Healthy Summer Recipes

Enjoy delicious, healthy dishes from our chefs all summer long, from low-calorie burgers to grilled chicken.

American Pasta Salad

To make picnic salads lighter and healthier, simply reduce the amount of mayonnaise. Use plenty of fresh vegetables, and the salad will be healthy and perfectly crunchy.

Recipe: American Pasta Salad

Gazpacho Soup Appetizer

This recipe is truly "summer in a plate": Alton uses ripe tomatoes and cucumbers for bright, clean flavors, enhanced by seasonings like balsamic vinegar and cumin.

Recipe: Gazpacho Soup Appetizer

Low-calorie strawberry shortcake

The dessert is infused with citrus flavor: the sponge base contains lemon zest, and orange zest is added to the macerated strawberries. Greek yogurt makes a wonderful substitute for whipped cream.

Recipe: Low-calorie strawberry shortcake

Caesar Salad with Grilled Striploin Steak

For a smoky salad, grill romaine lettuce and steak and top with a simple Greek yogurt dressing.

Recipe: Caesar Salad with Grilled Striploin Steak

Grilled Shrimp with Mango, Lime, and Radish Salsa

Grilled shrimp impart a smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet and tart homemade mango salsa.

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp with Mango, Lime, and Radish Salsa

Juicy grilled cheeseburgers

These lighter cheeseburgers are made with lean beef and just 15g of cheddar, and served on whole wheat English muffins.

Recipe: Juicy grilled cheeseburgers

Mango salsa sauce

Ellie's summer version of salsa features mango and cucumber. Make quick homemade tortilla chips to use with the salsa.

Recipe: Mango salsa sauce

Grilled Peaches with Butter and Cinnamon

Bobby Flay makes a delicious dessert using a truly summery fruit. Grill peaches, then coat each half with butter, sugar, and cinnamon.

Recipe: Grilled Peaches with Butter and Cinnamon

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Spicy Peach Glaze

Pair grilled chicken with peach, one of summer's best fruits. Brush the meat with an easy-to-make peach glaze before grilling.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken Breasts with Spicy Peach Glaze

Grilled shrimp skewers with soy sauce, fresh ginger and toasted sesame seeds

Toasted sesame seeds add a crispy touch to these shrimp kebabs, while ginger and soy sauce add an Asian flair.

Recipe: Grilled shrimp skewers with soy sauce, fresh ginger and toasted sesame seeds

Stuffed cherry tomatoes

Stuff fresh cherry tomatoes with spiced feta cheese for an easy appetizer perfect for any party.

Recipe: Stuffed cherry tomatoes

Light and Creamy Broccoli Salad

Healthy eating is all about moderation: two strips of bacon are all it takes to pack a rich, flavorful salad.

Recipe: Light and Creamy Broccoli Salad

Fried Corn "Confetti"

Use the best summer corn for Ina's recipe. Cook the kernels with onions and bell peppers, then toss with fresh herbs.

Recipe: Fried Corn "Confetti"

Grilled shrimp with spicy cocktail sauce

Rachel uses classic shrimp cocktail ingredients—chili sauce and horseradish—to create the perfect sauce for grilled shrimp with smoked paprika.

Recipe: Grilled shrimp with spicy cocktail sauce

Spring potato salad

A little mayonnaise is enough to add a creamy texture to this low-calorie potato salad. Fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, radishes, and tomatoes make it even healthier.

Recipe: Spring potato salad

Bruschetta with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil

Giada combines whole tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor for a seasonal topping for this classic Italian appetizer. For a creamy touch, top each baguette slice with a circle of fresh mozzarella before toasting.

Recipe: Bruschetta with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil

Corn on the cob with jalapeno and lime

Rachael Ray rubs grilled cobs with butter, spicy jalapeño, lime, garlic, and paprika for an easy Mexican-inspired side dish.

Recipe: Corn on the cob with jalapeno and lime

Salad with tomatoes, peaches and ricotta

This salad is best served in the height of summer. The crunchy almonds complement the smooth ricotta and juicy fruit.

Recipe: Salad with tomatoes, peaches and ricotta

Watermelon and strawberry sangria

Watermelon and strawberries are true summer staples, so why not enjoy them in drink form? Bobby's refreshing sangria is an elegant addition to any summer party.

Recipe: Watermelon and strawberry sangria

Grilled steak with papaya salad

Bobby Flay marinates his steak in a mixture of spicy Thai chili peppers, soy sauce, lime juice, and honey. Choose filet mignon or the less expensive, but leaner sirloin steak.

Recipe: Grilled steak with papaya salad

Grilled pineapple with vanilla ice cream and rum sauce

After grilling your dinner, top it with pineapple slices—with vanilla ice cream and rum sauce, you've got the perfect summer meal.

Recipe: Grilled pineapple with vanilla ice cream and rum sauce

Lobster hot dog

Ellie Krieger reduces the fat in a popular summer sandwich by replacing most of the mayo with Greek yogurt.

Recipe: Lobster hot dog

Grilled vegetables with balsamic glaze

For incredibly vibrant flavor, Guy marinates vegetables in balsamic vinegar and then glazes them before grilling.

Recipe: Grilled vegetables with balsamic glaze

Summer rolls with steak

Rice paper serves as a window, revealing the colorful layers of vegetables, noodles, and steak inside these refreshing rolls. A mandoline or Japanese slicer makes it easy to slice the ingredients into the thinnest possible slices.

Recipe: Summer rolls with steak

Grilled beef skewers with garlic-mustard glaze

Bobby's garlic mustard glaze infuses the beef tenderloin with rich flavor without adding calories. A touch of soy sauce is all it takes for a vibrant flavor.

Recipe: Grilled beef skewers with garlic-mustard glaze

Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

Layer cubes of sweet, juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, and salty feta for a salad that's both fun to eat and make.

Recipe: Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

Paleo Kale Burrito

Collard greens are a great substitute for tortillas: steam them until the leaves are pliable. Make them into protein- and fiber-rich burritos filled with jerk chicken, coconut-infused black beans, and creamy coleslaw.

Recipe: Paleo Kale Burrito

Healthy Summer Pasta Salad

Summer vegetables add a healthy boost to American macaroni salad. Don't limit yourself to tomatoes, corn, and zucchini—green beans and cucumbers are also great choices.

Recipe: Healthy Summer Pasta Salad

Grilled Mango with Jalapeño Peppers

Grilling intensifies the mango's flavor and caramelizes its natural sugars, resulting in tender, sweet slices. Aaron Sanchez uses cayenne pepper, lime, and jalapeño to add a tangy twist.

Recipe: Grilled Mango with Jalapeño Peppers

Eggplant and Asparagus Napoleons

Giada puts together a cute vegetarian appetizer with grilled eggplant, asparagus, fresh ricotta, and basil.

Recipe: Eggplant and Asparagus Napoleons

Watermelon slush

This sweet treat is perfect for summer parties, and the recipe is super simple: puree the watermelon and freeze.

Recipe: Watermelon slush

Spicy shrimp in beer in foil

Chipotle sauce and cumin combine with beer, butter, and lime for a simple, healthy dish that comes together in no time.

Recipe: Spicy shrimp in beer in foil

Grilled swordfish with tomato and caper sauce

Ina makes a simple sauce with tomatoes, capers, and fennel to complement grilled swordfish.

Recipe: Grilled swordfish with tomato and caper sauce

Vegan Lentil Burgers

These burgers are full of flavor, high in fiber and protein, and low in fat. We love grilling them!

Recipe: Vegan Lentil Burgers

Fruit ice with mango and strawberries in a glass

Sweet, light, and healthy, Tyler's frozen treats are sure to become your favorite summer dessert.

Recipe: Fruit ice with mango and strawberries in a glass

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This tender and juicy dish uses pork tenderloin—an unusual choice. Large pieces of meat are braised in a savory sauce, then shredded with two forks. The result is tender meat with a rich, flavorful dressing. The finishing touch is a crisp broccoli salad with mustard dressing.

Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Cheese-Stuffed Chicken and Succotash Salad

Simple yet colorful succotash complements spicy chicken stuffed with Pepper Jack cheese and fresh arugula.

Recipe: Cheese-Stuffed Chicken and Succotash Salad

Tuna burgers with carrot-ginger sauce

Tyler makes a fresh take on the tuna burger, seasoned with soy sauce, fresh lime juice, cilantro, and ginger. To serve, top the patty with avocado slices and sprouts with a simple carrot-ginger sauce; serve on a whole-grain bun.

Recipe: Tuna burgers with carrot-ginger sauce

Carrot, Date, and Feta Salad

This flavorful salad is low in fat and calories; letting it sit will enhance its flavor. It also makes a crunchy topping for a sandwich or burger.

Recipe: Carrot, Date, and Feta Salad

Gazpacho with grilled tomatoes

Traditionally, gazpacho is made with raw tomatoes, but in this recipe the tomatoes are grilled, giving the soup a smoky flavor.

Recipe: Gazpacho with grilled tomatoes

Glazed salmon steak

The salmon's healthy fat is complemented by a sweet and tangy buffalo sauce glaze. The skin is grilled to a crispy caramelization; it's delicious, but can be removed to reduce the fat and calories.

Recipe: Glazed salmon steak

Spaghetti squash slider burgers with barbecue sauce

This recipe proves that delicious barbecue doesn't have to be heavy and calorie-heavy, or even contain meat!

Recipe: Spaghetti squash slider burgers with barbecue sauce

Grilled Scallops with Orange Quinoa

Quinoa takes on a whole new flavor with the addition of orange zest and fresh citrus juice; it's the perfect accompaniment to grilled scallops.

Recipe: Grilled Scallops with Orange Quinoa

Smoked salmon pate

The classic combination of smoked salmon and cream cheese gets a new twist: Ina Garten makes an elegant appetizer with crackers and fresh vegetables. For a zesty twist, add sour cream, lemon, and horseradish to the spread.

Recipe: Smoked salmon pate

Frozen Mango Margarita

Ellie makes a fresh margarita with a tropical twist by blending orange liqueur, tequila, and lime with frozen mango chunks.

Recipe: Frozen Mango Margarita

Salmon on a cedar plank

Barbecue planks impart a unique flavor to food, combining the natural wood with the smoky aroma of the grill. When purchasing, choose untreated wood or planks specifically designed for grilling.

Recipe: Salmon on a cedar plank

Grilled Honey Glazed Chicken with Green Pea Mint Sauce

Bobby seasons grilled chicken breasts with a simple honey balsamic glaze, then tops them with a colorful, seasonal green pea-mint sauce.

Recipe: Grilled Honey Glazed Chicken with Green Pea Mint Sauce

Potato salad with pesto

Ellie makes a unique potato salad by tossing boiled red potatoes with a seasonal basil pesto. For a crispy note and vibrant color, add some chopped red and yellow peppers.

Recipe: Potato salad with pesto

Watermelon gazpacho

Start your summer meal with Tyler Florence's quick and refreshing gazpacho. Puréed watermelon provides a light texture, and a touch of serrano chili pepper adds a pleasant kick.

Recipe: Watermelon gazpacho

Chocolate covered banana on a stick

Refresh yourself on a hot summer day with this frozen banana dessert. Dark chocolate and salted peanuts add a sweet and salty note.

Recipe: Chocolate covered banana on a stick

Fish tacos with watermelon salsa

Fill corn tortillas with grilled fish, fresh watermelon salsa, and sliced avocado for an easy summer meal that's ready in 30 minutes.

Recipe: Fish tacos with watermelon salsa

Peach Cobblers

Individually-portioned peach cobblers offer a classic summer dessert (complete with frozen yogurt) with fewer calories.

Recipe: Peach Cobblers

Tofu barbecue

Prepare tofu with barbecue sauce for a picnic - even meat lovers will appreciate it.

Recipe: Tofu barbecue

Pan-fried steak with chard salad

Toss sautéed Swiss chard and homemade croutons with a garlicky tomato dressing. A few slices of grilled steak are the perfect accompaniment.

Recipe: Pan-fried steak with chard salad

Grilled salmon with sherry vinegar and honey glaze and spicy tomato sauce

The recipe consists of simple steps: make a honey-ancho chili glaze, marinate fresh salmon fillets in it, then top the fried fish with a diced tomato sauce.

Recipe: Grilled salmon with sherry vinegar and honey glaze and spicy tomato sauce

Gazpacho soup with fried chicken in lime juice

Croutons and grilled chicken make this cold vegetable soup a refreshing and filling main course.

Recipe: Gazpacho soup with fried chicken in lime juice

Spelt salad with grilled eggplant, tomatoes and onions

Bobby's Grilled Vegetable Salad features Italian farro, eggplant, and tomatoes. It's filling and makes a great vegetarian main course.

Recipe: Spelt salad with grilled eggplant, tomatoes and onions

Grilled chicken escalopes with tomato and herb salad

This simple dish highlights the pure flavors of quality ingredients. Simply pair grilled chicken with a salad of ripe tomatoes and plenty of fresh herbs.

Recipe: Grilled chicken escalopes with tomato and herb salad

Grilled Panzanella

Panzanella is a salad of bread and fresh vegetables, a wonderful summer side dish and a great way to use up leftover bread.

Recipe: Grilled Panzanella

Grilled green onions

Grill green onions until lightly charred, then serve with your favorite summer dishes.

Recipe: Grilled green onions

Grilled pork with mojo sauce

Lean pork tenderloin is glazed with a guava jam glaze while grilling, imparting a unique fruity flavor (if you can't find guava, use apricot jam). A spicy dressing of orange, chili, and cilantro completes the dish.

Recipe: Grilled pork with mojo sauce

Assorted grilled vegetables

You can grill vegetables according to Rachel's recipe on an outdoor grill, or in bad weather, in the kitchen, using a grill pan.

Recipe: Assorted grilled vegetables

Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Balsamic Dressing

Alex's grilled mushrooms are a hearty side dish or main course that both vegetarians and meat lovers will love.

Recipe: Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Balsamic Dressing

Grilled pork with zucchini and couscous

Whole grain couscous tossed with grilled zucchini and diced fresh tomatoes makes a perfect easy side dish for lean roast pork.

Recipe: Grilled pork with zucchini and couscous

Grilled beef kofta with melon salad

Kefta is a Central European meat dish traditionally served as street food. Try this new version, flavored with cumin, mint, and dill.

Recipe: Grilled beef kofta with melon salad

Grilled salmon in olive vinaigrette

Brush salmon with a simple dressing while grilling for juicy, flavorful results.

Recipe: Grilled salmon in olive vinaigrette

Light new potato salad with smoked paprika

Light mayonnaise allows you to reduce the fat and calories in this classic picnic salad without sacrificing flavor.

Recipe: Light new potato salad with smoked paprika

Grilled vegetable salad with feta and mint

Ellie's Grilled Salad features wonderful summer vegetables topped with feta cheese, mint, and a red wine vinaigrette.

Recipe: Grilled vegetable salad with feta and mint

Toasted polenta crackers with roasted pepper salsa

Grilling polenta intensifies its smoky corn flavor, while a topping of olives, capers, onions, and tomatoes adds a fresh touch.

Recipe: Toasted polenta crackers with roasted pepper salsa

Grilled turkey breast with coleslaw

Before grilling, toss turkey breast in a simple marinade to ensure it's juicy and flavorful.

Recipe: Grilled turkey breast with coleslaw

Grilled Pork and Red Cabbage Tacos

The heat of the chipotle peppers complements the flavors of the lean pork and coleslaw. This vibrant, filling, and quick main dish is perfect for the grill.

Recipe: Grilled Pork and Red Cabbage Tacos

Panzanella with grilled corn

Traditional panzanella is enhanced with Latin American flavors. An abundance of fresh vegetables and whole-grain bread make this dish healthier. For a spicy kick, leave the chili seeds in.

Recipe: Panzanella with grilled corn

Asian Red Cabbage Salad with Peanuts

Kids will love this colorful and crunchy salad, which contains peanuts. Serve it with chicken dishes—the flavor of mustard and ginger will be especially delicious.

Recipe: Asian Red Cabbage Salad with Peanuts

Warm corn and wheat grain salad

Spelt is sold in the whole grain section and in health food stores (next to the quinoa). If you can't find it, you can use barley for this simple summer salad.

Recipe: Warm corn and wheat grain salad

Thai Grilled Beef Salad

To save time, marinate the steak overnight—it will infuse it with the flavors of ginger, curry, and lime. Then, just slice the cooked meat and serve with a lettuce salad.

Recipe: Thai Grilled Beef Salad

Blueberry compote

Ellie's fruit compote is simple yet delicious and requires only four ingredients: blueberries, lemon juice, water, and sugar.

Recipe: Blueberry compote

Light banana pudding

Essentially, it's a classic banana pudding, but with less fat and calories. Sour cream mixed into the finished pudding gives it a rich, creamy texture.

Recipe: Light banana pudding

Buffalo-Style Grilled Salmon

Substitute fish for chicken wings by making Buffalo salmon. Glaze the fish with a sweet-and-savory mixture of maple syrup and hot sauce and serve with an elegant arugula salad with blue cheese.

Recipe: Buffalo-Style Grilled Salmon

Burgers with fried portobello mushrooms and onion jam

Make a vegetarian dinner on the grill! Top grilled portobello mushrooms with sweet onion jam flavored with thyme, honey, and red wine. Mix some yogurt with horseradish for a low-fat burger sauce.

Recipe: Burgers with fried portobello mushrooms and onion jam

Low-calorie tacos (beef in lettuce)

This low-calorie taco replaces traditional tortillas with crisp lettuce. Grilled steak, chili salsa, and avocado slices combine to create a hearty filling.

Recipe: Low-calorie tacos (beef in lettuce)

Grilled plums with spicy walnut yogurt sauce

Bobby serves this grilled dessert for brunch, but it would also be a wonderful way to end a summer dinner.

Recipe: Grilled plums with spicy walnut yogurt sauce

Grilled chicken breasts with cumin

To season lean chicken breast, simply sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and cumin.

Recipe: Grilled chicken breasts with cumin

Grilled salmon with cucumber and date salad

Crush the cucumbers with your hand to release their juices and toss with fennel slices, dates and walnuts for a crisp summer salad to pair with grilled salmon.

Recipe: Grilled salmon with cucumber and date salad

White sangria with citrus

Ellie's party-perfect sangria is a citrusy blend of white wine, orange liqueur, and brandy, topped with orange juice and fruit slices. A splash of sparkling water adds a sparkling finish.

Recipe: White sangria with citrus

Watermelon with fried halloumi cheese

A toasted slice of halloumi cheese is the perfect salty complement to the sweet watermelon in this summer dish.

Recipe: Watermelon with fried halloumi cheese

Grilled Caponata

This grilled caponata combines sweet and savory. The eggplant and tomato salad is topped with yellow raisins, olives, and capers.

Recipe: Grilled Caponata

Zucchini cake

Apple cider vinegar adds moisture and a natural sweetness. This quick and delicious zucchini muffin requires only 1/3 cup vegetable oil.

Recipe: Zucchini cake

Individual upside-down cupcakes

The pineapple chunks caramelize in their own juices on the bottom of the pan while baking. Flip the mini pies over for a lovely individual dessert.

Recipe: Individual upside-down cupcakes

Pork cutlet with arugula and grape salad

In this recipe, homemade balsamic vinaigrette serves two purposes: use a couple of tablespoons to marinate the pork loin, and add the rest to the arugula and grape salad.

Recipe: Pork cutlet with arugula and grape salad

Baked Pineapple with Ginger-Thyme Ice

Make a simple 5-ingredient dessert: caramelized baked pineapple slices with ginger crushed ice and a sprig of fresh thyme.

Recipe: Baked Pineapple with Ginger-Thyme Ice

Chicken sausage and sweet pepper skewers

For a quick, healthy lunch, thread chicken sausage pieces onto skewers with red bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes.

Recipe: Chicken sausage and sweet pepper skewers

Sweet pizza with summer berries

This colorful dessert pizza makes the most of fresh berries: juice from blackberry puree naturally colors the purple glaze, and a trio of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries makes the perfect topping.

Recipe: Sweet pizza with summer berries

Grilled Garlic Chicken, Portobello Mushroom, and Radicchio Salad

Mix crushed garlic cloves with olive oil, parsley, and thyme to marinate portobello mushrooms, radicchio, and chicken. Serve with arugula.

Recipe: Grilled Garlic Chicken, Portobello Mushroom, and Radicchio Salad

Grilled chicken thighs in a citrus marinade

Lean chicken thighs stay juicy when grilled thanks to a zesty lemon, lime, and orange marinade.

Recipe: Grilled chicken thighs in a citrus marinade

Healthy Coleslaw

This delicious salad contains two types of cabbage, white and red, plus a little carrot. But the real secret is in the dressing: a sweet and savory blend of mayonnaise, whole-grain mustard, pineapple juice, and a wealth of spices.

Recipe: Healthy Coleslaw

Basil Lemonade Popsicles

Prepare the dessert in portions ahead of time and serve in lemon "bowls" for an impressive presentation.

Recipe: Basil Lemonade Popsicles

Grilled eggplant with yogurt-mint dip

Use an outdoor grill or grill pan to sear tender eggplant slices and serve with a simple creamy sauce.

Recipe: Grilled eggplant with yogurt-mint dip

Raw vegetable salad

When fresh summer vegetables are available, sometimes they're best used raw. This salad is crisp, colorful, and fresh. Use a shredder to slice the vegetables very thinly.

Recipe: Raw vegetable salad