These healthy and easy summer sides are perfect for your next BBQ or picnic. Try everything from no-cook salads to grilled veggies!
The Best Summer Side Dishes
Looking for the best picnic and BBQ sides to make this summer? I’ve got you covered! I rounded up some of the best summer side dishes that are as easy to make as they are delicious. There are even no-cook options for days where it’s too hot to turn on the oven! From fresh salads to corn on the cob and baked potatoes, this round up of summer sides has something for everyone.
Salads
What is summer without some fresh and delicious salads? These salads are the perfect no-cook side to bring to your next BBQ or picnic.
5 Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes
15 minutes
These 5 Healthy Salad Dressings will last in the fridge for up to 2 months! Try Italian, ranch, balsamic, honey dijon and ginger sesame.
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Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Healthy Creamy Pea Salad
1 hour
This Healthy Creamy Pea Salad is perfect for lunch or your next potluck! It's got fresh peas, bacon, cheese and the creamiest dressing.
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Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 721mg | Potassium: 425mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1704IU | Vitamin C: 75mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 2mg
The Best Kale Salad on the Internet
50 minutes
This Kale Salad is the best meal prep lunch! It's got protein with lentils and halloumi cheese, lots of veggies and a tasty dressing.
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Calories: 532kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 764mg | Potassium: 909mg | Fiber: 25g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 5759IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 530mg | Iron: 6mg
Healthy Sweet Potato Salad
40 minutes
This Healthy Sweet Potato Salad is the perfect summer dish to make ahead and bring to a potluck or picnic – it even has bacon in it!
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Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 588mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 13390IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg
Heirloom Tomato Salad with a Quick Labneh
25 minutes
This Heirloom Tomato Salad with a Quick Labneh is an amazing summer dish that highlights the best of in season tomatoes! It's the perfect side.
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Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 313mg | Potassium: 307mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 668IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg
The Ultimate Cowboy Caviar {Best Dressing!}
2 hours 30 minutes
This Cowboy Caviar is a great vegetarian lunch that packs a big protein punch. It's full of veggies and beans, with the best tangy dressing!
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Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 621mg | Potassium: 1240mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1598IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 6mg
Broccoli Salad {High Protein + Meal Prep}
50 minutes
This High Protein Broccoli Salad is perfect for meal prep – it’s so filling with lentils, bacon and quinoa in a creamy dressing!
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Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 665mg | Potassium: 647mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 3210IU | Vitamin C: 63mg | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 3mg
The BEST Arugula Salad
45 minutes
Inspired by Aroma Espresso Bar, this is the BEST Arugula Salad – it features lentils, sweet potatoes, and lemon-olive oil dressing. You can meal prep it, too!
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Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 181mg | Potassium: 1030mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 17294IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 6mg
The Ultimate Instant Pot Potato Salad via Eating Instantly
The Ultimate Instant Pot Potato Salad comes together in less than 30 minutes with an easy dressing containing light mayo and fresh dill. The eggs and potatoes cook in the pressure cooker at the same time for easy clean up!
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Cooked or Grilled Vegetables
Veggies go with anything, especially during the summer! These are my favourite vegetable sides. Bonus: you can cook most of them in the air fryer, on the grill or Instant Pot so they won't heat up your house!
Easiest Ever Buffalo Cauliflower
35 minutes
This is the Easiest Ever Buffalo Cauliflower recipe – these cute bites are a great appetizer for game day and are made healthier in the oven!
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Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 1348mg | Potassium: 463mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Vitamin C: 69mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg
Garlic Parm Air Fryer Asparagus
15 minutes
This Garlic Parm Air Fryer Asparagus recipe is going to become your next favourite side dish – it only takes 15 minutes and 5 ingredients!
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Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 44mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 877IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg
Crispy Green Bean Fries
50 minutes
These Crispy Green Bean Fries are a delicious and healthy way to satisfy your french fry cravings – make them in the Air Fryer or the oven!
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Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 783IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 2mg
Crispy Air Fryer Jicama Fries {Low Carb}
1 hour
These Crispy Air Fryer Jicama Fries will satisfy all your fast food cravings without the carbs – you can make them in the oven too!
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Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 308mg | Potassium: 509mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 266IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg
Best Ever Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
3 hours 5 minutes
These are the Best Ever Crock Pot Baked Potatoes. They’re super easy to make – load them up with your favourite toppings for a yummy dinner!
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Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 344mg | Potassium: 996mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 432IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 252mg | Iron: 2mg
Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
40 minutes
These Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries with chipotle dipping sauce are the ultimate side dish, and they're SO crispy!
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Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 483mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 18050IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 0.7mg
Cheesy Grilled Foil Potatoes {Potato Nachos}
40 minutes
These Cheesy Grilled Foil Potatoes are potato nachos made easy on the BBQ. Just slice the potatoes, add on your toppings and grill!
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Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 823mg | Potassium: 1403mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1250IU | Vitamin C: 114.7mg | Calcium: 300mg | Iron: 3.8mg
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob via Eating Instantly
This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is SO easy and turns out perfect every time – plus I’ve included a bonus Mexican street corn seasoning for you to try!
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Easy Instant Pot Cabbage and Bacon via Eating Instantly
This Easy Instant Pot Cabbage and Bacon is the ultimate side dish that’s ready in less than 20 minutes and made healthier with turkey bacon!
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Lemon Herb Instant Pot Green Beans via Eating Instantly
These Lemon Herb Instant Pot Green Beans are so easy to make. They’re tender crisp and seasoned with lemon, garlic and herbs.
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Rice, Pasta & Other Grains
Want a heartier side to go with your grilled mains? Try anything on this list, ranging from cauliflower rice to pasta salad! Most of these sides cook hands-off so you'll have time to prep and cook your mains easily.
5 Easy Rice Recipes to Spice Up Dinner
40 minutes
These 5 Easy Rice Recipes can be made in a rice cooker with few ingredients – try fried, cilantro lime, tomato basil, mushroom or coconut.
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Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 393mg | Potassium: 308mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 275IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
How to Make Cauliflower Rice 5 Ways
40 minutes
Learn how to make Cauliflower Rice 5 Ways! Choose from chili lime, ham & pineapple, Mediterranean, curried and garlic sesame seasonings.
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Serving: 1cup | Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 551mg | Potassium: 509mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin C: 82mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
Instant Pot Pasta {Perfect Every Time} via Eating Instantly
This Instant Pot Pasta turns out perfectly every time! I also included a bonus Caprese pasta salad recipe you’ll love.
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Instant Pot Coconut Rice via Eating Instantly
This Instant Pot Coconut Rice is super flavourful thanks to the coconut milk. Top it with peanut chicken and mango salsa for a full meal!
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Instant Pot Quinoa {+Burrito Bowl Idea!} via Eating Instantly
Making quinoa in the Instant Pot is so easy—it’s perfect every time! Plus, get the recipe for my yummy vegetarian quinoa burrito bowl.
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Instant Pot Farro {+Farro Bowl} via Eating Instantly
This Instant Pot Farro is super easy and comes together in just 15 minutes. Use the superfood grain to make a healthy and nutritious bowl!
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