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From healthy to easy, we have summer side dishes to accompany any meal perfectly, that are all easy and delicious!

Collage of summer side dish recipes.

We Love Summer Sides!

We LOVE fresh fruit, especially at our summer BBQs and picnics out by the pool! Even in Arizona, when the temperature drops with the setting sun, you’ll find people enjoying good food and great company outside.

There are so many mouth-watering sides to choose from, but we rounded up all of my favorite summer side dishes for potlucks and cookouts!

We have both warm and cool sides, so there is something for every summer holiday like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, and every just-because occasion.


Our Top 10 Summer Side Dishes

5 from 52 votes

Fruit Salad Recipe

This fruit salad recipe includes an array of colorful and healthy fruits, making it a delicious side dish for any meal.
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5 from 251 votes

Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Easy pasta salad with Italian dressing takes minutes to make. It's a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!
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4.99 from 87 votes

Corn Salad

This vibrant corn salad is veggie-packed, lightly dressed for a fresh taste, and ready to brighten your plate in under 15 minutes!
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4.98 from 82 votes

Broccoli Salad

Simple broccoli salad recipe delivers a hearty and satisfying crunch with a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients smothered in a creamy dressing.
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5 from 7 votes

How to Grill Corn on the Cob

Unlock the secret to unbelievably delicious grilled corn with our super simple guide on how to grill corn on the cob!
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4.98 from 111 votes

Macaroni Salad With Ham

A favorite for generations, our kid-approved macaroni salad with ham is a potluck winner made in only 20 minutes!
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5 from 25 votes

How to Cut a Watermelon

Is there anything better than a ripe juicy watermelon? Learn How to Cut a Watermelon into cubes, sticks, and triangles with our top tips!
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5 from 33 votes

Potato Salad Recipe

This perfect Potato Salad is a famous family recipe. It's simple, packed with flavor, and our most requested side for parties!
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5 from 26 votes

Easy Coleslaw Recipe

This quick and Easy Coleslaw makes the perfect side dish for any picnic or BBQ. It takes just minutes to put this classic coleslaw recipe together, and it can easily be customized with the spices and flavors you love most.
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4.98 from 41 votes

Baked Beans Recipe

Easy Homemade Baked Beans is a must-have at all of our BBQ's. Everyone who tries it agrees it's the best baked beans recipe!
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More Summer Sides

4.91 from 11 votes

Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Simple and delicious baked parmesan potatoes are the perfect side dish, made from cubed potatoes coated in parmesan and a few simple seasonings.
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5 from 41 votes

Microwave Corn

Did you know you can microwave corn on the cob? It's the quickest and easiest way to cook juicy, crispy corn on the cob.
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5 from 62 votes

Mexican Corn on the Cob

Mexican corn on the cob is one of the best street foods in the world!! It's grilled in minutes and slathered in cheese, mayo, and spices.
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5 from 579 votes

Mexican Street Corn Recipe

Made in under 20 minutes, this deliciously cheesy Mexican street corn recipe is a perfectly spiced complement to any Mexican dinner.
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5 from 2 votes

Corn Casserole Recipe

Moist and tender corn casserole requires only a handful of ingredients for an easy side that is packed with flavor!
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4.93 from 13 votes

Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

Just a few ingredients make the yummiest green beans ever! Simple Crockpot Green Beans is one of our go-to side dishes for any meal!
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5 from 91 votes

Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe

With a handful of ingredients, and 30 minutes bake time – crispy, seasoned oven roasted red potatoes will add flavor to any meal!
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5 from 15 votes

Fruit Kabobs

Our quick and colorful fruit kabobs are easy to customize, creating a healthy and delicious appetizer or side – perfect for every occasion!
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5 from 4 votes

Green Bean Salad Recipe

Crisp and flavorful green bean salad is seasoned with garlic, feta, and lemon for a tasty side, perfect to accompany any dinner!
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5 from 7 votes

Mexican Corn Salad Recipe

Grilled Mexican corn salad is a quick, easy twist on Elote. It's a perfect side for pairing with your Mexican favorites!
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5 from 15 votes

Frito Corn Salad Recipe

Fresh and tasty frito corn salad is bursting with sweet corn and covered in a perfectly spicy creamy sauce. It is perfectly refreshing.
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5 from 2 votes

Quick Caprese Salad Recipe

Simple and Quick Caprese Salad is easy and delicious with pops of mozzarella, tomatoes, avocados and drizzled with a balsamic glaze!
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5 from 4 votes

Wedge Salad Recipe

This fresh wedge salad is a classic. It's crisp and refreshing, smothered in creamy dressing and topped with crumbles of cheese and bacon.
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Instant Pot Potato Salad

It may be quicker, but this creamy instant pot potato salad has all of the flavor and texture of the original.
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5 from 7 votes

Arugula Salad Recipe

Fresh Arugula salad is loaded with healthy greens, juicy tomatoes, and parmesan shavings with pine nuts and creamy avocado on top!
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5 from 10 votes

Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe

Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad – a simple, delicious and quick salad perfect for dinner or for BBQs and get togethers. So many great flavors!
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5 from 6 votes

Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

Fresh, vibrant Cucumber Tomato Salad is a simple salad perfect for summer and your bounteous harvest. It's a quick side for any meal!
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5 from 10 votes

Tomato Mozzarella Salad

Our favorite fresh tomato mozzarella salad delivers big flavors with just 4 simple ingredients in under 10 minutes!
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5 from 20 votes

7 Layer Salad Recipe

Deliciously customizable 7 Layer Salad is filled with just the right amount of goodness. It's perfect to make ahead!
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5 from 14 votes

Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe

Strawberry Harvest Salad tastes just like the salad at Zupa's! It's topped with a homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette dressing.
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5 from 6 votes

Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe

Simple and Fresh Caprese Stuffed Avocados are a twist on classic flavors. This is a perfect appetizer or side to any meal!
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5 from 17 votes

Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe

Strawberry broccoli salad is creamy and refreshing with pops of juicy fruit. It can easily be made ahead and enjoyed later!
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5 from 8 votes

Broccoli Slaw Recipe

Broccoli slaw is layered with green onions, oriental ramen noodles, peanuts, and sunflower seeds in a delicious dressing!
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4.93 from 56 votes

Cheesecake Fruit Salad

Cheesecake fruit salad is the perfect combination of creamy, fluffy, light, and fresh! It's the perfect side or crepe filling!
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5 from 9 votes

Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Ambrosia Salad will take you straight back to your childhood. This Southern creamy fruit salad is filled with mini marshmallows!
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4.95 from 18 votes

Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe

Delicious and Healthy Baked Parmesan Zucchini. These spears are crusted in Parmesan cheese and baked to perfection, making them a great side dish for any meal. 
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5 from 2 votes

Sauteed Green Beans Recipe

Sauteed green beans are a quick and easy stovetop side that is packed with flavor and comes together in minutes!
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5 from 12 votes

Zucchini Chips Recipe

If you’re looking for a tasty side, these Baked Zucchini Chips are your answer! Sliced zucchini baked to perfection with a bread crumb and parmesan crust. These bite-sized veggies taste amazing and are a great alternate to the classic fried zucchini recipe.
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4.94 from 15 votes

Herb Roasted Potatoes Recipe

Easy Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes – A yummy side dish!! Golden potatoes in lemon juice, olive oil, and lots of seasonings!!
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5 from 10 votes

Grilled Asparagus

Sprinkled with salt, pepper, and a little parmesan cheese, grilled asparagus is a simply flavorful side for any dinner recipe! 
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4.97 from 31 votes

Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Simple, flavorful, and healthy Oven roasted vegetables take less than 10 minutes of prep work! Nothing beats yummy veggies roasted in the oven!
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5 from 7 votes

Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

Juicy roasted tomatoes are the yummiest and easiest appetizer or side dish. Roasting them (with a little olive oil, basil and parmesan) brings out every delicious flavor!
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5 from 3 votes

Calabacitas

Calabacitas or "little squashes" is an easy Mexican side dish with summer squash, zucchini, and savory goodness.
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5 from 8 votes

Kale Salad Recipe

Sweet Kale Salad is topped with chunks of apple, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and bacon, served with a homemade sweet dijon vinaigrette!
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5 from 6 votes

Baked French Fries Recipe

Baked french fries are a healthy twist on a crunchy comfort food. They are still packed with flavor and will satiate all of the fried potato cravings.
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5 from 4 votes

Baked Parmesan Asparagus

Baked parmesan asparagus is the yummiest way to eat veggies! It takes just 10 minutes to prep and only a handful of seasonings.
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5 from 9 votes

Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe

Crispy air fryer zucchini will give you all the flavor and none of the guilt! This healthy version still packs the flavor punch.
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5 from 7 votes

Sweet Coleslaw Recipe

Sweet and Tangy Coleslaw is a copycat of a tasty dish from Disneyland's Big Thunder ranch. It is a perfect side dish to any meal or BBQ.
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5 from 13 votes

Roasted Green Beans Recipe

Roasted Green Beans are the easiest and most delicious healthy side dish that goes perfect with any dinner. Plus, they’re quick and great for holiday meals too.
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4.97 from 63 votes

Cilantro Lime Rice

Our 30-minute Cafe Rio cilantro lime rice tastes just like the original – perfect for a salad, burrito, or taco!
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4.75 from 4 votes

Sweet Potato Fries recipe

These Sweet Potato Fries are so delicious and crispy. If you love sweet potatoes, you’ll love these fries because they’re simple, flavorful, made in the oven and the perfect side dish to any meal.
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5 from 11 votes

Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious, and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a favorite!!
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5 from 12 votes

Southwest Quinoa Salad Recipe

Southwest Quinoa Salad is bursting with freshness. It's got a ton of texture going on and a whole lot of flavor!
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5 from 6 votes

Southwest Caprese Salad Recipe

Southwest caprese salad substitutes queso fresco and a bright cilantro jalapeño vinaigrette to add some flair. It is fresh, vibrant, and full of flavor!
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5 from 15 votes

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

This vibrant Greek orzo pasta salad is topped with a zesty homemade dressing. It's a hearty, flavorful, quick-to-make dish!
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4.95 from 37 votes

Sweet Cornbread Recipe

Moist and fluffy Sweet Cornbread is perfect to enjoy all year long, but especially with soups in the fall.
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About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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3 Comments

  1. Sue says:

    Zucchini grows really well in AZ and I love the different recipes that use it. One of my favorites is your air fry zucchini. I’m anxious to try out your other zucchini recipes.

  2. Joy says:

    Summer side dishes are the best part of the meal!! We have made so many of your recipes, in fact we made quite a few yesterday! They are always a hit!

  3. Olivia says:

    This site has so many great ideas for summertime food. The options are endless! The heat is not my favorite but the food is great and refreshing.