31 Healthy Summer Recipes

It’s that time of the year again! Summertime is truly a great time of the year to start healthy habits including leveling up your diet. Give these healthy summer recipes a chance and enjoy them with lunch or dinner.

For many of us, summer is our favorite season of the year. You get to ditch the bulky clothes and wear something lighter instead.

You also get to enjoy a ton of fruits and veggies. So it’s much easier to eat healthily.

To make eating it even easier, I’m sharing 31 Healthy Summer Recipes. They’re not only healthy but taste yummy too.

So, what are you waiting for?

Let’s get cooking!

1. Chicken Cobb Salad

Credit: thefeatherednester.com

Want to enjoy Cobb Salad – and skip the dairy? Then give this Chicken Cobb Salad a try!

It’s creamy and delicious. And it doesn’t have a hint of dairy.

Tender, juicy chicken breasts sit on a bed of leafy greens, creamy avocado, crunchy bacon, and sweet corn.

To keep it dairy-free, you’re going to skip the Roquefort cheese. But don’t worry – the Green Goddess dressing adds layers of creaminess.

In fact, I prefer this version of Chicken Cobb Salad over the original. That’s because the herbs in the dressing provide extra freshness.

Making the dressing is quite easy. Just place your herbs, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and coconut cream in a blender and blend until smooth.
Check out more macro-friendy recipes here.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 426
• Fats: 33g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

2. 20 Minute Summer Squash & Corn Fiesta Salad

Credit: dishingouthealth.com

Summer is the perfect time to host a barbecue or two. And typically, barbecues are all about the protein – such as hamburgers and hot dogs.

Sure, there’s usually salad – but it tends to be more of an afterthought. This salad, however, is sure to steal the show.

It’s vibrant and full of yummy flavors, from the sweetness of the corn, the saltiness of the feta cheese, and the jalapeno peppers’ heat.

The zucchini and cherry tomatoes provide even more flavor.

What’s more, one serving provides only 120 calories. So, you’ll have extra room for another hamburger – or two.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 120
• Fats: 4g
• Protein: 6g
• Carbs: 16g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 6g

Recipe

3. Vegan Waldorf Salad

Credit: zardyplants.com

Many of us are turning to plant-based diets. And for several reasons – eating plant-based has many benefits.

It boosts your immune system. And it can even help you maintain a healthy weight.

But eating plant-based shouldn’t mean giving up your favorite foods. And this Vegan Waldorf Salad proves just that.

It’s savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy. Yet, it doesn’t have a trace of mayonnaise.

To get the creaminess, you’ll be making a tofu-based dressing. Making it is pretty straightforward.

Place drained tofu, unsweetened dairy milk, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt in a blender. This blender should do the trick.

Blend until smooth.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 440
• Fats: 24.5g
• Protein: 16.5g
• Carbs: 45.6g
• Fiber:
• Sugar: 20.4g

Recipe

 

4. Fruit Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Credit: budgetdelicious.com

Craving something sweet? This Fruit Salad is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

It’s full of vibrant colors and flavors, from strawberries, mangos, blueberries, and kiwi.

Besides being yummy, this fruit salad is good for you too. It’s rich in Vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system.

And it’s low in calories. So, you’ll still be able to fit into your skinny jeans. Yay!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 138
• Fats: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Carbs: 32g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 21g

Recipe

5. Mexican Bean Salad

Credit: allnutritious.com

Are you craving something Mexican? Then try my Mexican Bean Salad.

It’s brimming with Mexican flavors, from beans, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, and corn.

Your taste buds will be doing a happy dance.

It’s also rich in protein. So, it’s sure to fill you up.

What’s more, it can last up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Therefore, it’s perfect for meal prep.

To keep your salad fresh longer, it’s best to use glass food storage containers like this. They’re environmentally friendly and free of toxic chemicals.

However, if you’re not a fan of glass containers, these BPA-free plastic containers are suitable as well.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 287
• Fats: 10g
• Protein: 12g
• Carbs: 39g
• Fiber: 13g
• Sugar: 4.7g

Recipe

6. Creamy Summer Squash Soup

Credit: flavorthemoments.com

After a long day at work, you just want to curl up on the sofa – and watch your favorite shows.

And right about then, a tub of ice cream would be nice. After all, ice cream is so comforting, right?

But nothing is comforting about not being ready for swimsuit season.

That’s where this Creamy Summer Squash Soup comes in handy. It’s silky, creamy, and oh so comforting.

And it’s good for you too. The summer squash provides potassium which is vital for healthy blood pressures.

And it provides Vitamin A, which is essential for healthy eyes.

To make the soup smooth, you’ll be blending the soup once it’s ready. It’s best not to blend the warm soup in a regular blender.

So, for safety reasons, use an immersion blender like this instead.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 152
• Fats: 12g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 5g

Recipe

7. Fish Taco Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice

Credit: flavorthemoments.com

Want to jazz up your Taco Tuesdays? Give these Taco Bowls a try!

These Taco Bowls are all about the toppings. Perfect blackened fish is surrounded by tangy cilantro-lime rice, creamy avocado, and fruity mango salsa.

It’s a fiesta in your mouth. With a dish like this, who needs taco shells anyway?

Per Serving:

• Calories: 301
• Fats: 18g
• Protein: 29g
• Carbs: 7g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 1g

Recipe

8. Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes

Credit: healthychristianhome.com

Craving some Italian food? This Caprese Salad is sure to satisfy your cravings.

It’s brimming with yummy Italian flavors: from the cream mozzarella, juicy grape tomatoes, fresh basil, and sweet balsamic vinaigrette.

What’s more, it takes only 10 minutes to whip up. So, it’s perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Serve with some rustic bread.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 245
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 7g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 7g

Recipe

9. Green Salad with Cantaloupe & Blue Cheese

Credit: savorthebest.com

We could all do with more leafy greens in our diet. And salads are an excellent way to do that.

But often, green salads can taste just like grass. And no one wants to nibble on grass.

This Green Salad tastes like anything but grass. It’s a tasty combo of flavors and textures.

The blue cheese adds layers of creaminess, while the walnuts add crunch. And the sweetness of the cantaloupe and red onions contrasts the bitterness of the greens.

Besides being delicious, cantaloupe is good for you too. Cantaloupes are rich in zeaxanthin antioxidants which promote eye health.

And they contain potassium and choline, which support heart health. So eat those cantaloupes!

Check out more 200 calorie recipes here.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 237
• Fats: 12g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 12g

Recipe

10. Mango Avocado Salad

Credit: allnutritious.com

Craving Island flavors? Have some of my Mango Avocado Salad.

This salad is fruity and just plain refreshing. It’s a nice combination of creamy avocado, sweet mango, hydrating cucumbers, red onions, and juicy grape tomatoes.

And you won’t need any salad dressing either. That’s because avocados provide tons of fat.

And in fact, most of that fat is heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. So, you can feel good eating them.

To balance out the flavors, you’ll be adding some crushed garlic. Crushed garlic complements the salad by adding savory notes.

Now you can crush your garlic by hand. But for extra convenience, you can use a garlic press.

This garlic press here is quite sturdy. So, you’ll get lots of use out of it.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 312
• Fats: 20g
• Protein: 5.2g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 13g
• Sugar: 18g

Recipe

11. Sriracha Carrot Hummus

Credit: savorthebest.com

Now it’s time for some Sriracha Carrot Hummus. Yes, you read that right.

The roasted carrots add sweetness, while the Sriracha adds some heat. Meanwhile, the tahini and white beans add creaminess, and the cumin provides warmth.

What’s more, it contains half the calories of traditional hummus. So, you can enjoy it even more.

Serve with pita bread or your favorite veggies.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 77
• Fats: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbs: 13g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 2g

Recipe

12. Grilled Zucchini with Balsamic

Credit: feastingnotfasting.com

When you think of barbecues, what foods do you think of? You probably think of proteins like hamburgers, chicken, or even fish.

However, grilled veggies make an excellent addition too. Grilling the veggies makes them caramelized so that they taste sweet.

Plus, there’s something so appealing about grill marks on your veggie. It makes you want to eat them even more. Yay!

This Grilled Zucchini with Balsamic is so delightful. The saltiness of the feta balances the sweetness of the grilled zucchini.

And the tartness of the balsamic glaze ties everything together.

Don’t have a grill? Not a problem. You can use a grill pan like this instead.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 114
• Fats: 2g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fiber:
• Sugar: 14g

Recipe

13. Summer Salad with Feta, Pecans, Basil, & Blackberry Vinaigrette

Credit: feastingnotfasting.com

Summer is good and all. But let’s face it – sometimes the heat can get to the best of us.

The heat zaps our energy. And the last thing we want to do is stay in front of a hot stove.

This Summer Salad is for times like these. It takes all of 10 minutes to make.

And you don’t have to cook a thing. Just assemble everything in a bowl – and you’re good to go.

But don’t let the simplicity of this salad fool you. It’s actually pretty tasty.

The sweetness of the blackberries offsets the bitterness of the salad greens. And the crunch of the pecans complements the creaminess of the feta.

But the icing on top of the cake, ahem Summer Salad, is the Balsamic Blackberry Vinaigrette. It’s so delicious that you’ll want it on everything – just saying.

Making it is pretty straightforward. Just add all your ingredients to a food processor, mixing well. This food processor should handle the job quite easily.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 146
• Fats: 12g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbs: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

14. Watermelon Mint Salad

Credit: thekitchengirl.com

Need some hydration? Have some of this Watermelon Salad.

It’s sweet, savory, and, most importantly, refreshing. That because the bulk of the salad is made with watermelon.

And of course, we all know what’s in a watermelon – water! In fact, watermelon contains a whopping 92% of water.

Watermelon also has several essential nutrients. For instance, it contains lycopene, which is good for the heart.

And it contains citrulline, which may reduce muscle soreness. So hydrate with some watermelon!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 65
• Fats: 16g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbs: 16g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 13g

Recipe

15. Mango Chia Pudding

Credit: allnutritious.com

Fruit is good and all. But sometimes we want something more decadent – like my Mango Chia Pudding.

It’s creamy, sweet, and fruity.

Once you start eating it, you won’t be able to put down your spoon. It’s that good.

And best of all, it’s good for you too. That’s because it’s made with chia seeds.

Chia seeds are a great source of plant-based protein. They are also rich in omega-3s.

They even contain several bone-building minerals, including calcium and phosphorus.

Besides using them in puddings, you can also add them to smoothies. If you’d like to stock up on them, you can get some here.

Love chia pudding? You might also like this coconut milk chia pudding recipe!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 337
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 6.5g
• Carbs: 31g
• Fiber: 10g
• Sugar: 17g

Recipe

16. Grilled Corn Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

Credit: veganhuggs.com

Do you love fresh corn? I do too.

There’s something about fresh corn that makes it so irresistible. So when you can get fresh corn at the store, you just want to hoard it.

So what can you do with all that fresh corn? Make this Grilled Corn Salad.

It’s off-the-charts delicious. And it has a medley of veggies – corn, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes.

The creamy avocado complements the charred corn nicely. And the black beans make it satisfying – even meat lovers will love this as a main dish.

Besides being rich in protein, black beans are also rich in fiber. So they are good for your digestion.

They’re also rich in folate, which is vital for making DNA. And they’re rich in iron, which keeps your energy levels up.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 271
• Fats: 12g
• Protein: 10g
• Carbs: 32g
• Fiber: 12g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

17. Black Bean & Corn Salsa

Credit: spiceupthecurry.com

I enjoy game day, as I’m sure many of you do too. You get to hang out with your friends – and enjoy good food.

But often, game day food can be pretty greasy – and bad for you too.

This Black Bean & Corn Salsa is an appetizer you can feel good about. It looks and tastes fantastic.

And unlike regular salsa, it’s high in protein. So it’s satisfying.

And you can’t have salsa without some tortilla chips, right? I recommend these tortilla chips here.

That’s because they’re baked instead of fried. So, they’re healthier for you.

They’re also rich in protein. In fact, one serving provides a whopping 20 grams of protein.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 150
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 5g
• Carbs: 18g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

18. Strawberry Salad Recipe

Credit: cubesnjuliennes.com

Are you finding it hard getting your kids to eat their veggies? Serve them this Strawberry Salad.

It’s crispy, crunchy, nutty, tangy – and most importantly, sweet. That’s because of the strawberries.

So, your kids won’t mind those salad greens that are mixed in. Yay!

And the balsamic vinaigrette isn’t bad either. The honey adds a sweetness that balances the slight heat of the Dijon mustard.

Best of all, this salad takes only 10 minutes to whip up. So you can make it anything your kids want a treat.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 172
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 14g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 9g

Recipe

19. Grilled Halibut Tacos with Salsa Verde

Credit: inthekitch.net

Not a fan of beef tacos? Give these Grilled Halibut Tacos a try.

They’re made with flaky halibut, cabbage, mango, and salsa Verde. So, they’re flavorful yet light.

Besides being tasty, halibut is nutritious too. It contains heart-healthy omega-3s.

And they contain B vitamins which are good for your brain.

Now, you will be making your Salsa Verde from scratch. But to save time, you can simply get some already-prepared Salsa Verde here.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 238
• Fats: 9g
• Protein: 23g
• Carbs: 16g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 4g

Recipe

20. Strawberry Chia Pudding

Credit: allnutritious.com

Do you love your sweets? Then you’ll enjoy my Strawberry Chia Pudding.

It’s sweet, tangy, and quite refreshing. And it’s good for you too.

One serving provides close to 50% of your daily fiber needs. So your taste buds and tummy will be happy.

This Chia Pudding makes for a nice dessert. However, you can also have it for a light breakfast too.

Loving the chia pudding? Get creative and learn how to make chia pudding your own way.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 250
• Fats: 8.2g
• Protein: 5.7g
• Carbs: 40g
• Fiber: 11g
• Sugar: 21g

Recipe

21. Grilled Chili Lime Chicken Fajita Salad

Credit: bonappeteach.com

Are you craving Tex-Mex? Treat yourself to this Grilled Chili Lime Chicken Fajita Salad – I dare you to say that fast.

Tender, juicy chicken is paired with vibrant veggies. Eating the rainbow has never tasted this good.

To season your chicken, you’ll be using Tajin seasoning. Tajin seasoning is a Mexican seasoning blend of dried and ground red chilies, dehydrated lime juice, and sea salt.

You can make yours from scratch. Or you can get store-bought seasoning here.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 411
• Fats: 30g
• Protein: 21g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

22. Strawberry Chicken Salad with Creamy Maple Dressing

Credit: deliciousonadime.com

Are you having guests over for dinner? Serve them this dish.

You’ve got sliced berries, cheese, nuts, seeds, and pan-seared chicken – all arranged on a bed of mixed greens.

It looks so pretty that your guests won’t want to eat it. But once they take a bite, they’ll be so happy they did.

More importantly, this dish takes only 20 minutes to make. So you’re spending less time in the kitchen – and more time socializing.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 336
• Fats: 23g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 13g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 7g

Recipe

23. Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad

Credit: mealpreponfleek.com

Are you craving some Mediterranean flavors? Have some of this Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad.

It’s bursting with flavor, from the nicely grilled Halloumi Cheese, juicy watermelon, creamy avocado, and fresh spinach. It’s sure to transport you to Greece.

Besides being delicious, Halloumi cheese is good for you too. It’s rich in protein.

And it’s an excellent source of calcium. Besides grilling it, you can also fry or even bake it.

Enjoy! Check out more 400 calorie recipes here.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 407
• Fats: 27.8g
• Protein: 12.6g
• Carbs: 26.6g
• Fiber: 5.2g
• Sugar:

Recipe

24. Raw Vegan Pad Thai with Zucchini & Spicy Peanut Sauce

Credit: nutriciously.com

Looking for a healthier version of Pad Thai? This one is a great option.

It’s spicy, crunchy, and creamy. And instead of noodles, you’re using zucchini noodles.

So, it contains fewer calories than regular Pad Thai. Zucchini noodles are also very nutritious.

They contain Vitamins A and C. They even contain bone-building minerals like manganese and magnesium. Who would have thought?

Making the noodles is very easy. Start by chopping off the ends of zucchini.

Then place the zucchini in a spiralizer and spiralize away. This spiralizer is pretty strong.
It can even spiralize harder vegetables, including sweet potatoes and turnips.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 326
• Fats: 14g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbs: 46g
• Fiber: 12g
• Sugar: 23g

Recipe

25. Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Credit: allnutritious.com

Do you need to eat on the run? Grab some of these Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps.

They are sweet, crunchy, and have umami flavor. And unlike regular wraps, they’re low in carbs.

So you won’t feel sleepy and sluggish after eating them.

They’re also low in calories. So, you can have more than one – and still, be on your personal trainer’s nice list.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 161
• Fats: 4.5g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 7.1g
• Fiber: 0.7g
• Sugar: 3.8g

Recipe

26. Veggie Kabobs with Halloumi

Credit: nourishplate.com

Looking to make some kabobs for Meatless Monday? Give these Veggie Kabobs a try.

They’re yummy, colorful, and packed with flavor. The mushrooms add umami, while the Halloumi cheese adds creaminess – you definitely won’t miss the meat.

To make the kabobs, you’ll need some skewers. I recommend investing in a set of stainless-steel skewers like these.

That’s because you can reuse them. So, they’re more environmentally friendly than wooden ones.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 174
• Fats: 13g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbs: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

27. Strawberry Walnut Salad

Credit: whiskaffair.com

Looking for a side dish to go with your Veggie Kabobs? This Strawberry Walnut Salad is a great option.

It’s sweet, tangy, savory, and crunchy. And it’s ready in just 10 minutes.

So, you can make it while your Veggie Kabobs are on the grill. Now that’s how I like to roll.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 234
• Fats: 14g
• Protein: 7g
• Carbs: 26g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 16g

Recipe

28. Prawn & Mango Salad

Credit: thatgirlcookshealthy.com

Do you love seafood? Then you’ll enjoy this Prawn & Mango Salad.

It’s sweet, savory, light, yet filling. That’s because of the prawns.

Prawns are a great source of lean protein. Just one 3-oz serving provides 18 grams of protein.

Yet, it contains only 84 calories. They’re also rich in selenium, a potent antioxidant. Check out more 300 calorie meals here!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 350
• Fats: 38g
• Protein: 25g
• Carbs: 24g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 17g

Recipe

29. Watermelon Salad with Sweet & Spicy Vinaigrette

Credit: anediblemosaic.com

Wondering what to take on your next picnic? You can’t go wrong with this Watermelon Salad.

It’s a wonderful combination of sweet and salty. The sweetness of the watermelon balances the saltiness of the Kalamata olives and feta cheese.

Besides adding saltiness, Kalamata olives are good for you too. They’re rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

And they’re excellent sources of Vitamin E, which is vital for healthy skin.

Now, most ready-to-eat olives contain a ton of sodium. So, it’s best to choose low-sodium Kalamata olives like this.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 145
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 17g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 13g

Recipe

30. Chipotle Corn Salsa

Credit: happykitchen.rocks

Looking for some Mexican eats? Try this Chipotle Corn Salsa.

It has a wonderful combination of flavors and textures. The corn adds sweetness, and the chipotle peppers add heat.

Meanwhile, the lime adds some tang, while the red onions provide some crunchiness.

Making the salsa takes a bit of time – but it’s so worth it.

Cut off the corn kernels from the cob, adding them to a bowl. Next, heat a frying pan (without oil) and add your corn.

Let cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally. Then allow your corn to cool

Once it has cooled down, add the rest of your salsa ingredients, stirring well.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 41g
• Fats: 2g
• Protein: 0g
• Carbs: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0g

Recipe

31. Watermelon Fruit Pizza

Credit: hungryhealthyhappy.com

Looking for a kitchen project to make with the kids? This Watermelon Fruit Pizza is a great option.

It’s basically a large watermelon round topped with all your favorite fixings. Now I don’t mean the savory toppings you get on a regular pizza – that would be plain gross.

Instead, I’m talking about sweet toppings – like Greek yogurt, berries, almonds, and dried coconut.

And if your kids have been extra-good, maybe even some chocolate syrup.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 51
• Fats: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Carbs: 7g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 6g

Recipe