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
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!
Thanks so much for including my grilled chicken in this awesome roundup! Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
Thank you so much for sharing Elizabeth! It looks fantastic!
Memorial weekend can’t come soon enough! SO many delicious recipes to try. Thanks for adding my quinoa salad to the list! Cheers
Thank you Jamie! Really looking forward to trying your recipes!
Thank you for including my Grilled Peaches!There are SO many yummy recipes in here! Enjoy everyone, and have a great holiday weekend!
This recipe will be a summer favorite for a lot of folks!
Thank you so much for including my recipe! I can’t wait to try some of these recipes this memorial day weekend!! <3
Thank you for sharing your recipe Emily! Love having some tried and true, delicious recipes to make!
Great roundup! Thanks for including my turkey kabobs. Can’t wait to try all the other recipes on the list!
Turkey is a great protein on the grill that gives a change of pace from the usual chicken!
Great roundup for upcoming summer bbqs! Thanks for including my eggplant stackers!
Looking forward to eating lots of eggplant stacks this summer Jenny!