Summer Side Dishes

With summer just around the corner, there’s no better time than now to start planning for all the summer side dishes that are perfect for warm weather. I’ve gathered 17 beautiful summer side dishes including pasta salads, potato salads, baked bean dishes and more. You’ll want to try them all!

Click on the recipe name or photo to get more details about each of these summer side dishes!

overhead photo of a avocado shrimp salad

AVOCADO SHRIMP SALAD – Girl Gone Gourmet | Quick and easy avocado shrimp salad with a zingy cilantro-lime dressing, bell pepper, corn and lots of creamy avocado. It’s a no-cook, 20-minute recipe you can make on repeat all summer long.

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD – Girl Gone Gourmet |This easy pasta salad is a great way to kick off the start of the season. It has a tangy homemade dressing and all the Italian-inspired ingredients like pepperoni, olives, mozzarella cheese and rotini pasta.

💌 Sign up and get your free guide: Gourmet Made Simple: 5 Secrets for Making Fancy (but Not Fussy!) Meals delivered to your inbox!

GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH BASIL VINAIGRETTE – Averie Cooks | During the summer, when produce is at its peak, it’s best to keep things simple and let all the fresh veggies shine on their own. Grilling vegetables brings out their natural sweetness and when you add a pop of brightness with a vinaigrette, people will line up to get a big helping of this summer side.

summer side dishes: white bean tomato salad on a white plate with a bowl of lettuce

WHITE BEAN TOMATO SALAD – Girl Gone Gourmet | This salad can pull double-duty as a main dish (add some leafy greens and a simple dressing) and as a side dish. Inspired by one of my favorite simple Italian dishes, caprese salad, this warm-weather no-cook dish is a great one to pass around the summertime table.

Smoked mozzarella salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon

MACARONI SALAD WITH SMOKED MOZZARELLA AND PROSCUITTO – Foodie Crush | Leave the gloppy pre-made macaroni salads in the deli section at the store and make this amazing pasta salad instead. I love the combination of smoked mozzarella and prosciutto and there’s just enough dressing to hold it all together.

baked black beans in a white dish with a wooden spoon

BAKED BLACK BEANS – Girl Gone Gourmet | These smokey-sweet baked black beans are mostly a dump and stir operation. They start on the stovetop, finish in the oven, and belong next to all the summer hot dogs and hamburgers.

FRUIT SALAD – Girl Gone Gourmet | This easy fruit salad is made with fresh berries and a zingy citrus-mint dressing. It’s a fresh no-cook side dish that goes with all the summer dishes.

Summer Side Dishes: cilantro slaw with lime vinaigrette in a bowl with tongs

CILANTRO COLESLAW – Simply Scratch | When I look at this colorful slaw all I can think is this is a recipe to have on repeat through the summer. It’s the perfect cool and crunchy salad to serve alongside all your favorite summertime dishes.

BLT PASTA SALAD – Girl Gone Gourmet | Another pasta salad, but this time one inspired by a classic BLT. Fresh tomatoes, chopped spinach, and crispy bacon tossed together with pasta and a simple mayo-based dressing.

all-american potato salad in a white dish

ALL AMERICAN POTATO SALAD – Jessica Gavin – Culinary Scientist | Jessica shares all her tips and tricks for making an amazing American-style potato salad you’ll want at all your summer get-togethers.

Tortellini Pasta Salad with Roasted broccoli in a bowl with two serving spoons

TORTELLINI PASTA SALAD – Girl Gone Gourmet | Tortellini pasta salad with roasted bacon broccoli, fresh cherry tomatoes, and a lemon dressing is a small batch side dish that can easily be scaled up to serve more.

THREE BEAN SALAD – Culinary Hill | This classic salad made with green beans, yellow wax beans, and kidney beans is the perfect make-ahead summer side dish. Mix it up the day before, chill it, and it’s ready to go when the guests arrive.

ORZO PASTA SALAD – Girl Gone Gourmet | This orzo pasta salad is another great make-ahead side dish. It’s full of fresh veggies, chickpeas, and tender orzo pasta with a simple dressing holding it together. Plus, it goes with practically everything making it a great option for potlucks and BBQs.

Green bean potato salad on a plate with a napkin

GREEN BEAN POTATO SALAD – Girl Gone Gourmet | A mayo-less potato salad with green beans and a simple Dijon vinaigrette. Serve it warm, at room temperature or cold. Whichever way you decide it’s go-to summer side dish favorite.

summer side dishes: grilled mexican street corn

GRILLED MEXICAN STREET CORN – Number 2 Pencil | Once you try Mexican street corn you may never go back to plain corn on the cob again. This summer side dish treat is easy to make and guaranteed to stay on your side dish rotation all summer long.

TOMATO HERB SALAD – Taste and Tell | Sometimes the simplest things make the biggest impression. A bowlful of summer tomatoes tossed with summer herbs might just be the easiest and most delicious thing you make all summer.