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    Home » Recipes » Recipe Roundups

    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

    Summer Vegetable Side Dishes

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    Pin split image with text showing different vegetable side dish recipe ideas.

    Tasty summer vegetable side dishes are usually light, easy-to-make recipes featuring produce that is fresh and in season. Choose your favorite summer veggies, picked when ripe, and prepare these sides to complement your BBQ main dishes! Grab some fresh corn, summer squash, eggplant, beans, or artichokes to get started!

    Vegetable Sides For Summertime

    Whether you grill them, cook them in the air fryer, pop them into your Instant Pot, or pan-sear these foods to perfection, you can serve up a great meal without heating up the kitchen. You can even beat the heat by opting for a dish that doesn't need to be cooked at all!

    Many of your favorite summer veggies can be enjoyed raw or tossed with a delicious dressing to make a flavorful salad. There are so many options to choose from, so keep reading for a few new side dish ideas!

    Square split image showing different vegetable side dish recipe ideas.
    Jump to:
    • Vegetable Sides For Summertime
    • 1. Steamed Corn on the Cob
    • 2. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
    • 3. Caesar Salad
    • 4. Broccolini Slaw
    • 5. Sauteed Cauliflower
    • 6. Pan Fried Asparagus
    • 7. Sauteed Sweet Potatoes
    • 8. Instant Pot Artichokes
    • 9. Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
    • 10. Candied Carrots
    • 11. Broccoli and Cheese
    • 12. Grilled Acorn Squash
    • 13. Grilled Yellow Squash
    • 14. Grilled Corn on the Cob
    • 15. Pan Seared Brussel Sprouts
    • 16. Caprese Salad
    • 17. Asian Cucumber Salad
    • Summer Vegetables For Side Dishes
    • 🌞 🥗 More Summer Side Dishes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Summer Vegetable Side Dishes: Steamed Corn On The Cob (+15 More Great Recipes To Make!)
    • Ingredients US CustomaryMetric
    • Instructions
    • Equipment You May Need
    • Notes
    • 💬 Comments
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    1. Steamed Corn on the Cob

    When it comes to the most popular summer vegetables, corn on the cob is at the top of the list! Steamed corn on the cob is one of the easiest and most traditional ways to prepare it.

    You could also try smoked corn on the cob or butter-boiled corn on the cob. In fact, corn in any form is perfect for summer (you can find all of my corn recipes here)!

    Steamed Corn On The Cob
    Steamed corn on the cob is an easy and convenient way to enjoy a classic summertime vegetable side dish anytime you'd like! In just 15 minutes, you'll have sweet and tender corn to serve with any of your favorite main course dishes. Simply dress them up with butter, salt, and pepper and you'll have a tasty side dish that even kids will enjoy!
    Check out this recipe
    Square image of a white bowl full of steamed corn on the cob.

    See my page dedicated to cooking corn on the cob for tips and trips on making perfect corn!

    2. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

    These crispy zucchini fries make an excellent appetizer or side dish because they are perfect for dipping. Zucchini fries go great with anything from homemade ranch dressing to Cajun dipping sauce or even just ketchup!

    Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
    Air fryer zucchini fries are a crispy and easy-to-make appetizer or side dish that is perfect for dunking in your favorite dipping sauces! Once you bread your zucchini fries, they are cooked to golden perfection in just 3-5 minutes! It's a great way to incorporate more veggies that even the kids will enjoy!
    Check out this recipe
    Wide image showing air fryer zucchini fries.

    3. Caesar Salad

    A Caesar salad with homemade dressing is a light and refreshing side that pairs well with just about anything. You can easily make one large batch in a serving bowl if you're having a party or summer BBQ!

    Caesar Salad
    This Caesar salad is filled with crisp Romaine lettuce, creamy homemade Caesar dressing, crunchy croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese! It's a classic salad that makes a perfect starter for just about any meal. Plus, it only takes minutes to make, even with the made-from-scratch dressing!
    Check out this recipe
    Wide image of Caesar Salad in a white bowl.

    4. Broccolini Slaw

    Cool and crispy broccolini slaw is great for summer picnics with its refreshing crunch and creamy dressing. It's a super simple recipe that can be tossed together in 10 minutes, which is always a plus!

    Broccolini Slaw
    This broccolini slaw is crisp and refreshing with a tangy, creamy dressing that will have you savoring every bite! You can enjoy this slaw on its own or use it to elevate sandwiches and wraps! All it takes is a few ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time; you don't have to cook a thing!
    Check out this recipe
    Wide image showing a bowl of broccolini slaw.

    5. Sauteed Cauliflower

    Sauteed cauliflower is one of my go-to side dishes for summer Sunday dinners. It's easy to prepare, delicious, and goes great with fish, beef, pork, and chicken; you name it!

    Sauteed Cauliflower
    Sauteed cauliflower is a versatile and delicious vegetable side dish perfect for serving with practically any meal you're making! The cauliflower caramelizes slightly, which brings out its natural nutty flavor. It tastes great with fish, lamb, pork, beef, chicken, and much more!
    Check out this recipe
    Wide image of a plate of sauteed cauliflower.

    6. Pan Fried Asparagus

    Not only is this pan-fried asparagus delicious, but it's easy to prepare and adds a pop of color to any plate. Best of all, you only need a handful of ingredients to make it!

    >>>>See all of my recipes HERE<<<<

    Pan Fried Asparagus
    Pan-fried asparagus is a quick, easy, and delicious vegetable side dish that's cooked to perfection with minimal ingredients! Tasty asparagus spears are tossed in olive oil, butter, salt, and pepper, then simmered with minced garlic until fork-tender. Serve them nice and hot with your favorite main course for an easy weeknight meal everyone will enjoy!
    Check out this recipe
    Wide image of pan fried asparagus.

    7. Sauteed Sweet Potatoes

    Sauteed sweet potatoes are a savory and satisfying 15-minute side dish that everyone will enjoy! You can even swap out the garlic powder for cinnamon to make it a sweeter dish.

    Sauteed Sweet Potatoes
    Sauteed sweet potatoes are a quick and easy nutritious side dish that can easily be customized to be sweet or savory! It is perfectly fork-tender and ready to enjoy in only 15 minutes. It makes a super versatile side, and you could add sweet potatoes to your favorite salads or pasta recipes!
    Check out this recipe
    Wide overhead of the bowl of sauteed sweet potatoes with fresh chopped parsley.

    8. Instant Pot Artichokes

    For a vegetable, artichokes are surprisingly meaty, and dunking the leaves in melted butter makes an excellent summer snack. If you have an Instant Pot, it's one of the easiest ways to whip up perfectly cooked artichokes!

    Instant Pot Artichokes
    These Instant Pot artichokes are super easy to prepare and are an incredibly delicious vegetable side dish! Using your pressure cooker may actually be the simplest and quickest way to whip up some whole artichokes! Go ahead and grab your favorite dipping sauce because you're going to be making these all the time!
    Check out this recipe
    Wide image of instant pot artichokes on a white plate.

    9. Air Fryer Baby Potatoes

    Your air fryer can quickly cook up baby potatoes that are golden and crispy on the outside but soft and buttery on the inside. Just toss them in a little oil and seasoning and let your air fryer do its thing!

    Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
    Air fryer baby potatoes are a delicious, satisfying, and practically effortless side dish that pairs well with any meal! These little spuds are tender and fluffy on the inside, and delightfully crispy on the outside. With just a few simple ingredients and the power of your air fryer, you can whip up a batch of baby potatoes in less than 40 minutes!
    Check out this recipe
    Wide image of a plate of air fryer baby potatoes.

    10. Candied Carrots

    The sticky brown sugar glaze on these candied carrots will have you savoring every bite! Candied carrots are made with just 4 ingredients and are a guaranteed way to have the kids try some vegetables!

    Candied Carrots
    These candied carrots are a kid-approved, delectable vegetable side dish that can be enjoyed on any occasion! Tender carrots are coated in a sweet brown sugar glaze that is truly irresistible! They are buttery, delicious, and can easily complement your favorite chicken, pork, fish, or beef recipes!
    Check out this recipe
    Wide image of a bowl of candied carrots.

    11. Broccoli and Cheese

    Sure, you could serve regular steamed broccoli, but broccoli draped with this velvety cheese sauce is so much better! It's ready to eat in 15 minutes and will pair perfectly with any protein.

    Broccoli And Cheese
    Broccoli and cheese is a quick and tasty side dish that pairs together two well-loved and amazing flavors! Not only is the cheese sauce easy to make, but it is so good that even the pickiest eaters will want to try it! It is warm, cheesy, and ready in just 15 minutes.
    Check out this recipe
    Wide image showing broccoli and cheese.

    12. Grilled Acorn Squash

    If you know you'll be firing up the grill this summer, grab a few acorn squashes on your next grocery trip! The squash itself is tender and subtly sweet, so you can lean into that by using sweet seasonings, or you could make them savory!

    Grilled Acorn Squash
    Grilled acorn squash is a nutritious and delicious vegetable side dish that is ready to enjoy in less than 20 minutes! You can choose to make this versatile squash either sweet or savory to suit your preferred taste. Plus, its natural flavors make it pair well with virtually anything!
    Check out this recipe
    Square image of grilled acorn squash.

    13. Grilled Yellow Squash

    Yellow squash, aka summer squash, is a great vegetable to toss on the grill! The thin slices of squash cook up quickly, and it tastes amazing with a slight char from the fire!

    Grilled Yellow Squash
    This grilled yellow squash is a quick and simple way to make a delicious and nutritious vegetable side dish! It is seasoned with a simple combination of garlic salt and pepper to really let the natural flavors shine! This squash is fork-tender and will go perfect with any of your favorite BBQ dishes!
    Check out this recipe
    Square image of grilled yellow squash on a white serving plate.

    14. Grilled Corn on the Cob

    While we're on the topic of grilling veggies, corn on the cob has to be one of my favorites to cook outside over a hot grill. The corn kernels are sweet and juicy, plus you can toss them on the grill with whatever protein you're cooking!

    Grilled Corn On The Cob
    This grilled corn on the cob is a sweet and smokey, easy-to-make side dish that is perfect for any cookout! It is smothered in a delicious melted garlic butter immediately before serving so that it is extra flavorful! It pairs great with any BBQ foods, so it will become one of your new staple recipes!
    Check out this recipe
    Square image of grilled corn on the cob stacked with wooden skewers.

    15. Pan Seared Brussel Sprouts

    These perfectly pan-seared brussel sprouts will convert brussel sprout haters into brussel sprout lovers. All they need is a little oil and seasonings, but you can always add bacon if you want to make them even more flavorful!

    Pan Seared Brussel Sprouts
    Pan-seared brussel sprouts are an easy and delicious vegetable side dish that is excellent for any weeknight family dinner! These easy stove top brussel sprouts are caramelized to perfection, giving them a deliciously tender inside and a crunchy outside! All you need is olive oil, salt, pepper, and butter to enhance its slightly sweet and nutty flavor!
    Check out this recipe
    Square image of pan seared brussel sprouts in a large bowl.

    16. Caprese Salad

    Caprese salad is a classic Italian side dish that is a great way to use up any juicy summer tomatoes you may have in your garden. Slice them up with some fresh mozzarella and a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar, and enjoy!

    Caprese Salad With Balsamic And Olive Oil
    This classic caprese salad recipe is an especially cool and refreshing appetizer, side dish, or snack for the hot summer months! You don't have to be eating Italian food to enjoy fresh tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, balsamic, and olive oil- it's an easy side salad that goes with anything!
    Check out this recipe
    Best caprese salad served while the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil are fresh and vibrant.

    17. Asian Cucumber Salad

    Asian cucumber salad features fresh mini cucumbers and a tangy sesame vinaigrette. It's cold and crunchy while also light and refreshing. All great traits for beating the summer heat!

    Asian Cucumber Salad
    My easy Asian cucumber salad is full of fresh flavors from garlic, ginger, onion, and a sesame soy sauce vinaigrette! This cool, chilled salad is a refreshing side dish during the summer months and pairs perfectly with any of your favorite Asian-inspired recipes!
    Check out this recipe
    Best Asian cucumber salad tossed in tangy soy sauce, honey, and ginger dressing.

    Summer Vegetables For Side Dishes

    These vegetables are always delicious and available during the summer months. When in doubt, search for recipes that showcase any of the veggies below!

    1. Zucchini: This extremely versatile veggie can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to salads to kebabs.
    2. Sweet Corn: Serve up some tender sweet corn that can be grilled, boiled, or roasted and served with butter and spices.
    3. Tomatoes: Fresh ripe tomatoes are ideal for summer salads, salsas, and bruschetta. Heirloom cherry and grape tomatoes can also be grilled on skewers.
    4. Bell Peppers: Green, red, yellow, or orange peppers are excellent for stuffing, grilling, or adding to salads.
    5. Cucumbers: Perfect for crisp, refreshing summer salads, pickles, and more.
    6. Green Beans: Fresh green beans can be blanched, roasted, steamed, or sautéed.
    7. Eggplant: Eggplant can be grilled, roasted, or used in a variety of dishes like ratatouille and eggplant Parmesan.
    8. Summer Squash: Like zucchini, summer squash can be grilled, roasted, or used in stir-fries and salads.
    9. Beets: Beets can be roasted and used in salads or served as a side dish.
    10. Asparagus: Fresh asparagus can be grilled, steamed, roasted, and more. It's also a wonderful addition to salads.
    11. Peas: Fresh sweet peas can be served on their own, used in salads, or added to pasta dishes.
    12. Radishes: Radishes add a nice crunchy texture and peppery flavor to salads.
    13. Spinach and other salad greens: Fresh salad greens like spinach, arugula, watercress, radicchio, frisee, and lettuce make great bases for summer salads.

    Opt for vegetables that are in season to ensure you get the best flavor!

    These summer vegetable side dishes are always great for backyard BBQs, summer potlucks, cookouts, and pool parties! Don't forget to come back and tell me how things turned out by commenting below!

    🌞 🥗 More Summer Side Dishes

    • Paula Deen's Macaroni and Cheese - This rich and creamy baked mac and cheese is Paula Deen's signature recipe!
    • Lobster Salad - Enjoy this cold and creamy lobster salad on a hoagie roll or over mixed greens!
    • Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers - Crispy bacon, spicy jalapenos, and cream cheese are the perfect balance of flavors.
    • Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad - An easy-to-make salad featuring fresh summer fruit in a creamy Greek Yogurt dressing!
    • Franks and Beans - Franks and beans are a nostalgiac side dish that goes wonderfully with BBQ!
    • Fresh Mango Salsa - This fresh and fruity mango salsa is excellent on chips or as an addition to burrito bowls!

    Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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    Summer Vegetable Side Dishes: Steamed Corn On The Cob (+15 More Great Recipes To Make!)

    Tasty summer vegetable side dishes are usually light, easy-to-make recipes featuring produce that is fresh and in season. Choose your favorite summer veggies, picked when ripe, and prepare these sides to complement your BBQ main dishes! Grab some fresh corn, summer squash, eggplant, beans, or artichokes to get started!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 51kcal
    Prep 3 minutes minutes
    Cooking 12 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

    Ingredients
     

    • 4 ears corn (shucked)
    • water (enough to cover 1-inches in your pot)
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • each, salt & pepper (to taste)
    Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

    Instructions

    • Shuck your 4 ears corn and set them aside. The ears of corn can be cut in half if desired, or left whole. *Cutting the corn in halves works best for setting them on end while steaming.
    • Add enough water to a large pot to cover the bottom with about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water. Place a steamer basket or a large plate that fits within the pot (heat-safe dish) over the water.
    • Place the corn into your pot, whole or halved. Whole corn can be laid flat or stood upright (depending on how much corn you have and your pot), but I like to stand halved corn on the cob upright.
    • Cover the pot, then bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. As it starts to boil, reduce the heat to keep the water at a low boil and cook for 12-15 minutes without removing the cover.
    • Remove the corn from your pot with tongs. Transfer to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to serve later or serve immediately.
    • Serve with 2 tablespoon butter then season with each, salt & pepper (or your favorite seasonings) to taste.

    Equipment You May Need

    Stockpot (6 quart)
    Steamer Basket
    Silicone Kitchen Tongs
    corn on the cob holders
    corn on the cob dishes

    Notes

    • Keep an eye on your water level so that it doesn't a) boil over and b) dry out.
    • If you choose to steam frozen corn, you'll need to add about 3-5 minutes to the cooking time. 
    • Once your corn is fully cooked, you can allow it to rest for a few minutes so that it's easier to handle. 
    • Aside from the classic butter, salt, and pepper, you could add other flavors or seasonings like chili powder, lime, herbs, cheese, or a tasty spice rub!
    • To store: Allow your corn to completely cool, then wrap each ear with aluminum foil. Transfer your leftovers to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and enjoy within 3-5 days.
    • To freeze: Let your corn cool down all the way, then wrap each corn on the cob with plastic cling wrap. Store your corn in an airtight freezer container or in a heavy-duty resealable bag. If using a plastic bag, press out any excess air out then write the date on the bag. Freeze for up to 6 months.
    • To reheat: Reheat your leftover corn in a microwave covered with a dampened paper towel for 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat it in a steamer basket over simmering water until it is tender and warm to your liking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 51kcal (3%) | Carbohydrates: 0.2g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 6g (9%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg (5%) | Sodium: 1789mg (78%) | Potassium: 4mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 0.05g | Vitamin A: 178IU (4%) | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.02mg
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    best vegetable side dishes to make in the summer heat, easy veggie sides, Steamed Corn On The Cob, Summer Vegetable Side Dishes, vegetable sides to make during the summertime
    Course Side Dish, vegetable side dish
    Cuisine American
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/
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    Hi there, I'm Angela! I'm an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing recipes that are new, fun, and creative, as well as great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make!

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