33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (2024)

Creamy potato salad, refreshing drinks and flavorful grilled fish are among our readers' top picks for healthy summer recipes. These recipes are full of the season's freshest produce like zucchini, strawberries and watermelon. Recipes like Grilled Fish Tacos and Blackberry-Ginger Ice Cream Sandwiches are tasty, nutritious and a great addition to backyard BBQ.

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Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto & Shrimp

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (1)

Cut some carbs and use spiralized zucchini in place of noodles in this zesty pesto pasta dish recipe. Top with Cajun-seasoned shrimp to complete this quick and easy dinner. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2017

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Grilled Fish Tacos

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (2)

Instead of deep-frying the fish for these fish tacos, we coat the fish with a flavor-packed chile rub and grill it instead. Make sure the fillets are no more than 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick so they cook quickly. Sometimes flipping fish on the grill can be tricky since the fish can stick to the grill or fall apart. The solution is to invest in a grill basket that easily holds 4 to 6 fish fillets and secures the fish in the basket for easy flipping. If you don't have a grilling basket, make sure the grill is hot and well oiled before adding the fish. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2010

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Massaged Kale Salad

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (3)

Here a pungent garlicky dressing is infused into kale by massaging the greens and the dressing together with your hands. Any type of kale will work in this kale salad recipe, just remember to remove the tough stems before you start. Source: EatingWell Soups Special Issue April 2016

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Watermelon, Cucumber & Feta Salad

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (4)

Here's a healthy salad recipe to make at the height of summer when watermelon and cucumbers are at their juiciest and most flavorful. Feta adds the perfect creamy, salty, tangy edge, and mint makes this salad taste even brighter. This is one easy side salad you'll want to serve at all your summer BBQs. Source: EatingWell.com, April 2019

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Fruit & Yogurt Smoothie

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (5)

This easy fruit smoothie with yogurt recipe calls for just three ingredients--yogurt, fruit juice and whatever frozen fruit you have on hand. Mix up your combinations from day to day for a healthy breakfast or snack you'll never get bored with.

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Grilled Salmon with Tomatoes & Basil

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (6)

This recipe is so beautiful and yet so simple to prepare--it's perfect for entertaining. You just spread a side of salmon with minced garlic, sprinkle with fresh basil, then layer sliced tomatoes on top. Put it on the grill for 10 minutes and you're done! Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2010

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Blackberry-Ginger Ice Cream Sandwiches

Graham crackers soften (without getting soggy!) in the freezer, yielding that perfectly chewy texture we love in the giant ice cream truck classic. Fold each sandwich in plastic wrap before freezing to hold in moisture. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2018

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Mexican Pasta Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (7)

Everyone will love this Mexican-inspired pasta salad recipe. We lighten up the creamy dressing with avocado for a healthier version of a picnic favorite.

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Greek Turkey Burgers with Spinach, Feta & Tzatziki

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (8)

Creamy tzatziki and crisp sliced cucumber add a refreshing twist to this easy Greek-inspired burger recipe loaded with feta, spinach and Mediterranean spices. No tzatziki? No problem! Make your own at home by combining plain Greek yogurt with a squeeze of lemon, dill and finely chopped cucumber. Source: EatingWell.com, February 2018

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Bev's Chocolate Chip Cookies

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (9)

EatingWell reader Beverley Sharpe of Santa Barbara, California, contributed this healthy chocolate chip cookie recipe. She gave chocolate chip cookies a healthy update by cutting back on sugar and incorporating whole grains. To increase protein, Sharpe replaces the rolled oats with 1 cup almond meal. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2012

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Creamy Red Potato Salad

A dressing of nonfat yogurt enriched with a little reduced-fat mayonnaise and Dijon mustard replaces the heavier dressings in more traditional potato salad recipes. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 1994

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Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Almond Pesto & Butter Beans

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (10)

Need some new meatless dinner ideas? This vegan recipe for grilled cauliflower steaks with buttery (but butter-free!) butter beans and almond pesto comes together in just 25 minutes but is impressive enough to serve to guests. We're sorry to ask you to buy 2 heads of cauliflower to make this recipe when you only cut a couple of "steaks" from each, but it guarantees the best results. Just think of it this way: having leftovers gives you an excuse to try one of our many other healthy cauliflower recipes! Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2019

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Japanese Cucumber Salad

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (11)

This Japanese-inspired cool, crisp salad is as elegant and well balanced as it is simple. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June/July 2005

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Blueberry-Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (12)

This healthy pound cake recipe isn't just delicious--it also only requires one bowl to make. For the best cake texture, be sure to beat the sugar and butter together long enough in Step 2 to look creamy--the time it takes to get there varies according to the type of electric mixer you have. Serve with brunch or alongside a cup of coffee in the afternoon. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2016

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Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad

This creamy crowd-pleasing pasta salad features the tantalizing flavors of Buffalo chicken with a healthy dose of vegetables. Bring it to your next potluck or picnic, or whip it up for game day. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2018

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Cucumber-Lemonade Chiller

Pick up rosemary, cucumbers and lemons to concoct this grown-up lemonade that will keep you cool on a hot day. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2009

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Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Watermelon Panzanella

Typically, panzanella is made with tomatoes and dressing-soaked bread cubes. Here, the salad goes sweet and savory but keeps the same look with ripe watermelon. Spring for your favorite bread--it has a starring role in this dish. Serving the salad with grilled pork tenderloin makes a healthy dinner that's simple enough for weeknights. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2019

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Strawberry Shortcake Cake

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (13)

Sweet strawberries are nestled between layers of sponge cake and a cream filling in this easy cake. We add nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt to whipped cream to lighten up the filling and give it a little tang. Source: EatingWell.com, April 2018

Classic Potato Salad

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (14)

In this healthy and creamy potato salad recipe, yogurt replaces half of the mayo and we keep the potato skins on for more fiber and potassium. To hard-boil the eggs while your potatoes are steaming, place them directly on top of the potatoes in the steamer basket. They'll be perfectly hard-boiled when the potatoes are tender. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2015

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Shrimp & Pepper Kebabs with Grilled Red Onion Slaw

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (15)

These healthy grilled shrimp and mini bell pepper kebabs come together in just 30 minutes, so they're great for weeknight dinners. A bag of coleslaw mix is a time-saving meal starter. Here, we make it our own by mixing in grilled red onion and crushed pita chips. A homemade herb-feta dressing both coats the slaw and sauces the kebabs. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May 2019

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Vegetarian Taco Salad

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (16)

Nobody will miss the meat in this colorful, zesty vegetarian taco salad. The rice and bean mixture can be made ahead and the salad quickly assembled at mealtime. Recipe by Nancy Baggett for EatingWell. Source: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2010

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Lemon Icebox Pie with Coconut-Graham Cracker Crust

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (17)

Light and delicious, this easy old-fashioned lemon icebox pie takes dessert up a notch thanks to coconut in the crust, which boosts both flavor and texture. For the brightest hit of citrus use fresh-squeezed lemon juice. Look for graham crackers made with 100% whole-wheat flour to get the most fiber. Seeing graham flour on the label? Good news--that's coarsely ground whole-wheat. Source: EatingWell Magazine, April 2019

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Kimchi Pork Burgers

This amped-up burger recipe swaps out beef for ground pork: it gives you similar nutrition (protein, iron, zinc) but has a milder flavor to allow this recipe's bold Asian flavors to sing. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2019

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Heirloom Tomato Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette

33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (18)

For this fast salad recipe, we top summer's ripest tomatoes with a bold tomato-based dressing for good measure. Serve as a light lunch with whole-grain toast or pair with grilled steak and chicken for dinner. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2018

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Watermelon Agua Fresca

This refreshing drink is served by roadside vendors all over Mexico. Not too much fruit, not too much sugar, just a beautiful way to quench your thirst on a summer day. Source: EatingWell Magazine, June/July 2006

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Mexican Coleslaw

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (19)

Enjoy this crunchy, refreshing alternative to mayonnaise-based coleslaw on a taco or on the side.

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Grilled Blackened Shrimp Tacos

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (20)

Give juicy shrimp tacos a Cajun flavor spin with spices and a quick sear on a hot grill. An easy avocado mash adds creaminess to cool off the spicy kick. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Vegan Watermelon Fruit Pizza

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (21)

Wedges of juicy watermelon topped with nondairy coconut yogurt and berries make for a crisp and refreshing dessert. To feed a crowd, leave the wedges blank and let guests add their own toppings to the yogurt. Source: EatingWell.com, January 2019

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Tomato, Cucumber & White-Bean Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (22)

This no-cook bean salad is a delicious way to use summer's best cherry or grape tomatoes and juicy cucumbers for a light dinner or lunch. Fresh basil elevates an easy vinaigrette recipe that dresses up this simple salad into something extraordinary. Source: EatingWell.com, June 2018

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Summer Vegetable Tian

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (23)

This pretty vegan layered casserole is so simple to make. Its only seasonings are salt and garlic-infused olive oil, which you make by sizzling a clove of garlic in olive oil for about a minute. This dish is lovely warm or room temperature. Serve with crusty bread as a vegetarian entree or alongside roasted meats as a side dish--don't forget a glass of chilled rosé. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2018

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Grilled Salmon with Cilantro-Ginger Sauce

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (24)

Ginger, fish sauce and honey combine to create a delicious basting sauce in this easy grilled salmon recipe. Look for Thai red chiles in the produce section of your grocery store, or use a green or red jalapeño instead. Not only is this salmon dish delicious, it also takes just 25 minutes to prepare, making it the ideal centerpiece for a healthy weeknight dinner. Source: Diabetic Living Magazine, Summer 2019

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Crunchy Chicken & Mango Salad

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (25)

This Asian-inspired dinner salad has terrific crunch, thanks to sugar snap peas and napa cabbage. Give the dressing a kick of heat by adding a bit of sambal oelek, an Indonesian hot sauce that you can find in most large supermarkets and Asian grocery stores. Source: EatingWell Magazine, July/August 2018

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Strawberry-Cucumber Juice

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33 of Our Readers' Top Summer Recipes (26)

This refreshing, healthy strawberry-cucumber juice is also made with an apple and carrots, making it taste like the farmers' market in a glass. No juicer? No problem. See the juicing variation below to make this strawberry-cucumber juice recipe in a blender.