When the holiday season ends but cold and darkness persist, we often find ourselves stuck inside, contemplating some of life’s bigger questions like, “What should I make for dessert this morning evening?” If you’ve asked yourself that question lately (…
When the holiday season ends but cold and darkness persist, we often find ourselves stuck inside, contemplating some of life’s bigger questions like, “What should I make for dessert this morning evening?” If you’ve asked yourself that question lately (as I have), there are countless options to choose from.
For me, winter is the season to celebrate the more subtle flavors of the dessert category (think: brown butter, maple, and olive oil). And while I’ll never say no to a warm, fresh-from-the-oven treat on a frigid day, winter desserts are much more than baking projects. Cold desserts like chocolate mousse and coffee ice cream are sometimes exactly what you’re in the mood for after a day of shoveling snow, sled pushing, or ice skating. Put plainly: Winter desserts have range and are worth exploring—here are 14 of our favorite recipes to try.
Temperatures are dropping, jackets and scarves are out, and all we’re craving are casseroles, sizzling cheesy sandwiches, and warm, winter soups—foods that are best eaten curled up on the sofa while searching for the next TV show to binge-watch. When e…
Temperatures are dropping, jackets and scarves are out, and all we’re craving are casseroles, sizzling cheesy sandwiches, and warm, winter soups—foods that are best eaten curled up on the sofa while searching for the next TV show to binge-watch. When envisioning these types of cozy comfort meals, salad may not immediately come to mind, but we're here to prove they should. Rather than the light and refreshing salads you might gravitate towards during the summer, winter salads should be hearty and filling—enough to sustain you during even the coldest of days.
Jazz up your salads with eye-popping colors and textures: Add cooked grains such as quinoa or farro, and throw in oven-roasted squash, beets, or Brussels sprouts. Winter greens—like leafy kales and chards—are always welcome, as are abundant toppings: Additions like toasted pine nuts, dried cranberries, and tangy feta can transform a humble side salad into the main event.
These fall salad recipes highlight the best the season has to offer! Autumn produce makes hearty and delicious salads everyone will love.
When the weather starts to get cooler, our minds drift immediately to cozy squash, feathery Brussels sprouts and tart apples. It’s fall salad time! While summer salads have their place, there’s something about autumn salad that has our heart. Maybe it’s the way sweet tart vinaigrettes pair with sweet potatoes and pomegranate seeds?
Whatever the case, here are all the best fall salad recipes to enjoy autumnal eating! There’s something with just about every ingredient of the season. From leafy greens to root veggies, they’re all beautifully bright, healthy and utterly delicious.
Here’s a dreamy fall salad if there ever was one: this brilliant Pear Salad! It’s a study in contrasts: fresh, juicy pear against funky gorgonzola cheese; bright pomegranate against savory shallot. Throw in some toasted pecans and cover it in tangy poppy seed dressing, and well: it’s absolutely irresistible.
Here’s a standout fall salad starring everyone’s favorite ingredient: Butternut Squash Salad! This one is a symphony in a bowl: hearty sweet squash pairs with crisp apple, chewy cranberries and a citrusy orange vinaigrette. All the best flavors of fall and winter ingredients sing together in perfect harmony!
Fall is time for Brussels sprouts! Did you know you can slice it raw and use it like salad greens? Salads like this shaved Brussels sprout salad taste so incredible, it’s hard to believe they’re also good for you! This fall salad is like the best treat: feathery shaved Brussels sprouts, the vibrant burst of dried cherries and a tangy sweet vinaigrette.
Beets are seasonal in the autumn once weather turns cooler, and one of the best ways to use them is in a salad! This beet salad stars roasted beets: and man is it good. It has all the right elements: baby greens, creamy goat cheese and a tangy balsamic beet dressing. Basically, it’s salad perfection! As a time saver, use Instant Pot beets.
Here's a fantastic fall salad: pomegranate salad! Crunchy pomegranate seeds make a beautiful confetti over the top of leafy greens. Add tart green apple slices, toasted pecans, and goat cheese or feta crumbles, and it’s a true symphony of flavor! Pick from a few different dressing choices: our favorites are apple cider vinegar dressing or pomegranate vinaigrette.
Looking for a delicious winter salad featuring everyone’s favorite root vegetable? Try this Sweet Potato Salad! You won’t be able to stop shoveling in bites of this healthy side dish. The contrast of garlic roasted sweet potato cubes, feathery baby arugula, cranberries and creamy goat cheese hit it out of the park. Top it with tangy honey mustard dressing and well, you’ll want to park yourself in front of the bowl.
Here’s one that’s on our new favorite back pocket concept: the Goat Cheese Salad with Arugula and Apples! It’s simple and comes together quickly, but my does it deliver on flavor! The crunch of the apples, creamy goat cheese, and fluffy arugula are the ideal pair for the tangy sweet dressing. We couldn’t stop eating this one!
Looking for a stunning fall salad? Enter: this Cozy Fall Squash Salad! This is no ordinary green side salad. This is something special, a hearty and healthy salad perfect for weeknights or parties. Try it withdelicata squash, which roasts in just 20 minutes (no peeling required!), or go classic with roasted butternut squash. Add pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and tangy honey mustard dressing and yep: it’s a stunner.
Here’s a fall salad idea that’s flavorful and versatile: arugula beet salad! It features jewel-toned roasted beets with baby arugula, all covered in a zingy citrus vinaigrette. Add thin-sliced shallots and toasted walnuts, and it tastes sophisticated with minimal effort. As a time saver, make this with precooked beets you can find in many stores these days. Usually we roast our own…but it saved a massive amount of time. Either way: this salad needs to be part of your side dish repertoire!
Leafy greens start to appear in fall: and what better way to use them in a fall kale salad? This is one of the BEST kale recipes we know of: we promise! Tuscan kale has the power to transform the minds of kale haters everywhere. After you taste this kale salad you’ll agree that kale smothered in a lemony, garlicky Parmesan dressing can only be one thing: over the top delicious.
Here's a fantastic fall salad: farro salad with apples! This hearty grain is chewy like barley, but is much quicker to cook. To the farro, add apple, arugula and tart cherries. Sprinkle a bit of feta cheese for a savory saltiness, and then cover the entire farro salad in a tart cherry vinaigrette. With the red and the green, it’s visually stunning, and it tastes incredible: tangy, tart, sweet, and savory all at once.
This refreshing apple manchego salad is a total fall treat! It stars apples and Spanish Manchego cheese cut into matchsticks, dressed simply with a bit of olive oil and chives. The way these ingredients are combined in such a simple way makes each shine! The way the apples and cheese are cut makes it hard to distinguish between the two – making it all the more fun to guess what will be part of each bite!
Cabbage is great for fall salad recipes! This cabbage recipe features Savoy cabbage, a mild cabbage with frizzled leaves. When thinly sliced, the leaves look like beautiful confetti. They're perfect in this salad with apples and walnuts, Pecorino Romano cheese, and a tangy sweet tart dressing. Make sure to find Savoy cabbage for this one: it's a treat! Step it up: use Glazed Walnuts or Glazed Pecans.
Kale and pomegranate are the perfect fall combination. Here massaging the kale before eating it in this salad makes it taste tender and sweet, instead of bitter! All you do is use a little olive oil and massage the leaves so they become softer. The massaged kale is paired with pomegranate seeds and an apple cider vinaigrette: it’s sweet, tangy, and so, so good.
Last up in our fall salad recipes is a go-to fall salad that will become your favorite too: Spinach Apple Salad! It’s got a tangy balsamic dressing and crunchy maple-glazed walnuts (or pecans). No one will believe it took only minutes to put together! It’s that good.
More fall inspiration
Need more fall recipes? We’ve got you covered. Here are more great recipes for eating in autumn:
12 Best Fall Dinner Recipes Don’t miss out on the very best fall dinner recipes, from cozy pot pie to hearty chili.
½ cup grapeseed oil* (or other neutral oil like organic vegetable or canola)
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, white vinegar, dry mustard, onion flakes, and kosher salt. Gradually whisk in the grapeseed oil about 1 tablespoon at a time until a creamy emulsion forms. Whisk in the poppy seeds. Serve immediately or store in a sealed container or jar until serving (allow to come to room temperature if refrigerated).
Prep the fresh ingredients: Slice the pear into thin slices. Thinly slice the shallot. See How to Cut a Pomegranate for instructions on removing pomegranate seeds.
If time, toast the pecans: Place the nuts in a dry skillet (no oil) over medium heat. Heat, shaking the pan and stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the nuts are fragrant and slightly darker brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stay at the stove because the nuts can easily burn! Remove immediately from the heat and transfer to a plate to stop the cooking.
Serve: Place the greens on a plate or platter. Top with the pear slices, shallot, toasted pecans, pomegranate seeds, and gorgonzola cheese crumbles. Drizzle with the desired amount of dressing and serve (use approximately 6 tablespoons for 4 servings; store the remaining dressing refrigerated).
Category:Salad
Method:Raw
Cuisine:Fall
Diet:Vegetarian
Keywords: Fall salad, Fall salad recipes, Autumn salad
Here’s how to make grilled vegetables!Fire up the grill for the best summer side dish that goes with any meal.
It’s grilling season! The grill brings a crisp char and irresistible smoky flavor to everything it touches. And don’t relegate it just to burgers or ribs. Make your side dish at the same time with these best grilled vegetables! This mix of veggies is delicious, colorful, and the best part: they all cook at approximately the same rate. Throw them together with a quick mix of balsamic, olive oil and a hint of rosemary, and you won’t be able to stop eating them.
Ingredients for grilled vegetables
You can grill just about any vegetable. At the same time, you can’t just throw them all and hoping for the best! Some vegetables are tougher than others, like carrots and potatoes. This type of vegetable needs to be parboiled before grilling. In this mix of best grilled vegetables, we’ve picked veggies that all cook with a similar timing. Here’s what you’ll need:
Baby bella mushrooms
Green beans
Red and orange bell peppers
Zucchini
Yellow squash
Red onion
Do vegetables work with this timing? Yes! You can try small florets of broccoli, asparagus spears, or small cubes of eggplant in this mixture.
How to grill vegetables
All you really need to know about grilled vegetables, aside from which to pair together, is the grill temperature and timing. Memorize those few things, and then make this recipe on repeat all summer! For this recipe, you don’t even need a grill basket. You can throw these veggies right onto the grates! Here are the basic steps for how to grill vegetables (or jump to the recipe below):
Preheat a grill to medium high heat (that’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
Chop the vegetables into bite sized pieces. You can leave the green beans whole.
Mix with olive oil and kosher salt. See the quantities in the recipe below.
Grill 14 to 17 minutes with the vegetables directly on the grates, turning every few minutes as grill marks appear.
Optional: add a quick and easy sauce!
You can eat these grilled vegetables right off the grill and they taste incredible. Even better? Mix them with a quick mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar to heighten the flavors. All you need is 1 tablespoon of each, and it adds just the right shine and hint of brightness to the veggies. We like to add 1 clove grated garlic and ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary to really bring out the flavors.
Or, serve with a dipping sauce!
You can also serve grilled vegetables with a dipping sauce! Creamy sauces like aiolis, honey mustard or even Green Goddess dressing make irresistible dips. Here are a few ideas:
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Here’s a list of master recipes of how to grill any vegetable you want to cook: on its own! Infuse sweet smokiness into bell peppers. Try sizzling, meaty portobello mushrooms. Grill up some tender asparagus to go with your salmon. Even try grilled avocado or BBQ cauliflower for a unique twist! These truly are the best grilled vegetables to make at home…ready to make an appearance as an easy side dish at your next grilled meal.
Say hello to the best grilled corn you'll have. Place it right on the grates and char it to perfection. Then serve the classic butter and salt, or step it up by making elote: Mexican grilled corn!
Peppers are one of our favorite vegetables to grill because they are simply incredible. Throw them on the grill and they come out charred, smoky, tender and sweet. You can either place them right on the grill, or use a grill basket.
Try these incredible grilled portobello mushrooms! They’re juicy and bursting with big, meaty umami. This method for grilling them is fast and easy: unlike most recipes, there’s no marinating time required.
These grilled potatoes are just how you’d want them: crisp on the outside and tender on the inside! They’re like the French fries of grilled vegetables, really. The outsides are just salty enough and seasoned with Old Bay.
Throw thin slices on the grill and it comes out tender and charred, with an irresistibly smoky flavor! And if you combine with Italian-style flavors like basil, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder: well, it’s sensational!
Meet one of the best summer side dishes out there: grilled onions! The grill does wonders to this layered vegetable: the flavor turns from spicy to sweet and a little smoky.
Take one bite and it’s true magic: smoky, pure sweet tomato, with a melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes you immediately want to shout how delicious they are. Drizzle with olive oil and top with fresh herbs, and it’s the very best summer treat you could imagine.
Have you tried the revelation that is grilled broccoli? The grill transforms this tasty vegetable to be crisp tender and charred, with a hint of smoke. Cook it simply with olive oil, salt, and lemon juice, and it’s a fantastic side for any grilled dinner.
Here’s a vegetable side dish that always impresses: Grilled Broccolini! Broccoli’s younger, hipper cousin has elegant long stems and a sweet flavor that’s a unique alternative to the standard. Grill it up until it’s tender and charred, then spritz with lemon.
Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, these potatoes have a smoky char and are absolutely delicious! Cut into wedges, they’re the perfect side dish for a grilled dinner on the patio.
You’ve got to try this grilled eggplant: it comes out smoky and tender, lightly charred and full of flavor. Top it with a sauce and you’ve got a killer summer side dish or appetizer! Try with a fresh tomato salsa fresca or a creamy, lightly spicy white BBQ sauce.
Grilled asparagus easy and requires only a few ingredients. And it comes out incredible: tender and charred, with a hint of smoke. Spritz it with lemon juice for a little brightness, and it’s a fresh and healthy side dish you won’t be able to stop eating!
Want an easy grilled side dish that you don’t have to baby at all? Try these grilled potatoes in foil! :Set it and forget it” with this one. Throw these potatoes and onions in a foil packet and in 30 minutes, they’re done!
Turns out, the grill is the ideal way to cook green beans! Take a bite and it’s tender, with a burst of sweet, tangy, salty and charred flavor. You'll eat through a platter in record speed.
Wow, is this grilled vegetable tasty! Might we recommend this grilled cauliflower? Charcoal infuses irresistible smoky flavor into this tasty veggie: and painting it with our tangy homemade BBQ sauce puts it over the top.
Got a load of yellow summer squash? Try grilled squash! It’s simple but full of big flavor, seasoned with Italian herbs like basil and oregano. Even better: it takes only 5 minutes to grill! It’s one of those sides that screams summer.
Somehow grilling romaine lettuce brings out an unexpectedly beautiful smoky flavor in this leafy green! It's easy to make and a simple appetizer or side dish. You can even make it into grilled Caesar salad topped with tomatoes and Caesar dressing.
Yes, this magical green fruit just got even more magical! Making grilled avocado infuses a smoky flavor into every bite of this healthy vegetable (or em, fruit). Stuff it with pico de gallo, or use it to make smoky guacamole.
Turns out,grilled cabbage is absolutely worth trying! It comes out tender and charred, the flavor much sweeter than its raw self. Drizzle it in a tangy balsamic sauce and it’s a tasty side dish for a grilled meal!
Of all of the grilled vegetables, mushrooms might be the very best. You can get big flavor with no marinating time: just toss them with olive oil, lemon juice and herbs. Throw them on skewers and grill until tender.
Make room in your heart for these Grilled Brussels Sprouts! They’re tender and blackened, with a hint of smoky flavor. Toss them with a balsamic sauce they’re positively delightful! They’re easy to whip up as a side dish for a grilled dinner.
Are you a kale fan? Then let us introduce you to grilled kale! This grilled kale comes out crispy and charred, with a smoky undertone. It’s perfect for throwing onto a grill rack while you’re cooking a main dish or other vegetables.
Of course, the grill brings out a beautifully sweet flavor in these grilled carrots! Tossed with the lime juice, cilantro, and cumin, this healthy vegetable was an excellent treat! Eat as appetizer since they're best as finger food, or try them as a side dish.
Grilled beets are an ideal summer side dish for when you’re planning to fire up the grill! These come out sweet and tender, perfectly cooked and even better with a sprinkle of salty feta cheese. While they take a little longer than most grilled vegetables, they’re worth the wait.
Meet this easy grilled okra! Just 10 minutes on the grill and this tasty vegetable comes out tender and full of smoky flavor. There’s no need for fancy seasoning: just throw it on the grill and you’ll be amazed at how incredible it tastes.
This tasty veggie is a type of Chinese cabbage, with a satisfying crunch and a peppery kick. Tossed on the grill with a quick soy miso sauce, it comes out lightly smoky, sweet, and perfectly seasoned. It’s easy to make and comes out impressive, the perfect side for grilled salmon or tofu.
Grilled main dishes & desserts to pair
Want to accessorize with these grilled vegetables? Here are some of our top grilled dinner ideas to pair…plus some tasty grilled desserts!
Here’s how to make the best grilled vegetables! It’s the perfect easy side dish for grilled dinners.
Ingredients
8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced in half
8 ounces green beans
2 bell peppers, sliced
2 small zucchini or yellow squash, cut into bite sized triangles
1 medium red onion, quartered
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, grated
½ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
Instructions
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
Cut the vegetables. Toss them with 2 tablespoon olive oils and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add the vegetables directly to the grates and cook for 14 to 17 minutes, turning every few minutes as grill marks appear. When vegetables are tender, remove them to a bowl (if any pieces start to char early, remove to a bowl while remaining cook).
Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix together 1 tablespoon olive oil and ¼ teaspoon salt with the balsamic vinegar, grated garlic and fresh rosemary. Once all the vegetables are cooked, pour the sauce onto the vegetables and toss. Serve immediately.
Category:Side Dish
Method:Grilled
Cuisine:Vegetables
Diet:Vegan
Keywords: Grilled vegetables, Best grilled vegetables, How to grill vegetables
More summer recipes!
Summer is all about the grill! To go with these grilled vegetables, we’ve got lots more recipes, from grilled dinners to summer drinks:
Here are all the summer salad recipes you need! These classic salads are perfect for cookouts and barbecues all season long.
Once the weather is finally warm, summer salad recipes are where it’s at! Salads are ideal for highlighting the fresh produce of season: and perfect side dishes for cookouts and barbecues. Here are a few of our very favorite summer salads for all your summery occasions. This list includes only side salads: perfect for pairing with burgers, a grilled meal, or to round out the pitch in table. Looking for main dish salads instead? Keep reading: we’ve got something for everyone!
Here's a top summer salad recipe to make each season: Fresh Peach Salad! This one is a standout, pairing juicy ripe peaches with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette, punches of creamy goat cheese and nutty toasted almonds. Add pops of sweet corn and savory red onion slivers and it's a total treat!
This strawberry summer salad accessorizes with just about every meal, and tastes incredible. It starts with a tangy and lightly sweet strawberry vinaigrette salad dressing (yum!), then spinach, strawberries, and thin sliced red onion. Top it off with a few crunchies: chopped pecans and a bit of salty feta, and you’ve got one extremely delicious side salad. We like it with pizza, with salmon, with pasta: ok it goes with just about everything!
Next up in our summer salad recipes: watermelon salad! What could be more summer? This one takes only 10 minutes to throw together and is the perfect accessory to any barbecue or cookout. It features juicy sweet watermelon and salty feta cheese, topped with a bit of chopped basil. If you haven't had watermelon and feta before, it's a classic combination that's begging to be part of your summer traditions.
It’s not summer until you’ve made corn salad! This one is all about fresh flavor: sweet bursts of corn, juicy tomatoes, and herbaceous basil pair with a tangy, light vinaigrette. If you’re like us…you won’t be able to stop eating it! Top with feta cheese crumbles if you like, or keep it as a plant based salad: it’s just as good either way.
Here’s a fresh spin on that classic Bean Salad! This classic American summer salad has been gracing tables for generations, and everyone has their own take on it. Here’s our spin on that bean salad of our youth, with a little less sugar and more freshness. But don’t worry: it’s still an easy three bean salad that’s as easy as dump and stir.
Next up in our summer salads: this potato salad is truly the best potato salad we’ve had. It tastes like your favorite deli counter potato salad, but more vibrant and delicious. It's tangy and crunchy, filled with minced dill pickle, green onion, yellow mustard, and mayo.
This creamy cucumber salad is so refreshing, it’s hard to stop eating! Adding a bit of sour cream to a tangy cucumber salad makes an irresistibly creamy sauce. The silky sauce also features dill and shallots. While it has a summery vibe, this tasty salad works any time of the year. Also try: Cucumber Salad with Vinegar
Of course, no list of summer salads is complete without a good old pasta salad! This recipe is ultra versatile for picnics, barbecues, and an easy lunch idea: Tortellini Salad! The tang of the artichoke, chewy pillowy pasta, zippy tomatoes, and peppery basil come together into a symphony of flavor! Even better, it stores up to 4 days in the fridge, making it a perfect easy lunch.
Here’s a workhorse summer salad that’s fresh, delicious and ultra versatile: this deli-style Quinoa Salad! There are loads of ways to make a salad with this fluffy grain and after experimenting for years, we’ve found the one. This recipe is delightfully refreshing, a jumble of crunchy, colorful veggies, fluffy quinoa grains, and a zingy Dijon mustard vinaigrette.
What’s a more quintessential summer salad than the crunch of biting into a green bean? Here’s a salad that captures that essence: this homey Green Bean Salad! Imagine: tender blanched green beans covered in a zingy dressing, paired with tomatoes, baby arugula and the salty pop of feta crumbles. This one is ideal for pairing with a grilled meal, a trio of salads or dish for a summer potluck or pitch-in.
Here’s a fresh spin on the classic broccoli slaw! And who knew it could be so irresistibly tasty? This recipe you can make with store-bought broccoli slaw bags or fresh broccoli and carrots. It’s got a creamy dressing that’s equal parts savory, tangy, and a little sweet. Try this stunner of a broccoli recipe…you won’t be disappointed.
Here's another classic summer salad that's dying for you to try it: this orzo salad! Though it looks a little like rice, orzo is actually a small pasta in the shape of rice. It’s often used in Mediterranean-style recipes like Italian and Greek cuisine. Here, we’ve harnessed all the flavors of Greece for this orzo salad: salty feta cheese, red peppers, chickpeas, tangy Kalamata olives, zesty lemon, and of course, powerhouse herbs like mint and dill!
Here’s a salad recipe that’s full of big Italian flavors: antipasto salad! This combo between a pasta salad and Italian antipasti is loaded with zingy flavor: briny olives, tangy artichokes, and roasted peppers, contrasted with crunchy veggies and chewy pasta. Load it with fresh basil and there’s so much going on, you might not be able to stop eating it! Also try: Italian Vegan Pasta Salad
Here’s a surprisingly delicious summer salad recipe that deserves a spot on your plate: celery salad! The name doesn’t have quite the ring of say, potato salad. But this unique salad is so refreshing, you’ll become a convert from the first bite. Crunchy celery pairs perfectly with sweet apple, Parmesan shavings and a tangy vinaigrette. It’s bright, it’s crunchy, and it’s hydrating.
Are you ready for the best summer salad to hit your plate? Because man is this Grilled Caesar Salad tasty! It sounds a little strange, but grilling romaine lettuce infuses it with an incredible smoky flavor that is irresistible. Think about how good Caesar salad is, for a moment. OK, now imagine it GRILLED: it takes it to a whole new level! This salad combines grilled romaine lettuce with grilled avocados and our creamy homemade Caesar dressing for an over the top good summer salad.
Serve this carrot salad recipe to your friends and family, and they’ll be singing your praises! We know because after we made this at our house, it disappeared within minutes. It’s simple and refreshing, featuring strings of carrots doused in a a tangy Mediterranean-style vinaigrette.
Coleslaw is one of the most classic summer salads there is: and here's our best recipe for a creamy coleslaw! This one features our Best Coleslaw Dressing: perfectly balanced in sweet and savory flavors. And it has a healthy spin: there’s no refined sugar and less mayo than most coleslaw recipes. When we make this one, we find ourselves going back to the fridge for seconds and thirds! Also try: Easy Cabbage Salad or Red Cabbage Slaw
This black bean salad is seriously tangy and delicious, and when we make it we can’t stop eating it! It’s perfectly seasoned and insanely easy to put together. This summer salad is a perfect easy potluck recipe to take to a barbecue or a cookout, and it doubles as a healthy lunch idea too. It’s totally plant based, vegan and gluten free, so it works for a variety of diets.
Here’s a summer salad recipe that’s about as delightful as they come: this fresh and herby Couscous Salad! It’s an ideal way to use Israeli couscous, those delightfully chewy pasta spheres. Throw it together with fresh dill and mint, garlic, lemon and a pile of vegetables, then sprinkle with salty feta. Take a bite and it’s irresistibly fresh and savory: we couldn’t stop eating it!
A favorite summer recipe over here? Elote, aka Mexican grilled corn. The smoky sweet corn kernels slathered in an creamy sauce are the epitome of delicious to us. So here’s a fabulous way to eat the same flavors: this Elote Salad! It’s absolutely irresistible, pairing grilled corn with a tangy sauce and bursts of salty cheese.
Want more summer salads?
Don’t worry: we have lots more salads where those came from! Outside of these summer salad recipes, try these main dish salad concepts that are perfect for the season. Here are a few more summer recipes we enjoy:
Toast the almonds: Place the nuts in a dry skillet (no oil) over medium heat. Heat, shaking the pan and stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the nuts are fragrant and golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove immediately from the heat and transfer to a plate to stop the cooking.
Prep the fresh ingredients: Slice the peaches. Thinly slice the onion.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, kosher salt, and several grinds of fresh ground black pepper until thick and emulsified.
Serve: To serve, top the greens with the peaches, almonds, red onion, goat cheese, and corn, then drizzle with the dressing. Serve immediately.
Here are the best summer desserts to end a meal! These easy classic dessert recipes feature the fruits of the season.
Need to end your summer meal on a sweet note? You’ve come to the right place. Here are our top summer desserts that end a meal in style, featuring all the best fruits the summer has to offer! There are the classics like strawberry shortcake, with tender flaky biscuits and sweet red berries. Then there are unique treats like grilled apples, tender from the grill and topped with melty vanilla ice cream. Really, there’s something for everyone, with every type of sweet summer fruit. Ready to give them a taste?
At the top of our summer desserts…the best-ever fresh Strawberry Pie! It highlights the best ripe berry flavor, perfectly sweet tart with a delicious hint of cinnamon. Our neighbors promptly declared it was “the best pie I’ve ever had.” Don’t believe us? Well, you’ve got to test for yourself!
Another top summer dessert? Classic strawberry shortcake recipe. It’s got tender, biscuit-like shortcakes, juicy sweet berries, and fluffy, homemade whipped cream. It’s so ridiculously good, it’s perfect for special occasions of all kinds: cookouts, patio parties, birthdays, and anytime you come across a load of ripe, beautiful berries.
Got your grill fired up? Good, because this summer dessert is 100% stunning: grilled apples! It’s carefree, easy, and a la mode (which makes everything better). The grill turns sliced apples tender and velvety, with subtle nuance of smoke. Top with melty vanilla ice cream, and well: it doesn’t get any better than this! It’s easy to make up a packet and cook it while prepping the rest of a grilled dinner.
You absolutely must try summer’s best dessert: Watermelon Sorbet! Each bite is an explosion of pure juicy fruit flavor, with a smooth, frosty texture. Even better: it’s incredibly simple to blend up.
This summer dessert is everything: it’s simple to make, it’s got a healthy spin, and it tastes SO good! The filling tastes like pure purple blueberry, and the top has the perfect crunchy sweetness. What really puts it over the edge is the lavender — which steps it up to a new level. It's one of our favorite blueberry recipes...ever.
Here's the ultimate summer dessert: peach pie! And this really is the world’s best peach pie recipe. It's got fresh peaches with a thick creamy custard and a salty crust: my great Aunt’s prize winning recipe! Instead of the typical peach pie recipe that features canned peaches in a sugary glaze, in this pie the ripe peaches mix with cream and sugar to make an insanely creamy interior.
Try this homemade Raspberry Sorbet recipe! The flavor is an explosion of pure fruit, like taking a bite of 100 raspberries at once. It’s got the best creamy, frosty texture, like a good raspberry gelato. Better yet: it’s simple to whip up at home and impresses everyone.
This summer dessert recipe has just 7 ingredients and is so easy to make! Throw fresh blueberries on top of the blueberry batter and throw it in the oven. As the cobbler bakes, the blueberries sink to the bottom and the batter forms a golden crust on top. Get ready to be amazed by this simple kitchen trick!
Here’s summer's best treat, if you can find a bunch of those magical pinkish-green stalks: Rhubarb Crisp! This homey dessert is absolute summer nostalgia: each bite is a burst of gooey, sweet tart candy topped with a golden oat crumble. Top it with melty vanilla ice cream, and there’s nothing better than scooping up heaping mouthfuls on a summer’s evening.
Here's a tasty, carefree summer dessert recipe: blueberry cake! This one is fluffy and moist, topped with a layer of purple-blue ripe blueberries. It’s lightly sweet and has a hint of lemon. It has a bit of a healthy spin: it’s made with olive oil, Greek yogurt and applesauce instead of rich butter. Because of that, the dessert tastes light and fresh instead of indulgent.
This grilled pineapple is the best summer dessert for ending a grilled meal on the patio. Pineapple is tangy and juicy as is: imagine it infused with a smoky flavor and warm from the grill! For the easiest option, drizzle it with honey and top with fresh mint. Or, take it over the top and serve with melty vanilla ice cream or toasted coconut.
Here’s our best nostalgic Blackberry Crisp recipe, aka Blackberry Crumble! It’s just sweet enough, filled with sweet berries with a hint of orange and vanilla, and a crunchy oat crumble topping. Even better: you can make it with fresh or frozen berries, so it works no matter what you can find.
What's a more classic summer dessert than apple pie? This one has the perfect buttery crust, woven into a rustic lattice and painted with a sparkly maple glaze. The interior is gooey, sweet apples, spiced with cinnamon and fresh ginger. It's so, so flavorful and looks positively stunning.
Here's an ideal dessert for summer: these soft, gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! They’ve got an irresistibly chewy texture, featuring a luxurious dough with loads of dark chocolate chips. A bit of oatmeal gives it a nostalgic heartiness, and the edges get perfectly golden.
Man, is this peach cobbler a showstopper! Imagine: cinnamon-spiced, ripe and tangy peaches, covered in delightfully flaky ricotta biscuits. No canned peaches or Bisquick topping here! This cobbler absolutely holds up to the hype and will become a family favorite. Also try: Peach Crisp with Basil
Here's a summer dessert that's impossible to resist: this strawberry crumble! There’s the berry filling, scented with orange zest and vanilla until the berries pop. There’s the crunchy crumble topping, hearty and homey with oats and walnuts. It’s simple, but all together it makes a true symphony of flavor. Even better: you can make it using fresh or frozen berries!
These No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies are a step above the rest! These are rich and chocolaty, full of dark chocolate peanut butter flavor and sweetened just enough with sugar and maple syrup. They’re beautifully glossy in texture, and the flavor? When we serve them at parties, they go fast.
Are you a lemon dessert lover? Then you absolutely must try homemade Lemon Sorbet! Each bite is loaded pure citrus flavor: icy and bright, with just the right amount of zing on the finish. Both lemon juice and lemon zest bring a bold flavor, and it’s irresistibly refreshing after a meal or as a palate cleanser.
Here’s one of our favorite summer desserts: Grilled Peaches! Throw these sweet, juicy fruits onto the grill and they get caramelized and lightly smoky. Then top with vanilla ice cream and fresh mint, and it’s one of the best treats on the planet. This is a summer dessert recipe that everyone raves about: and it’s easy to throw on the grill after the main dish!
Here’s a dessert that’s pure perfection in its simplicity: the classic Italian affogato! Two ingredients come together in the most exciting flavor pairing: sweet, creamy vanilla gelato and bitter, rich espresso. Poured at the table, you get to see the ingredients transform right before your eyes. It's ideal for summer evenings!
Even more summer dessert recipes
Those were our top tier summer dessert recipes: but we’ve got lots more to choose from! Here are a few more that stand out in our favorites:
Easy Apple Crumble This easy recipe fills a 9 x 13 inch pan with crunchy topping and a gingery apple filling.
Chewy Cookie Cake This chewy chocolate chip cookie cake recipe is a serious crowd pleaser: the perfect treat for pitch ins!
Easy Applesauce Cake Perfectly moist, scented with cinnamon and brown sugar. And you mix the entire dough in the cake pan! No mixing bowls required.
Blueberry Banana Ice Cream Bananas and berries blended into a healthy spin on ice cream! Sometimes called “banana nice cream,” it’s oh so good.
Make the crust: Follow the directions in the Homemade Quiche Crust recipe to make the dough and shape it into a 9-inch pie plate. You can do either a fork pressed edge or a fluted edge. Then freeze the crust in the pie pan for 30 minutes (this helps to avoid shrinkage; you can skip the freezing portion for a purchased pastry crust).
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Blind bake*: Remove the dough from the freezer. Crumble a sheet of parchment paper, then place it gently on top of the crust. Fill the dough with pie weights (we used two sets of these), dry beans, or dry rice. Bake for 15 minutes, then carefully remove the parchment and weights and bake an additional 14 to 15 minutes until the bottom is golden brown (note that the timing may vary if you use store-bought pastry dough). Remove from the oven and allow the crust to cool completely before adding the strawberry filling. To cool it quickly, you can very gently slide it into another pie pan of the same size and place it on a cooling rack; this should cool it in about 10 to 15 minutes while you make the filling. (Or, the baked crust can be wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator for 2 days.)
Make strawberry filling: Wash, destem and quarter the strawberries lengthwise, cutting very large berries into smaller pieces. Take 1 cup of the quartered strawberries (reserve the rest), place them in a bowl, and smash them with a fork until each one is mashed. Add the smashed berries and their juices to a large saucepan. Add the sugar, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is bubbling, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Then in a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with ¼ cup water and whisk until dissolved. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan and cook, stirring often while it bubbles, for 1 to 2 minutes until very thick and glossy. Turn off the heat. Add the remaining fresh strawberries to the pan and turn with spatula until they are fully coated with the very thick sauce.
Immediately scoop the strawberry filling into the cooled pie crust. Use clean fingers to arrange the strawberries in the top layer (you may need to flip some over to make it look nice). Allow to cool in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving until it sets. Serve topped with homemade whipped cream. Lasts up to 3 days refrigerated.
Notes
*Blind baking the pie crust shrinks it a bit. For a larger puffy crust, you can make 1.5 times the recipe and cut scraps to reinforce the sides. Go to How to Blind Bake a Pie Crust.
**Arrowroot may work as a substitute, but we have not tested it. Try at your own risk!
Category:Dessert
Method:Baked
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Keywords: Summer desserts
More summer resources
Looking for more summer recipes? We’ve got you covered. Here are a few more summer collections:
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