Picture it; you are surrounded by yummy food, great people and making awesome memories. It’s so close, you can almost smell the grill going. Aside from the (sometimes unbearable) heat, cookouts may be the most notable thing about the summer season.
And let’s be real, the side dishes at cookouts are sometimes the most important thing.
We are going to be giving you six yummy (and healthy) summer cookout sides that will impress all your family and friends.
Grilled Corn Caprese Quinoa Salad
This salad has all the summer vibes. Fresh, sweet, a bit of tang and charred flavor. The heartiness from the quinoa paired with the freshness of the tomatoes and basil, makes this salad the perfect addition to your summer get together. Ditching dairy this summer? Sub the mozzarella for avocado to make this salad vegan.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes
Burgers & fries will always be a classic go-to. But these grilled sweet potatoes will help turn your classic combo into a smoky, summer must-have. This recipe comes paired with a pesto-mayo sauce. Not your favorite dipping sauce? You can pair these sweet potatoes with whatever sauce or dip you’d like!
Cauliflower Mock Potato Salad
Cauliflower strikes again, showing off its versatility. This mock potato salad has all the flavor of the classic side without all the heavy carbs. This dish will be a hit around the board, whether guests are watching their carb intake or not. This recipe calls for mayo, but you can easily swap the mayo for yogurt without losing any of the creaminess.
Collard Green Spring Rolls + Sunbutter Dipping Sauce
Okay, this healthy plant-based side is packed FULL of nutrients. First off, collard greens are jam packed with micronutrients like vitamins A, K &C. Not to mention all the freshness that is wrapped inside of the green. And honorary mention: this recipe is nut-free. If you’re not a tofu fan, sub it out and you will still be enjoying a healthy, satisfying and fresh side.
Spicy Mango Salsa
Needing to accommodate for different dietary needs? This salsa is a great place to start. It is gluten-free & dairy-free. You can pair this salsa with chips, add some to your salad or use it as a topper on your burger. The jalapeno and mangoes pair perfectly for the sweet & spicy, tropical flair.
Seven-Layer Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Okay, I never thought I would say seven-layer and healthy in the same sentence but here we are. This salad combines healthy fats, fresh veggies and protein in perfect seven-layer harmony. This recipe is paired with a blue cheese dressing, but it is suggested to serve this dressing on the side so you and/or your guests can have control over how much dressing they add. Not to mention this allows you to pull out all the other dressings that have been waiting in your refrigerator door shelf, longing to be used.
Whether you are firing up the grill to enjoy the summer weather with your family or BBQ-ing for a variety of guests these simple, healthy and fresh recipes with be perfect to add your summer menu.
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