15 Easy Summer Side Dishes With 5 Ingredients or Less

Estimated read time 4 min read



These side dishes might steal the spotlight from the main course, they’re that good! Packed with fresh summer produce and made with 5 ingredients or less, they’re also easy to make for any meal this season. With delicious options like our Watermelon with Mint Gremolata or Creamy Roasted Potato Salad, you’ll want to give them a try alongside your favorite entrees for a healthy summer meal.

Zucchini Noodle Cacio e Pepe

Cheese and pepper star in this simple Italian dish. While the combo is traditionally tossed with pasta, we toss Parmesan cheese and freshly ground pepper with zucchini noodles instead for a lower-carb dish that helps you get in an extra serving of veggies. To simplify the recipe, look for prepackaged zucchini noodles in the produce section of your supermarket.

Watermelon with Mint Gremolata

This flavor-boosting combo of mint and lime, inspired by the traditional Italian herb-and-garlic gremolata recipe, livens up juicy watermelon. Put a platter out at your next cookout and watch it disappear in an instant.

Creamy Roasted Potato Salad

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless


Roasting potatoes is the ultimate way to avoid watery, mushy or bland potato salad. Boiled potatoes can hold on to moisture (even if they seem dry!), which can affect the texture of the final dish. Roasted potatoes hold their shape without the risk of them falling apart, and the roasting process concentrates the flavor of the potatoes so your potato salad will be extra savory.

Grilled Asparagus

Grilling is a simple and fast way to cook asparagus that yields a delicious result every time.

Sautéed Zucchini

This super-simple method for sautéed zucchini makes an easy and healthy vegetable side dish. Add garlic, pesto or even Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.

Crispy Smashed Cauliflower with Pesto

Jason Donnelly

Cauliflower gets steamed before it gets flattened and flavored with a dollop of pesto. A quick trip under the broiler gives it a satisfying, crispy exterior.

3-Ingredient Crispy Potato Peel Chips

These 3-ingredient potato peel chips are a cross between a french fry and a potato chip, and they’re the perfect snack to make when you have potatoes to peel! These chips can be enjoyed as-is or dressed up with seasoning. Simply toss baked potato peel chips with seasoning immediately after removing them from the oven. 

Air-Fryer Corn on the Cob

Jacob Fox

Air-fryer corn on the cob is a simple way to cook sweet corn with little mess. We like it smothered in butter, salt and pepper, but any spice blend will work well.

Cauliflower Rice

Learn how to make cauliflower rice with this quick recipe. The two easiest ways to make riced cauliflower are with a food processor and with a grater. Here, the cauliflower rice is made into an herbed pilaf that can be served alongside any protein.

Broiled Tomatoes with Cheddar & Jalapeños

Johnny Autry

Give at-their-peak summer tomatoes a Tex-Mex spin with this simple, melty topping.

Skewered Zucchini and Yellow Squash

Add these side dish squash kabobs to the grill alongside your meat or chicken and dinner will be ready that much faster!

Fire-Roasted Tomatoes

Greg Dupree

Fire-roasted tomatoes are a nice alternative to canned tomatoes. Grilling tomatoes brings out their natural sweetness and intensifies their flavor. No grill? No problem! You can get similar results by roasting them in your oven.

Grilled Watermelon

Victor Protasio

Grilling watermelon brings out its natural sweetness that’s complemented by adding some simple sweet or savory toppings. Try this easy grilled watermelon recipe for a fun and festive summer appetizer or dessert.

Quick & Easy Balsamic Cabbage

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Skyler Myers, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

This quick and easy balsamic cabbage is a savory side with just a hint of sweetness from balsamic vinegar. It pairs well with roasted pork, chicken or steak. Savoy cabbage or napa cabbage can stand in for the green cabbage. Swap the green cabbage for purple cabbage and try white balsamic vinegar for a colorful twist.

Microwaved Fresh Green Beans

Steaming green beans in the microwave is quick and convenient, helping you to get dinner on the table in minutes. This basic recipe is a great starting point for the seasoning of your choice–a little butter, toasted nuts or a creamy sauce.



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