Be inspired by these 18 easy and healthy dinner recipes perfect for the warmer spring and summer months of the year! They are all gluten free, dairy free, loaded with whole foods, and many are plant-based too!
Healthy Dinner Recipes You Need To Make This Summer!
Before getting into this post, I want to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to pause, listen, and reflect this past week. It’s been a deep and incredibly purposeful week to say the least.
I decided to mute my Instagram feed to join the #amplifymelanatedvoices challenge but also to be able to step back and evaluate my own thought and actions as I truly believe change begins when we address our own hearts and motives. I have learned a lot by quieting myself and listening to many powerful Black voices, doing research, and reading…and I truly feel I have only scratched the surface and have so much more to do and learn.
While I have shared recipes from talented Black women and men in the blogger world before on Nutrition in the Kitch through these roundups, my goal is to make more of an intentional effort moving forward. I want and need to do better at diversifying the content creators I share on Nutrition in the Kitch so I openly welcome your suggestions and am grateful we can all work together in unity for a better world.
One of the top trending searches on Pinterest right now is healthy dinner recipes. It seems with all of this time at home many people are looking for healthy dinner inspiration and I’m here to help!
I’ve scoured the blogosphere and archives on Nutrition in the Kitch to compile a delicious list of perfectly healthy spring and summer appropriate recipes you’ll love to make for dinner. When it comes to summer dinners my mind instantly goes to abundant salads, tasty tacos, and grilled-to-perfection burgers.
This lovely list of 18 recipes has them all and I guarantee you’ll find something that makes you think “I need to make that!”. All of these recipes are (or can easily be) gluten free, dairy free, and there’s a nice mix of plant-based, totally vegan, and meat-containing recipes so there’s something for everyone and every eating style.
The Healthy Dinner Recipes List:
photo by Make It Dairy Free
The Ultimate Vegan Black Bean Burgers from Make It Dairy Free
These classic black bean burgers are packed with fibre, made with simple ingredients, and make a great dairy free (and gluten free if needed) summer dinner in less than 30 minutes!
Healthy Cold Soba Noodle Salad from NITK
This delicious, chilled noodle salad bowl is one of the easiest healthy dinner recipes, loaded with plant protein, healthy carbohydrates, and tons of flavour.
photo by Cotter Crunch
Grilled Moroccan Cauliflower Chickpea Burgers from Cotter Crunch
These gorgeous gluten-free veggie burgers from Cotter Crunch are not only gorgeous but super nutritious as they are packed with fibre and great for plant-based grilling in the summer!
Vitality Kale Superfood Salad from NITK
One of my favourite salads from the blog, this superfood salad tops the healthy dinner recipes list with summer fruits, loads of veggies, and the option of chicken for protein or a plant based alternative.
photo by Mash & Spread
Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Kale Slaw from Mash & Spread
Tacos are always a good dinner idea in the summer months and these chicken tacos from Mash & Spread (a newly discovered blog for me this past week!) are incredibly simple, well put together, nutritious, and seasoned to perfection. A must make!
photo by Pinch Of Yum
Farmer’s Market Pasta with Walnut Pesto from Pinch Of Yum
Take a visit to the farmers market to stock up on produce this summer and whip up this delicious pasta salad with a dairy free walnut pesto from the wonderful Pinch of Yum!
Healthy Grilled Chicken and Veggie Wraps from NITK
Fire up the grill for chicken and grilled veggies in these delicious and simple wraps that work in my healthy dinner recipes list and are great for lunchtime leftovers!
photo by Half Baked Harvest
Rainbow Thai Basil Noodle Salad from Half Baked Harvest
This gorgeous Thai inspired gluten free salad from Half Baked Harvest is plant-based and is still packed with protein, healthy carbohydrates, and fats from the delicious, creamy tahini dressing. For a totally vegan version, swap out the honey for agave, and omit the fish sauce.
Best Ever Healthy Turkey Burgers with Avocado from NITK
There’s nothing like a good burger in the summer and these healthy turkey burgers are seriously unreal. Topped with thick avocado, juicy tomatoes, and a simple lemon basil and garlic aioli sauce you’ll be making this recipe over and over again.
photo by The Modern Proper
Baked Salmon with Grapefruit Salad from The Modern Proper
This delicious healthy dinner recipe combines baked (or grill for the summer!) salmon with citrus fruit and a perfect light and fresh honey mustard vinaigrette. Yum!
photo by Jar of Lemons
Healthy Chicken Cobb Salad Recipe from Jar of Lemons
For a perfect lightened-up take on a Cobb salad recipe, this is the one! Grilled chicken breast, corn, fresh tomatoes, and spicy greens work wonderfully together in this dish. Simply swap out the blue cheese for a dairy free cheese alternative to keep this recipe totally dairy and gluten free.
The Best Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe from NITK
This is the quintessential summertime salad perfect for a light and delicious dinner. With crunchy celery, juicy grapes, tender chicken, and a lightened up and creamy dairy free dressing, you’ll definitely keep this recipe as a go to!
photo by Grandbaby-Cakes
Jerk Salmon with Pineapple Salsa from Grandbaby Cakes
There’s nothing like spicy salmon topped with a fruity, fresh pineapple salsa to balance out the heat. This delightful salmon dish is perfect for a healthy meal and while Jocelyn of Grandbaby Cakes bakes the salmon in her recipe, I definitely think grilling this delicious salmon would be a great option in the summer months too!
The Best Portobello Mushroom Burgers with Quick Caramelized Onions from NITK
These plant-based burgers are a crowd favorite and the grilled portobello mushrooms taste absolutely amazing with the quick caramelized onions. Choose your favorite gluten free burger buns and dairy-free cheese to crumble on top and you’ll be good to go.
photo by Running On Real Food
Vegan Greek Pasta Salad from Running On Real Food
Pasta salads always seem to be a nice go-to on warm days and this vegan greek pasta salad is no exception. Made with simple and healthy ingredients including pasta (gluten free if needed), olives, cucumber, tomato, and an easy homemade tofu feta, this recipe needs to be on your must-make healthy dinner recipes list.
Healthy Ahi Fish Tacos with Fresh Mango Salsa from NITK
Another take on tacos perfect for warm summer evenings, these healthy ahi fish tacos are topped with a delicious, light, and fresh mango salsa, avocado, and an easy spicy mayo for drizzling.
photo from Lauren Conrad
Shrimp and Mango Summer Rolls from Lauren Conrad
These beautiful and filling summer rolls combine shrimp with veggies and a sweet and tangy sauce for an easy, finger-food, dinner meal. Swap out the soy-sauce for a gluten free alternative like Tamari and this recipe is gluten friendly too!
Grilled Nectarine & Chicken BLT Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing from NITK
One last salad for this delicious list of healthy dinner recipes, this one adds nectarine to the grill along with chicken breast and an incredibly tasty homemade balsamic dressing to finish the dish off perfectly.
I told you there was something for everyone in this delicious list of healthy dinner recipe ideas! I’d love to know which recipe or recipes peaked your interest, and which you’ll be adding to your must-make list for the summer! Tell me about it in the comments and be sure to pin the photo below to save this roundup for later.
Pin me!
Have a lovely Sunday!
