Summer is the perfect time to enjoy vibrant, fresh, and flavorful side dishes that complement any meal. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a picnic at the park, or a casual dinner on the patio, you’ll find the perfect side dish in this blog post. From crisp salads (bursting with garden fresh vegetables!) and tangy slaws to grilled vegetables and refreshing fruit dishes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
- Looking for a side dish you can cook on the grill? Try this Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash recipe.
- Looking for an instant crowd pleaser? Try this German Potato Salad recipe.
- Looking for a way to use the tomatoes in your garden? Try this irresistible Cherry Tomato Bruschetta.
- Looking for an easy vegan option? Try this Heirloom Tomato Tart!
Keep reading to discover some new summer favorites!
Summer Sides
Vinegar Coleslaw
Vinegar Coleslaw is a super simple side dish recipe made without mayonnaise. It’s tangy, delicious and crunchy.
Vinegar Coleslaw
Grilled Potato Salad
Say bye bye to basic potato salad. This Grilled Potato Salad combines smoky grilled potatoes with a delicious tangy mustard dressing that’s loaded with fresh herbs and salty capers. It’s delicious!
Grilled Potato Salad
Apple Celery Root Slaw
Apple Celery Root Slaw is an exciting twist on basic coleslaw. Crisp apples & celery root combine with jalapeno, cilantro & pickled onions.
Apple Slaw
Cold Cucumber Soup Recipe
Enjoy this chilled Cucumber Soup as a refreshing summer appetizer or side dish. It’s a quick & easy recipe that blends up in seconds.
Cold Cucumber Soup
German Potato Salad (No Mayo)
This delicious warm German Potato Salad combines tender potatoes with a warm bacon-mustard vinaigrette dressing. It’s tangy, creamy and the perfect side dish for the summer grilling season.
German Potato Salad
Blistered Shishito Peppers
These Blistered Shishito Peppers are the perfect finger food. They’re so easy to make too. Lightly seasoned & slightly smoky, you’ll love their flavor.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
The BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Learn how to make the BEST Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. This pressure cooker corn on the cob recipe uses a simple, secret ingredient to guarantee that your corn is sweet, tender and delicious!
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Hawaiian Coleslaw with pineapple, cabbage, carrots, sesame seeds and a ginger-soy lime vinaigrette brings a tropical taste to traditional slaw.
Hawaiian Coleslaw
Grilled Broccolini
This grilled broccolini is topped with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and marcona almonds for a delicious crunch. It’s a perfect crowd-pleasing side dish.
Grilled Broccolini with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
The BEST Arugula Salad with Parmesan & Pine Nuts
This Arugula Salad recipe with red wine vinaigrette is my go-to green salad. The arugula has a peppery bite to it which pairs wonderfully with the acidity of the vinaigrette.
Simple Arugula Salad
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries with Lemon Tarragon Aioli are perfect for snacking. Strips of zucchini, coated in panko cook up perfectly crispy in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Thai Cucumber Salad
This Thai Cucumber Salad is crunchy, sweet & tangy. It’s a refreshing salad that can be made ahead of time and is perfect for the warm summer months.
Thai Cucumber Salad
Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad Recipe
This Tomato Cucumber Salad features fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. Dressed in a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette, every bite is bursting with refreshing Mediterranean flavors!
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Peach Caprese Salad
This fresh and tangy Peach Caprese Salad features sweet peaches, creamy burrata cheese, and juicy tomatoes. A perfect blend of summery flavors!
Peach Caprese Salad
Easy Mexican Street Corn Salad Recipe
Mexican Street Corn Salad with Pearl Couscous puts a fun twist on elotes. Smoky grilled corn, a creamy cumin-lime dressing, and pearl couscous combine to create this delicious salad.
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Healthy Summer Pasta Salad with Zucchini & Parmesan
This Summer Pasta Salad recipe may be the best I’ve tried to date! Packed with sauteed zucchini, loads of parmesan cheese, fresh dill and crunchy walnuts.
Summer Pasta Salad with Zucchini & Parmesan
Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
This Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons is the perfect side dish. Sweet tomatoes combine with a tangy vinaigrette and delicious roasted lemons.
Cherry Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemons
Insanely Good Sauteed Spinach
Add a healthy boost of nutrients to your dinner with this easy Sauteed Spinach. Baby spinach is added to a skillet along with garlic and olive oil, then sauteed gently to create a simple side dish that pairs with any meal!
Sauteed Spinach with Garlic
Crispy Smashed Buffalo Potatoes
Crispy Smashed Buffalo Potatoes are crazy good! This recipe is like a mash up of buffalo wings, nachos, and tater tots in the best way possible!
Crispy Smashed Buffalo Potatoes
Fennel & Chickpea Salad
This Fennel and Chickpea Salad is tossed in a light citrus vinaigrette & topped with parmesan. It’s the perfect make-ahead salad for potlucks or lunches.
Fennel & Chickpea Salad
Creamy Zucchini Soup
Take advantage of the summer harvest with this savory and nourishing creamy zucchini soup. Perfect for freezing and using up frozen zucchini!
Lemony Zucchini Soup
Kale Caesar Salad
Vegetarian Kale Caesar Salad with croutons and parmesan cheese. Massaging the creamy garlic dressing into the kale makes it extra tender and delicious.
Kale Caesar Salad
Shaved Fennel Salad
This Shaved Fennel Salad comes together quickly (in just 10-minutes!) and has such a delicious light lemon vinaigrette and wonderful crunch.
Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad
Healthy Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese & Crispy Onions
This Healthy Wedge Salad Recipe is topped with buttermilk-blue cheese dressing and combines iceberg lettuce with radicchio and romaine. It’s topped with crispy onions and bacon for added crunch.
Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Bacon and asparagus are two ingredients that are nearly perfect on their own when prepared correctly. Put ’em together, and it’s a match made in heaven.Recipe: The Modern Proper
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Cheesy Corn Casserole
If you love cornbread, our cheesy corn casserole is for you–with creamed and whole kernel corn, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, this is one hot dish!Recipe: The Modern Proper
Cheesy Corn Casserole
Easy Creamed Corn
Just a few everyday ingredients you probably have on hand are transformed into the best side dish ever! This creamed corn recipe is easy, fast, and goes with everything.Recipe: Salt and Lavender
Easy Creamed Corn
Jalapeño Poppers
This jalapeño poppers recipe is a game day and party classic! These bite-size treats are oven baked, so there’s no messy frying involved. They’re loaded with bacon and cheese!Recipe: Salt and Lavender
Jalapeño Poppers
Black Bean Corn Avocado Salad
This black bean salad recipe has corn and fresh avocado for the ultimate summer salad! It’s the perfect pairing with any BBQ dish, and it’s great for potlucks.Recipe: Salt and Lavender
Black Bean Corn Avocado Salad
Berry Caprese Salad
This Berry Caprese Salad has lightly dressed arugula, basil and mint topped with juicy berries, mozzarella and drizzled with balsamic glaze.Recipe: Simply Scratch
Berry Caprese Salad
Seafood Pasta Salad
This seafood pasta salad is a quick and easy dish with shrimp and crab meat tossed in butter and mixed in with a creamy homemade dressing!Recipe: Britney Breaks Bread
Seafood Pasta Salad
Watermelon Feta Salad
This Watermelon Salad is the perfect refreshing summer salad! Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a side dish, you’ll love this salad!Recipe: The Healthful Ideas
Watermelon Feta Salad
Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash
Make dinner special with Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash. This Italian side dish is delicious with herbs, lemon and feta cheese!Recipe: Mad Creations Hub
Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash
Grilled Vegetables with Chimichurri & Burrata
This summer side dish will become your absolutely go-to all the way through August: grilled vegetables with chimichurri, burrata cheese, and grilled bread.Recipe: The Original Dish
Grilled Vegetables with Chimichurri & Burrata
Easy Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
This tomato bruschetta is all things fresh and satisfying! So whether you’re overrun with a summer tomato crop or simply craving a bright and colorful appetizer, this one’s for you. Just 15 minutes and 6 ingredients required! Recipe: Minimalist Baker
Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
Strawberry Basil Focaccia Bread
This strawberry focaccia bread is the perfect sweet and savory combo. Caramelized onions, strawberries, basil and flaky salt!Recipe: How Sweet Eats
Strawberry Basil Focaccia Bread
Heirloom Tomato Tart
This vegan Heirloom Tomato Tart is made with puff pastry, a creamy non-dairy cheese, pesto & heirloom tomato slices.Recipe: This Savory Vegan
Heirloom Tomato Tart
Carrot Ribbon Salad with Arugula
Carrot Ribbon Salad is made with arugula, sweet carrots, goat cheese and sliced almonds. It’s extra delicious with an orange ginger dressing!Recipe: Life Around the Table
Carrot Ribbon Salad with Arugula
More Summer Recipes
Did you Make Any of These Summer Sides?
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Full Recipe
35+ Summer Sides
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy vibrant, fresh, and flavorful side dishes that complement any meal. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, a picnic at the park, or a casual dinner on the patio, you'll find the perfect side dish in this blog post. From crisp salads and tangy slaws to grilled vegetables and refreshing fruit dishes, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
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Serves 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups shredded green cabbage (packed)
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage (packed)
- 1 cup fresh pineapple (diced)
- 1/2 cup grated carrots (packed)
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (minced )
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh ginger (grated)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 lime (juiced)
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
Instructions
- Combine cabbages, carrots, pineapple, green onions and cilantro in a large bowl and set aside.
- Add ginger, olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil and lime juice to a mason jar, shake well to combine, and pour over the slaw. Stir to combine. Season with salt to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before eating. Garnish with black sesame seeds.
Notes
Here’s a tutorial for making those cute heart shaped carrots.
Nutrition
Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 148mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2025IU | Vitamin C: 30.5mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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