Healthy summer recipes are a great way to enjoy the season with fresh and flavorful meals. Popular choices include huevos rancheros, salsa, grilled chicken breasts marinated in zesty lemon and herbs, veggie burgers made from plant-based proteins like lentils, and many other amazing recipes that we try curating in this amazing list.
Healthy Summer Recipes
These dishes taste delicious and provide numerous health benefits, making summer a truly exciting time for food lovers. Don't forget about vibrant summer salads, which can be packed with fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins for a satisfying and balanced meal.
Skillet Eggplant Parm
Ingredients
- ¾ c. plus 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium eggplants (about 1¾ lb. total), sliced ½" thick
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 ½ c. marinara sauce
- 1 ½ c. (6 oz.) shredded mozarella
- ¾ c. (3 oz.) shredded Parmesan
- ¼ c. packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- ¾ c. panko bread crumbs
Shroomami Burger
Ingredients
- CILANTRO-LIME SLAW
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ small head of green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 ½ tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
SHROOMAMI BURGERS
- 1 lb. shiitake and/or oyster mushrooms
- 3 tbsp. plus 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 3 tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce, divided
- ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 scallions, white and pale-green parts thinly sliced, dark-green parts cut into ½" pieces
- 1 (1") piece ginger, peeled and minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. sambal oelek or other red chili paste
- 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- ½ c. roasted, unsalted cashews
- ½ c. panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp. miso (preferably red)
- 1 ½ tsp. rice wine vinegar
- ½ tsp. sesame oil
- ¼ tsp. MSG (optional)
- Kosher salt
- 2 tsp. vegetable oil, plus more
- 4 to 6 sesame hamburger buns
- Spicy vegan mayonnaise and sliced tomatoes, for serving
Roasted Vegetable & Black Bean Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted root vegetables (see associated recipe)
- ½ cup cooked or canned black beans, rinsed
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 4 corn tortillas, lightly toasted or warmed
- ½ avocado, cut into 8 slices
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Chopped fresh cilantro & salsa for garnish
Kale & Avocado Salad with Blueberries & Edamame
Ingredients
- 6 cups stemmed and coarsely chopped curly kale
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup halved yellow cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup cooked shelled edamame
- ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted (see Tip)
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese (2 ounces)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced chives
- 1 ½ teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
Quick and Easy Summer Grill Bowls
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup Arugula
- ½ tablespoon Quality balsamic vinegar (7 g)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup Cooked brown rice (75 g)
- ½ cup Grilled chicken, chopped (100 g)
- ⅓ cup Grilled bell pepper, chopped (45 g)
- ⅓ cup Grilled zucchini, chopped (45 g)
- ⅓ cup Grilled pineapple, chopped (40 g)
- ¼ cup Grilled onion, chopped (30 g)
- ¼ cup Grilled corn, sliced off the cob (40 g)
- 1 ½ tablespoon Feta, blue or goat cheese (10 g, I used dairy free feta)*
- 3 tablespoon Dairy-free Herb Pesto, recipe below (45 g)
- Lemon, basil leaves, and salt and pepper to finish
Dairy-free Herb Pesto (serves 12)
- 1 cup Cilantro (40 g)
- 1 cup Parsley (30 g)
- 1-2 cups Fresh basil (30 g)
- ⅔ cup Dairy-free plain yogurt* (150 g)
- 6 tablespoon White balsamic vinegar** (90 g)
- ½ cup Toasted almonds (60 g)
- 3 cloves Fresh garlic, or frozen cubes
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Pinch of kosher salt and pepper
Camarones Rancheros
Ingredients
- 20 oz shrimp peeled and deveined
- 5 roma tomatoes chopped
- ½ white onion thinly sliced
- 1 serrano pepper chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tbs olive oil
Simple Turkey Burger Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- ⅔ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ¼ cup finely diced white onion
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Chipotle Lime Grilled Chicken With Mango Salsa
Ingredients
Chipotle Lime Chicken
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
Mango Salsa
- 2 cups diced mango
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Chicken Caesar Wrap
INGREDIENTS
- 2-3 heads of romaine lettuce
- 2 cups chicken cooked and shredded
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon if using fresh
- ¼ teaspoon rosemary 1 teaspoon if using fresh
- ¼ teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon if using fresh
- Your favorite Caesar or Italian dressing. We like Newman's Own Caesar dressing
- 6 pitas cut in half
- ¼ cup bacon bits
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Coconut Lime Salmon
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 6-ounce salmon filets, skin removed & pat dry
DRY RUB
- 1 teaspoon Morton kosher salt*
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
COCONUT LIME SAUCE
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 large shallot, diced
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 13.5 ounce can full fat unsweetened coconut milk*
- 1 Tablespoon fish sauce or soy sauce
- 1 lime, zested & juiced
- chopped basil & cilantro, for garnish
Italian Herb Chicken
INGREDIENTS
- 4 chicken thighs or chicken breast fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil + more for frying
- 2 tablespoon apple juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried sage
- ¼ teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Grilled Steak Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 skirt steak
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tsp cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ English cucumber, diced
- 1 ear of corn, grilled
- 1 lime, juiced
- ¼ red onion, diced
- ¼ jalepeno, diced
- salt to taste
- 6 corn tortillas
- 1 avocado, optional
- 1 tablespoon cilantro
Avocado Chicken Salad
INGREDIENTS
SALAD
- 6 cups green leaf lettuce torn
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
- 11 ounce can corn drained
- 1 ripe avocado diced
- ⅓ cup minced red onion
DRESSING
- ¾ cup cilantro minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons minced red onion
- 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
Salpicón Mexican Shredded Beef Salad
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef skirt steak
- ½ onion divided; 1 large slice and the rest finely diced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt plus more for seasoning
- 2 cups water
- 1 serrano chili; diced
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 4 small tomatoes; seeded and diced
- 1 avocado; sliced
- Black Pepper
- ½ cup cilantro; chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- Lime; juiced
15-minute Pan Seared Salmon With Basil Tzatziki
Ingredients
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 unpeeled seedless cucumber (also called English or hothouse) – enough to make ½ cup of shreds
- ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh tarragon leaves
- ½ tablespoon white wine vinegar (not plain white vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Salmon
- 4 (4-ounce) boneless, skinless salmon fillets
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- optional for garnish: additional minced chives, if desired