56 Healthy Summer Recipes We Can’t Stop Making
56 Healthy Summer Recipes We Can’t Stop Making
Read Time: 27 mins
56 Healthy Summer Recipes We Can’t Stop Making
Prosciutto and melon are a quintessential pairing
Mango Salsa Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Prosciutto and melon are a quintessential pairing. I took things a few steps further by adding an assortment of other fresh ingredients, including mango, pineapple and papaya. Finally, add shrimp and you’ve got yourself one tasty starter. —Jane Whittaker, Pensacola, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 wrapped shrimp with 1 tablespoons salsa: 65 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein. 4/56 Triple Tomato Flatbread 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR
The dish is easy and will impress
TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 8 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tomatoes are the reason I have a vegetable garden, and I developed this healthy summer recipe as a way to show off my garden’s plum, sun-dried and cherry tomatoes. The dish is easy and will impress. —Rachel Kimbrow, Portland, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 235 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 476mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 5/56 Spicy Fresh Tomato and Eggplant Sauce 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test
A heart gravy (what it’s called in Sicily) for pasta is just the ticket
Kitchen Approved Spicy Fresh Tomato and Eggplant Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 11 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My garden is overflowing with fresh tomatoes and eggplant toward the end of summer, so I’ve been thinking of ways that those ingredients were used in the old country. A heart gravy (what it’s called in Sicily) for pasta is just the ticket. You can add meat or sprinkle it with Parmesan if you’d like, but this healthy summer recipe is good on its own. It also freezes well. —Teri
Low-Carb Shrimp Sushi Bowl 2
Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup sauce: 92 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 445mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein. 6/56 Low-Carb Shrimp Sushi Bowl 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Low-Carb Shrimp Sushi Bowl Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is an easy-to-prepare healthy summer recipe that can be ready in less than 30 minutes. It’s low carb and packed with vegetables. If you don’t like shrimp, you can substitute cooked shredded chicken or firm tofu.
Do dinner like the Mediterraneans with these delightfully different kabobs
—Kristyne Mcdougle, Lorain, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 bowl: 460 calories, 31g fat (5g saturated fat), 213mg cholesterol, 783mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 32g protein. 7/56 Greek Ouzo Pork Kabobs 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Do dinner like the Mediterraneans with these delightfully different kabobs. The ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur, and the tzatziki dipping sauce give you a real taste of the Greek islands. —Francine Lizotte, Surrey, British Columbia Nutrition Facts: 2 kabobs: 336 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated
Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch
fat), 85mg cholesterol, 178mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 8/56 Cilantro-Topped Salmon 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This cilantro lime salmon has been a favorite with everyone who’s tried it. A bright and fresh cilantro-lime sauce complements tender salmon fillets in this entree. —Nancy Culbert, Whitehorn, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 232 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 166mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic
Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat
Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 fat. 9/56 Slow-Cooker Al Pastor Bowls 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Al Pastor Bowls Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 10 min Servings 8 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll love this easy version of a traditional Mexican staple. It’s easy to serve in bowls over rice or in tortillas with your favorite toppings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup pork mixture: 232 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 512mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4
lean meat, 1/2 starch
lean meat, 1/2 starch. 10/56 Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado Sauce 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Heart-healthy avocado makes this healthy summer recipe feel indulgent without being overly rich. The flavorful sauce is so luscious, you’ll think there is cream hiding in there. It’s guilt-free and dairy-free, but with a texture and consistency that’s similar to traditional cream-based sauces. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 314 calories, 18g fat (2g
Diabetic Exchanges:
saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 9g protein. 11/56 Lemon-Apricot Fruit Pops Test Kitchen Approved Lemon-Apricot Fruit Pops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 pops Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With just 31 calories, 4 teaspoons of sugar total and lots of vitamin C, this is one light and refreshing summer dessert everyone can find room for! —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 pop: 31 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges:
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 3 fat, 1 vegetable
1/2 fruit. 12/56 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 healthy summer recipe 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. 13/56 One-Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch
Skillet 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved One-Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’m still settling into married life and learning how to balance our busy schedules. This quick one-dish healthy summer recipe helps keep us on track throughout the week. —Shannon Barden, Alpharetta, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 318 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 628mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch. 14/56 Caprese Salad Kabobs
Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs
31 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Caprese Skewers Recipe photo by 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 this healthy summer recipe as a snack 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: 1 fat.
I substituted crab and shrimp for the conch and like it even more!
15/56 Easy Seafood Salad 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Easy Seafood Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This super simple, healthy summer recipe was inspired by a seafood salad I had in the Bahamas that featured conch. I substituted crab and shrimp for the conch and like 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. 16/56
Pressure-Cooker Lemon Chicken with Basil 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pressure-Cooker Lemon Chicken with Basil Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: No matter when I eat it, this tangy chicken dish always reminds me of summer meals with friends and family. The recipe produces a lot of lovely sauce; serve it as is or spoon it over some lightly herbed couscous. —Deborah Posey, Virginia Beach, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 5 ounces cooked chicken: 200 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 337mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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