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Summer is a time of BBQs, swim parties, and lazy days. I love to barbecue, try new recipes, and host plenty of gatherings. From healthy to easy, I have summer side dishes to accompany any meal perfectly.

More Collections: Summer Appetizers, Summer Soups, Summer Drink Recipes

Collage of summer side dish recipes.
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We Love Summer Sides!

I 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 I rounded up all of my favorite summer side dishes for potlucks and cookouts!

Why we love these sides:

  • Summer produce. Seasonal fruits and veggies create the best and easiest sides. Grill it or toss it in a salad, there are so many options.
  • Bonus tips. We’ve included extra hosting and serving tips and tricks to keep the party going all summer long.
  • A bit of it all. 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.
Grilled corn on the cob served on a white platter.

Summer produce

Fruits and veggies make great sides to any summer meal. They are great grilled, roasted, raw with dip, or tossed in a salad. Mix and match the colors and textures to help provide balance to the meal.

Some of my favorite summer produce include: 

  • Summer vegetables. artichokes, beans, bell peppers, cucumbers, carrot, eggplant, greens (lettuce, spinach, red cabbage), shallot, red onions, summer squashes (yellow squash, zucchini), sweet corn, sweet potatoes, and fresh herbs
  • Summer fruits. avocados, berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), grapes, kiwi, mango, melons (cantaloupe, watermelon), peaches, and tomatoes
Cucumber tomato salad with fresh basil in a white bowl.

Best Summer Sides

Classic flavors like watermelon salad and mixed Fruit Salads, or a veggie Cucumber Tomato Salad and rich Italian Pasta Salad with a simple vinaigrette are always go-to’s.

From sweet to savory, we’ve rounded up our best bites to pair with your summer dinner ideas!

1 Fruit Salad Recipe

Side Dish Fruit Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 52 votes
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2 Pasta Salad Recipe

Side Dish Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 251 votes
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3 Summer Corn Salad Recipe

Salad Summer Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 87 votes
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4 Broccoli Salad Recipe

Salad Broccoli Salad Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 82 votes
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5 Corn on the Cob on the Grill

Side Dish Corn on the Cob on the Grill
Total Time: 17 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
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6 Macaroni Salad

Salad, Side Dish Macaroni Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 111 votes
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7 How to Cut a Watermelon

Side Dish How to Cut a Watermelon
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 25 votes
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8 Potato Salad Recipe

Salad Potato Salad Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 32 votes
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9 Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Side Dish Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 25 votes
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10 Baked Beans Recipe

Side Dish Baked Beans Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 41 votes
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Easy Summer Side Dishes

Crunch into a fresh ear of corn smothered in mayo and spices or enjoy a side of garlic potatoes, these easy side dishes will pair perfectly with your BBQ Chicken and grilled Burgers.

11 Parmesan Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Parmesan Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
4.91 from 11 votes
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12 Microwave Corn

Side Dish Microwave Corn
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 41 votes
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13 Glazed Carrots

Side Dish Glazed Carrots
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 1519 votes
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14 Perfect Baked Potato

Main Course Perfect Baked Potato
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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15 Mexican Corn on the Cob

Appetizer, Side Dish Mexican Corn on the Cob
Total Time: 14 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 62 votes
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16 Mexican Street Corn Recipe

Side Dish Mexican Street Corn Recipe
Total Time: 13 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 574 votes
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17 Corn Casserole Recipe

Side Dish Corn Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 2 votes
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18 Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

Side Dish Crockpot Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
4.93 from 13 votes
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19 Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes

Side Dish Roasted Sweet Potato Cubes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 128 votes
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20 Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Red Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 90 votes
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21 Fruit Kabobs

Side Dish Fruit Kabobs
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 15 votes
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22 Green Bean Salad Recipe

Side Dish Green Bean Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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23 Mexican Corn Salad Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Mexican Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
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24 Frito Corn Salad Recipe

Salad, Side Dish Frito Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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25 Quick Caprese Salad Recipe

Salad Quick Caprese Salad Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 2 votes
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26 Wedge Salad Recipe

Salad Wedge Salad Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 4 votes
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27 Cobb Salad

Salad Cobb Salad
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 12 votes
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28 Arugula Salad Recipe

Main Course, Salad, Side Dish Arugula Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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29 Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe

Salad Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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30 Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe

Salad Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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31 Tomato Mozzarella Salad

Salad Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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32 7 Layer Salad Recipe

Salad, Side Dish 7 Layer Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 20 votes
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33 Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe

Salad Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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34 Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe

Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish Caprese Stuffed Avocados Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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35 Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe

Salad Broccoli Strawberry Salad Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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36 Broccoli Slaw Recipe

Salad, Side Dish Broccoli Slaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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37 Cheesecake Fruit Salad Recipe

Dessert Cheesecake Fruit Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes

Recipe Video

4.93 from 56 votes
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38 Ambrosia Salad Recipe

Salad, Side Dish Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 9 votes
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Healthy Summer Sides

We love to bite into fresh veggies and bright salads during the summer. Keep it light and healthy with any of these flavorful healthy side dishes.

39 Roasted Carrots Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Carrots Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 4 votes
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40 Sauteed Green Beans Recipe

Side Dish Sauteed Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 2 votes
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41 Zucchini Chips Recipe

Side Dish Zucchini Chips Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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42 Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 5 votes
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43 Grilled Asparagus

Side Dish Grilled Asparagus
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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44 Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe

Side Dish Oven Roasted Vegetables Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 31 votes
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45 Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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46 Roasted Broccoli Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Broccoli Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 16 votes
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47 Kale Salad Recipe

Salad Kale Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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48 Baked French Fries Recipe

Appetizer, Salad Baked French Fries Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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49 Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe

Side Dish Baked Parmesan Asparagus Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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50 Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Air Fryer Zucchini Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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51 Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Roasted brussels sprouts on white plate.
Side Dish Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 204 votes
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52 Roasted Green Beans Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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53 Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Side Dish Cauliflower Rice Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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54 Arugula Salad Recipe

Main Course, Salad, Side Dish Arugula Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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55 Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

Salad Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 11 votes
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56 Southwest Quinoa Salad Recipe

Salad Southwest Quinoa Salad Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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57 Southwest Caprese Salad Recipe

Salad Southwest Caprese Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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58 Greek Orzo Salad Recipe

Main Course, Salad Greek Orzo Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 15 votes
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A Favorite Summer Salad

Corn Salad is light and flavorful, dressed simply with Italian dressing. The perfect sauce for a light summer salad! 

One of the main reasons we love this salad is that it takes less than 15 minutes to make. It’s full of corn, basil, cucumber, feta, and tomatoes – some of my favorite ingredients.

Here is the recipe:

No ratings yet

55+ Summer Side Dishes

By: Lil’ Luna
Summer is a time of BBQs, swim parties, and lazy days. I love to barbecue, try new recipes, and host plenty of gatherings. From healthy to easy, I have summer side dishes to accompany any meal perfectly.
Servings: 4
Prep: 7 minutes
Total: 7 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups corn, fresh or thawed frozen corn
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup cucumber, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced
  • cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons Italian dressing, (optional)

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of oil, lime juice, and salt. Set bowl aside.
  • With remaining oil, cook corn in skillet until corn is tender.
  • Cool corn slightly in large bowl. Then add tomatoes, cucumber, and basil. Chill just until serving.
  • Drizzle with dressing right before serving. Top with feta cheese and italian dressing (if desired).

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 365mg, Potassium: 270mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 550IU, Vitamin C: 17.8mg, Calcium: 68mg, Iron: 0.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.


best sides for your summer meal!

We like to keep our meals and especially our side dishes simple and easy during the summer and these recipes do just that! They are also so delicious that they are some of our favorites to make year round!

More Collections: Summer Dinner Ideas, Summer Crockpot Recipes, Frozen Drink Recipes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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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.