It’s patio season! The time we dream about all year. Outdoor entertaining, long, warm evenings surrounded by friends, potluck gatherings with family, and backyard games and conversation that lasts for hours. Of course, it’s the delicious food that perfectly ties these days together. And yes, it can get a little repetitive going from one gathering to the next with the same BBQ staples.
Ready to upscale your summer meal game?
We’ve rounded up a few fresh, simple, and healthy twists on classics like potato salad, grill-top favorites, and fruity summertime desserts that you can easily prepare for your next soiree, from Independence Day to Labour Day!
Salads
Cilantro Lime Dressing
Creamy, tangy, and the poppiest bright green! This super easy dressing is perfect on salads, grilled meat, tacos, or whatever you find on your plate.
Arugula Pesto Potato Salad
Not your average potato salad (but we all needed a shake up, right?). With pesto taking centre stage, this lemony side pairs great with steak or chicken. The sauce is delicious on other veggie sides like sweet potato or green beans.
Watermelon Feta Salad
Who doesn’t crave watermelon in July?! This sweet and salty fruit salad has the perfect crunch, and a subtle spice from the red onions. With mint leaves throughout, everyone will love this burst of flavor.
Avocado Mango Salad
We love cooking with seasonal produce, and this avocado mango salad hits the spot. Turn it up with added shrimp, chicken, or salmon.
Mains
Mediterranean Grilled Balsamic Chicken Olive Tapenade
These Mediterranean flavors are the zing your BBQ needs! With two types of balsamic, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives, this main will be a summer hit.
Flank Steak with Grilled Corn Salsa
This juicy salsa-steak combo is super versatile––try it in tacos, in a bigger salad, or as the main course.
Sides
Grilled Veggie Skewers
These grilled skewers are loaded with zucchini, corn on the cob, green onion, mushrooms, and whatever you like. Spicy zhoug (a Middle Eastern cilantro based sauce) is the key to a new, unique taste.
Butter Zucchini Skewers
These buttery, lemony zucchini ribbons are a great change up for the grill. Why not get a little fancy with your veggies!
Desserts
Browned Butter Grilled Peaches & Ice Cream
Peach season calls for this drool-worthy dessert. Yum! With brown butter honey, vanilla ice cream, and toasty cinnamon brioche crumble, need we say more?
Rosewater and Strawberry Rhubarb Pavlova
We love the unique hints of sweet florals draped on top of a classic pavlova for summer. Enjoy a fluffy pavlova with whatever fruit you like, and feel free to play with combinations!
Looking for more secretly healthy recipes? Check out our Food Guide board on Pinterest for more yummy inspiration!
