20 Best Side Dishes for Summer

When you're making a simple summer weeknight dinner, there are a few things you want above all else: something seasonal, light, and quick that won't heat the kitchen. These side dish recipes have it all.

Enjoy the best of summer's produce with any of the sides below. They'll pair with just about any main dish on the menu, from grilled meat, vegetables, and hunks of cheese to your favorite hearty sandwich.

Below are the easy summer side recipes you need, conveniently linked, plus handy tips from Simply Recipes readers, contributors, and editors.

Simple Summer Tomato Salad

"Start with juicy ripe tomatoes at the peak of summer, add a simple vinaigrette and a few herbs and you’ve got a recipe you’ll likely repeat until the last tomato of the season is gone." —Katie Morford, Contributor

Fattoush Salad

"Fattoush is a version of bread salad made throughout the Middle East using leftover pita bread. The pita flatbreads are cut into pieces and either fried or baked before being tossed with fresh vegetables and dressing." —Sheryl Julian, Simply Recipes Contributor

Classic Coleslaw

"I used my food processor to grate the onions, carrot and cabbage. Great coleslaw!" —Liz, Simply Recipes Reader

Trader Joe’s Homemade Cowboy Caviar

"I noticed that cowboy caviar was gaining some traction on TikTok and was reminded of this nostalgic party app I loved when I was younger. This recipe is going to take your summer entertaining game to the next level." —Sara Tane, Simply Recipes Contributor

Watermelon Salad with Cotija, Jicama, and Lime

"This salad has all of the elements (acid, sugar, salt, water from the melon) of an electrolyte sports drink. So, another great reason to enjoy this salad on a hot day. It will keep you hydrated, and it tastes way better than gatorade!" —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder

Napa Cabbage Picnic Salad

"This napa cabbage picnic salad has been a favorite of my friends and neighbors for years. It's one of the most requested potluck salads I've ever made." —Elise

Creamed Corn

"By itself it is pure heaven, but you could vary it by adding some spicy jalapeños or chopped poblano peppers; other additions that come to mind are chopped basil, sliced cherry tomatoes, and cooked bacon crumbles." —Sally Vargas, Simply Recipes Contributor

Easy Sautéed Zucchini

"When the zucchini in your garden is still slender and about 7 inches long, the seeds will be small, and the flesh will be sweet. Zucchini, at this stage, hardly needs any adornment. I cut my zucchini into thin coins and toss them in a hot skillet with some oil until they turn golden brown. That's it!" —Sheryl

Easy Cucumber, Peach, and Basil Salad

"This quick and easy salad is delicious on its own but also pairs wonderfully with savory meats, adding a cool and zesty bite to whatever it’s served alongside." —Kalisa Marie Martin, Simply Recipes Contributor

White Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad

"The secret sauce is the dressing, which includes garlic and rosemary infused olive oil, and a paste made of garlic, lemon, Parmesan and anchovies. If you want a vegetarian option, omit the anchovies, or add a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce instead." —Elise

Stone Fruit, Tomato and Cucumber Salad

"This salad built on the expression, “What grows together goes together.” If produce grows in the garden during the same season the chances are it’s going to work well together in the kitchen." —Virginia Willis, Simply Recipes Contributor

Easy Cucumber Salad

"This salad is great to make and eat immediately, or you can assemble it ahead of time and chill it in the fridge." —Elise

Summer Squash Salad

"This is a lovely way to prepare summer squash or zucchini—thinly sliced, marinated briefly with mint in olive oil and lemon juice, tossed with toasted pine nuts, and served with shaved Parmesan." —Elise

Asian Zucchini Noodle Salad

"This is a great salad. I made it exactly as directed. It was a big hit at a staff barbeque. Make-ahead tip: prep all veggies, but don't salt the zoodles until an hour before serving." —Gwen, Simply Recipes Reader

Dakos Salad

"A specialty of the Greek island of Crete, this fragrant salad made from fresh tomatoes and feta, topped with capers, red onions, oregano, and basil is a vibrant taste of summer." —Yasmin Khan, Simply Recipes Contributor

Caprese Corn Salad

"Really enjoyed this. Thinking of adding avocado and chicken or shrimp for an entree salad. Delicious!" —Roberta, Simply Recipes Reader

Caprese Salad

"Since there are so few ingredients, it's important that they are of the highest quality you can find. Use tomatoes grown and picked in season, fresh mozzarella (buffalo mozzarella if you can find it), and a high quality extra virgin olive oil." —Elise

Shaved Fennel Salad

"Easy and delicious, I added some thinly sliced radishes as well." —Kate, Simply Recipes Reader

Watermelon Feta Salad with Mint

"Today was a stiflingly hot day, so I made this salad with the addition of tomato and cucumber. I've never been a huge watermelon fan because I find it too bland and sweet, but this combination cuts the sweetness with salty, sour and even a hint of bitter flavors. Even my husband, who also doesn't usually like watermelon, was raving over it." —Anne, Simply Recipes Reader

Panzanella Bread Salad

"Panzanella is best when it has been allowed to sit for a while (at least 30 minutes) before serving, which makes panzanella an excellent make-ahead salad for outdoor picnics and potlucks." —Elise