isn’t into spice, feel free to leave it out. It will still be delicious! —Donna Gribbins, Shelbyville, Kentucky

Lime Coconut Smoothie Bowl

This Key lime and coconut smoothie bowl is the most refreshing thing on the planet! —Madeline Butler, Denver, Colorado

Chipotle Sweet Potato Salad

I love the velvety taste and texture of sweet potatoes. A friend served sweet potatoes cooked with peppers, and they tasted so delicious together. I took those flavors and developed them into this creamy, smoky potato salad. —Carolyn Eskew, Dayton, Ohio

Roasted Beetroot and Garlic Hummus

This tasty beetroot hummus is the prettiest pink snack I’ve ever seen. The healthy summer recipe is handy to make in large batches and keep in the fridge for lunches and snacks throughout the week. —Elizabeth Worndl, Toronto, Ontario

Slow-Cooker Caponata

This Italian eggplant dip preps quickly and actually gets better as it stands. Serve it warm or at room temperature. Try adding a little leftover caponata to scrambled eggs for a savory breakfast. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

Grilled Buttermilk Chicken

I created this healthy summer recipe years ago after one of our farmers market customers, a chef, shared the idea of marinating chicken in buttermilk. The chicken is easy to prepare and always turns out moist and delicious! I bruise the thyme sprigs by twisting them before adding them to the buttermilk mixture; this tends to release the oils in the leaves and flavor the chicken better. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Goes great with Dolly Parton’s coleslaw!

Triple-Citrus Steaks with Jicama and Mango

This is a healthy summer recipe I made up several years ago. The citrus steak marinade seems to be one of our family favorites. It’s colorful to bring to the table and it’s easy to make. —Sherry Little, Sherwood, Arkansas

Tangy Cilantro Lime Confetti Salad

I love standout salads that burst with flavor—the kind that make you feel as if you're splurging without having to eat that piece of chocolate cake. This is one of my very favorites, and everyone I serve it to loves it as well. —Jasey McBurnett, Rock Springs, Wyoming

Edamame Hummus

We love hummus at our house. This healthy summer recipe is a scrumptious and refreshing twist on an old favorite, and it’s a wonderful way to incorporate healthy soy into our diets. —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Kale Smoothie

I enjoy drinking a kale smoothie for breakfast or as an after-school snack. The fruit and agave nectar give this healthy version a pleasant sweetness. —Kimberly Jackson, Marshfield, Missouri

Zucchini Panzanella Salad

I learned how to make panzanella from my friend's grandmother. Once I discovered how to make the perfect vinaigrette, it became a dish I crave during the summer. It's also a great way to use day-old bread and your garden's bounty of zucchini. —Felicity Wolf, Kansas City, Missouri

Lime and Dill Chimichurri Shrimp

Chimichurri is a very popular condiment in Argentina and Uruguay and is most often used as a dipping sauce or a marinade for meats. This healthy summer recipe incorporates dill and lime, which give it a brighter flavor, making it ideal for spring and summer entertaining. —Bonnie Landy, Castro Valley, California

Pico de Gallo

This easy and versatile pico de gallo recipe is a classic for a reason. The jalapeño peppers add just the right amount of kick. Let it chill for an hour or two before serving to help the flavors blend. —Jeannie Trudell, Del Norte, Colorado

Shrimp and Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

When I meet former co-workers for lunch at our favorite restaurant, we always order this healthy summer recipe. I wanted to share it with my husband, so I made it my mission to re-create it. Mission accomplished! —Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi

Tropical Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowls

This tropical favorite is a delicious and healthy dinner with tons of flavor! You can substitute regular rice for the cauliflower rice if desired. —Bethany DiCarlo, Harleysville, Pennsylvania

Sesame Chicken Veggie Wraps

I’m always on the lookout for a fast, healthy summer recipe that will appeal to my three little kids. They happen to love edamame, so this is a smart choice for those on-the-go days. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Grilled Kiwi-Chicken Kabobs with Honey-Chipotle Glaze

When guests bite into these juicy grilled kabobs, their eyes always widen with satisfaction. Our four kids are crazy about the spicy-sweet sauce. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California

Shrimp Gazpacho

Here’s a refreshing take on the classic chilled tomato soup. Our twist features shrimp, lime and plenty of avocado. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Spring Pea & Radish Salad

Winters can be very long here in New Hampshire. I always look forward to the first veggies of spring and making some healthy summer recipes like this fresh salad. —Jolene Martinelli, Derry, New Hampshire

Avocado Salsa

I was planning a party and thought it might be fun to try a different kind of avocado salsa. This healthy summer recipe was an absolute success. Scoop it up with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak, or eat it on its own! —Susan Vandermeer, Ogden, Utah

Caribbean Curried Chicken

Having grown up in the Virgin Islands, I’ve eaten my fair share of authentic curried chicken. This healthy summer recipe hits the mark with big, bold flavors. It’s delicious served over rice. —Sharon Gibson, Hendersonville, North Carolina

Fresh Corn & Avocado Dip

I alter my sister’s healthy summer recipe by adding a finely chopped jalapeno pepper for a little heat. This tasty dip can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until serving. —Pat Roberts, Thornton, Ontario

 If you want to taste summer in a baking dish Pioneer Woman’s corn casserole is a must-try!

Healthy Potato Salad

This healthy potato salad is crunchy-delicious with a brilliant zesty dressing. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona

Sesame Beef & Asparagus Salad

Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies—especially when it comes to experimenting with fresh ingredients like these. This meaty salad is wonderful at the start of asparagus season. —Tamara Steeb, Issaquah, Washington

Pesto Corn Salad with Shrimp

This healthy summer recipe showcases the beautiful bounty of summer with its fresh corn, tomatoes and delicious basil. Prevent browning by spritzing the salad with lemon juice. —Deena Bowen, Chico, California

Classic Cobb Salad

Making this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I plant everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Tuna Teriyaki Kabobs

I love to barbecue but don’t always want a heavy dinner. These are perfect in the summer, and you’ll have room for dessert! —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey

Watermelon Shrimp Salad

Sweet, spicy and easy to make, this salad travels well in a cooler to picnics and summer gatherings. I love the combination of flavors, the colorful presentation, and of course, I love to see the happy faces of my guests once they've tried it. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Simple Grilled Steak Fajitas

After moving to a new state with two toddlers in tow, I came up with effortless fajitas. They make an easy healthy summer recipe on the grill or in a cast-iron skillet. —Shannen Mahoney, Odessa, Missouri