Mmm…Summer. There’s something so refreshing and delicious about Summer. It’s those fruity drinks. It’s the mouth watering grilled meats. And, it is definitely those side dishes that are light, fresh, and finish every meal, so beautifully!
When I think of the perfect warm weather side dishes, I think… lots of veggies, vinaigrettes, fruits, and anything else that feels light in general. The colder it is, the closer it ranks toward the top of my list, as well.
That’s why I often refer to these side dishes and salads. These classic side recipes are perfect for any night of the week, and any event throughout the Spring and Summer seasons.
Most of them are delicious all year long!
Whether you are planning your next cookout, family weekend picnic, or even dinner one hectic weeknight, any of these yummy sides will have your whole family coming back for more. They are refreshing and satisfying every single time!
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Tips For Making Mouth Watering Summer Sides
1. Fresh Is Always Best – Fresh produce and herbs are always better, if available. While your salads will be yummy with frozen vegetables and ground herbs, the overall flavor is always enhanced further with fresher ingredients.
The fragrance is stronger in the herbs. The fruits are juicier, and the vegetables are crisper. The overall experience is just nicer with fresh ingredients!
2. Be Creative With Seasonings – A sprinkle of certain herbs and spices, or a drop of your favorite sauce, can take a side dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Don’t be afraid to experiment and put your own spin on it!
3. Let The Flavors Fall In Love – While I am a strong advocate for fresh salads, there is nothing wrong with preparing many of these side dishes hours, or even a day in advance. In fact, sometimes it makes the dish even better!
The longer the flavors have to fall in love with one another, the tastier the side will be!
(Except leafy salads. They are always best prepared last minute, so they don’t get soggy.)
Vegetable Based Summer Sides
1. Summer Corn Salad
If you love corn as much as I do, you will definitely be excited by the dish. So will everyone else!
The corn is the main vegetable, accompanied by ripe cherry tomatoes and cucumbers. It is then finished off with a simple Italian vinaigrette, basil, and crumbled Feta cheese.
It takes no time to make and it blends beautifully with any main dish, or by itself!
2. Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad
This isn’t just any cold broccoli salad. This delicious concoction goes a step further, by adding cauliflower florets and bacon! Of course, there is the classic shredded cheddar cheese added in, for a nice finish.
It is a really yummy spin on the traditional broccoli salad, and one the crowd will come back for!
3. Cole Slaw
I was never a big fan of cole slaw until I learned how to make this recipe. Now, it has to be made every summer at least once or twice. It really is that good!
The dressing is neither tangy or too sweet. With the green onion and salt and pepper mixed in, the flavor is on point. It’s the classic dish everyone thinks of for summer time meals and it’s super easy to make. Yum!
4. Mexican Street Corn
If you enjoy Mexican Street Corn, you will love this salad! It has all of the same delicious ingredients, but easier to eat.
For those of you who have never tried Mexican Street Corn, you need to make this salad ASAP! It really is that delicious.
With a blend of cumin, paprika, cayenne, sour cream, onion, Cotija cheese, and Parmesan, your taste buds will explode with one bite! This salad is a delicious addition to any main dish or as an appetizer with chips on it’s own. Add a sprinkle of Adobo Seasoning to kick it up a notch!
Super good. Super easy to make.
5. Cucumber Tomato Avocado
Mmm…Tomato and avocado. Always a delicious combination and one I make regularly!
This recipe is just a little different in the way that it adds not only cucumbers, but Feta cheese and mouth watering Italian vinaigrette. Finish it with a bit of black pepper and cilantro, and you will have your next favorite summer time salad.
Pairs beautifully with any main course or on it’s own as a snack. Yum!
6. Cucumber (& Onion) Salad
This cucumber salad is another classic side that is a favorite around my house, and one we make often.
It requires just a few ingredients you probably already have in your home. It comes together in 10 minutes or less, and it’s light, refreshing and complimentary to any main dish.
7. Watermelon, Feta, Mint Salad
Watermelon is almost a must have during the summer months. Wouldn’t you agree? It’s one of those refreshing fruits that just goes along with Barbecues, picnics, and hot summer nights.
Next time you decide to get a watermelon, try this mouth watering recipe. When you add cucumber, feta and black pepper, you have a yummy side salad that is sweet, salty and a bit spicy all in one bite. Absolutely delicious every time!
8. Strawberry Arugula Salad
Strawberries are another fruit you think of during the warmer months, when it’s in season. Not only does this salad involve fresh in season strawberries, but it is highlighted by red onion, goat cheese, slivered almonds, and balsamic vinaigrette to finish it off.
Light, delicious, and perfect, paired with any main. Yum!
9. Heirloom Tomato Salad
I am a huge tomato fan, heirlooms being a type of tomato I love to include in any dish.
This salad combines the delicious tomato flavor of the heirlooms with the sweeter flavor of the grape tomatoes. The combination is finished off nicely with red onion, crumbled feta, fresh herbs and a refreshing balsamic garlic vinaigrette.
Mouth watering on it’s own or paired with a main dish!
10. Asian Tomato Cucumber Salad
I love that this recipe calls for a lot of the traditional salad components, like cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion. The addition of green onion, sesame seeds, cilantro, and rice vinegar is what makes this salad so elegant and delicious.
With a final touch of garlic, your taste buds will beg for more. It makes for a perfect meal on it’s own or as a side dish. Mouth watering to the last bite!
11. Peach & Arugula Salad
I’ve made this salad many times before, with a couple of small differences. I have added feta to mine and a vinaigrette that already had honey it.
What I love the most about this recipe is the addition of the prosciutto. That is something new to me and I can’t wait to try it! This is the perfect summer salad as a main all on it’s own. Absolutely delicious!
12. Zucchini Carpaccio
A super yummy and healthy side dish, this Zucchini Carpaccio recipe is also very easy to make.
All you do is shave thin slices of zucchini and marinate in a simple lemon vinaigrette for 10 minutes. Top with arugula and shaved Parmesan and Voilà ! A refreshing side salad you will make time and again!
13. Tomato Salad W/ Bacon Vinegarette
This is another delightful summer side involving delicious heirloom tomatoes. Only this salad features quite a bit more and will even have the carnivores coming back for seconds!
It is topped with chopped bacon bits, blue cheese, chives, and a bacon onion vinaigrette. So mouth watering, I can taste it now!
14. Honeydew & Prosciutto
Melon and prosciutto naturally compliment one another nicely. When you make it honeydew melon, add mozzarella pearls, fresh greens, and a honey mustard vinaigrette, you have an amazing salad!
This one is really easy to make within about 10 minutes and it is fresh, light, and tasty.
15. Bacon Avocado Salad
This side salad has so much going on, but with so little effort. The base is romaine lettuce. It is topped with crumbled bacon, tomato, onion, avocado, and feta or gorgonzola cheese.
It is then finished with a light garlic mustard vinaigrette. Soo good!
16. Pea Salad With Lemon Parmesan
When you are not in the mood for leafy greens, this side dish is the perfect alternative. It has peas for the main ingredient. It is then topped with cherry tomatoes, gouda cheese, onion, and bell pepper.
A creamy lemon herb parmesan dressing is the finishing touch that ties it all together beautifully. Delicious on it’s own or as a side to any main dish. Yum!
Pastas, Potatoes, & Other Starches
17. Potato Salad W/ Bacon & Egg
I am super picky when it comes to potato salad and this recipe definitely passes the test! It has all of the typical ingredients, like mayo, sour cream, and green onion. It also has hard boiled egg and bacon tossed in for extra measure.
The only things I would add is a bit of chopped celery and montreal steak seasoning. It’s a delicious recipe you will come back to time and again, for sure!
18. Sweet Potato Salad
For all of the times I have prepared sweet potatoes, I must say I never thought to use them in a salad like this. This is definitely a recipe now added to my list of sides to try!
Cubed and roasted sweet potatoes are the base for this salad. They are topped with red onion, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, and feta. The salad is finished with a creamy honey mustard dressing and it is a dish that will pair nicely with anything all year long.
19. Shrimp Pasta Salad
Shrimp pasta salad is a side that is always easy to make and welcome at any gathering. We have taken it to many cookouts before and it’s always a hit.
This recipe uses fusillini pasta, celery, onion, and paprika to compliment the bite sized shrimp. It is then finished with a simple, yet delicious dill dressing. Yummy and easy to make!
20. Bow Tie Pasta Salad
This side dish is what I think of, when I think of a traditional summer pasta salad. It has all of the classic ingredients like diced ham, cheddar, peas, and bell pepper. The ingredients are tossed with bow tie pasta, and a rich creamy dressing.
Hearty, satisfying and perfect on it’s own or as a side!
21. Chicken Ceasar Pasta Salad
I’m a huge fan of chicken ceasar salads, especially this one with bow tie pasta tossed in. It has all of the other traditional ingredients, like ceasar dressing, croutons, romaine lettuce, and parmesan.
It is a refreshing salad for any time of the year, and it serves as a main dish on it’s own or a nice side dish. A delicious classic!
When I'm pressed for time and need a delicious dressing to finish my side with, I rely on Stonewall Kitchen.
With classics like Italian, Greek, and Roasted Garlic, to gourmet flavors like Maple BaconVinaigrette, Cucumber Dill, and Lemon Dijon, Stonewall Kitchen has all of your sides covered!
Their ingredients are balanced and consistent, just as you want, and their name is a household staple for millions.
Check out their dressings and gourmet oils here!
22. Italian Pasta Salad
Who doesn’t like Italian pasta salad? This side puts on a nice presentation with it’s tri color pasta. It features classic ingredients, like bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, onions, olives, and parmesan cheese.
It goes even further with creamy mozzarella balls, and a classic italian vinaigrette. This is a delicious dish that is easy to make and always a hit with the crowd!
23. Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese salad is always welcome as a side dish for any gathering, or even as a dinner side. This recipe includes bow tie pasta, and a traditional balsamic vinaigrette. It’s super quick, easy to make, and pairs beautifully with anything. Refreshing anytime!
24. Summer Linguine Salad W/ Vegetables
I like this recipe not only because it’s delicious, but because it calls for linguine instead of the types of smaller pasta you typically see with summer sides.
It is loaded with veggies like cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, and red bell pepper. It is tossed in a classic italian vinaigrette. Light and refreshing, it’s perfect as a side to a main or all on it’s own. Yummy!
25. Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad W/ Feta
Mmm…tortellini. This is a salad I could eat any day of the week, and it’s easy enough to make! It has chuncks of cucumber, red onion, olives, cherry tomatoes, and pepperoncini. It is topped with a tangy greek dressing and crumbled feta cheese.
Hearty, tasty, and it’s the perfect side for any night of the year!
26. Pineapple & Black Bean Salad
This delightful side features so many different flavors that blend together so seamlessly. Loaded with vegetables like red onion, corn, tomatoes, and avocado, the beans add a nice contrast.
The sweet pineapple mixed in takes this dish even further, and the maple lime dressing ties it all together.
It’s perfect as a sweet and savory dip or a side to a main dish. It’s easy to make and will be a recipe you come back to over and over again. Mouth watering!
27. Succotash W/ Bacon & Okra
Succotash…now there’s a side I had plenty of while growing up. It was one of my mom’s favorite sides, and for good reason. The lima beans make it a hearty dish. The corn, onion, and tomatoes add all of the vegetables you could want.
Top that with okra and crumbled bacon, and you have a yummy main dish all it’s own. Pair it with another meat, and even better!
28. Chickpea Salad W/ Feta
There are so many delicious vegetables in this dish, the chickpeas are almost an after thought!
This flavorful salad includes avocado, cherry tomatoes, green pepper, onion, olives, and cucumbers. It is topped with crumbled feta and a light honey dijon vinaigrette.
Mixed with the hearty chickpeas, this yummy side is perfect stand alone or as a pairing to a main dish. Easy to make, healthy, and yummy!
29. Summer Rainbow Orzo Salad
This is such a colorful, healthy, and tasty side dish, perfect for any occasion. Delicate orzo pasta is the base of the dish, with loads of fresh veggies and herbs mixed throughout.
It is finished with a lemon herb dressing. It’s light, filling and easy to make. Yummy salad!
30. Easy Shrimp Ceviche
Ceviche is one of my all time favorite types of sides for any occasion! This recipe features shrimp as the seafood base. It has all of the classic vegetables you would look for, such as tomato, avocado, red onion, and cucumber.
It is finished off with the traditional finely diced jalapeno, lime juice, and fresh cilantro, to give it the final flavor you crave in ceviche. Serve as a side or stand alone appetizer with chips. Mouth watering either way!
Final Thoughts
I’m sure you can agree while we love those warmer summer months of the year, the heat can be a bit much sometimes. Those are the days I crave something really light, and usually in the end, those delicious foods are also healthier for me.
Anything with vegetables or fresh fruit will always win over a heavier meal during those months. These recipes are not only lighter on your stomach, but they leave you feeling more energetic and healthier at the same time. Win/Win!
If you liked these recipes, be sure to check out my other recipe roundups below!
Other Good Reads
– 21 Best Easy Crostini Appetizer Recipes & Topping Ideas
These all look amazing! BUT that broccoli and cauliflower salad is calling my name!
I agree…that one does look yummy! The avocado, tomato and cucumber is the one calling me 🙂