Summer Side Dishes to Please Any Crowd!
Consider your search for the perfect summer side dish over! Whether it's family dinner or a potluck, we've gathered all the mouth-watering picnic side dishes and summer salad recipes you'll ever need. With these recipes in your arsenal, you'll never have to wonder what to pair with your main dish again. So, be sure to get your recipe cards out and ready, you'll want to save these dishes!
1. Greek Orzo Salad – Summer Side Dish
Greek orzo salad is super trendy right now and it's easy to see why; orzo is a super delicious oval shaped type of pasta that will take your summer side dish game to the next level. Plus, this Greek orzo salad recipe from My Greek Dish is packed with all sorts of tasty ingredients like tomato, cucumber, feta cheese, and an olive oil red wine vinegar dressing. The perfect summer salad recipe!
2. Italian Appetizer Skewers
These Italian appetizer skewers are a fun and unique way to serve pasta and other Italian inspired flavors to your guests. These delicious little toothpick skewers are packed full of tortellini, salami, cheese, and olives. Additionally, you can get creative with this recipe and add or swap ingredients out; consider trying mushrooms or prosciutto! A wonderful picnic side dish.
3. Arugula-Lemon Pesto Pasta Salad
This arugula-lemon pesto pasta salad from EatingWell is so refreshing and perfect for the summertime! Additionally, this summer salad recipe is vegan and high in fiber. So delicious and creamy!
4. No Mayo Pasta Salad – Summer Side Dish
Who would've thought Greek yogurt could make such a yummy healthier alternative to mayo? Definitely give this no mayo pasta salad recipe from Give Recipe a try if you're watching what you eat. This summer salad recipe is so simple to put together and sure to please any crowd. So yummy!
5. Marinated Cucumber Tomato Salad
This marinated cucumber tomato salad from All Recipes is packed so full of flavor and refreshing veggies; that's what makes it the perfect summer picnic side dish. Plus, the marinade is so easy to make with just water, oil, vinegar, and a few seasonings.
6. Lemon Butter Green Beans
Lemon butter green beans are a healthy option to make for the whole family this summer and makes a great picnic side dish; the seasoning blend is so yummy you'll forget you're eating healthy. A delicious way to get more veggies into yours and your family's diet.
7. Yellow Squash Casserole
Squash is a healthy vegetable that makes a delicious casserole that's great served as a side dish at parties or events. In addition, this squash casserole from All Recipes uses household staple ingredients that you probably already have lying around in the cupboard somewhere. So easy!
8. Sesame Noodles – Summer Side Dish
Yes, it's true; you too can make take-out quality sesame noodles at home with just a few simple ingredients. This sesame noodle recipe from Healthy Seasonal Recipes in addition offers plenty of tips on how you can make this recipe healthier to accommodate for dietary needs, all while keeping the recipe delicious; even better than take-out!
9. Coleslaw with Tahini Yogurt Dressing
Coleslaw is a classic summer side dish recipe; this coleslaw recipe from Good Food takes this staple dish to the next level by incorporating tahini and yogurt to the dressing. Greek yogurt makes a great protein-rich alternative to mayonnaise in coleslaws, pasta salads, and most other cold salads; so good, and super easy to make!
10. Avocado Crack Dip
If you want to please a crowd, then this avocado crack dip recipe is for you; they don't call it crack dip for nothing, haha! Furthermore, this recipe is pretty friendly to alterations so you can swap out and replace ingredients as desired to make it your own.
11. Broccoli Salad – Summer Side Dish
This broccoli salad recipe from Insanely Good Recipes is so refreshing, packed full of yummy veggies, and perfect for the summertime! Plus, you probably already have everything you need to make this summer salad in the cupboard already. It's so simple and easy to throw together for any occasion!
12. Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
For a sweeter side dish, consider trying this cream cheese fruit dip that will have everyone asking for the recipe; plus, it's so simple and only requires 4 delicious ingredients. It's also a great way to get more fruits into your kids' diets.
13. BLT Pasta Salad
Everything's better with BLT, including pasta salad. That's why we recommend trying this BLT pasta salad recipe from Spend with Pennies to take your side dish game to the next level this summer. You'll have guests at every cookout asking for this crowd pleaser recipe!
14. Macaroni Salad
The most classic and timeless picnic side dish; who doesn't love a good macaroni salad? Additionally, this macaroni salad from insanely good recipes offers not only a delicious recipe, but also several tips on additional ingredients to take your dish to the next level. These include adding cheese, hard-boiled eggs, bacon bits, and more; so yummy!
15. Grilled Peaches – Summer Side Dish
Consider trying out these brown sugar grilled peaches from Spend with Pennies if you're looking for something fun and unique to serve to friends and family. Additionally, this recipe is so simple with just 4 ingredients and around 10 minutes to make from start to finish. So sweet, and the perfect summer treat!
Can't get enough summer ideas and inspiration? Check out our posts on summer toys that'll keep your kids outside and summer smoothie recipes! Additionally for more appetizers and side dishes consider checking out make ahead party appetizers and individual charcuterie board ideas.
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