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Summer Made Easy and Healthy

Fresh seasonal recipes for simple summer meals, cookouts, and warm-weather gatherings

May 16, 2026 by Laura Zervos | Leave a Comment

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Fresh summer meals do not need to be complicated to feel flavorful and satisfying. These Salmon Burgers paired with a Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad combine simple ingredients, bright Mediterranean-inspired flavors, and seasonal produce for an easy meal that works well for weeknight dinners, cookouts, or casual summer entertaining.

Grilled Salmon Burger
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Salmon burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

These salmon burgers are packed with fresh flavor and make an easy, balanced alternative to traditional burgers during the warmer months. Paired with fresh toppings or seasonal side dishes, they are perfect for weeknight dinners, cookouts, or casual summer entertaining.
Course Main Course, sandwich
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword burger, Fish
Prep Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
Servings 4
Calories 165kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pound salmon broken into pieces
  • 1 egg slightly beaten
  • ½ small onion chopped
  • 2 T. chopped fresh dill
  • 2 T. chopped fresh oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ tsp lemon zest
  • Olive oil as needed
  • Mini pitas
  • Onion tomatoes, and cucumber slices to garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Burgers

  • Pulse together the onion, salmon, dill, chives, egg, lemon zest, oregano, and salt in a food processor.
  • Form into 4 patties and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce

  • Add garlic and cucumber and pulse until chopped fine.
  • Add yogurt, dill, and parsley and pulse a few more times until incorporated.
  • With the food processor on; slowly drizzle olive oil and lemon juice until incorporated.
  • Salt to taste.
  • Drizzle a small amount of olive oil onto both sides of the burger to keep it from sticking to the grill
  • Add the burgers to a heated grill and grill for 4 minutes on each side or to an internal temperature of 135-140 degrees
  • Serve with a dollop of tzatziki sauce

Nutrition

Serving: 1servings | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 3.4g | Sodium: 399mg | Fiber: 0.5g

Grilled corn with Avocado and Tomatoes
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Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado and Tomatoes

Sweet grilled corn, creamy avocado, feta cheese, and a touch of red pepper flakes come together for a fresh and flavorful summer salad. This colorful side dish is perfect for cookouts, picnics, or warm-weather dinners and pairs beautifully with grilled meats or seafood.
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword crowd pleaser, vegetarian
Calories 145kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of corn
  • ¼ c. olive oil
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 c. chopped tomatoes
  • ⅓ c. red onion chopped
  • 2 T. basil ribbons
  • ⅓ c. fresh-squeezed lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp. Red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Remove husks from corn and soak ears in cold water while the grill is heating.
  • Remove corn from water, pat dry, brush with olive oil, and season with kosher salt.
  • Grill corn until kernels are lightly charred. Allow the corn to cool.
  • In a large bowl, combine avocado, tomatoes, onions, and basil.
  • When corn is cool, remove kernels from the cob.
  • Add to avocado mixture.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ c. olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes, then season with salt and pepper. Pour over the corn mixture and enjoy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servings | Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6.5g | Saturated Fat: 3.3g | Cholesterol: 16.7mg | Sodium: 211mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g
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Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw

This Cilantro Lime Cabbage Slaw is a fresh, crunchy alternative to traditional mayo-based coleslaw with bright citrus flavor and a touch of heat. It pairs perfectly with grilled entrées and also makes a flavorful topping for fish tacos, shrimp tacos, or salmon burgers.
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword crowd pleaser, refreshing
Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
Servings 6
Calories 61kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound thinly sliced cabbage
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ c. sliced red onion
  • ½ c. chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ finely chopped jalapeno
  • ¼ c. fresh lime juice
  • 2 T. olive oil

Instructions

  • Place cabbage in a medium bowl.
  • Toss with salt.
  • Add onions, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice, and olive oil.
  • Toss together and serve.

Notes

Allow the slaw to sit for 15–20 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend together.
For a milder flavor, reduce or omit the jalapeños and red pepper flakes.
This slaw is a great make-ahead side dish for cookouts, picnics, and summer gatherings.
Leftovers can be used as a topping for tacos, sandwiches, wraps, or burgers throughout the week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servings | Calories: 61kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.6g | Sodium: 180mg | Fiber: 2.4g | Sugar: 3.2g

These Salmon Burgers and Grilled Corn Avocado Salad are a great example of how simple seasonal ingredients can come together to create a balanced and flavorful summer meal. The cilantro lime cabbage slaw will elevate your fish tacos and make an excellent topping on the salmon burger. Whether you are planning an easy weeknight dinner, cookout, or casual gathering with friends and family, meals like this help make healthy eating feel fresh, approachable, and enjoyable.

Filed Under: General, Recipes Tagged With: dietitian approved, healthy dinners, meal prep, salads, simple healthy meals

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