25+ Easy Healthy Summer Recipes for Memorial Day, 4th of July & Labor Day
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Find the best easy healthy summer recipes for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day. This roundup includes gluten-free and vegan cookout recipes, summer salads, side dishes, drinks, desserts, and frozen treats perfect for backyard BBQs and holiday gatherings.
When the weather warms up and holiday weekends roll around, there’s nothing better than gathering outside with fresh, easy, crowd-pleasing food. Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ for Memorial Day, hosting a 4th of July cookout, or putting together a casual Labor Day menu, this roundup is filled with healthy summer recipes everyone will love. From refreshing salads and pasta dishes to simple appetizers, desserts, and cookout favorites, these gluten-free and vegan-friendly recipes are perfect for sharing all summer long.
Appetizers
Start the party with easy appetizers and shareable snacks perfect for summer gatherings, backyard BBQs, and holiday weekends. These crowd-pleasing bites are simple to make and great for entertaining.
Cowboy Caviar Corn & Bean Salsa
This is the Best Cowboy Caviar Bean Salsa Recipe! Sometimes called Texas caviar, this fresh and nourishing appetizer recipe makes a flavorful addition to healthy dinners or for cookout gatherings. It can be used as a salsa dip with chips or enjoyed with plant-based chicken or tofu as a side dish. This fresh and easy-to-make bean salsa is packed full of healthy ingredients, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Vegan Deviled Mashed Potato “Eggs”
These Vegan Deviled Mashed Potato “Eggs” are a playful, plant-based twist on the classic appetizer. Fluffy mashed potatoes are shaped into egg halves, baked until set, then filled with a creamy chickpea and potato “yolk” mixture that’s tangy, savory, and the perfect texture reminiscent of real deviled eggs.
Blueberry Guacamole
Up your guacamole game with this homemade Blueberry Guacamole! It might sound like an interesting combination, but adding blueberries to this guacamole recipe adds just a touch of sweetness to compliment the creamy, lemony flavor of the smashed avocados. I dare you to try it and say you don't like it!
Classic Side Dishes (made vegan!)
No summer cookout is complete without the classics. From creamy vegan potato salad and baked beans to coleslaw, these easy side dishes pair perfectly with all your favorite BBQ meals.
Easy & Crunchy Red Cabbage Coleslaw (Vegan!)
This Easy & Crunchy Red Cabbage Coleslaw is the BEST healthy coleslaw that’s colorful, light and fresh. The bright and crisp raw shredded red cabbage is tossed with shredded carrots and a slightly tangy dressing made with vegan mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, celery salt, salt & pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice. This summer side dish is creamy, crunchy, and comes together quickly in just a few easy steps!
Smoked Paprika Dill Potato Salad
Bring this delicious dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free side dish to your next cookout. This Smoked Paprika Dill Potato Salad puts a smokey spin on traditional potato salad and is made healthier by using avocado in the creamy dressing!
Homemade Three Bean Stovetop Vegan Baked Beans
This vegan-friendly Homemade 3 Bean Stovetop Vegan Baked Beans recipe is sweet, smoky, and tangy with kidney beans, great northern beans, and butter beans—all made on the stovetop in under 30 minutes. Perfect for cookouts or weeknight dinners!
Simple Vegan Roasted Potato Salad
This Simple Vegan Roasted Potato Salad is so easy to make and will definitely be a favorite side dish at your next cookout or picnic! Made with yukon gold potatoes, celery, green onion, sweet relish, and dairy-free garlic herb dressing for the most healthy, gluten-free, vegan potato salad!
Low Carb Roasted Cauliflower “Potato” Salad
If you're looking for a low carb side dish this summer, I think you're going to love this Low Carb Roasted Cauliflower "Potato" Salad! It's so simple to make using roasted cauliflower, celery, red onion, and a creamy herb dressing, is super flavorful, vegan, and a great low carb option to traditional potato salad.
Fajita Roasted Potatoes
These Fajita Roasted Potatoes are the BEST easy side dish and are made with only 5 ingredients! Toss petit gold potatoes with chopped bell pepper and onion, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle in your favorite taco seasoning, then roast everything on one pan in the oven for 30 minutes. Serve these flavorful Mexican-inspired potatoes with guacamole and dairy-free sour cream alongside any meal or for your next taco night!
Roasted Caesar Potato Salad
This Roasted Caesar Potato Salad is so easy to make and will definitely be a new favorite side dish at your next cookout or picnic! Made with yukon gold potatoes, celery, dill and my vegan caesar dressing for a healthy, gluten-free, vegan potato salad! Enjoy this dairy-free potato salad warm or chilled.
Salads
Fresh, colorful, and packed with seasonal ingredients, these summer salads are perfect for picnics, cookouts, and warm-weather meals. From hearty grain salads, to fresh & vibrant nourishing salads, there’s something for everyone.
Dairy-Free Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad
This Dairy-Free Mexican Street Corn Quinoa Salad is a fun spin on Mexican Street Corn! With a boost of complete protein from the quinoa and the delicious dairy-free smoked paprika dressing, this is sure to be on your summer picnic side dish rotation!
Watermelon Quinoa Salad
This refreshing Watermelon Quinoa Salad is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy summer flavors. Made with juicy watermelon, fluffy quinoa, creamy avocado, sweet cherry tomatoes, fragrant fresh basil, red onion, vegan feta, and crunchy pistachios, it’s tossed in a zesty lime-maple vinaigrette for a vibrant, nourishing dish. Light yet satisfying, it’s ideal for warm-weather lunches, BBQs, or potluck gatherings.
Kale Edamame Salad with Crispy Rice and Sesame Miso Carrot Dressing
This delicious Asian-Inspired Crispy Rice Kale Edamame Salad combines a mixture of vibrant chopped kale, crisp green and red cabbage, crunchy carrots & cucumber, shelled edamame, and sliced green onion with oven baked crispy rice tossed in a fragrant homemade sesame miso carrot dressing for the BEST salad bursting with flavor!
Vegan Cookout Mains
These vegan cookout mains are hearty, flavorful, and perfect for summer BBQs and holiday gatherings.
Veggie Barbecue Jackfruit Kabobs
These Veggie Barbecue Jackfruit Kabobs are the perfect summer veggie kabob made with jackfruit, corn on the cob, pepper, red onion, pineapple, and cauliflower marinated in an easy homemade barbecue sauce and then grilled for an easy meatless meal!
Vegan Cheeseburger Salad Bowls
These Vegan Cheeseburger Salad Bowls are a delicious bowl of all your favorite burger ingredients, just without the bun. This healthier low-carb version of a juicy cheeseburger is loaded with plant-based ground beef, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, vegan shredded cheddar cheese, dill pickle chips, and crinckle french fries. Serve with an easy homemade dressing for a delicious gluten-free, plant-based 30 minute meal.
Drinks
Cool down with refreshing summer drinks perfect for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day celebrations. These easy drink recipes are made for sunny days.
Fresh Squeezed Pink Pitaya Chia Seed Lemonade
This beautiful, refreshing Fresh Squeezed Pink Pitaya Chia Seed Lemonade is made with just 5 ingredients and is the perfect combination of tart and sweet. Combine freshly squeezed lemon juice with pure maple syrup for a refined sugar free, naturally sweetened lemonade. Add pink pitaya powder and chia seeds for a superfood boost making this pink colored iced beverage the most perfect, healthy summertime drink!
Watermelon Strawberry Water
This refreshing Watermelon Strawberry Water is made with only 2 ingredients- real, fresh watermelon and strawberries! Simply blend the watermelon and strawberries together in a high speed blender, strain and pour over ice for the best hydrating summer drink.
Creamy Coconut Milk Brazilian Lemonade (Limeade)
This easy Creamy Coconut Milk Brazilian Lemonade (Limeade) is such a refreshing drink that is made with just 3 ingredients (plus ice and water)! Tart and tangy limes are blended with coconut milk, then naturally sweetened with maple syrup for a tropical, zesty and creamy beverage perfect to enjoy on hot summer days ☀️.
Dessert
Celebrate summer holiday weekends with easy desserts perfect for cookouts, barbecues, and picnics. From berry-filled treats and s’mores-inspired recipes, these sweet recipes are perfect for sharing all season long.
S’mores Cookie Crumb Bars (gluten-free & vegan)
These gluten-free, vegan S’mores Cookie Crumb Bars are gooey, chocolatey, and irresistible! Layers of soft gluten-free chocolate chip cookie dough, vegan marshmallow fluff, and graham cracker crumbs layered and baked for 20 minutes for the perfect campfire-inspired treat with no fire required.
Vegan Cast Iron S’mores Dip
Bring this summertime s’mores treat inside to enjoy a favorite campfire classic flavor! This simple Vegan Cast Iron S’mores Dip is made with a layer of melted dark chocolate swirled with sunflower seed butter and homemade vegan marshmallow fluff served with gluten-free graham crackers or fresh fruit! This dessert dip is such a crowd pleaser and perfect to share with your loved ones all year round!
Triple Berry Tahini Crumb Bars
A blend of strawberry, blackberry, and blueberry stuffed between two layers of gluten-free, grain-free crumble made with tahini for the perfectly easy berry dessert. These Triple Berry Tahini Crumb Bars are gluten-free, vegan, and naturally sweetened.
No-Bake Almond Flour Lemon Brownies
These No-Bake Almond Flour Lemon Brownies are soft, zesty, and irresistibly fudgy—all without ever turning on the oven. Made with wholesome, plant-based and gluten-free ingredients, they’re the perfect bright and refreshing sweet treat for warm summer days.
Frozen Treats
From homemade ice cream to frozen popsicles, these recipes are perfect for hot summer weekends.
Blackberry Cobbler Ice Cream
This delicious no-churn vegan Blackberry Cobbler Ice Cream is sure to be your new favorite summer flavored ice cream that is made with real blackberries and a gluten-free almond flour biscuit crumble. Reduce the blackberries to create a blackberry curd, bake the biscuit crumble and swirl them both into dairy-free vanilla ice cream for the best summer ice cream dessert!
Strawberry Beet Chia Seed Jam Coconut Milk Popsicles
These vibrant Strawberry Beet Chia Seed Jam Coconut Milk Popsicles are a refreshing, nutrient-packed treat perfect for summer. Made with naturally sweet strawberries, ready-to-eat cooked beets, and creamy coconut milk, they’re as easy to make as they are beautiful. Chia seeds add a boost of fiber and texture for a wholesome, feel-good popsicle you’ll love.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to a picnic, or planning your holiday weekend menu, these easy summer recipes are perfect for sharing with family and friends. I hope this roundup helps make your Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day celebrations delicious, simple, and stress-free all summer long! If you try any of these, please leave a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ so that others can discover gluten-free, vegan summer holiday recipes. Tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
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