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Summer meals are even better with delicious side dishes that highlight the season’s fresh ingredients. From crunchy salads to grilled veggies, these 18 summer side dishes will complement any main course with ease and flavor.
Each recipe includes my favorite cooking tips to help you perfect these tasty dishes every time.
1. Grilled Corn with Garlic Butter
I love grilling corn because it brings out sweet, smoky flavors that pair wonderfully with any summer meal. Fresh corn ears brushed with melted garlic butter, seasoned lightly with salt and pepper, grill quickly until golden and tender. It’s simple, tasty, and a guaranteed hit at barbecues or family dinners.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan and chopped cilantro over the corn just after grilling. The cheese melts slightly, adding savory depth, and cilantro brightens up each bite with fresh flavor.
Get the Grilled Corn with Garlic Butter recipe.
2. Classic Potato Salad
Potato salad is my go-to summer side dish. Boiled potatoes mixed with diced celery, red onion, creamy mayonnaise, mustard, and a sprinkle of paprika make for a tasty, hearty salad. Served chilled, it’s refreshing and always welcomed at picnics, cookouts, or casual dinners with friends.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Use red potatoes with their skins on for extra texture and nutrients. Additionally, mixing in a spoonful of pickle relish gives the salad tangy sweetness and delightful crunch.
Get the Classic Potato Salad recipe.
3. Caprese Salad Skewers
Fresh mozzarella, ripe cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves threaded onto small skewers make these mini Caprese salads a delightful and portable side dish. Drizzled with balsamic glaze and olive oil, they’re tasty, refreshing, and always popular at summer gatherings or as appetizers before dinner.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Use colorful heirloom cherry tomatoes for extra sweetness and visual appeal. Also, sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt flakes just before serving to boost flavors beautifully.
Get the Caprese Salad Skewers recipe.
4. Mediterranean Pasta Salad
When the weather warms, cold pasta salads become a staple at my table. Cooked rotini pasta tossed with cucumber, olives, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and a tangy lemon-herb vinaigrette makes a flavorful, refreshing side dish that’s easy to prepare ahead and perfect for gatherings.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Chill the salad for at least one hour before serving—this resting time lets flavors combine more fully, making every bite taste more vibrant.
Get the Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.
5. Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini fritters are delicious and incredibly easy to make. Shredded zucchini mixed with flour, eggs, garlic, and fresh herbs cooks quickly in a skillet until crispy and golden. Served with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, these fritters are tasty, satisfying, and a great way to use fresh summer zucchini.
How to Make This Recipe Better
After shredding zucchini, sprinkle it lightly with salt and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then squeeze out excess water. Removing extra moisture creates crispier fritters with deeper flavor.
Get the Zucchini Fritters recipe.
6. Fresh Summer Fruit Salad
Nothing complements summer meals better than a fresh fruit salad. I love combining juicy watermelon chunks, ripe berries, pineapple, grapes, and sweet kiwi. A squeeze of fresh lime juice and a drizzle of honey elevate the sweetness, making this colorful salad refreshing and ideal for hot summer days.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Add fresh mint leaves, chopped finely, right before serving. Mint enhances freshness and balances sweetness, providing a cool, subtle flavor that makes each bite feel extra refreshing and lively.
Get the Fresh Summer Fruit Salad recipe.
7. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
These potatoes are a deliciously crispy side dish for summer grilling nights. Baby potatoes tossed in olive oil, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs roast in the oven until golden brown and crispy. They’re incredibly flavorful, satisfying, and pair well with almost any main dish.
How to Make This Recipe Better
For extra crispiness, soak cut potatoes in cold water for 15-20 minutes before roasting, then dry them thoroughly. This removes excess starch and creates an even crispier exterior that perfectly complements the fluffy interior.
Get the Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes recipe.
8. Mexican Street Corn Salad
Inspired by classic elote, this street corn salad is irresistible. Grilled corn kernels mix with creamy mayo, crumbly cotija cheese, fresh lime juice, cilantro, and chili powder, creating a tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet dish. It’s an easy way to capture vibrant Mexican flavors without the fuss of eating corn off the cob.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Lightly char the corn on a grill or stovetop pan first—this slight caramelization adds an irresistible smoky sweetness that enhances the salad’s overall taste and authenticity.
Get the Mexican Street Corn Salad recipe.
9. Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Simple and fresh, this salad is a summer staple at my house. Sliced tomatoes, crisp cucumber, thinly sliced red onions, and fresh dill tossed in a tangy vinaigrette create a tasty, crunchy, and refreshing side dish that pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or anything else you might serve.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Sprinkle feta cheese crumbles over the salad before serving. The tangy, creamy cheese complements the crunchy cucumbers and juicy tomatoes, adding depth of flavor and richness to every bite.
Get the Tomato and Cucumber Salad recipe.
10. Creamy Broccoli Salad
I love serving broccoli salad at summer potlucks—it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Fresh broccoli florets tossed in creamy dressing with crispy bacon, red onions, dried cranberries, and toasted sunflower seeds offer sweet, savory, and crunchy textures. It’s satisfying yet still feels fresh and vibrant.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Chill the dressed salad in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This resting time allows flavors to blend fully, enhancing sweetness, crispness, and overall freshness of the salad.
Get the Creamy Broccoli Salad recipe.
11. Greek Lemon Rice
This fragrant lemon rice makes a deliciously light side dish, perfect with grilled chicken or fish. Long-grain rice cooked with lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, and fresh oregano results in fluffy, aromatic rice. It’s simple but incredibly flavorful and brings a Mediterranean flair to any summer meal.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Stir in a tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving. This brightens the rice significantly, enhancing its fresh, lemony aroma and adding complexity to each bite.
Get the Greek Lemon Rice recipe.
12. Grilled Vegetable Platter
When grilling outdoors, I always prepare a platter of seasoned vegetables. Zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, mushrooms, and asparagus, lightly brushed with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, grill quickly until tender and lightly charred. This colorful dish is easy, healthy, and a versatile accompaniment to any meal.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Brush grilled veggies with a drizzle of balsamic glaze right after cooking. This adds tangy sweetness and enhances the grilled flavor, making your vegetables irresistibly delicious.
Get the Grilled Vegetable Platter recipe.
13. Summer Slaw with Apples
A crunchy slaw makes any summer meal better. Shredded cabbage combined with crisp apple slices, carrots, green onions, and a creamy, tangy dressing is refreshingly sweet and tart. It’s perfect alongside barbecue dishes or sandwiches, adding delightful crunch and vibrant flavor to your meal.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Use tart apples like Granny Smith to balance sweetness, and toss apple slices with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before mixing them in. This prevents browning and ensures bright, fresh flavor.
Get the Summer Slaw with Apples recipe.
14. Roasted Summer Squash
Summer squash tastes wonderful when simply roasted with garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. The oven roasting caramelizes the squash slightly, bringing out its natural sweetness. It’s easy to prepare, healthy, and pairs beautifully with any main course.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Sprinkle the squash with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes before roasting. This adds a delightful savory crunch and mild kick that elevates its simple flavors.
Get the Roasted Summer Squash recipe.
15. Watermelon Feta Salad
Watermelon feta salad combines sweet and savory beautifully. Juicy watermelon cubes tossed with tangy feta, mint leaves, red onion slices, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette offer refreshing, flavorful bites. It’s perfect for cooling down during hot summer days and always impresses guests at gatherings.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Chill watermelon thoroughly before assembling the salad. Cold watermelon makes the salad even more refreshing, and adding freshly cracked black pepper brings out sweetness and creates a delightful contrast of flavors.
Get the Watermelon Feta Salad recipe.
16. Herb Butter Grilled Bread
Grilled bread brushed with herb-infused butter is a simple yet irresistible side dish. Slices of crusty bread toasted on the grill until golden and crunchy, slathered with melted butter, garlic, parsley, and chives, offer delicious flavor and satisfying crunch, ideal for complementing grilled meats or salads.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Rub toasted bread lightly with fresh garlic cloves right after grilling. This adds an extra layer of rich garlic flavor that pairs wonderfully with the herb-infused butter, elevating the bread’s overall taste.
Get the Herb Butter Grilled Bread recipe.
17. Sweet and Spicy Baked Beans
Homemade baked beans are a summer cookout favorite. Navy beans baked slowly with bacon, onions, molasses, ketchup, brown sugar, and a hint of spicy mustard create sweet, savory, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors. It’s hearty and pairs well with grilled meats and potato salads, making any summer gathering feel complete.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Add a splash of apple cider vinegar right before baking. The acidity balances sweetness and deepens flavors, resulting in beans with richer, more complex tastes that guests will truly love.
Get the Sweet and Spicy Baked Beans recipe.
18. Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles
Bacon-wrapped asparagus is an easy yet elegant side dish that I love serving during summer dinners. Fresh asparagus spears wrapped with smoky bacon bake until crispy and tender. It’s savory, crunchy, and visually appealing, perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to simple summer meals.
How to Make This Recipe Better
Before baking, brush asparagus bundles lightly with maple syrup. The sweet glaze caramelizes beautifully, creating a deliciously crisp and slightly sweet exterior that complements the smoky bacon and tender asparagus perfectly.
