Summer Celebration

Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer celebrations, including having a barbecue in the backyard for many of us! I have compiled some summer recipes to help you plan healthy menus to make your longer days more fun and delicious! I enlisted help from talented food bloggers, registered dietitians,, and nutritionists from all over to bring you this tasty recipe round-up for summer!

Summer Celebration Recipes

Appetizers

To start a barbecue right, a new, fresh recipe idea should top the list. Try some of these ideas to get the party started!

Creamy Triple Pepper and Kale Dip

This dip from E A Stewart, The Spicy RD, will pair perfectly with your favorite dippers!

https://emilykylenutrition.com/rainbow-grilled-veggie-kabobs/

I included Emily Kyle Nutrition’s recipe in appetizers, but you can add your favorite protein to the kabobs for a main dish or use the grilled veggies as a topping on a salad!

https://hungryhobby.net/recipe/grilled-brussel-sprouts-recipe-10-easy-healthy-grilling-tips/

Try Kelli Shallal from Hungry Hobby’s grilled Brussels sprouts instead of fried for your next summer celebration!

https://www.momskitchenhandbook.com/recipes-2/heavenly-herb-creme-fraiche-with-grilled-vegetables/

Try this Herb Creme Fraiche from Katie Sullivan from Mom’s Kitchen Handbook for a delectable dip for your grilled veggies!

Sides

If you are like me, the sides make the meal! Some of these can be made ahead of time to complement your food on the grill!

Spring Veggies with Tahini Tumeric Dressing

Broccoli Slaw Salad with Flaxseeds & Hemp Seeds

Amy Gorin’s broccoli salad will add some crunch and omega-3 fats with added seeds to this salad!

https://nutritionstarringyou.com/zucchini-tomato-and-onion-bake/

Remember this tasty recipe from Lauren Harris-Pincus with Nutrition Starring You to make later in the summer when the tomatoes and zucchini are fresh from your garden and farmer’s mark

https://jennabraddock.com/grilled-cantaloupe-salad-with-blueberry-ginger-vinaigrette/

Jenna Braddock with Eating with a Purpose has a salad using cantaloupe & blueberries is a fresh new take on eating your fruits and vegetables!

https://dishingouthealth.com/citrus-mint-quinoa-salad-with-cherries-and-arugula/

Jamie Vespa with Dishing Out Health recipe for quinoa salad can be a great base to use what fruit is in season. Strawberries in the spring, peaches and blueberries in the summer, and apples in the fall!

https://karalydon.com/recipes/side-recipes/no-mayo-coleslaw/

Kara Lyndon, The Foodie Dietitian, has a coleslaw recipe without mayo that may become a staple for your dinner dinners in the yard!

The Main Event

For many, the main dish is the highlight of the meal. Try one of these creative and tasty options, or make them all!

http://shawsimpleswaps.com/bbq-grilled-chicken/

Elizabeth Shaw with Shaw’s Simple Swaps has a barbecue chicken recipe that will pair well with any other shared recipes. It would also work well using tempeh or tofu as the protein!

http://bucketlisttummy.com/stuffed-peppers-with-farro/

When bell peppers become available this summer on the grill, here is a recipe using them, which Sarah Schlichter shared with the Bucket List Tummy!

Grilled Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

If you want to substitute seasonal fruit for the pineapple, this would be delicious with Amanda Hernandez with Nutritionist Review’s pork tacos. You could also try using tempeh or tofu in the recipe!

Chrissy Carroll with Snacking in Sneakers shared a great Caribbean kabob, which can also use chicken, tempeh, or tofu!

Desserts

https://www.nourishbreathethrive.com/blog/2014/07/grilled-peaches-with-reisling-and-honey-coconut-cream/

Grilled Peaches with Reisling, Honey & Coconut Cream

I look forward to making Katie Cavuto with Healthy Bite’s dessert when the peaches come into the season!

https://prepdish.com/5-fruits-to-grill-this-summer/

If you have ideas for grilling a few other fruits for dessert, Allison Stevens with Prep Dish has some great suggestions.

Enjoy This Summer Celebration Menus

I hope you enjoy trying these delicious summer celebration recipes and that they provide you with many reasons to light up that barbecue grill. I look forward to sharing more ideas with you this summer as the farmers’ markets burst with summer’s abundance and my garden glistens with its bounty! Stay tuned and check out my seasonal nutrition and cookbook, Farm Fresh Nutrition. 

As a registered dietitian nutritionist in Asheville, I love to help clients reach their wellness goals!