18 Quick + Easy Summer Side Dishes

Tips for Summer Dinner Side Dish Success

• Use seasonal produce like corn, tomatoes, and fresh herbs for bright flavors.
• Room temp sides that don’t need reheating are perfect for hot nights.
• Add a splash of acidity with citrus or vinegar to wake up grains and greens.
• Make-ahead pasta salads and roasted veggies often taste better chilled.
• Keep it simple and use minimal ingredients for easy prep and big flavor.

18. Strawberry Spinach Salad

This sweet + savory salad is made with spinach, feta cheese, crispy bacon, red onion, and fresh strawberries, all tossed in a maple balsamic dressing.
Cooking method: No cooking required
Serve with: Grilled chicken, burgers, or Hawaiian macaroni salad

17. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

This tangy pasta salad features rotini, dill pickles, sharp cheddar, and red onion tossed in a creamy dill dressing.
Cooking method: Boil
Serve with: Hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork

16. Honey Garlic Butter Carrots

Chunky carrots are roasted with butter, honey, garlic, and seasonings for a sweet and savory veggie side.
Cooking method: Oven
Serve with: Air fryer chicken breasts and easy roasted potatoes

15. Crack Corn Dip

Creamy, hearty, and just a little addictive—this dip mixes ground beef, cream cheese, cheddar, and baby potatoes.
Cooking method: Stove top
Serve with: Tortilla chips, crackers, or as a side with tacos

14. Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Cubed sweet potatoes are roasted in olive oil and seasonings for the perfect caramelized side dish.
Cooking method: Oven-roasted
Serve with: Brown sugar soy sauce salmon, chicken thighs, or veggie rice bowls

13. Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

Raw broccoli and cauliflower are tossed with bacon, shredded cheddar, red onion, and a sweet-tangy dressing.
Cooking method: Oven (for bacon)
Serve with: Pulled pork, hot dogs, grilled chicken

12. Lemon Parmesan Asparagus

Roasted asparagus is tossed with lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil — ready in under 20 minutes.
Cooking method: Oven-roasted
Serve with: Pasta, baked chicken, shrimp

11. Cajun Rice

This quick side dish is made with Cajun seasoning, onions, bell peppers, and Minute Rice for a bold, spicy flavor.
Cooking method: Stove top
Serve with: Grilled shrimp, chicken, or ribs

10. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are tossed with olive oil, minced garlic, and Parmesan for a crispy, caramelized finish.
Cooking method: Oven-roasted
Serve with: Chicken drumsticks, grilled sausage, burgers

9. Roasted Cauliflower

Simple and delicious—cauliflower florets are roasted with butter, garlic, and spices.
Cooking method: Oven-roasted
Serve with: Steak, grilled fish, or BBQ chicken

8. Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Baby potatoes, bacon, green onions, dill pickles, and cheddar are tossed in creamy ranch dressing.
Cooking method: Boil
Serve with: Marinated pork chops, oven-fried chicken, burgers

7. Garlic Potatoes and Green Beans

A one-pan side made with red potatoes, fresh green beans, and lots of garlic and Italian seasoning.
Cooking method: Oven-roasted
Serve with: Grilled anything — seriously, this goes with all of it

6. Watermelon Cucumber Salad

Watermelon, cucumber, feta, and fresh herbs are drizzled with a simple tangy dressing.
Cooking method: No cooking required
Serve with: Air fryer hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, kebabs

5. Cucumber Tomato Salad

This no-cook salad is full of chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and parsley, tossed in olive oil and vinegar.
Cooking method: No cooking required
Serve with: Chicken kabobs, black bean burgers, grilled steak

4. Corn Tomato Avocado Salad

Made with sweet corn, avocados, cherry tomatoes, and lime garlic dressing, this salad is fresh and full of flavor.
Cooking method: Boil (for corn)
Serve with: Anything grilled or served outdoors

3. One-Pot Rice, Peppers, and Peas

Minute Rice, red bell pepper, and peas are cooked in one pot with garlic and Italian seasoning.
Cooking method: Stove top
Serve with: Baked salmon, meatballs, pan-fried tofu

2. Italian Pasta Salad

A classic pasta salad with rotini, cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, and a quick Italian vinaigrette.
Cooking method: Boil
Serve with: Hot dogs, meat skewers, or picnic lunches

1. Sautéed Green Beans

Fresh green beans are sautéed in butter, garlic, and seasonings for a fast, flavorful side.
Cooking method: Stove top
Serve with: BBQ chicken, pork tenderloin, or anything grilled