It’s easy to let summer become all about ice cream cones and cold beers on the back patio. If you struggle to eat enough veggies in the warm weather or have little mouths that seem to constantly demand desserts and greasy treats, these five healthy summer vegetable recipes have your back. They’re simple, require few ingredients, and taste outstanding— even to picky eaters!
Here are five healthy summer vegetable recipes
Crispy baked brussels sprouts
Flavorful, healthy, and browned to perfection— it really doesn’t get any better than these! Crispy Brussels sprouts are a great choice because they’re loaded with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants but still low in calories. Plus, their crunchy texture and tasty flavor make them a hit even with picky eaters, turning a healthy veggie into a delicious snack.
2. Sweet green smoothies
A way to get in your daily greens without having to taste them? Incredible!
Of the summer vegetable recipes, this is especially helpful when young kids turn up their noses to vegetables, no matter how they’re cooked. The sweetness from the mango and pineapple will disguise the veggie taste. If you don’t let them see you prepare the smoothie, they won’t even know what’s in them. Talk about a mom hack!
3. Snackable kale chips
Take your after-dinner snack to the next level by making it out of deliciously healthy greens. In the summertime, we frequently see bagged chips out at parties and tailgates, but there is a healthier option!
Kale chips are a perfect summer snack because they are light, crispy, and easy to make, offering a healthy alternative to traditional chips. They also provide a convenient way to enjoy nutrient-rich vegetables, making it easy to incorporate more greens into your summer diet.
4. Protein-packed pesto
Just because it tastes fantastic doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy! You can use this pesto in a variety of different ways: it’s great in pasta salad and sandwiches, on pizza, drizzled on top of baked and grilled veggies, or even better, mix it in with butter and slather it on your grilled corn.
We recommend adding a handful of your favorite green like kale or spinach for more nutrients. Food Network has 50 Things to Make With Pesto for further inspiration. As an added bonus, kids and picky eaters won’t even know they’re eating veggies! Sneaky!
5. Summery grilled broccoli
We know that even a healthy vegetable like broccoli is more appealing when it’s been grilled- right?! If you’re looking for a kick, add a few shakes of crushed red pepper flakes before serving. This makes a great side dish on a summer evening! You may also like this charred vegetable salad.
Fill up on these summer vegetable recipes, and you may even surprise yourself with the bonus effects of increased energy, weight loss, healthier skin, and an improved mood. Your family, dinner guests, and friends will have a hard time turning these dishes down, and it’s hard to know which part you’ll enjoy more— experiencing the taste, or knowing that your loved ones are getting the healthy vegetables they need without any complaints.
It’s time to start cooking these summer vegetable recipes!
