53 Healthy Summer Dinners That Aren’t All Salad
It’s not hard to put together a healthy summer dinner when produce is so spectacular. While it’s easy to get caught up in going out on summer nights, you’ll never regret taking an evening off to prepare a nourishing meal at home. One trip down the produce aisle, and you’ll see the possibilities are endless. Unpack your haul and start cooking—grilled chicken and tomato-cucumber salad tonight, cooling gazpacho for lunch tomorrow, crispy rice with spicy zucchini later. Many of these recipes are low- or no-cook, while others require heating up the grill, stove, or oven. Let the temperature of your kitchen decide how you want to play it.
For some, a dream summer meal is cold noodles twirled from a picnic-ready container in the park. For others, it’s a veggie burger enjoyed from the comfort of their air-conditioned dining room. Rest assured, we’ve got something for everyone’s healthyish vibe in this lineup. These healthy recipes are our song of the summertime, and we're playing them on repeat straight through Labor Day.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Sophie Strangio2/53Salmon Tacos With Pineapple-Chile Salsa
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams3/53Cold Matcha Noodles
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams4/53Grilled Buttermilk Chicken With Summer Salad
A buttermilk powder-based dry rub keeps grilled boneless skinless chicken breasts tender and juicy. It quickly becomes a meal with sliced veg and a tangy citrus vinaigrette.
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Erica Lutz5/53Gambas al Ajillo
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Erica Lutz6/53Cucumber and Avocado Salad Bean Dip
Doctored up canned refried beans form the base of this dip. Paired with a cucumber-avocado salad and a bag of tortilla chips, it’s an easy weeknight dinner you’ll revisit often.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Linden Elstran7/53Crispy Rice Salad With Spicy Tahini Dressing
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero, Prop Styling by Alexandra Masillon8/53Summer Vegetable Soup With Pistou
Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco9/53Air-Fryer Chicken Tikka
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton, Prop Styling by Christine Keely10/53Green Falafel Smash Burgers
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Luciana Lamboy, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon11/53Zucchini Butter
Though not a dinner unto itself, this condiment is an easy meal prep addition that’s ready to be mixed with pasta, slathered on toast, or smeared over grilled chicken or salmon skewers.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling by Christine Keely12/53Saucy, Spiced Shrimp and White Beans
Photograph by by Travis Rainey, Food styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Marc Williams13/53Cold Soy Milk Noodles With Chili Crisp
Photograph by Shawn Michael Jones, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca14/53Salsa-Grilled Chicken Thighs
Not your average grilled chicken, this recipe is inspired by chilate de pollo, a smoky, spicy Mexican stew. DIY salsa works as both marinade and a glaze. Toss some veg on the grill while it’s lit, and serve with tortillas or rice.
Photograph by Alex Huang, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro15/53Zucchini With Crispy Rice and Lime
Add some crumbled tofu or leftover roast chicken, and this vegetarian side dish (inspired by Thai crispy rice salad) just became an ideal summer dinner.
Photograph by Travis Rainey, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon, Food Styling by Luciana Lamboy16/53Very Good Vegan Tacos
Shelf-stable soy curls are a quick and easy source of protein in these fiber-rich tacos, which also happen to be gluten-free. Spiced and sautéed until crispy and golden, they’re so good you’ll probably want to make extra (you know, for those people who said they won’t want any).
Photograph by Travis Rainey, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon, Food Styling by Luciana Lamboy17/53Sheet-Pan Peppers and Chickpeas With Ricotta
Make the most of in-season sweet bell peppers with this easy sheet pan dinner. Pile the roasted peppers and crispy chickpeas over seasoned ricotta and drizzle with a garlicky dressing.
Photograph by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Christina Allen18/53One-Pot Salmon and Shiitake Rice
“Let the power of steam help get a nourishing dinner on the table in less than an hour,” writes deputy food editor Hana Asbrink. Cook short-grain white rice and quinoa with skinless salmon fillets and mushrooms. You can even skip the stove by assembling this low-lift, one-pot meal in the rice cooker.
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr. , Prop styling by Christina Allen, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht19/53Coconut Tempeh Larb
Photograph by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi20/53Cold Noodles With Tomatoes and Peanut Sauce
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon21/53Silken Tofu Stew With Clams and Zucchini
At some point in the summer, you’ll be up to your ears in zucchini. Add this briny stew to the lineup—it’s especially perfect for chilly nights at the beach. Though any soft tofu will work, it’s worthwhile to hit up a Korean market for the most custardy-textured silken variety.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Mieko Takahashi22/53Sheet-Pan Halloumi With Avocado and Citrus
Inspired by fattoush, a Levantine bread salad, this sheet pan dinner begins by roasting salty Halloumi and torn pita until crispy. If you can’t find Halloumi, paneer or queso panela (Mexican grilling cheese) make good substitutes, and you can swap in tomatoes for citrus if the season is right.
Photograph by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Christina Allen23/53Tofu Meatballs in Burst Tomato Sauce
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams24/53Quinoa-Bean Salad With Lots of Dill
“This herby, nutrient-dense salad brought me out of the disembodied sterility of a scheduled C-section and back to the natural world,” writes TV Writer and Illustrator Annah Feinberg of this quinoa-studded centerpiece.
Photograph by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Christina Allen25/53Weeknight Harissa Eggplant Parm
Though it seems like winter food, you can’t skip eggplant parm when dreaming up summer dinner ideas. (This is eggplant season, after all!) This shortcut version skips breading and frying so you can spend more time eating and “yum”-ing.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne26/53One-Pan Salmon With Burst Tomatoes
Don’t let the term “dump dinner” dissuade you from trying this tomato-heavy one-pot meal from senior test kitchen editor Jesse Szewczyk. If salmon is too pricey, swap in a flaky white fish, such as cod.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Graylen Gatewood28/53Ratatouille
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kaitlin Wayne, prop styling by Stephanie De Luca29/53Chicken Noodle Salad With Spicy Peanut Sauce
Gently poach chicken breasts ahead of time (maybe in the morning, before it gets too hot), then chill until dinner. The peanut butter and chili crisp sauce cling to every nook and cranny in the tangle of shredded chicken, noodles, romaine, and cucumber.
Photo Alex Lau, food styling by Chris Morocco, prop styling by Emily Eisen30/53Easiest-Ever Grilled Veggie Burgers
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Shuai Wang, Prop Styling by Megan Forbes and Christina Hussey31/53Grilled Corn Tiger Salad
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kaitlin Wayne, prop styling by Stephanie De Luca32/53Lentil Musaqa’a
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Jillian Knox, prop styling Sophie Peoples33/53Stewed Romano Beans With Vinegar and Garlic
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams34/53Crunchy and Bright Greek Salad
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Emma Fishman35/53Nuoc Cham Gazpacho
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Kaitlin Wayne, prop styling by Stephanie De Luca36/53Hot-Smoked Salmon Noodle Salad
Hot smoked salmon is flaky like cooked fish, but has all the delightful smokiness of similarly preserved meats. It sits in the place tuna typically would in this riff on niçoise salad, which also features soba noodles, green beans, radishes, and baby lettuces.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro37/53Easy-to-Love Chicken Thighs and Couscous
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Taneka Morris, prop styling by Suzie Myers38/53Tinned-Salmon Niçoise Sandwich
A twist on the classic Provençal tuna sandwich pan bagnat, this one calls for canned salmon instead. It’s a protein-packed meal to be enjoyed—even assembled—outside, no cooking necessary.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones, prop styling by Emma Fishman39/53Tomatoes and Feta With Chickpeas
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Tim Ferro40/53Jerk Shrimp With Pineapple Salad
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Micah Morton, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley41/53Bulgogi Tofu Burgers
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness42/53Fiery Red Curry Chicken Salad
Mix fried red curry paste and yogurt for this flavorful riff on a beloved chicken recipe, then toss with tender store-bought pulled rotisserie chicken and crunchy celery.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Catherine Campbell Pearson43/53Black Bean Smash Burger
Cookbook author Zaynab Issa looked to beef smash burgers for the technique on these vegetarian patties. Plop your cast-iron skillet right on the grill to make these at your next cookout.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Catherine Campbell Pearson44/53Easy Fish Tacos With Spicy Sauce
Skip the battering and frying—all the fish really needs is a smoky dry rub, a creamy-spicy sauce, and crunchy slaw. If chicken tacos are more your speed, try this al pastor recipe.
Photograph by Jessica Pettway, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie Yeh45/53Caramelized Tofu With Soy-Braised Eggplant
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman46/53Spiced Salmon With Potatoes and Corn
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua47/53Zhug-Marinated Chicken Thighs
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Taneka Morris, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman48/53Crispy Chickpea and Cucumber Salad
This chickpea salad from recipe developer Rachel Gurjar feels elegant enough to be a dinner party main. Swap in queso fresco or Cotija if you’re not feeling feta.
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Kat Boystova, Prop Styling by Allie Wist49/53Kimchi-Melon Gazpacho
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Judy Kim.50/53Big Queer Cold Noodles
“This recipe is my tribute to the spaces in Taipei that host young queer folks like me, where I got to feel free and comfortable in my own skin while having affordable, delicious food,” writes recipe developer Jessie YuChen. Here, you’ll recreate liang mian sauce with ingredients that are easy to source in the US.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk51/53Grilled Chicken Breasts With Tadka-ish Sauce
Skin-on, boneless chicken breasts are made for the grill (they may not be out on the supermarket shelf, but ask your butcher if they have any!). Serve with buttermilk dressing-tossed greens and a flash of tempered oil and aromatics.
Photo by Emma Fishman, food styling by Kat Boystova, prop styling by Allie Wist52/53Summer Vegetable Cassoulet With Crispy Gruyère
Traditional cassoulet is rich, meat-heavy, and takes several days to prepare (ideal for cold days inside); when the weather’s warm, make this vegetarian version. With tons of veg and canned beans, it’s done in about an hour, so you have more time outside.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Plates by Meilen Ceramics53/53Healthyish Chicken Salad
This one has “healthy summer dinner” written all over it. Toss poached chicken, greens, and cucumbers in a dressing inspired by gomae, a sesame and sugar dressing, made creamy and nuttier with a slick of tahini.