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Photo: Antonis Achilleos
Make the most of summer produce with these vegetable side dishes. From zucchini to corn to cucumbers, these side dishes are bright, fresh and delicious. Recipes like Grilled Summer Vegetable Panzanella and Zucchini & Squash Casserole are healthy, seasonal and the perfect accompaniment to any summer meal.When planning a menu, remember to have some fun balancing the colors, flavors and textures of your dishes. For instance, pair white fish with a colorful side, a spicy dish with something mild and smooth pasta with crisp vegetables. Consider simpler sides or make-ahead options for labor-intensive main courses to free up your kitchen stove, oven and your time. Here, our side dishes cover all bases.
Make the most of summer produce with these vegetable side dishes. From zucchini to corn to cucumbers, these side dishes are bright, fresh and delicious. Recipes like Grilled Summer Vegetable Panzanella and Zucchini & Squash Casserole are healthy, seasonal and the perfect accompaniment to any summer meal.
When planning a menu, remember to have some fun balancing the colors, flavors and textures of your dishes. For instance, pair white fish with a colorful side, a spicy dish with something mild and smooth pasta with crisp vegetables. Consider simpler sides or make-ahead options for labor-intensive main courses to free up your kitchen stove, oven and your time. Here, our side dishes cover all bases.
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Grilled Summer Vegetable Panzanella
View Recipe
Brie Passano
02of 28Zucchini & Squash CasseroleView RecipeAntonis AchilleosPesto adds fresh herbal flavor to this zucchini and squash casserole. This easy summer casserole is perfect for when you have a bounty of fresh garden zucchini and summer squash.
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Zucchini & Squash Casserole
Antonis Achilleos
Pesto adds fresh herbal flavor to this zucchini and squash casserole. This easy summer casserole is perfect for when you have a bounty of fresh garden zucchini and summer squash.
03of 28Summer Grilled VegetablesView RecipeCaitlin BenselColorful grilled summer vegetables are served with a light and refreshing sauce in this easy side dish that pairs perfectly with just about everything.
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Summer Grilled Vegetables
Caitlin Bensel
Colorful grilled summer vegetables are served with a light and refreshing sauce in this easy side dish that pairs perfectly with just about everything.
04of 28Cucumber-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.
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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.
05of 28Zucchini & Tomato CasseroleView RecipeAntonis AchilleosThe combination of sweet tomatoes and zucchini with melted cheese in this zucchini-tomato casserole tastes like a summer-fresh pizza. It’s the perfect easy side dish for any summer meal.
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Zucchini & Tomato Casserole
The combination of sweet tomatoes and zucchini with melted cheese in this zucchini-tomato casserole tastes like a summer-fresh pizza. It’s the perfect easy side dish for any summer meal.
06of 28Garlic Butter Campfire CornView RecipeThis flavorful corn couldn’t be easier to prepare. Just cover the ears of corn in a quick garlic-and-chive-flavored butter and wrap in foil and they’re ready to throw on the grill at home or over coals at the campsite.
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Garlic Butter Campfire Corn
This flavorful corn couldn’t be easier to prepare. Just cover the ears of corn in a quick garlic-and-chive-flavored butter and wrap in foil and they’re ready to throw on the grill at home or over coals at the campsite.
07of 28Classic Zucchini CasseroleView RecipeJennifer CauseyThis comforting zucchini casserole with buttery crackers and cheese is the perfect recipe for your bumper crop of zucchini. Fresh thyme is lightly floral while fresh ground pepper adds kick to this creamy summer casserole.
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Classic Zucchini Casserole
Jennifer Causey
This comforting zucchini casserole with buttery crackers and cheese is the perfect recipe for your bumper crop of zucchini. Fresh thyme is lightly floral while fresh ground pepper adds kick to this creamy summer casserole.
08of 28Grilled Eggplant SaladView RecipeThis easy grilled eggplant salad is the healthy side dish you’ll want to serve all summer long. It comes together in just 25 minutes and can be served warm or at room temperature, so it’s equally suited to casual parties and weeknight dinners. The combination of eggplant, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, red onions and fresh herbs makes for a salad that’s full of bright flavors and colors. Serve it with grilled chicken or fish or as part of a vegetarian mezze platter with dips like hummus and pita bread.
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Grilled Eggplant Salad
This easy grilled eggplant salad is the healthy side dish you’ll want to serve all summer long. It comes together in just 25 minutes and can be served warm or at room temperature, so it’s equally suited to casual parties and weeknight dinners. The combination of eggplant, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, red onions and fresh herbs makes for a salad that’s full of bright flavors and colors. Serve it with grilled chicken or fish or as part of a vegetarian mezze platter with dips like hummus and pita bread.
09of 28Charred Green Beans with Mustard Vinaigrette & HazelnutsView RecipeOur go-to trick for this crunchy, mustardy vegan side dish: Use a grill basket—it lets you cook all the things that would ordinarily fall through the grill grates, no skewering required. Pick one up from the hardware store or order one online for less than $15.
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Charred Green Beans with Mustard Vinaigrette & Hazelnuts
Our go-to trick for this crunchy, mustardy vegan side dish: Use a grill basket—it lets you cook all the things that would ordinarily fall through the grill grates, no skewering required. Pick one up from the hardware store or order one online for less than $15.
10of 28Creamy Oven-Roasted Zucchini & Summer SquashView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Claire SpollenThis wonderfully creamy and tender oven-roasted zucchini and summer squash draws inspiration from Thomas Keller’s viral zucchini recipe. The squash is scored, then roasted whole, allowing garlic to seep into the center while a crispy top forms in the pan. Enjoy it alongside roasted or grilled meat or fish. It’s perfect as is but also tastes great topped with chopped tomato and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, pesto or romesco sauce.
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Creamy Oven-Roasted Zucchini & Summer Squash
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This wonderfully creamy and tender oven-roasted zucchini and summer squash draws inspiration from Thomas Keller’s viral zucchini recipe. The squash is scored, then roasted whole, allowing garlic to seep into the center while a crispy top forms in the pan. Enjoy it alongside roasted or grilled meat or fish. It’s perfect as is but also tastes great topped with chopped tomato and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, pesto or romesco sauce.
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Balsamic Roasted Zucchini with Feta
12of 28Oven-Roasted Corn with Smoked Paprika ButterView RecipeThis healthy corn on the cob recipe is easily doubled or tripled when you have guests over. If you don’t want to turn on your oven, grill the foil-wrapped corn over medium-high heat, turning a few times, until tender, about 10 minutes total.
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Oven-Roasted Corn with Smoked Paprika Butter
This healthy corn on the cob recipe is easily doubled or tripled when you have guests over. If you don’t want to turn on your oven, grill the foil-wrapped corn over medium-high heat, turning a few times, until tender, about 10 minutes total.
13of 28Tropical Cucumber SaladView RecipeCombine cucumber, avocado and mango with a salty-sweet dressing for a taste of the tropics.
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Tropical Cucumber Salad
Combine cucumber, avocado and mango with a salty-sweet dressing for a taste of the tropics.
14of 28Panzanella with Tomatoes & Grilled CornView RecipeGrilled corn adds a note of sweetness to this tangy panzanella salad.
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Panzanella with Tomatoes & Grilled Corn
Grilled corn adds a note of sweetness to this tangy panzanella salad.
15of 28Mixed Vegetable Salad with Lime DressingView RecipeUsing potatoes and green beans gives this gorgeous and healthy vegetable salad a Niçoise salad feel, but you can use whatever suits your fancy.
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Mixed Vegetable Salad with Lime Dressing
Using potatoes and green beans gives this gorgeous and healthy vegetable salad a Niçoise salad feel, but you can use whatever suits your fancy.
16of 28Grilled Peppers & OnionsView RecipePhotographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine KeelyGrilled peppers and onions sweeten up and are perfectly tender off the grill. A simple red-wine vinaigrette drizzled over the top helps to brighten up the dish and enhance the flavors.
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Grilled Peppers & Onions
Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely
Grilled peppers and onions sweeten up and are perfectly tender off the grill. A simple red-wine vinaigrette drizzled over the top helps to brighten up the dish and enhance the flavors.
17of 28Carrot-Cucumber SaladView RecipeCarrot salads are refreshing, and this one—with cucumbers, red onion and a zesty cilantro-chili vinaigrette—is sure to become a new favorite. It’s excellent served with grilled fish.
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Carrot-Cucumber Salad
Carrot salads are refreshing, and this one—with cucumbers, red onion and a zesty cilantro-chili vinaigrette—is sure to become a new favorite. It’s excellent served with grilled fish.
18of 28Olive Oil-Braised Summer SquashView RecipeZucchini or any other kind of summer squash will work in this easy vegetable side dish. Serve with grilled chicken or fish for a quick and healthy dinner.
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Olive Oil-Braised Summer Squash
Zucchini or any other kind of summer squash will work in this easy vegetable side dish. Serve with grilled chicken or fish for a quick and healthy dinner.
19of 28Spiralized Zucchini & Summer Squash CasseroleView RecipeIf you don’t have a spiralizer to make this healthy zucchini noodle casserole (aka zoodles), use a vegetable peeler to make long thin strips of the squash and zucchini, stopping when you reach the seedy center. Just a few minutes under the broiler gives these ricotta-and-basil-filled nests a light golden top.
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Spiralized Zucchini & Summer Squash Casserole
If you don’t have a spiralizer to make this healthy zucchini noodle casserole (aka zoodles), use a vegetable peeler to make long thin strips of the squash and zucchini, stopping when you reach the seedy center. Just a few minutes under the broiler gives these ricotta-and-basil-filled nests a light golden top.
20of 28Grilled Summer Squash, Onions and TomatoesView RecipeEnjoy the freshest summer vegetables hot off the grill, flavored with herbs and a hint of garlic.
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Grilled Summer Squash, Onions and Tomatoes
Enjoy the freshest summer vegetables hot off the grill, flavored with herbs and a hint of garlic.
21of 28Green Beans & Tomatoes with Sizzled GarlicView RecipeCapers, juicy tomatoes and chopped fresh parsley make this vegetable side dish flavorful enough for a special meal but easy enough for every day.
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Green Beans & Tomatoes with Sizzled Garlic
Capers, juicy tomatoes and chopped fresh parsley make this vegetable side dish flavorful enough for a special meal but easy enough for every day.
22of 28Smashed 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 this smashed cucumber salad at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.
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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 this smashed cucumber salad at a summer cookout alongside burgers and hot dogs.
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This easy vegetable side dish shines alongside roasted or seared steak, chicken, shrimp or firm fish, such as cod or salmon. Sumac lends punchy, fruity, sour-lemon notes to this fast and simple recipe. Find ground sumac spice online, in specialty markets and in well-stocked grocery stores.
24of 28Cheesy Summer Squash CasseroleView RecipeThis yellow squash casserole is a great rendition of the classic—it’s still super cheesy but much healthier for you. Look for medium or even small yellow squash, as large ones tend to water out more. Be sure to remove as much water as possible after boiling the veggies and before assembling the squash casserole so it doesn’t get soupy.
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Cheesy Summer Squash Casserole
This yellow squash casserole is a great rendition of the classic—it’s still super cheesy but much healthier for you. Look for medium or even small yellow squash, as large ones tend to water out more. Be sure to remove as much water as possible after boiling the veggies and before assembling the squash casserole so it doesn’t get soupy.
25of 28Easy Eggplant Stir-FryView RecipeAlexandra ShytsmanThis eggplant stir-fry is easy to make. We call for long and tender Japanese eggplant, but regular eggplant will work well, too, cut into 1-inch pieces. Jalapeño peppers can vary from mild to very spicy. If you need to cut the heat, opt for small sweet peppers in their place.
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Easy Eggplant Stir-Fry
Alexandra Shytsman
This eggplant stir-fry is easy to make. We call for long and tender Japanese eggplant, but regular eggplant will work well, too, cut into 1-inch pieces. Jalapeño peppers can vary from mild to very spicy. If you need to cut the heat, opt for small sweet peppers in their place.
26of 28Three Sisters SuccotashView RecipeIn this easy succotash recipe, corn, squash and beans—known as the three sisters—are as delicious married in the pot as they are harmonious in the garden. Succotash, from the Native American word msiquatash, referred to a winter stew made from corn and beans but now also describes various vegetable blends, such as this delightful summer garden mix. If you find lovely patty pan squashes, you could use those instead of regular zucchini or summer squash.
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Three Sisters Succotash
In this easy succotash recipe, corn, squash and beans—known as the three sisters—are as delicious married in the pot as they are harmonious in the garden. Succotash, from the Native American word msiquatash, referred to a winter stew made from corn and beans but now also describes various vegetable blends, such as this delightful summer garden mix. If you find lovely patty pan squashes, you could use those instead of regular zucchini or summer squash.
27of 28Caprese Zucchini CasseroleView RecipeA summertime favorite—zucchini casserole—gets an Italian spin in this delicious and healthy side dish with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. You can use zucchini or summer squash in this caprese-style casserole or a combination of the two. A sprinkling of fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar just before serving brightens up the flavors. Serve with grilled or roasted chicken and some quinoa, rice or couscous to soak up the juices from the casserole for a satisfying and easy dinner.
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Caprese Zucchini Casserole
A summertime favorite—zucchini casserole—gets an Italian spin in this delicious and healthy side dish with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. You can use zucchini or summer squash in this caprese-style casserole or a combination of the two. A sprinkling of fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar just before serving brightens up the flavors. Serve with grilled or roasted chicken and some quinoa, rice or couscous to soak up the juices from the casserole for a satisfying and easy dinner.
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Use-a-Spoon Chopped Salad with Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion & Kalamata Olives
Kelsey Hansen
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