6 Light and Refreshing Recipes to Make at Home This Summer

6 Light and Refreshing Recipes to Make at Home This Summer

Cravings for meals turn from heavy, creamy, and rich meals in the winter, to light, fruity, and colorful in the summer. While some folks wouldn’t mind have home grilled burgers every day, it’s always nice to try new recipes at home. Here are six quick and easy summer recipes you can make at home to satisfy your craving for something light but filling.

Staycation or Summer Entertaining? Try these 6 Recipes

Honey Lime Shrimp

This recipe encompasses light tangy shrimp and sweet and fresh vegetables. This nice part about this meal is that it’s also very low in calories. So you’re eating high volume, but only consuming 266 calories. Here’s what the recipe calls for:

  • Preferred cooking oil, to taste
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced (separate in half)
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 pound asparagus, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced

For the rest of the cooking instructions, visit Goodful.

Balsamic Grilled Chicken and Zucchini

You can cook this chicken in the pan or on the grill! You can even roast the zucchini on the grill too if you wish. This recipe is versatile which makes it perfect for summer. Here’s what the recipe calls for:

  • 1/2 c. honey
  • 1/2 c. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. orange zest
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh oregano
  • 2 medium yellow zucchini (about 1 lb.)
  • 2 medium green zucchini (about 1 lb.)
  • kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded to 1/2″ thickness
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • sea salt, such as Maldon

For the rest of the cooking instructions, visit Delish.

Chicken Watermelon Tacos

These light refreshing tacos use watermelon as a tomato substitute to give the tacos a sweet crunch. Here’s what the recipe calls for:

  • 4 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
  • 1 large jalapeno pepper
  • 1 small red onion (1/2 cut into large chunks, 1/2 thinly sliced)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (skin removed)
  • Juice of 2 limes, plus wedges for serving
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 cups chopped watermelon
  • 11/2 cups fresh cilantro
  • 3/4 cup crumbled Cotija cheese (about 3 ounces)
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 1 avocado, chopped

For the rest of the cooking instructions, visit the Food Network.

Roasted Salmon Arugula Salad

What’s not to love about this dish? It’s fast, easy, and fresh. It’s also very colorful which indicates you are consuming multiple nutrients. Here’s what the recipe calls for:

  • 4 salmon pieces (about 2 lbs.)
  • 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 lemons, cut into wheels
  • 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 16 oz. sliced strawberries
  • 10 oz. arugula greens
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp. chopped fresh chives

For the rest of the cooking instructions, visit Delish.

Summer Vegetable Pasta Primavera

While primavera technically means “spring” in Spanish, this dish is perfect for the summer time. Combining light noodles with fresh vegetables will satisfy your hunger while not making you over full. Here’s what the recipe calls for:

  • 2 medium zucchini, chopped into 1″ pieces
  • 2 medium yellow squash, chopped into 1″ pieces
  • 1 medium eggplant, chopped into 1″ pieces
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 c. ricotta
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 lb. fusilli pasta

For the rest of the cooking instructions, visit: MySanAntonio.

Cauliflower Nachos

On those days when you’re craving a cheesy crunch, try substituting cauliflower for your normal chips. The same crunch in your mouth with nutrients of the cauliflower. Here’s what the recipe call for:

  • 2 small heads (or 1 large head) cauliflower, chopped
  • 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 c. Colby-Jack, shredded
  • Salsa, for serving
  • Guacamole, for serving
  • Pickled Jalapeños, for serving

For the rest of the cooking instructions, visit Delish.

You might also like: 6 Ways to Stay Cool in Your Home This Summer Without Air Conditioning