15 Healthy and Refreshing Recipes for Summer

The best way to beat the heat is with healthy, delicious, light, and easy-to-make meals.
Homemade salsa verde with cilantro
Homemade salsa verde with cilantro
This article may have featured some affiliate links that are independently selected by our editors. We may earn affiliate revenue and commission when you buy something here. Affiliate Disclosure
Jump to Recipe

Summer is here and that means it's time to start thinking about healthy, refreshing recipes for the hot days ahead. If you’re looking for ways to stay on top of your health without sacrificing taste, look no further – we've got some amazing summer recipes sure to keep you feeling satisfied!

From light and airy salads loaded with fresh vegetables to mouthwatering grilling dishes that will make your next barbecue a hit, each recipe combines healthy ingredients with delicious flavors in order to give you an unforgettable taste experience.

Related Recipe Books:

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

The 15 Best Healthy Summer Recipes

So, if you're ready to conquer this season in style while having fun in the kitchen, read on, and let's get cooking!

Assorted hamburgers neatly arranged on a wooden cutting board, showcasing their savory fillings and fresh ingredients
Skinnytaste

Turkey Burger

Assorted hamburgers neatly arranged on a wooden cutting board, showcasing their savory fillings and fresh ingredients
Skinnytaste

We're all about this burger for one easy reason - we let it do its thing. We didn't disguise the fact it's made from ground turkey; instead we celebrated it.

We brought out the flavors and made it the baddest turkey burger out there.

Get the Turkey Burger recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
A dish of refreshing cucumber salad with juicy tomatoes and crisp onions, perfect for a light and healthy meal
The Blond Cook

Cucumber Tomato Salad

A dish of refreshing cucumber salad with juicy tomatoes and crisp onions, perfect for a light and healthy meal
The Blond Cook

There's nothing like a refreshing cucumber tomato salad to cool you down on a hot day. This salad is healthy, easy to make, and delicious. Cucumbers and tomatoes are both low in calories and high in nutrients, making them the perfect choice for a healthy salad.

To make the salad, start by chopping up some cucumbers and tomatoes. Then, mix them together with some diced onions and your favorite dressing.

You can use any type of dressing you like, but we recommend something light and refreshing, like vinaigrette or olive oil and vinegar.

The cucumber tomato salad is best when served cold, so we usually make it ahead of time and let it chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving. It's the perfect summertime dish!

Get the Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Melon Panzanella

Close-up of melon panzanella
Bon Appetit

Have you ever had Panzanella? It’s a Tuscan salad that traditionally consists of bread, tomatoes, and olive oil. Sometimes, cucumbers or onions are added, but the main ingredients are bread and tomatoes. It’s a simple salad, but it’s so good!

For a light summer dinner, you should consider melon Panzanella. The dish uses honeydew melon, bread, tomatoes, red onion, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It was delicious!

The sweetness of the honeydew melon went perfectly with the sourness of the balsamic vinegar. And the crunchiness of the bread was a great contrast to the softness of the melon. This salad is definitely a winner!

Get the Melon Panzanella recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
A white plate holds cucumber slices, cream cheese, and tomatoes arranged in a colorful and appetizing display
Best Appetizers

Goat Cheese Cucumber Bites

A white plate holds cucumber slices, cream cheese, and tomatoes arranged in a colorful and appetizing display
Best Appetizers

To make these bites, start by slicing a cucumber into thin rounds. Then, spread some goat cheese on each slice. You can either use a store-bought variety or make your own using fresh herbs and garlic. Finally, top each slice with a small piece of fresh parsley or thyme.

The great thing about this recipe is that it can be tailored to your taste buds. If you don't like goat cheese, you can substitute another type of cheese or even hummus. And if you're not a fan of cucumbers, you can use any other type of vegetable or fruit.

Get the Goat Cheese Cucumber Bites recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
A bowl of tangy green salsa with crispy tortilla chips on the side
Cooking Classy

Salsa Verde

A bowl of tangy green salsa with crispy tortilla chips on the side
Cooking Classy

Salsa Verde, a tangy and fresh sauce that will elevate any dish to new heights, has long been a favorite among Mexican cuisine enthusiasts.

Made with a combination of tomatillos, cilantro, onions, jalapeno peppers, and lime juice, Salsa Verde provides the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and sour flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

It's not only versatile but also healthy and low in calories, making it a great addition to any diet.

Get the Salsa Verde recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Strawberry Soup

Strawberry soup with fruit and mint in a bowl
Adobe Stock

Strawberry Soup is a popular cold soup that is made with fresh strawberries, cream, and sugar. It can be served either chilled or at room temperature, depending on the ingredients used. Some variations of strawberry soup include adding cream, yogurt, or ice cream to the recipe.

All in all, this recipe for Strawberry Soup is very simple, and it can be made in just a few minutes using a blender or food processor.

Get the Strawberry Soup recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Watermelon and cheese skewers arranged on a pristine white paper
Recipes From A Pantry

Watermelon Prosciutto Skewers

Watermelon and cheese skewers arranged on a pristine white paper
Recipes From A Pantry

Watermelon Prosciutto Skewers are a delicious and easy way to enjoy watermelon. The skewers can be made with either pre-sliced watermelon or whole watermelon cubes. For the best results, use a firm watermelon that is not overly ripe.

Start by cutting the watermelon into 1-inch cubes. If using pre-sliced watermelon, cut each slice into 1-inch cubes. Next, cut the prosciutto into 1-inch strips. Thread a piece of prosciutto onto a skewer, followed by a cube of watermelon.

Repeat until the skewer is full. Grill or broil for 2-3 minutes, turning once until the prosciutto is crispy. Serve immediately.

Get the Watermelon Prosciutto Skewers recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
A bowl of fresh cucumbers, sliced and mixed with onions and red onions, ready to be served
Healthy Fitness Meals

Cucumber and Onion Salad

A bowl of fresh cucumbers, sliced and mixed with onions and red onions, ready to be served
Healthy Fitness Meals

When you hear the words "cucumber and onion salad," you might think of a dish that your grandmother used to make. And, in a way, you'd be right. This salad has been around for centuries. It's a simple dish, but it's incredibly delicious.

Cucumbers and onions are two of the most versatile vegetables out there. They can be used in salads, side dishes, and even desserts. And they both have a very mild flavor, which means that they're perfect for pairing with other ingredients.

In this particular salad, cucumbers and onions are combined with vinegar and oil to create a delicious dressing. The salad can be served either cold or warm, depending on your preference.

Get the Cucumber and Onion Salad recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Close-up of summer quiche recipe with scapes and ham
Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Summer Quiche Recipe with Scapes and Ham

Close-up of summer quiche recipe with scapes and ham
Confessions of an Overworked Mom

Summer Quiche Recipe with Scapes and Ham. What could be more quintessentially summer than a quiche made with fresh produce? This recipe features scapes and ham, both of which are at their peak in the summer months.

Scapes are tender green stalks that grow from the bulbs of garlic plants. They have a mild garlicky flavor and are perfect for adding to quiche or other dishes. Ham is a classic addition to quiche, but you could also use bacon, sausage, or any other type of meat.

Get the Summer Quiche Recipe with Scapes and Ham recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Mint

Close-up of watermelon salad with cucumber and mint
Comfortably Domestic

Watermelon is a popular fruit that is often eaten during the summer. This recipe for watermelon salad with cucumber and mint is a refreshing and healthy dish that you can make any time of the year.

The watermelon is combined with cucumber and mint, which are both fresh and flavorful ingredients. The salad is then dressed with a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, and salt.

Get the Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Mint recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Close-up of mango corn salsa with black beans
It's a Veg World After All

Mango Corn Salsa with Black Beans

Close-up of mango corn salsa with black beans
It's a Veg World After All

Get ready for a flavor explosion with this Mango Corn Salsa with Black Beans! This refreshing summer dish is packed with protein from the black beans and bursting with bold flavors from the jalapeno, cilantro, and lime.

It’s perfect for your next barbecue or cookout, and you can enjoy it with chips or as a side dish. Plus, this recipe is just the beginning of all the delicious ways you can use sweet corn this season.

With every bite of this salsa, you’ll savor the perfect mix of sweet and spicy, tangy and fresh. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself craving it all summer long!

Get the Mango Corn Salsa with Black Beans recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Fruit salad with yogurt in melon cantaloupe bowl
Canva Photos

Cantaloupe Fruit Salad

Cantaloupe fruit salad
Canva Photos

Cantaloupe fruit salad is a healthy and refreshing dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch or dinner. The salad is made by combining chopped cantaloupe, cucumber, and mint leaves.

The salad is then dressed with a simple vinaigrette made of olive oil, lime juice, and honey. This easy salad can be made in just minutes and is perfect for any occasion.

Get the Cantaloupe Fruit Salad recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Peach Gazpacho

Close-up of peach gazpacho with vegetables in a bowl
Adobe Stock

Peach Gazpacho is a refreshing, chilled soup that can be made with fresh or frozen peaches. This soup can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a light lunch.

Gazpacho is a Spanish dish that typically consists of vegetables and bread soaked in tomato broth. For this recipe, we’ve added some peach puree to give it a sweet and fruity flavor.

If you have time, we recommend chilling the soup for at least 2 hours before serving so that the flavors can blend together.

Get the Peach Gazpacho recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Close-up of lemon basil chicken salad
The Rustic Foodie

Lemon Basil Chicken Salad

Close-up of lemon basil chicken salad
The Rustic Foodie

Lemon Basil Chicken Salad is a dish made of cooked chicken, lemon juice, fresh basil, salt, and black pepper. It is usually served chilled or at room temperature.

The salad can be made by poaching or grilling chicken breasts and then cubing the meat. Lemon juice, diced red onion, and chopped fresh basil are then added to the chicken.

The salad is seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste. It can be served on a bed of greens or in a wrap.

Get the Lemon Basil Chicken Salad recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Freshly cooked corn on the cob garnished with aromatic herbs, presented on a pristine white background
Recipes From A Pantry

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Freshly cooked corn on the cob garnished with aromatic herbs, presented on a pristine white background
Recipes From A Pantry

Instant Pot corn on the cob is a delicious and easy way to cook fresh corn on the cob. You can have perfectly cooked corn in just minutes with an Instant Pot while also retaining all of the flavor and nutrients of the corn.

The key is to add a small amount of water to the pot, place the corn in, and then cook on high pressure for 2 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, and then release any remaining pressure. The corn will be perfectly cooked and tender.

Get the Instant Pot Corn on the Cob recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below