When the temperature heats up, refresh your summertime meal routine with any one of these 30+ vegetarian recipes for summer. The list includes the best easy recipes for cold dishes from appetizers, dinner, dessert, grilling recipes, and cocktails too! You'll find something for everyone to love in this collection.
posted byBecca Millson May 3, 2021 (last updated Jun 11, 2023)
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While summer is the season of grilling, BBQs, and seemingly lots of meat-filled recipes, that doesn’t mean that meatless meals or vegetarian folks need to be without. There are plenty of flavorful, easy-to-make vegetarian recipes that both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will love all season long.
Enjoy this collection of healthy, light recipes with indulgence spread throughout. You’ll find recipes in all categories – from snacks to start off with or have around for guests to graze, main dish veggie-loaded recipes, and of course desserts and cocktails, because what summer feast is complete without them?!
Many are cold dishes, ready to be served on the hottest of days when you don’t want to cook. Some require either cooking on the grill or baking (depending on your preferences).
No matter how you serve them up, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Table of Contents
Know exactly what you’re looking for? Head to the specific section below, or take a minute and peruse all of our summer recipes!
Elevate your grilling game this summer! Grilled brie is creamy and loaded with texture on top (hello, almond slices!), and a drizzle of honey and fresh thyme make it extra scrumptious!Ingredients: brie, almonds, honey, thyme, apricot jam
Fresh, bright, and super flavorful! This quick and easy bruschetta is a recipe that everyone will love.Ingredients: tomatoes, shallot, garlic, balsamic vinegar, baguette, basil
With just 5-minutes and 5-ingredients, enjoy this street-food-inspired dip! Perfect for enjoying on its own or with tacos.Ingredients: frozen corn, mayo, scallion, garlic, chili powder, lime, cilantro, cotija cheese
Turn ripe summer tomatoes into a sticky, sweet-and-savory slow-roasted tomato jam. Serve it with crostini appetizers, enjoy it at breakfast with eggs, or slather it on a sandwich. Ingredients: roma tomatoes, sugar, salt, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar
This whipped ricotta dip is an all-time favorite! The bright herb topping is the perfect summer addition!Ingredients: ricotta, mint, parsley, lemon, honey
An easy no-hassle appetizer recipe made with pantry staples. Roasted on the grill, the onion and garlic become a caramelized dream.Ingredients: yellow onion, garlic, sour cream, garlic and onion powder
Enjoy this bright, flavorful chilled soup bursting with fresh summer produce as an appetizer or main dish. It's perfect for a light lunch!Ingredients: strawberries, tomato, goat cheese, basil, balsamic vinegar
Another chilled soup favorite. This gazpacho is refreshing and incredibly easy to make. Enjoy it as a cold summer appetizer or for a light lunch. Ingredients: cucumber, mint, goat cheese, lemon, garlic
What says American summer more than a hot dog? This meatless version is made with marinated carrots that you can grill up and enjoy just the same!Ingredients: soy sauce, rice vinegar, liquid smoke, garlic, ginger, carrots
These meatless burgers are so flavorful and paired with a quick cilantro yogurt sauce, it's an irresistible combination!Ingredients: chickpeas, brown rice, shallot, garlic, carrots, yogurt, turmeric, spices, flour, panko
Ripe summer peaches are grilled and topped on this flavorful naan pizza, bursting with basil pesto and creamy burrata cheese.Ingredients: peaches, naan flatbread, pesto, burrata, arugula, honey
If you love homemade flatbreads, check out this collection of flatbread pizza recipes for more ideas!
Homemade Sweet Corn Basil Ravioli
4.78 (9 ratings)
Nothing beats fresh end-of-summer produce and homemade pasta. This homemade ravioli is creamy, fresh, and flavorful with sweet corn, tomatoes, and basil!Ingredients: fresh pasta, ricotta, corn, parmesan, white wine, tomatoes
A delicious summer chowder filled with fresh produce – it's ready in just 30 minutes, too!Ingredients: onion, garlic, red bell pepper, celery, thyme, potatoes, broth, corn, cream
A vegetarian take on a fair favorite: mini corn dogs! Crispy, smoky, and fried to perfection!Ingredients: marinade, baby carrots, cornmeal, flour, milk, egg
Sweet, tangy, stick-to-your-ribs baked beans made without any meat (or dairy products, so they're also vegan!) and they require no overnight soaking!Ingredients: molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, onion powder, navy or white beans
Bursting with flavor, tender pasta, and loads of texture-filled veggies, this pasta salad is the best version of the BBQ classic everyone loves!Ingredients: pasta, cucumber, olives, tomatoes, banana peppers, shallot, bell pepper, mozzarella, parmesan
The BEST potato salad around…bursting with fresh herbs, crispy golden leeks, and creamy potatoes. Ready in just 25 minutes, too!Ingredients: baby potatoes, leeks, scallions, dill, parsley, chives, and red wine vinaigrette
A bright, fresh, crunch side dish or topping on your favorite sandwiches! Easy to make in just 10 minutes. Vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free.Ingredients: red cabbage, lime, cilantro, mayonnaise, celery seed
An easy broccoli salad that is bright, fresh, and flavorful! Ready in just 10 minutes without mayo and it's meatless! Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan if cheese is omitted.Ingredients: broccoli, craisins, sunflower seeds, gruyere cheese, apple
A non-lettuce salad that's simple yet full of flavor and texture, made with the freshest summer produce tossed with a bright Italian-inspired dressing. Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan if cheese is omitted.Ingredients: green beans, onion, avocado, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil
What says summer side dish more than pasta salad? Make this flavorful Mediterranean version for your next potluck!Ingredients: small pasta shape, dried herbs, cucumber, red bell pepper, banana peppers, shallot, garlic, feta, parsley, olives
Baked zucchini fries crisped up and served with a tangy, creamy lemon chili aioli. One of the best ways to use up all that summer zucchini!Ingredients: zucchini, panko, mayo, lemon, chili garlic sauce
A simple summer salad packed with nutritious blueberries, both in the vinaigrette and the salad!Ingredients: blueberries, balsamic vinegar, pistachios, blue cheese, spinach
A simple, easy salad that is bursting with freshness and texture! After a trip to the farmer's market, it's the perfect lunch!Ingredients: shallot, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon, spinach, strawberries, corn, sunflower seeds
Fresh strawberry pie in a graham cracker crust is a go-to summertime dessert! This version is made without Jell-O, and there's no gelatin!Ingredients: graham crackers, strawberries, agar agar, sugar
Creamy sweet corn ice cream swirled with caramel and topped with bits of chocolate covered sugar cone for a crunch!Ingredients: sweet corn, cream, vanilla, caramel topping, sugar cones, chocolate chips
Light, fluffy angel food cake with a surprise strawberry filling. Coated in a whipped cream frosting – keeping it light and just sweet enough!Ingredients: flour, egg whites, cornstarch, sugar, strawberries, agar agar
A bright, summery mix of fresh blueberries, almonds, and cinnamon topped with a buttery crisp topping. Baked to bubbly perfection, it's an instant hit!Ingredients: blueberries, almond extract, sugar, flour, almond slices
A flaky, buttery crust wrapped around sweet summer peaches, topped with glossy apricot preserves for a bit of added sweetness – you'll love this easy, elegant dessert!Ingredients: flour, sugar, butter, peaches, apricot preserves
Triple Fudge Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake with Pretzels
5 (10 ratings)
If you are looking for the perfect ice cream cake…this is it! Indulge in the rich fudge layers, peanut butter cups, and sweet chocolate and vanilla ice cream.Ingredients: fudge, chocolate and vanilla ice cream, peanut butter cups, oreo
Super creamy cheesecake on top of a buttery shortbread crust and topped with sweet summer strawberries – it's like shortcake…but better.Ingredients: shortbread cookies, cream cheese, sugar, strawberries
Rich, indulgent ice cream sandwiches that take summer desserts to the next level. With brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and cookie dough ice cream, they're a sweet lover's dream come true!Ingredients: brownie batter, cookie dough, cookie dough ice cream
An indulgent dessert that's incredibly easy to make: sauté plums and deglaze with red wine to create a luxurious sauce. Pour it over ice cream et viola!Ingredients: butter, brown sugar, plums, red wine, vanilla ice cream
For a dessert that is perfect for large crowds, these grab-and-go fruit pizzas are on perfect sugar cookies with whipped coconut cream.Ingredients: sugar cookies, coconut milk, sugar, strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, raspberries
A margarita lover's dream come true! Margarita in dessert bar form, with a soft, custardy lime and tequila filling on top of a salty pretzel crust.Ingredients: pretzels, sugar, limes, tequila, eggs, butter
A simple mocktail with refreshing and sweet iced Watermelon Granita topped with sparkling lime water – or a flavor of your choice! Turn it into a cocktail with sparkling rosè or vodka!Ingredients: watermelon, lemon, sugar, ice, sparkling water or rose
It's sweet, spicy, and refreshing! This unique cocktail is perfect when you're looking to mix things up!Ingredients: strawberries, mint, black pepper, vodka, club soda
An easy summer cocktail made with fresh pineapple and jalapeño slices – the perfect combination of sweet and spicy!Ingredients: pineapple, jalapeno, lime, vodka, pineapple juice
An easy cocktail perfect for one or a group; pairs well with your favorite Mexican food or on its own!Ingredients: mango, lime, jalapeno, tequila, mango juice
A light, crisp sangria full of refreshing flavors – strawberries, mint, and lemon meld together for the perfect summer cocktail!Ingredients: strawberries, mint, sugar, lemon, rose wine, club soda
When the temperature heats up, refresh your summertime meal routine with any one of these 30+ vegetarian recipes for summer. The list includes the best easy recipes for cold dishes from appetizers, dinner, dessert, grilling recipes, and cocktails too! You'll find something for everyone to love in this collection.
Heat grill (or grill pan) over medium heat, around 375°F. If using grill grates, ensure grates are clean. Brush sides of sliced peaches with oil, also brush the grill grates with a little bit of oil to prevent sticking.
Place peach slices on grates on their sides. After about one minute of cooking, push the slices gently back and forth to ensure they're not sticking to the grates. Continue cooking for approximately 2-3 additional minutes on each side, until grill marks appear and peaches are slightly caramelized. Remove from grill and set aside.
Brush top of naan with oil, and place top side down on the grill. Brush the back of naan with oil while the top cooks. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the top has grill marks and is slightly crispy.
Flip the flatbread over, so it's bottom side down to assemble. You can also remove it from the grill to assemble. Spread pesto evenly across the two flatbreads, then add burrata pieces (that you have drained and pat dry!). Close the grill lid, or cover if using a grill pan, and let cook for 3-4 minutes until burrata is slightly melted and edges are golden brown.
Remove the flatbread from the grill and add peaches back on flatbread. Top the pizzas with a handful of arugula, black pepper, flakey sea salt, and a drizzle of honey. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
If your pesto is extra oily, try to leave out the excess oil or your pizza will end up soggy. Additionally, be sure to pat the burrata dry to prevent excess liquid on the pizza.
Use a grill pan on the stove if you don’t have/want to grill.
Oven Directions: At 375°F, place a pizza stone in the oven and put the naan on top to crisp. Then, spread the pesto and burrata on top of the flatbread, continuing to cook for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted and the edges are golden brown. You can either add the peaches here, too or caramelize them first (recommended) on the stovetop using a grill pan or cast-iron skillet. Proceed with cooking the peaches and assembly as written above.