Close
Photo: Andrea Mathis
As the weather heats up, turn to one of these no-cook side dishes to stay cool. These recipes are easy to throw together and perfect for a summer barbecue or potluck. Recipes like Easy Pineapple Coleslaw and Radish, Celery & Cucumber Salad are bright, tasty and colorful.
01of 20
Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad
View Recipe
02of 20Cucumber-Yogurt SaladView RecipeA refreshing accompaniment to a main course of meat or fish, this cucumber-yogurt salad also makes a tasty filling for pita bread. If the cucumbers are grated instead of chopped, this mixture can be served as a dip.
02of 20
Cucumber-Yogurt Salad
A refreshing accompaniment to a main course of meat or fish, this cucumber-yogurt salad also makes a tasty filling for pita bread. If the cucumbers are grated instead of chopped, this mixture can be served as a dip.
03of 20Cabbage SlawView RecipeAlthough it’s not a traditional topping for American tacos, cabbage slaw is an essential ingredient when making fish tacos. This colorful, vinegar-dressed coleslaw can be made in just a few minutes. Use preshredded cabbage to make it even quicker.
03of 20
Cabbage Slaw
Although it’s not a traditional topping for American tacos, cabbage slaw is an essential ingredient when making fish tacos. This colorful, vinegar-dressed coleslaw can be made in just a few minutes. Use preshredded cabbage to make it even quicker.
04of 20Tomato Salad with Lemon-Basil VinaigretteView RecipeSeek out several varieties of heirloom tomatoes for this simple salad. Sweeter and juicier than conventional tomatoes, they add the perfect pop of color.
04of 20
Tomato Salad with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
Seek out several varieties of heirloom tomatoes for this simple salad. Sweeter and juicier than conventional tomatoes, they add the perfect pop of color.
05of 20Radish, Celery & Cucumber SaladView RecipeEva KolenkoIt’s worth using that special bottle of olive oil and seeking out Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is bolder than basic Parm, for this simple salad. Use a mandoline to shave the veggies if you have one.
05of 20
Radish, Celery & Cucumber Salad
Eva Kolenko
It’s worth using that special bottle of olive oil and seeking out Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is bolder than basic Parm, for this simple salad. Use a mandoline to shave the veggies if you have one.
06of 20Cantaloupe Salad with Lime, Pepitas & CotijaView RecipeJennifer CauseyThis refreshing cantaloupe salad is tossed with tangy lime and garnished with crunchy pepitas and salty cotija cheese. Chili powder and cumin add a Southwestern spin. Enjoy as dinner side or light lunch.
06of 20
Cantaloupe Salad with Lime, Pepitas & Cotija
Jennifer Causey
This refreshing cantaloupe salad is tossed with tangy lime and garnished with crunchy pepitas and salty cotija cheese. Chili powder and cumin add a Southwestern spin. Enjoy as dinner side or light lunch.
07of 20Easy Pineapple ColeslawView RecipeAndrea MathisThis easy pineapple coleslaw is a fresh take on the traditional coleslaw recipe—it contains those familiar savory flavors plus a touch of sweetness thanks to the pineapple. If you prefer a more tart-tasting slaw, feel free to add an additional tablespoon of lemon juice. This recipe is part of ourJuneteenth Family Cookout Menu.
07of 20
Easy Pineapple Coleslaw
Andrea Mathis
This easy pineapple coleslaw is a fresh take on the traditional coleslaw recipe—it contains those familiar savory flavors plus a touch of sweetness thanks to the pineapple. If you prefer a more tart-tasting slaw, feel free to add an additional tablespoon of lemon juice. This recipe is part of ourJuneteenth Family Cookout Menu.
08of 20Marinated Cucumber & Tomato SaladView RecipeAndrea MathisThis marinated salad is such a healthy way to enjoy those fresh summer veggies and can be easily customized. Try adding in some fresh herbs or feta cheese for a little added flavor. You can also swap in seasoned pepper, which is amped up with additional seasonings, in place of the plain ground pepper for an additional flavor boost. This recipe is part of ourJuneteenth Family Cookout Menu.
08of 20
Marinated Cucumber & Tomato Salad
This marinated salad is such a healthy way to enjoy those fresh summer veggies and can be easily customized. Try adding in some fresh herbs or feta cheese for a little added flavor. You can also swap in seasoned pepper, which is amped up with additional seasonings, in place of the plain ground pepper for an additional flavor boost. This recipe is part of ourJuneteenth Family Cookout Menu.
09of 20Zucchini Noodle “Pasta” SaladView RecipeThis healthy zucchini noodle salad has all the flavors you love in a classic Mediterranean pasta salad but we’ve swapped in zoodles for wheat pasta, which makes the salad lighter, lower in carbs and gluten-free. Serve it with grilled chicken or fish for a light and healthy summer dinner.
09of 20
Zucchini Noodle “Pasta” Salad
This healthy zucchini noodle salad has all the flavors you love in a classic Mediterranean pasta salad but we’ve swapped in zoodles for wheat pasta, which makes the salad lighter, lower in carbs and gluten-free. Serve it with grilled chicken or fish for a light and healthy summer dinner.
10of 20Radish Salad with ParmesanView RecipeVictor ProtasioThis bright and crispy radish salad with Parmesan is the perfect healthy salad for spring when radishes are at their peak.
10of 20
Radish Salad with Parmesan
Victor Protasio
This bright and crispy radish salad with Parmesan is the perfect healthy salad for spring when radishes are at their peak.
11of 20Moroccan Kidney Bean & Chickpea SaladView RecipeThe bold flavors of the lemon-cumin dressing in this healthy bean salad recipe make it a wonderful side dish to grilled beef and lamb, yet it’s also a stellar meatless main when served with whole-wheat couscous.
11of 20
Moroccan Kidney Bean & Chickpea Salad
The bold flavors of the lemon-cumin dressing in this healthy bean salad recipe make it a wonderful side dish to grilled beef and lamb, yet it’s also a stellar meatless main when served with whole-wheat couscous.
12of 20Summer Squash “Noodles” with Tomatoes & MintView RecipeJason DonnellyFind squash “noodles” with other precut fruits and veggies in your supermarket’s produce section if you don’t want to spiralize them yourself.
12of 20
Summer Squash “Noodles” with Tomatoes & Mint
Jason Donnelly
Find squash “noodles” with other precut fruits and veggies in your supermarket’s produce section if you don’t want to spiralize them yourself.
13of 20
Mojito Blueberry & Watermelon Salad
14of 20Heirloom Tomato & Summer Vegetable SaladView RecipeAllowing the salad to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving means the raw vegetables get a chance to soak up the tangy-sweet dressing in this healthy side dish recipe. Serve with grilled chicken, steak, mushrooms or tofu.
14of 20
Heirloom Tomato & Summer Vegetable Salad
Allowing the salad to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving means the raw vegetables get a chance to soak up the tangy-sweet dressing in this healthy side dish recipe. Serve with grilled chicken, steak, mushrooms or tofu.
15of 20Chipotle ColeslawView RecipeJacob FoxServe this slightly spicy slaw as a side—or topping—on taco night.
15of 20
Chipotle Coleslaw
Jacob Fox
Serve this slightly spicy slaw as a side—or topping—on taco night.
16of 20Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & CuminView RecipeDon’t skip salting the cucumbers in this quick cucumber salad recipe–just 10 minutes pulls out some of their excess moisture, concentrating the flavor and keeping the salad from being watered down. Serve as a healthy side dish at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.
16of 20
Smashed Cucumber Salad with Lemon & Cumin
Don’t skip salting the cucumbers in this quick cucumber salad recipe–just 10 minutes pulls out some of their excess moisture, concentrating the flavor and keeping the salad from being watered down. Serve as a healthy side dish at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.
17of 20Carrot-Peanut Noodle SaladView RecipeThis crunchy salad is made with spiralized carrots instead of noodles. Make sure to use unrefined peanut oil, which is way more flavorful than its refined counterpart and is one of the trio of peanutty ingredients that makes this simple salad stand out. Look for it with other specialty oils or in the Asian section of your grocery store.
17of 20
Carrot-Peanut Noodle Salad
This crunchy salad is made with spiralized carrots instead of noodles. Make sure to use unrefined peanut oil, which is way more flavorful than its refined counterpart and is one of the trio of peanutty ingredients that makes this simple salad stand out. Look for it with other specialty oils or in the Asian section of your grocery store.
18of 20Persian Cucumber & Tomato Salad with Preserved LemonView RecipeIn this cucumber and tomato salad recipe, preserved lemon adds a tangy, salty bite. Serve this healthy salad as an accompaniment to dishes like grilled lamb or chicken or as a side on a bed of finely julienned purple kale, lightly dressed with more olive oil and lemon juice. Look for preserved lemons at specialty-foods stores. Or, to make your own, see our Preserved Lemons recipe on eatingwell.com.
18of 20
Persian Cucumber & Tomato Salad with Preserved Lemon
In this cucumber and tomato salad recipe, preserved lemon adds a tangy, salty bite. Serve this healthy salad as an accompaniment to dishes like grilled lamb or chicken or as a side on a bed of finely julienned purple kale, lightly dressed with more olive oil and lemon juice. Look for preserved lemons at specialty-foods stores. Or, to make your own, see our Preserved Lemons recipe on eatingwell.com.
19of 20Tomato, Watermelon & Avocado SaladView RecipeEnjoy this refreshing healthy salad recipe as a side dish or dice the tomatoes, watermelon and avocado smaller (1/2- to 1/4-inch pieces) and serve as a condiment for grilled fish, shrimp or chicken.
19of 20
Tomato, Watermelon & Avocado Salad
Enjoy this refreshing healthy salad recipe as a side dish or dice the tomatoes, watermelon and avocado smaller (1/2- to 1/4-inch pieces) and serve as a condiment for grilled fish, shrimp or chicken.
20of 20Citrus Kale SaladView RecipeJason DonnellyMassaging the kale is well worth the effort because the process quickly softens the leaves for a tender bite. We’ve used green curly kale here, but red kale would also give this salad a lovely appearance. For an extra burst of citrus flavor, garnish each serving with additional lemon zest.
20of 20
Citrus Kale Salad
Massaging the kale is well worth the effort because the process quickly softens the leaves for a tender bite. We’ve used green curly kale here, but red kale would also give this salad a lovely appearance. For an extra burst of citrus flavor, garnish each serving with additional lemon zest.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
