Easy Summer Side Dishes
Summer is the time for light and easy cooking, and these side dishes are no exception. They complement everything from burgers to grilled chicken to fish. They go with your average Tuesday night dinner, and they go well on a buffet table for a special summer party.
See also Picnic Food Ideas and Tips.
Some people think tomatoes taste like summer, but for me, it's sweet, buttery corn. It doesn't need much to dress it up, but if you are feeling like getting fancy, trying making one of my flavored butter recipes to go with it. The herb butter and garlic butter would be fantastic. More »
This hearty salad is a nice departure from traditional seasonal salads, and it will appeal to both kids and adults alike. In fact, this salad makes a terrific meal all by itself. Try adding some browned ground lamb for an authentic Greek salad you can make in a snap.More »
I was never a big fan of peas, but this salad changed everything for me. Crisp bacon, crunchy peanuts and a sweet and creamy dressing make this salad an incredible side for fried chicken, burgers, grilled fish or anything you're serving this summer.More »
Got a bumper crop of fresh zucchini in your garden? Put it to good use with these kid-pleasing zucchini pancakes. The key to making these pancakes nice and crispy is squeezing as much water out of the zucchini as you can before you fry them.More »
Sweet, juicy strawberries are the perfect foil to baby spinach in this bright and healthy salad. Look for the glazed pecans in the produce section or nuts section of your local grocery store.More »
A dash of hot sauce adds just a bit of pizzazz to this picnic-worthy red potato salad. Don't worry about the kids; they won't even notice it's there. It just adds a nice bit of background zip. More »
Fresh, juicy peaches are one of summer's greatest gifts. If you have access to a farm or farmer's market where you can buy fresh peaches, by all means, do so! They will invariably be better than anything you can find in a grocery store. And they are the centerpiece of this colorful and tasty salad.More »
Tart Granny Smith apples and crunchy pecans take ordinary coleslaw and make it out of this world. This recipe is refreshingly crispy and light and goes beautifully with pulled BBQ chicken or slow cooker pulled pork.More »
You only need five minutes of active prep time to make this healthy and satisfying recipe. And the best part is you don't have to own a grill to make it. It works just as well on a cast iron grill pan on the stove.More »
A creamy vanilla pudding is the perfect topping and dressing for this fresh seasonal fruit salad. Feel free to use whatever fruits you like or whatever is in season.More »
See also Picnic Food Ideas and Tips.
1. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Some people think tomatoes taste like summer, but for me, it's sweet, buttery corn. It doesn't need much to dress it up, but if you are feeling like getting fancy, trying making one of my flavored butter recipes to go with it. The herb butter and garlic butter would be fantastic. More »
2. Chopped Greek Salad Recipe
This hearty salad is a nice departure from traditional seasonal salads, and it will appeal to both kids and adults alike. In fact, this salad makes a terrific meal all by itself. Try adding some browned ground lamb for an authentic Greek salad you can make in a snap.More »
3. Pea Salad with Bacon
I was never a big fan of peas, but this salad changed everything for me. Crisp bacon, crunchy peanuts and a sweet and creamy dressing make this salad an incredible side for fried chicken, burgers, grilled fish or anything you're serving this summer.More »
4. Zucchini Pancakes
Got a bumper crop of fresh zucchini in your garden? Put it to good use with these kid-pleasing zucchini pancakes. The key to making these pancakes nice and crispy is squeezing as much water out of the zucchini as you can before you fry them.More »
5. Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Sweet, juicy strawberries are the perfect foil to baby spinach in this bright and healthy salad. Look for the glazed pecans in the produce section or nuts section of your local grocery store.More »
6. Red Potato Salad Recipe
A dash of hot sauce adds just a bit of pizzazz to this picnic-worthy red potato salad. Don't worry about the kids; they won't even notice it's there. It just adds a nice bit of background zip. More »
7. Peach Salad Recipe
Fresh, juicy peaches are one of summer's greatest gifts. If you have access to a farm or farmer's market where you can buy fresh peaches, by all means, do so! They will invariably be better than anything you can find in a grocery store. And they are the centerpiece of this colorful and tasty salad.More »
8. Apple Pecan Coleslaw Recipe
Tart Granny Smith apples and crunchy pecans take ordinary coleslaw and make it out of this world. This recipe is refreshingly crispy and light and goes beautifully with pulled BBQ chicken or slow cooker pulled pork.More »
9. Grilled Vegetables
You only need five minutes of active prep time to make this healthy and satisfying recipe. And the best part is you don't have to own a grill to make it. It works just as well on a cast iron grill pan on the stove.More »
10. Fruit Salad with Vanilla Pudding
A creamy vanilla pudding is the perfect topping and dressing for this fresh seasonal fruit salad. Feel free to use whatever fruits you like or whatever is in season.More »
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