It’s finally summertime! If you don’t already know, summer’s a time when everything bursts with color, from bright clothing styles to stunning floral displays. However, summer is not just about the sunflowers and the balloons up in the air, it’s also the time to enjoy plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, making it the perfect season to embrace a colorful and nutritious diet. So, if you’re looking to make the most of this seasonal bounty but don’t know where to begin, explore these 10 Skinny Summer Side Dishes from our very own book of recipes!
Sweet Corn Salad
As number one on our list, this refreshing salad combines sweet corn, cooked bacon, grape tomatoes, red and green onions, jalapenos, feta, and a homemade ranch dressing. At just 2 WW Points per 0.5 cup serving, this Drizzle Me Skinny recipe is a vibrant mix of flavors with a creamy and slightly spicy finish.
To add to the excitement, this amazing dish is super easy to make. All you have to do is first cook the bacon, drain, and cut it into small pieces. Then, dice the red onion, green onion, and jalapeno. After this, cut the grape tomatoes in half. Then, add all of the ingredients to a bowl except for the feta and mix well.
For ideas on what to pair this salad with, consider grilled chicken or fish.
Southwest Macaroni Salad
Featuring whole-grain macaroni, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, corn, black beans, and a creamy chipotle dressing, this Drizzle Me Skinny-inspired salad is packed with Tex-Mex flavors. Not only does it have a satisfying creamy and spicy taste, but it is also just 2WW point per 0.5 cup serving.
But why is this dish a part of our list? This revamped macaroni salad is packed with nutrient-rich veggies and protein from Greek yogurt. The use of whole-grain pasta also provides you with fewer carbs and more fiber compared to traditional pasta, making it a healthier choice. But most of all, serve this at a summer BBQ or a light summer dinner, and watch it disappear! Both meat lovers and vegetarians will enjoy this versatile Southwest salad, as it pairs well with any protein of choice.
Cucumber Avocado Salad
At 4 WW Points per 0.5 cup serving, this salad from Drizzle Me Skinny includes chopped cucumber, diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, and red onion, tossed in a zesty cilantro lime dressing. It is an ideal summer side, pairing wonderfully with turkey burgers, grilled chicken breast, sandwiches, and wraps due to its refreshing and zesty flavor.
On top of it all, it’s a no-cook recipe that’s ready in just 15 minutes, making it a convenient option for novice cooks or busy households. All it requires is chopping the vegetables and mixing the dressing, ensuring a quick and easy preparation.
All in all, it’s refreshing and creamy, perfect with seafood or as a light appetizer.
Zesty Corn Pasta Salad
A delightful mix of pasta, corn, bell peppers, red onions, and a tangy lime dressing, this Drizzle Me Skinny recipe is only 2WW points per 0.5 cup serving. The flavors are bright and fresh, making it a great side for BBQ dishes or grilled vegetables.
For a Mexican twist on this pasta salad, try using freshly roasted corn cut straight from the cob. Alternatively, you can use frozen corn, just make sure to thaw it first. Feel free to enhance this dish with additional fresh vegetables such as diced celery, zucchini, or shredded carrots.
If you plan to prepare this salad ahead of time, it can be made the night before and stored in the fridge. Just remember to stir in the feta cheese right before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Watermelon and Feta Salad
As the first recipe from other than Drizzle Me Skinny, this 5WW-points recipe contains lots of watermelon, feta cheese (or vegan feta), mint leaves, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. As a refreshing salad, it balances the sweet, juicy watermelon with the salty, creamy feta cheese. Fresh mint leaves also add an aromatic note, while a simple lime and olive oil dressing enhances the flavors without overwhelming them. The result of this recipe inspired by Two Peas And Their Pod is a light, sweet-savory dish perfect for hot summer days.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
With only 2WW points, this salad is a combination of sliced cucumbers mixed with red onions and a creamy dill dressing made from Greek yogurt. In other words, it’s light, refreshing, and tangy, ideal for summer barbecues or as a side with salmon.
To top it up, this Drizzle Me Skinny dish is fast and simple to prepare; within minutes, this dish can be ready to enjoy. It also complements almost any meal, making it an excellent side for summer cookouts or any season. Whether accompanying grilled fare in the summer or hearty comfort dishes in the winter, a refreshing cucumber salad is always a great start.
Skinny Coleslaw
As the first dish with only 1 WW Point per 0.5 cup serving, you may call this dish the healthiest choice of all. This Drizzle Me Skinny side dish is a healthier take on classic coleslaw, using Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of honey. It’s crunchy and tangy, perfect with pulled pork or burgers.
If the salad seems dry after mixing in the dressing initially, don’t worry; the cabbage will naturally release its juices as it sits. Be cautious about adding extra dressing, as it could turn the salad too watery. If you find it still needs more moisture after resting, a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt stirred in right before serving should do the trick.
Baked Zucchini Chips
Moving away from salads and coleslaw for a bit, it’s the 3WW Points per serving, zucchini recipe. Inspired by Healthy Recipe Blogs, this recipe includes baked zucchini slices coated with a mixture of parmesan cheese and garlic powder. They’re crispy, cheesy, and savory, great as a side or a snack.
But you cannot achieve the crispy feel naturally. So, here’s the tip: achieving crispiness hinges on salting them to extract moisture before baking them in a scorching 425°F oven.
Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
The Hungry Waitress presents this tasty 5WW-Points-one-pan casserole with ingredients like broccoli, low-fat cheddar cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. To make this tasty dish, tender broccoli florets are baked in a creamy cheese sauce made with low-fat cheddar and Greek yogurt. The casserole is then eventually topped with a bubbly, golden cheese crust. This dish tastes nicely with roasted turkey or chicken.
You’re welcome to include shredded chicken for those who enjoy meat! Another suggestion is to experiment with different cheeses. Swiss cheese would taste wonderful! Additionally, consider adding extra vegetables like zucchini and squash—they would enhance this recipe beautifully. You could also try adding diced or shredded cooked potatoes for an extra tasty twist!
Garlic Green Beans
Finally, and at 2 WW Points, this vegetarian-friendly recipe from Greens & Chocolate only includes green beans, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in its recipe.
Green beans are a vegetable with a mild taste that kids enjoy because of their soft texture. Plus, they easily absorb flavors you cook them with. To top it all up, they’re like finger food, resembling French fries!
To make this dish, fresh green beans are sautéed with garlic and olive oil until tender-crisp. The garlic then adds a robust flavor, making these green beans a tasty and simple side. This dish is perfect with grilled salmon or steak. These Garlic Parmesan Green Beans are incredibly simple to prepare and bursting with flavor from fresh garlic and grated Parmesan cheese.
Now that you are done with all 10 recipes, you should know that these dishes are all designed to be tasty, nutritious, and low in Weight Watchers points, making them perfect for summer meals and beyond. So, which of them would you try? Remember to let us know in the comments!
