39 Delicious Low-Carb Summer Recipes

39 Delicious Low-Carb Summer Recipes
Read Time: 17 mins
39 Delicious Low-Carb Summer Recipes
sugars, 1g fiber), 42g protein
sugars, 1g fiber), 42g protein. 3/38 Caprese Skewers 31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ERIC KLEINBERG FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 10 min Servings 12 kabobs Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. In addition to preparing these for get-togethers, I often make these as snacks for my family. And because assembly is so easy, the kids often ask to help. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, California Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob: 44 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges:
This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor
1 fat. 4/38 Tequila Lime Shrimp Zoodles 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 246 calories, 14g fat (6g saturated fat), 161mg cholesterol, 510mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 fat, 1 vegetable. 5/38 Watermelon Cups 6 Reviews Test Kitchen
This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat!
Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 16 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 7 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. 6/38 Juicy & Delicious Mixed Spice-Burgers 2 Reviews Juicy & Delicious Mixed Spice-Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat
servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We like trying to make “street foods” at home, perfecting recipes for dishes like gyros and these spiced burgers, known as kofta. — Anne Henry, Toronto, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 192 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 259mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat. 7/38 Garbanzo-Stuffed Mini Peppers 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 32 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mini peppers are so colorful and are the perfect size for
a two-bite appetizer
a two-bite appetizer. They have all the crunch of pita chips but without the extra calories. —Christine Hanover, Lewiston, California Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 15 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 8/38 Lemon Baked Cod 59 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod Recipe photo by Jackie Alpers for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only
The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph
eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet: 232 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 477mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 fat, 1/2 starch. 9/38 Zucchini Pico de Gallo Salsa 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 4-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love veggies and fresh ingredients this time of year. I make big bowls of this salsa, which we eat with pretty much everything in the
summer when tomatoes are bountiful
summer when tomatoes are bountiful. My kids love it, though I leave out the jalapeno when making it for them. —Amy Gattuso, Madison Heights, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 10 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 68mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges: free food. 10/38 Crab Cakes 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Classic Crab Cakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our region is known for good seafood, and crab cakes are a traditional favorite. I learned to
make them from a chef in a restaurant where they were a bestseller
make them from a chef in a restaurant where they were a bestseller. The crabmeat’s sweet and mild flavor is sparked by the blend of other ingredients. —Debbie Terenzini, Lusby, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 crab cake: 282 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 14g protein. 11/38 Easy Seafood Salad 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Easy Seafood Salad Recipe photo by Diana Rattray for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This super simple, deceptively delicious recipe was inspired
by a seafood salad I had in the Bahamas that featured conch
by a seafood salad I had in the Bahamas that featured conch. I substituted crab and shrimp for the conch and liked it even more! —Cindy Heyd, Edmond, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 128 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 141mg cholesterol, 309mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat. 12/38 Simple Guacamole 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Simple Guacamole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 1-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Because avocados can brown quickly, it’s best to make this guacamole just before
Steak gets a flavor kick from chimichurri
serving. If you have to make it a little in advance, place the avocado pits in the guacamole until ready to serve. —Heidi Main, Anchorage, AK Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 53 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 51mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. 13/38 Chimichurri Steak 11 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Steak gets a flavor kick from chimichurri. This piquant, all-purpose herb sauce is so versatile, it complements most any grilled meat, poultry or fish.
—Carmel Hall, San Francisco, California Nutrition Facts: 1 wedge: 57
—Laureen Pittman, Riverside, California Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked steak with 3 tablespoons sauce: 336 calories, 26g fat (7g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 462mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein. 14/38 Grilled Cauliflower Wedges 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This side is incredibly easy, yet is packed with flavor and looks like a dish from a five-star restaurant. The grill leaves the cauliflower cooked but crisp, and the red pepper flakes add bite. —Carmel Hall, San Francisco, California Nutrition Facts: 1 wedge: 57
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat
calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 15/38 Tilapia with Cucumber Relish 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tilapia with Cucumber Relish Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I spotted this easy entree on a recipe card in my local fish market. Although my husband isn’t big on fish, he enjoys this mild-tasting tilapia. The relish adds garden-fresh flavor and pretty color to the lightly browned fillets. —Mary VanHollebeke, Wyandotte,
Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat
Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet with 1/4 cup relish: 181 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 384mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat. 16/38 Cucumber Salad Boats Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Scoop out the seeds and fill fresh cucumbers with your favorite salad for a crunchy and refreshing light lunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 17/38 Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Butter 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Spiced Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Butter
Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The spicy heat of the chicken pairs beautifully with the flavorful cilantro butter in this original recipe from Diane Halferty of Corpus Christi, Texas. We added spicy chocolate cinnamon cane sugar to the chicken, which complemented the other spices that are brushed over the chicken before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 1 tablespoon lime butter: 426 calories, 27g fat (10g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 411mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars,
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken Caprese 22 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Caprese Chicken Recipe photo by Jackie Alpers for Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love a Caprese salad of tomatoes, basil and cheese, so why not try a chicken caprese?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Chicken Thighs with Shallots & Spinach 77 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Thighs with Shallots & Spinach Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: What could be better than an entree that comes with its own creamy vegetable side?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
-
Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
-
Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
-
Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
-
These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
-
Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
-
Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
📣 Join Our Community
Want more inspiration like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly dinner ideas and cooking tips!