20 Delicious Summer Recipes Packed with Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Recipe Key
Here are 20 of my favorite, easy, healthy, summer recipes using the incredible variety of fresh produce available at our farmers markets and home gardens.
I love to incorporate plenty of summer fruits and vegetables into my recipes.
Of course you don’t always need a recipe, many fruits and vegetables can be enjoyed plain. One great summer pleasure of mine is a fresh picked tomato sprinkled with a little salt. And what about just picked strawberries, luscious!
Whenever I’m deciding what to eat, I want it to taste really good. I also want the recipe to be easy and nutritious.
When you truly enjoy your food you nourish yourself physically and emotionally.
When recipes are easy you make them more often. You’re going to be more consistent with your healthy eating habits.
As you’re wandering around the farmers market, looking at all the beautiful food, ask yourself what inspires you? Choose your favorite fruits and vegetables and try a few new ones.
Having fun food shopping and planning your meals, connects you to your Inner Guidance. You’ll notice yourself naturally choosing healthy foods and recipes that you enjoy.
Here are a few of my favorite summer recipes from my website and my favorite bloggers! All of them are packed with local produce, gluten-free and refined sugar free. Some are vegan and others are paleo. Happy cooking!
In this article, you’ll find:
- Breakfast Ideas
- Salad Recipes
- Dinner Recipes
- Dessert Ideas
Summer Breakfast Ideas
Balancing Blueberry Smoothie | Eat Well Enjoy Life
This creamy Blueberry Smoothie is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates to keep your metabolism humming and blood sugar stable
Strawberry Coconut Chia Pudding | Eat Well Enjoy Life
Enjoy this easy to make light and refreshing chia pudding all summer long. Add lots of berries on top to make it even more delicious.
Easy Vegetable Frittata | Cook Nourish Bliss
Super easy and packed with flavor, this creamy dairy free frittata is healthy and simple to make, it’s filled with colorful peppers, fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Gluten free and vegetarian, it’s also easily customized to your own taste.
Coconut Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad |Skinnyfitalicious
Coconut Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad! Made with fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, vanilla and coconut milk. This salad is a healthier spin on fruit salad. Paleo + Dairy-Free, Vegan options included.
Summer Salad Recipes
Tangy Italian Potato Salad | Eat Well Enjoy Life
This Tangy Italian Potato Salad is a light, refreshing version of summer’s classic side dish. The dressing is a tangy vinaigrette without any mayo. Serve it with arugula or baby lettuce on the side.
Summer Caesar Salad | Eat Well Enjoy Life
In this salad the bitter greens (kale and romaine) are balanced by the nourishing tastes of the tahini and pumpkin seeds in the dressing. The fresh sweet corn makes this salad divine. These super healthy ingredients alkalize your body and reduce inflammation.
Alkalizing Watermelon and Watercress Salad | Eat Well Enjoy Life
An easy, fresh, alkalizing watermelon salad with watercress, cucumbers, radishes, fragrant basil, creamy feta (optional) and a tangy honey-lemon dressing!
Italian Chopped Salad | Cookie and Kate
A hearty dinner salad with lots of vegetables. It’s light and healthy but packed with bold flavor. The recipe calls for chickpeas but if you’re paleo add chicken or fish instead. It’s very versatile.
Mediterranean Lentil Salad | Recipe Runner
This Mediterranean Lentil Salad is a hearty salad that’s perfect for lunch, a side dish or even a vegetarian main dish. Full of cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta and protein packed lentils. You’ll absolutely love the flavors and textures in this healthy salad! Leave out the feta if you’re vegan.
Tomato Peach Avocado Salad | Eat Well Enjoy Life
This recipe is quick and easy. It uses tomatoes, peaches and corn which are always so fresh in the summer.
Dinner Recipes
Quick & Easy Salmon Cakes with Avocado Cream | Eat Well Enjoy Life
I love this recipe because a simple can of wild caught salmon is turned into a delicious dill flavored Salmon Cake that’s crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. It’s paleo and gluten free.
Smoky BBQ Black Bean Burger |Minimalist Baker
Smoky, hearty black bean burgers with sweet potato, mushrooms, quinoa, and pecans. Wholesome, satisfying, BIG on flavor, and just 10 ingredients required! The ultimate veggie burger for the grill or stovetop.
Pan Roasted Fish Filet with Sweet Peppers | Eat Well Enjoy Life
One pan is all you need to make this simple, delicious, nutritious dish that’s quite beautiful. The roasted peppers turn sweet and golden. The roasted fish becomes delicate and flaky with a simple thyme and garlic rub.
Spicy Tempeh Stuffed Peppers | Nutrition Stripped
These stuffed peppers are great to make in the summertime, using colorful peppers. Make a large batch, they’ll store and keep well for up to 5 days so you can enjoy them for a quick lunch on the go or 10-minute dinner to heat up. Since I keep Cajun Spice mix on hand, I use it in place of the fajita seasoning.
Grilled Chicken with Immunity Boosting Spices | Eat Well Enjoy Life
In this recipe I coat chicken breasts with a delicious Immunity Boosting Spice Mix and grill it for 5 minutes to create a well-seasoned dish that will satisfy your taste buds and support your health. If you don’t have a grill you can cook it in a cast iron pan.
Barbecued Tempeh | Eat Well Enjoy Life
In this simple recipe the piquant spices infuse the tempeh with “meaty” flavors making it so yummy everyone will love it, even if they’re not vegan.
Dessert Ideas
Fresh Lemon Bars | Eat Well Enjoy Life
These Fresh Lemon Bars are a delightful summer dessert. They have a nut free, gluten-free shortbread crust topped with a light, sweet-tart custard that’s deliciously creamy. Top with fruit or coconut whipped cream for a real treat!
Berry Easy Summer Crisp | Eat Well Enjoy Life
This Berry Easy Summer Crip is made with blueberries, strawberries and blackberries, it’s naturally sweetened, gluten free, vegan and paleo. An absolutely perfect dessert for the Fourth of July.
Strawberry Coconut Milk Popsicles | The Roasted Root
Strawberry coconut milk Popsicles made with only 3 ingredients, strawberries, coconut milk and pure maple syrup. A super easy, fun summer treat.
Amazing 3 Minute Peach Salad | Eat Well Enjoy Life
This Amazing Peach Salad is an incredible summer dessert, simple and oh-so-delicious.
Conclusion New Summer Recipes
As you’re browsing these recipes and looking for inspiration, try one new recipe each week. This will help you expand your tastes and find new things that you enjoy.
If you make any of these recipes, I’d love to see them! Snap a picture and post on Instagram be sure to tag me @eat_well_enjoy_life so I can share!
As you’re browsing these recipes and looking for inspiration, try one new recipe each week. This will help you expand your repertoire and find new things that you enjoy.
If you make any of these recipes, I’d love to see them! Snap a picture and post on Instagram be sure to tag me @eat_well_enjoy_life so I can share!