Cooling Recipes for Hot Summer Days

Here are a few “must-try” fresh and light Summer Recipes for hot summer nights to make now! Many are hearty summer salads, or can be made the grill , but most are full of vibrant healthy summer produce- not only nutritious, they are also delicious!

At home, when the weather gets hot, we often turn to cooling meals and eat alfresco, outside on the patio. Summer salad recipes topped with a piece of grilled fish or chicken, or a chilled soup topped with grilled shrimp. We roll out cool and refreshing ceviche and poke bowls!  Here are a few of our favorites.

Many of these Summer Dinner Recipes are also vegan or vegetarian adaptable. Scroll down and choose a couple to try this week and surprise your family with something new and different! All of these recipes have great flavor and are geared for hot weather. Let us know your favorites in the comments below!

 

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This hearty summer salad ticks all the boxes for me –Lemony Chicken Arugula Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Creamy Basil Dressing- an easy low-carb, high protein salad that is full of amazing flavor!

 

Blackened Tofu Caesar!  This Vegan Ceasar Salad is topped with Blackened Cajun Tofu and dressed in a creamy caesar dressing that is dairy-free, nut-free, and low in calories! A flavorful summer salad, perfect for warm nights!

This fresh  Poke Bowl ( vegan adaptable!) is perfect for hot summer evenings. Made with fresh ahi tuna (or tofu) with a flavorful Ponzu Dressing, it is loaded with fresh seasonal veggies, all over rice!

We love taking a chilled soup like this Chilled Cucumber Gazpacho with yogurt, cilantro, coriander and lime, and topping it with seafood- like shrimp, lobster or even crab!  Or feel free to keep it vegetarian! So tasty.

 

This Creamy Vegan Broccoli Salad is so surprisingly good, you won’t even realize it is vegan! It’s filling, full of fiber and nutrients, tossed in a very addicting Herby Hemp Seed Dressing. Easy, healthy and full of flavor! Vegan and Keto!

 

I love everything about this cool and crisp Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Fennel Salad with butter lettuce and creamy Dill Dressing. Fast and easy, this hearty summer salad  is low carb and full of flavor!

 

Perfect for warm evenings on the patio this Grilled Romaine Salad with Maitake Mushrooms is dressing with a Furikake Caesar Dressing -a Japanese-Inspired Caesar salad that comes together in 20 minutes!  A summer recipe for the grill!

 

Tomato Peach Gazpacho with Basil and Burrata -a chilled summer soup that is cooling and refreshing and easy to whip up. Keep it vegan with Tofu Ricotta!

Baja Fish Taco Bowls made with beer-battered cod, cilantro rice, pinto beans, Mexican Slaw, avocado and Baja Sauce! A tasty summer dinner recipe the whole family will love!

 

This juicy Nectarine, Tomato, Beet and Buratta salad with fresh basil, flakey salt and a White Balsamic Vinaigrette pairs nicely with grilled fish or chicken. Or sometimes we keep it light and have it on its own.

Grilled Chipotle Fish Tacos with a refreshing Peach Salsa. Summery and light with a little bit of heat! Such a delicious combo of flavors, perfect for warm evenings, the cooling peach salsa is super flavorful!

 

This Grilled Portobello Salad with Avocado, Tomatoes, Corn and a Smoky Lime Dressing  is vegan and low in carbs. A delicious summer salad for grilling weather!                                 

 

Currently my favorite summer burger on the blog-Chimichurri Turkey Burgers!  Seasoned with jalapeño, cilantro, lime zest, scallions, topped with roasted poblano peppers and flavorful Chimichurri Mayo, wrapped up in lettuce. Light and ultra flavorful, these low carb burgers are perfect for hot weather!

 

These Teryaki Mushroom Lettuce Wraps are light yet filling! Filled with flavorful shiitake mushrooms in a homemade teriyaki sauce and brown rice- a light and healthy summer meal, perfect for hot summer nights!

Tofu Katsu!– a Japanese style Tofu filet that is crispy and flavorful to use in sandwiches, rice bowls and salads. Recently we served it over Easy crunchy Asian Slaw– so tasty!!! Here it is served over a farmers market salad.

Green Papaya Salad {Bangkok Style!} – a light, healthy and refreshing salad bursting with authentic Thai Flavors!

Grilled Salmon Tzatziki Bowls with grilled veggies and quinoa, a fast and easy summer dinner idea loaded up with healthy veggies!

On especially hit days- I often turn to Ceviche made with fresh fish, chili, lime, cilantro, avocado, tomato and cucumber.  A very simple recipe -perfect as a flavorful appetizer or a light, healthy meal.

 

Grilled Romaine Salad with Corn, Fava Beans and Avocado – a light and refreshing summer meal. Keep it vegan or add grilled shrimp for added protein. Either way, it’s sure to be your new favorite salad. Don’t have access to fresh Fava beans? No worries, sub edamame!

 

Mexican Grilled Salmon with Avocado Cucumber Salsa served over greens with creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing …can be made in 20 minutes. A delicious, healthy low-carb meal.

Grilled Chipotle Chicken Salad –  This flavorful entree salad is loaded up with grilled veggies- corn, peppers and scallions over a bed of arugula and quinoa with avocado and a simple Chipotle Lime Dressing.  The grilled Chipotle chicken (or  MEXICAN TOFU ) is placed on top, for a light but hearty Summer Dinner!

Cool and refreshing Watermelon Gazpacho with avocado, cucumber and sprouts. An easy chilled soup for summer! Top it with shrimp or crab and make it a meal!

 

A simple, healthy recipe for Halibut, served over Lemony Zucchini Noodles with olive oil, garlic and parsley, topped with sweet summer tomatoes. A quick and easy low-carb meal- perfect for summer! 

A simple recipe for Tuscan White Bean & Tuna Salad with arugula, radishes, tomatoes and a simple balsamic vinaigrette.

Mexican Aguachile! Similar to ceviche, shrimp is cooked in a mixture of lime juice, chiles and cilantro. Flavorful, simple and sooooo delicious!

 

Blackened Tempeh Salad with Avocado, Kale, Radishes, Pickled Onions and a Creamy VEGAN Cajun Ranch Dressing that can be made into a hearty entree salad, grain bowl, or packable wrap.

 

Nordic Nicoise Salad with smoked salmon on a bed of greens with radish, cucumber baby potatoes, capers, dill, and horseradish-spiked Nicoise dressing. 

Poke Beets!– a vegan twist on Hawaiian-style poke made with steamed beets instead of fish, this delicious beet salad can be made ahead and served over rice, greens or noodles for midweek meals!

 

Grilled Lamb Kebabs with Herb Salad and Dilled Yogurt Sauce– a delicious, healthy, paleo-friendly recipe featuring ground lamb spiced with Middle Eastern seasonings.

 

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Smoked Blue Cheese – a simple summer salad highlighting sweet and juicy heirloom tomatoes. Can be made in 15 minutes!

 

 

This Vietnamese Beef and Green Papaya Salad–  is light and refreshing but full of so much flavor!  On oldie on the blog still a reader favorite!

 

Baked Squash Blossoms with ground lamb, basmati rice and fragrant Middle Eastern spices – a simple delicious appetizer, or main course inspired by the season! Serve with Creamy Tzatziki Sauce!

Peach & Fennel Panzanella Salad with Arugula – a simple, healthy & delicious summer salad recipe full of delicious flavor! Vegan!

Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers with the most flavorful Chipotle Marinade. Sweet, tangy, smoky with a little spice- a delicious combination of flavors! Served over Jicama Mango Slaw!

Hope you enjoy these fresh and light summer recipes!

Stay cool.

xoxo

Sylvia

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