85 Healthy Summer Recipes To Keep You Feeling Good All Season Long
Warm weather favorites that won't weigh you down.
If you've been dreaming about backyard BBQs, picnics in the park, and getting your grill on all winter long, don't let a certain diet or trying to eat healthier derail your plans. We’ve got tons of healthy options so you’ll never be left out and can indulge in warm weather favorites all season long too. We know health looks different to different people, so we’ve included options for every diet, like low-carb, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, and even low oil. Don’t let summer pressures stop you from enjoying your favorites—remember, EVERY body is a beach body, and it’s way more important that the food you put into it makes you feel good. Check out our list of 85 healthy summer recipes, and you can live your best life in the sun this year.
We all know the most successful “diets” are about celebrating the foods we can eat instead of rueing the loss of the ones we can’t, right? Instead of avoiding our favorites altogether, we prefer to make simple swaps. Take hamburger or hot dog buns—if you’re avoiding carbs, they’re a big no-go. Try one of our many lettuce wraps, our cheeseburger cabbage wraps, our zucchini bun hot dogs, or our pineapple bun burgers. Trying to eat less meat? You won’t miss it with killer meals like our Thai-inspired grilled cauliflower steaks, our carrot hot dogs, our best-ever veggie burger, or our falafel chickpea vegetarian stuffed peppers. Avoiding oil? You know what we’re going to say—try making your faves in your air fryer. You can make everything from chicken wings to orange chicken in there without having to touch a pot of hot oil. The name of the game here is really to get creative—use our recipes for inspiration, but play around with different flavors. You might just like what you discover even like them better than the originals.
For more summertime inspiration, check out our top vegetarian BBQ recipes, our best low-carb cocktails, and our favorite air fryer vegetable recipes too.
Campfire Hot Dog Skewers
Skip the chicken kebabs or basic hot dogs—if you're looking for the most creative grilled recipe, turn to these hot dog skewers. They ditch the bun, but thanks to pineapple, bell peppers, and BBQ sauce, you won't miss it.
Get the Campfire Hot Dog Skewers recipe.
Black Bean Burgers
Plant-based burgers can be difficult to create: they need to hold their shape, have a tender, not-mushy texture, and taste delicious. In this black bean burger recipe, we think we’ve nailed all three components. The secret? We focus on making the flavor the best it can be instead of trying to make these patties replicate the taste of beef.
Get the Black Bean Burgers recipe.
Roasted Cabbage Burgers
We love cabbage in any form (schnitzel! Parmesan!), but these baked cabbage burgers are something extra special. Roasted cabbage steaks are topped with melty cheeseburgers and a smattering of all your favorite burger condiments for a cozier, healthier take on this summer backyard staple.
Get the Roasted Cabbage Burgers recipe.
Vegan Macaroni Salad
Whether you're hosting a summer potluck or BBQ, macaroni salad is a crowd favorite that ties the entire meal together. Our vegan version is no different. Full of seasonal summer veggies and a creamy yet bright vegan mayo mixture, this macaroni salad is perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike.
Get the Vegan Macaroni Salad recipe.
Carrot Hot Dogs
To turn carrots into an incredible hot dog alternative, we marinate them in a smoky, umami-packed, and slightly sweet mixture that not only adds so much flavor to the carrots, but slightly softens them. After then roasting them in the oven, they become just tender enough to have the perfect bite nestled in hot dog buns.
Get the Carrot Hot Dogs recipe.
One-Pan Summer Vegetable Ragú
Take a flavorful trip to the Mediterranean with this easy oven-roasted stew that brings to mind cozy (yes, cozy) summer days. Zucchini, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, and onions create a tender and jammy medley. The oven-roasting method makes it more hands-off, resulting in a soft, stewy blend with minimal effort.
Get the One-Pan Summer Vegetable Ragú recipe.
Zucchini Salad
If you’re looking for a surprisingly low-lift vegetable salad, then raw zucchini is the squash to turn to. Salted zucchini ribbons transform into tender noodles that get dressed with a minty creamy feta vinaigrette and tossed with toasted pignoli nuts.
Get the Zucchini Salad recipe.
Shrimp & Tomato Succotash Skillet
This amped-up take on succotash features blistered tomatoes and charred corn tossed with onion, bell peppers, lima beans, and seared Cajun-spiced shrimp, then topped with a flurry of torn basil. The protein-packed beans make this meal super-filling, but nobody would blame you if you went back for seconds.
Eggplant Bacon
When you’ve made eggplant Parm three days in a row and there’s STILL eggplant filling up your crisper drawer, make eggplant bacon. Rich and smoky with just a touch of sweetness, this homemade vegan bacon is the perfect addition to everything from salads to breakfast sandwiches—and it makes a kick-butt BLT.
Get the Eggplant Bacon recipe.
Greek Power Bowls
If you’re looking for a meal to shake up your basic summer lunches, then this Greek power bowl is the answer. This grain bowl is not only packed with protein, but it’s endlessly versatile. It also comes together in 25 minutes!
Get the Greek Power Bowls recipe.
Copycat Dave's Hot Chicken Cauliflower Sliders
Dubbed “Dave’s Not Chicken,” this dish offers all the bold flavors and textures of their classic Nashville hot chicken—minus the meat. If you don’t live near a Dave’s or simply want to re-create the experience at home, this recipe is your answer.
Get the Copycat Dave's Hot Chicken Cauliflower Sliders recipe.
Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowls
In this recipe, crispy chickpeas, cabbage slaw, and brown rice are topped with more veggies and herbs and drizzled with creamy peanut sauce for a satisfying meal that’s both hearty and healthy.
Get the Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowls recipe.
BBQ Pulled Mushrooms
Chewy, sticky, and satisfyingly meaty without any of the meat, this recipe is so meaty we believe it could convince even the biggest of mushroom haters that these veggie heroes aren't so bad after all. Plus, they're fab for vegan BBQ guests.
Get the BBQ Pulled Mushrooms recipe.
Cheeseburger Cabbage Wraps
We're BIG fans of low-carb burgers (hellooo, bunless burger bites). We love how sturdy cabbage is as a bun replacement—just make sure you buy a large cabbage so your leaves are big enough to wrap around the entire burger. Then you can make bacon wrapped cabbage with the core!
Get the Cheeseburger Cabbage Wraps recipe.
Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups
Switch up your classic lasagna recipe for this lighter, summer-worthy dinner that doesn't sacrifice on any of the flavor or richness. Instead of lasagna noodles, we use zucchini wrapped around creamy ricotta. All baked in marinara sauce, this summer dinner is a must-have to add to your rotation.
Get the Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups recipe.
Grilled Cabbage Steaks
Hear us out: While cabbage is a star side dish, it also makes for a perfect main. It’s hearty, substantial, and is surprisingly great on the grill. If you’re looking for an alternative to steak for your summer BBQ, turn to these cabbage “steaks” instead.
Get the Grilled Cabbage Steaks recipe.
Veggie Burgers
Veggie burgers might seem like the obligatory vegetarian alternative at a grill-out, but that doesn’t mean they can’t taste glorious in their own right. Whether charred on the grill or cooked to caramelized perfection in a cast-iron pan, these veggie burgers will make even meat lovers decide to go meatless for a meal.
Get the Veggie Burgers recipe.
Grilled Teriyaki Cauliflower Steaks
Looking for a vegetarian centerpiece for your summer grill-out? Make these teriyaki cauliflower steaks. Slathered in a brown sugar and soy glaze and showered with scallions and toasted sesame seeds, these saucy cauliflower steaks might just upstage the ribs.
Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Steaks
Bunches of zucchini jamming up your crisper drawer? These cheesy garlic zucchini “steaks” are calling your name. Slathered with garlic oil and showered with mozzarella and parmesan, this showstopping vegetarian side might just upstage the actual steaks at the grill-out.
Get the Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Steaks recipe.
