20 Refreshing Healthy Summer Dinner Recipes Perfect for Warm Evenings
1. Caprese Zoodle Bowls
Fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes and fragrant basil mingle beautifully over zucchini noodle “pasta” base becoming the perfect light and satisfying meatless summer dinner full of Italian flavors. Simply spiralize zucchini into long ribbons before tossing quickly with pesto sauce then sprinkling artfully with fresh mozzarella balls, ripe tomato wedges and whole basil leaves. Finish bowlfuls with quality balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil for the ultimate refreshed reboot of classic caprese flavors conveniently veggie noodle style without excess carbs.
Ingredients:
- Zucchini, spiralized
- Pesto
- Fresh mozzarella
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Balsamic glaze
- Olive oil
Recipe
2. Shrimp Tacos
Plump shrimp sauté quickly in cajun spices before getting wrapped up conveniently in soft corn tortillas and topped amply with cooling, fresh chunks of avocado salsa lending the perfect balance of spicy and refreshing flavors contrasting beautifully. Simply cook shrimp in olive oil, cajun seasoning, lime juice and cilantro first before assembling into warmed tortillas. Top with fresh pico de gallo incorporating avocado, mango, lime juice and cilantro for juicy bite and texture enjoying these easy summer shrimp tacos.
Ingredients:
- Shrimp
- Olive oil
- Cajun seasoning
- Corn tortillas
- Avocado
- Mango
- Lime juice
- Cilantro
Recipe
3. Greek Salmon Salad
Flaky salmon tops colorful medley of cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and crispy greens before getting dolloped generously with cooling homemade tzatziki sauce made tangy with Greek yogurt and fresh herbs creating satisfying summer meal full of protein and veggie nutrition. Simply pan sear salmon fillets first before assembling vibrant Greek chopped salad components family style. Top fish with tzatziki or serve on the side for quintessential Greek flavors conveniently put together.
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillets
- Cucumber, tomatoes, olives
- Lettuce
- Feta cheese
- Lemon vinaigrette
Recipe
4. Grilled Peach Salad
Sweet juicy grilled peaches accompany tender grilled chicken over fresh spinach and goat cheese creating the perfect sweet and savory salad combination drizzled in zesty basil dressing lending the ideal balance of summer flavors. Simply brush peaches and chicken with oil before quickly grilling allowing nice char marks to develop without overcooking. Then assemble salad ingredients before whisking up bright herb infused dressing to drizzle atop serving up beautiful balance hot off the grill.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Peaches, halved
- Spinach
- Goat cheese
- Basil, lemon juice, olive oil
Recipe
5. Watermelon Feta Salad
Refreshing cold watermelon gets enhanced further with salty feta cheese crumbles and aromatic mint leaves creating the perfect effortless no-cook summer side salad to enjoy all season long. Dice watermelon into cubes before tossing together with feta crumbles, torn mint leaves, red onion and fresh lime juice. Season with salt and pepper before transferring to serving platter, arranging ingredients attractively. Sprinkle with lime zest for extra punch of citrus highlighting flavors.
Ingredients:
- Diced seedless watermelon
- Feta cheese
- Mint leaves
- Red onion
- Lime juice and zest
Recipe
6. Summer Harvest Bowl
Vibrant summer produce like sweet corn, zucchini and tomatoes roast beautifully transforming into irresistible caramelized bites ready to mound over nutty protein-packed quinoa for the perfect wholesome vegetarian dinner. Toss veggies in olive oil before roasting in hot oven until charred in spots. Meanwhile, cook quinoa according to package directions. Then compile quinoa, roasted veggies and mix of fresh greens topping everything off with avocado, hemp seeds or crumbled goat cheese to taste.
Ingredients:
- Corn, zucchini, tomatoes
- Cooked quinoa
- Salad greens
- Avocado, hemp seeds, goat cheese
Recipe
7. Cucumber Noodle Salad
Thin ribbons of cucumber transform into tender veggie noodles becoming perfect base amplifying fresh flavors of mixed greens, herbs and grilled chicken drizzled in lemony dressing for the ultimate light and satisfying summer dinner salad. Using vegetable peeler, slice cucumbers into long strips before tossing with desired fresh greens. Top with grilled chicken, tomatoes, avocado and fresh herbs like dill, mint or basil before dressing salad with lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
- Cucumbers, spiralized
- Mixed greens
- Grilled chicken
- Cherry tomatoes
- Avocado
- Fresh herbs
- Lemon vinaigrette
Recipe
8. Tuna and Zucchini
Lean ahi tuna steaks grill up quickly with beautiful sear marks ready to slice over tender grilled zucchini planks dressed in flavor packed chimichurri sauce made fresh mingling parsley, garlic and vinegar becoming the perfect light, protein-focused summer dinner. Brush tuna and halved zucchini with oil before grilling briefly on high, just 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to platter before drizzling zucchini and tuna with abundant chimichurri sauce lending incredible brightness.
Ingredients:
- Ahi tuna steaks
- Zucchini
- Olive oil
- Chimichurri sauce
Recipe
9. BLT Pasta Salad
All of the flavors of a classic bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich transform perfectly tossing with pasta and tangy mayonnaise dressing for an easy summery salad the whole family will love. To start, chop crispy cooked turkey bacon before mixing with halved cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, al dente pasta shells and creamy dressing. Chill before serving this fresh summer spin perfect for potlucks and backyard noshing all season long.
Ingredients:
- Pasta shells, cooked
- Turkey bacon
- Cherry tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Mayo
Recipe
10. Shrimp Summer Rolls
These easy homemade summer rolls encase plump shrimp, fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables conveniently wrapped tightly in soft rice paper soaked briefly in water before filling and rolling up entirely into refreshing bite-sized appetizers or light dinner with addictive sweet and savory flavors beautifully paired as warm weather cuisine.
Ingredients:
- Rice paper rounds
- Cooked shrimp
- Rice vermicelli
- Lettuce, mint, cilantro
- Cucumber
- Mango
Recipe
11. Fish Tacos
Delicate white fish fillets crisp up conveniently under the broiler ready to flake apart gently layered into soft tortillas before getting topped generously with sweet grilled pineapple salsa plus all of your favorite taco extras for a lighter protein-packed twist on Taco Tuesday. Simply broil seasoned fish portions for ease before assembling into tacos with corn tortillas and mix of shredded lettuce, pineapple salsa, avocado or guacamole, cotija cheese and cilantro.
Ingredients:
- White fish fillets
- Corn tortillas
- Pineapple salsa
- Lettuce, avocado, cotija cheese, cilantro
Recipe
12. Chicken Strawberry Salad
Sweet juicy berries accompany hot grilled chicken over fresh spinach before getting topped supportively with salty feta cheese crumbles and tangy balsamic dressing creating the perfect sweet and savory flavor and texture contrast combination ready in minutes for satisfying summer dinner salad. Toss spinach first with desired dressing before topping with hot sliced chicken direct off the grill followed by colorful topping of fresh sliced strawberries and feta crumble garnish for irresistible balance enjoyed immediately.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts, grilled
- Spinach
- Strawberries, sliced
- Feta cheese
- Balsamic vinaigrette
Recipe
13. Chilled Soba Noodles
Nutty buckwheat soba noodles tossed with crisp vegetables like cucumbers, radishes and edamame beans lend the perfect nutritious base for summertime sides and light dinners ready to augment conveniently with proteins like grilled meats or tofu if desired. Simply cook soba noodles before rinsing in cold water allowing to chill completely. Toss with minced veggies and chilled edamame beans before coating everything in soy sauce based dressing amplified further with spices, sesame oil and scallions.
Ingredients:
- Soba noodles, cooked
- Cucumber
- Radish
- Edamame beans
- Sesame soy dressing
Recipe
14. Ceviche
Ultra fresh raw seafood like shrimp or scallops get perfectly cooked by the citric acid naturally found within fresh squeezed lime juice becoming ceviche with crisp bites of celery and peppers contrasting the tender lime-kissed proteins for the ideal light and refreshing appetizer or summer meal ready in minutes. Cover diced raw seafood amply with fresh lime juice before mixing through precise cuts of bell pepper, onion, cilantro and celery. Chill before serving ceviche cool with salty crisp plantain chips on the side for textural contrast.
Ingredients:
- Shrimp or scallops, diced
- Several fresh limes, juiced
- Bell pepper
- Red onion
- Celery
- Cilantro
- Plantain chips
Recipe
15. Zoodles and Burrata
Whole milk burrata becomes the ideal rich, creamy topping for nests of spiralized zucchini noodles lending texture contrast and welcomed richness rounding out the fresh and bright veggie pasta for simple yet still completely satisfying meatless summer weeknight dinner ready in under 15 minutes. Quickly sauté or boil fresh zucchini spirals to retain bright green color and slight crunch before topping pasta-free “noodles” with sweet jewel tomatoes and finally highest quality oozing burrata cheese for instant restaurant luxury conveniently home cooked.
Ingredients:
- Zucchini, spiralized
- Cherry tomatoes
- Burrata cheese
Recipe
16. Tropical Chicken
Lean chicken strips stir fry conveniently with sweet pineapple chunks and zesty ginger accentuated by nutty toasted coconut flakes for a lighter Asian inspired fruity chicken dinner with island influence perfect for easy summer weeknights. Simply stir fry chicken in sesame oil first before mixing flavorful components together atop a bed of pre-cooked coconut rice lending added texture and subtle tropical essence carrying flavors further echoing profile punch each bright bite.
Ingredients:
- Chicken strips
- Pineapple chunks
- Ginger, garlic, soy sauce
- Toasted coconut
- Coconut rice
Recipe
17. Southwest Chopped Salad
Spicy chargrilled chicken gets chopped before scattering artfully atop a medley of greens, corn, black beans and pico bringing together all of summer’s sweet and savory southwestern flavors conveniently all in one bowl for satisfying protein-packed dinner salad ready in minutes. Simply brush chicken with spice blend before grilling then chopping into pieces ready for compositing salad ingredients and tossing everything with cilantro lime dressing pulling southwest profile together.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts, grilled and chopped
- Corn and black beans
- Mixed greens
- Pico de gallo
- Cilantro lime dressing
Recipe
18. Mahi Mahi and Salsa
Delicate mahi mahi fillets grill briefly on high heat while colorful fresh mango pineapple salsa comes together chilling in the fridge allowing sweet fruit flavors to mingle perfectly becoming the ideal topping for enhancing mild tasting fish without overpowering made conveniently ready in tandem with little hands on effort required. Grill seasoned mahi mahi lightly before plating and topping food chunks of juicy pineapple mango salsa lending tropical essence and beauty taking fish next level.
Ingredients:
- Mahi mahi fillets
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Red onion
- Lime juice, cilantro
Recipe
19. Charred Corn Salad
The smoky charred flavors of quickly grilled corn on the cob pair irresistibly with juicy tomato wedges, peppery arugula and soft milky burrata cheese creating the perfect sweet and savory warmer weather salad ready in minutes. Simply grill corn over high heat turning occasionally allowing kernel sugars to caramelize slightly while heating through. Then slice kernels off cob directly over a bed of arugula, tomatoes and torn burrata for instant summer salad.
Ingredients:
- Corn on the cob, grilled
- Cherry tomatoes
- Arugula
- Burrata cheese
Recipe
20. Veggie Skewers
Colorful mixes of summer vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes grill effortlessly on skewers over high heat kissed with charcoal flavor ready to pair perfectly with classic cooling tzatziki sauce made tangy from Greek yogurt and fresh herbs taking only minutes prep and cook for satisfying lighter dinner. Simply thread vegetables of choice evenly onto pre-soaked wooden skewers before coating with just oil, salt and pepper. Grill 2-3 minutes each side. Serve alongside tzatziki or hummus dip.
Ingredients:
- Zucchini
- Bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Wooden skewers
- Tzatziki sauce
