Simple Healthy Summer Salads for Your Next Cook Out

You don’t have to trade in cook outs and social engagements this summer for the sake of your healthier diet. With a bit of creativity the two can easily go hand in hand. These healthy summer salads are packed with flavor and texture. They’re simple to make and look gorgeous on a BBQ table!

Finding that balance between eating healthy and having a social life can seem daunting at first. But it doesn’t have to be. The key is to plan ahead and be prepared.

Tips to Healthier Eating at a Cook Out

This is my favorite time of year. The days are longer, and warmer. Outside activities take over and the idea of going inside before the sun goes does feels sacrilegious. The weather is warming up and the time for BBQs and cook outs is on. Which of course if you’re trying to eat healthier can be a bit daunting. You want to have fun, but you don’t want the carefree atmosphere and array of potato salads and fried chicken to wreak havoc on your hard work.

Cook outs are a really good excuse to bring (and eat), dishes that take advantage of the abundance of fresh produce that starts popping up in gardens this time of year. Like any party-fare though, you’ll find yourself wanting to navigate between the hearty fare and the healthy fare without offending your host. These healthy summer salads will only serve to add to the fun!

These tips should help you find a way to enjoy the party and stay on track at the same time:

1. Contribute to the menu with a healthier option. It’s not unusual or rude of you to offer to bring a dish to the party. Make something seasonal and beautiful like freshly grilled vegetables, or one of the salads below. Your host will likely thank you for the addition. Keep in mind, you’re probably not the only person at the party who is trying to be a bit healthier this season. Make an abundance of whatever you bring so that everyone can share, and no one goes hungry!
   
2. Fill your plate with vegetables and protein, first. You’re at a party – there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy some of your favorite BBQ fare in moderation. That said, don’t throw your healthy habits out the window just because you aren’t eating at home. Fill most of your plate with leafy greens, grilled vegetables and lighter, healthy summer salads with fresh produce. Top that with protein and not only do you feel sated and appreciative, you’ll certainly not be hungry!
   
3. Always keep water on hand. It’s tempting to accept the first margarita pressed into your hand – it’s a party after all! But try to skip the first drink, at least until you’ve made your dinner plate. That way you know that you will make smarter decisions when choosing what to eat. After that always try to keep a water in hand. It’ll remind you to stay hydrated and it’ll keep your apt-to-graze hands occupied.
   
4. Get involved in games instead of small talk. I’m the party guest who always finds herself in the kitchen helping with the final food prep and socializing. My husband on the other hand, though 100% willing and able to help when needed, gravitates towards the games. Don’t be like me. Be like my husband.
   
   Most cook outs and summertime gatherings come armed with tons of games and activities. Bean bag toss. Volleyball. Croquet. Badminton. Swimming. Find an excuse to get out of the kitchen or away from the appetizer table and get moving. Not only will the seven layer bean dips and chips be out of sight, out of mind, you might even get a workout in!
   
5. Choose your indulgence ahead of time. Instead of denying yourself any sort of indulgence all day, decide what treat makes you happiest and save yourself room. Maybe your best friend makes incredible fried chicken. Or maybe you’re a s’mores girl. Whatever it is, give yourself full, unashamed permission to indulge in some of that one thing. Knowing ahead of time that you are going to have that bite of pure, unadulterated, not-on-your-normal-meal-plan bite of joy will keep you from feeling like you’re denying yourself fun. Plus you will enjoy that food so much more because you don’t feel the guilt or bloat that you know comes with too much of all the cheesy, boozy, fried goodies.
   
6. Grab fruit for dessert. You’ve finished your meal but the party won’t stop. Can’t stop, won’t stop. As the ice cream sandwiches come out of the freeze, reach for fresh fruit instead. Not only will you save yourself the empty calories, you’ll ward off the bloat and sugar-high that is sure to follow.

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Seven Healthy Summer Salads That Will Wow at Your Next Cook Out

Healthy does not mean boring and a healthy salad does not mean lettuce with dressing on the side. The thing about summer time is that there’s an abundance of fresh, vibrant ingredients out there just waiting to make your taste buds water and your friends say “wow, that’s beautiful”.

A couple of tips when making a healthy summer salad that is both delicious and healthy:

• You eat with your eyes, too. So when you throw together a salad that you want to stand out amidst a table packed with BBQ fare, be sure to pick eye popping ingredients and colors.
  
• Always make homemade dressings and vinaigrettes. Store bought dressings might be okay for the occasional thrown together lunch salad but they never taste as good as the real thing.
  
• Speaking of dressings, be bold! Use big, bright, flavor boosters like Dijon mustard, pesto, hot sauce and fresh herbs.
  
• Combine textures. Greens and lettuces add bulk but that’s not what makes a good salad a great salad. It’s the crunch, the bite of salt or sweet, the tang of dried fruit or the creaminess of avocado that makes a healthy dish hold it’s own against the fried chicken.

Creamy Broccoli Salad with Almonds and Cranberries

The broccoli salad of your childhood dreams without the heaviness. One thing it’s not missing? FLAVOR.

Taster tips: I love substituting dried, tart cranberries for fresh grapes. I love the sweet and tangy flavor and the texture, but I know not everyone is a fan. If you don’t have white miso you can substitute soy sauce just know that the viscosity and color of your dressing will change.

Watermelon, Tomato and Feta Salad

There is nothing that says “summertime” like fresh, sweet watermelon. If you’re feeling extra fancy, try cubing the feta and placing the watermelon, vegetable and cheese cubes on a rimmed baking sheet like a chess board. It makes for a very striking presentation!

Taste tips: I love adding avocado to this recipe but keep in mind that if you’re making this in advance, the avocado won’t stay bright green all day. My recommendation is to bring the avocado with you and cut it into chunks right before serving.

Fiesta Black Bean and Corn Salad

This is one of those healthy summer salads that can easily become a “kitchen sink” recipe. And feel free to shake it up a bit! One ingredient that is not in the recipe but is absolutely delicious is roasted and diced sweet potato. Yum!

Taster tips: this salad can easily be the main event. Topped with grilled shrimp, chicken, BBQ or even tofu and it’s as filling as it is beautiful! I recommend making extra dressing and bringing it on the side. The ingredients tend to soak it up (especially if you add in that sweet potato) and folks might want more of that sweet and tangy goodness!

Grilled Summer Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette

When I think of the summer evening dinners of my childhood I always think about summer squash and zucchini being thrown on the grill and served sizzling hot to the table. It didn’t matter what we were having for dinner, there were always fresh vegetables. The grill adds that extra boost of charry flavor and fancy grill marks.

Taste tips: feel free to play around with this pesto recipe. If you don’t have walnuts or pine nuts, try pistachios! If you don’t have basil, try making this recipe with parsley instead. A lot of pesto recipes call for Parmesan but you just don’t need it here, with all of the bright flavors and creaminess of the mozzarella.

Strawberry Cobb Salad with Tangy Mustard Vinaigrette

This is the perfect summertime salad. If you can find fresh strawberries use them! The extra couple of dollars is 100% worth the sunshiney sweetness.

Grilled Peach and Wild Rice Salad with Arugula

You could make this salad and omit the rice but I love the color, texture and filling factor the grain offers. Top this with some BBQ chicken and you’re good to go!

Taster tip: If you’re not a fan of goat cheese, substitute blue cheese in this recipe – it’s phenomenal! It’s also fun to add a bit of rolled prosciutto as a garnish if that atmosphere permits.

Rainbow Power Salad with Roasted Chickpeas

Your vegetarian friends will thank you for this one! Chickpeas are a great source of non-meat protein. And the colors – oh my!

Taster tip: if you don’t have a spiralizer you can use a mandolin or sharp peeler but I highly recommend investing in the real thing. We have an attachment for our Kitchen Aid that works wonders but you can get hand crank spiralizers at Target or Walmart, or online for a decent price. They’re so much fun!