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Summertime is my least favorite time of year – I am all about wintertime, the holidays, and well, the Holiday – but I love all the fresh produce.
I love it when my garden gives me endless amounts of tomatoes for a few months every year because I can make lots of salsa, sauces, and salads!
Cherry Tomato Salsa
By July my garden is drowning in cherry tomatoes, and this is the first thing I make with them. Fresh cilantro and lime keep it light, and it disappears fast with a bowl of chips.
Cherry Tomato Salsa
Cherry Tomato Salsa is naturally sweet with tons of fresh garden flavors. With fresh tomatoes and cilantro, it’s perfect for serving with tacos and tortilla chips, and it could not be easier to make.
This is my go-to when I want something a little fancier than jambalaya but just as easy. The tomato base simmers low and slow while the shrimp cook fast at the end, so it never gets rubbery.
Shrimp Creole
Shrimp Creole is a tomato-based shrimp dish that is a taste of Southern Louisiana. It is the melting pot of classic Creole cooking and the wholesome Italian flavors found in New Orleans. Shrimp Creole is loaded with succulent shrimp, juicy tomatoes, and flavorful spices and herbs.
Once the garden starts producing, this is the salsa I throw together without measuring much of anything. It comes together in minutes and always tastes better than anything from a jar.
Homemade Garden Salsa
Making your own Homemade Garden Salsa could not be easier. Made with fresh ingredients, this easy homemade salsa recipe is one of the best ways to use summer tomatoes and is the perfect salsa for any occasion.
I love pulling this together on the nights I don’t want to turn on the stove. Crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and a good feta are really all it takes.
Greek Salad Recipe
Get ready to transport yourself to the sunny shores of Greece with this refreshing and vibrant Greek Salad Recipe! Crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cucumbers, tangy Greek olives, and creamy feta cheese come together in perfect harmony, all drizzled with a zesty lemon dressing. Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this salad is not only light and fresh, but also a breeze to whip up, making it the ideal dish for busy weeknights or entertaining friends and family.
This is the pasta salad I make when I want something with a little more kick at a cookout. The creamy avocado dressing has just enough spice to keep people going back for more.
Shrimp Pasta Salad
This Shrimp Pasta Salad is absolutely delicious with creamy and spicy avocado dressing – The best Mexican pasta salad for summer meals or parties.
Roasting the tomatoes first is what makes this one different from my regular salsa, it gets smoky and a little sweet in a way raw tomatoes just can’t. I make a double batch because it never lasts.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Salsa
This Roasted Cherry Tomato Salsa Recipe is packed with fire-roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, and a hint of smoky jalapeño heat. It’s ready in minutes and is the perfect summer snack!
This is what I make when I want Greek salad flavors but need something heartier for a potluck. The homemade dressing is what really sets it apart from the jarred stuff.
Greek Pasta Salad
Homemade Greek Pasta Salad made with Pasta, Greek Olives, Feta Cheese, Peppers, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Pepperoncinis, and tossed in a Homemade Greek Dressing. The Best Greek Pasta Salad Recipe!
Grilling the corn first before it goes into the pico is a small step that makes a big difference. It’s the dip I bring when I want something a little different from plain salsa.
Sweet Corn Pico de Gallo Recipe
This Sweet Corn Pico de Gallo Recipe is the perfect dip to bring to a party. Grilled or roasted corn adds a tasty twist to this corn salsa!
This is Cajun comfort food at its best, corn simmered down with bacon grease and a good dose of spice until it’s rich and a little creamy. It’s a side dish that can hold its own next to anything on the plate.
Corn Maque Choux
Corn Maque Choux is a classic Cajun side dish that is creamy, flavorful, and has just a little bit of heat. The smoky bacon grease softens the corn as it mixes with the Cajun spices, and the end result is a delicious Southern side dish.
This is my go-to dip for any cookout, black-eyed peas, corn, and fresh veggies in a tangy lime dressing. It comes together in about ten minutes and only gets better as it sits in the fridge.
Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar is a Southern Dip and Side Dish made with fresh vegetables, flavorful beans, & a delicious vinegar dressing. It’s the perfect dish to bring to a party because it can sit out at room temperature (at least for a little while) without spoiling.
Some afternoons all I want is a bowl of this with chips and a cold drink. It’s about as simple as salsa gets, tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro, and that’s exactly why it works.
Fresh Salsa
Fresh Salsa made with tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro is a perfect summertime snack. Served with tortilla chips, it is the perfect treat for a hot summer afternoon.
This is the dip that disappears first at every party I bring it to. Layers of beef, beans, and cheese mean there’s a little something for everyone digging in.
Taco Dip
This creamy, crave-worthy Taco Dip layers beef, beans, cheese, and all your favorite taco flavors for a crowd-pleasing game-day appetizer or potluck recipe. With just 10 minutes of prep time, this easy taco dip with ground beef comes together in under 30 minutes for a warm and gooey bottom layer topped with fresh, cool fixings.
This is the pasta salad my mom always brought to cookouts, a full bottle of Italian dressing and whatever vegetables were crisp in the fridge that week. I still make it exactly the way she did.
Pasta Salad
This Pasta Salad is a bite from my childhood. It is overflowing with vegetables and reminds me of summer and grilling with my parents. It is light enough for a hot day, goes great with burgers, and is bursting with so much flavor.
This is what I make on nights when tacos sound good but I don’t want to stand at the stove assembling them one by one. Everything just gets piled into a bowl and dinner is done.
Taco Salad
Looking for a delicious for your family? How about you make this Taco Salad? It is a great recipe that you can serve up pretty quickly. It is a great dinner for when you don’t have a lot of time.
This is the pasta salad I reach for when I want something a little lighter at a cookout. Whole wheat pasta and a pile of fresh vegetables make it feel like less of a splurge.
Whole Wheat Pasta Salad Recipe
This Whole Wheat Pasta Salad Recipe is loaded with fresh summer vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes, and is coated in a deliciously zesty Italian dressing. Made with whole wheat pasta, it is a filling summer side dish.
This is the gumbo I make when I want to feed a crowd without much fuss. A good dark roux is really the only part that takes patience, everything else comes together fast.
Louisiana Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Louisiana Chicken and Sausage Gumbo is a true representation of classic home cooking – taking simple, inexpensive ingredients and elevating them into an extraordinary meal. This Creole gumbo is loaded with okra, tomatoes, sausage, and chicken – it is so delicious.
Late summer is when peaches and tomatoes overlap in my garden, and this salsa is exactly why I look forward to it. The sriracha keeps that sweetness from getting cloying.
Peach and Tomato Salsa
Try an easy-to-make mouthwatering Peach and Tomato Salsa with a spicy twist of sriracha! Perfect as a refreshing dip, or as a topping for tacos or quesadillas. It showcases the balance between sweet and spicy flavors that the South is known for.
This one surprises people every time I set it out. Garlicky dill pickles instead of the usual peppers give it a tang that’s hard to stop eating.
Pickle de Gallo Recipe
Homemade salsa meets garlicky dill pickles with this unique Pickle de Gallo Recipe. You’ll want to eat this flavorful dip with a spoon. And you can if you want because it’s chock full of healthy veggies and yummy seasonings.
When I want a salsa with a little more heat than my usual, this is the one I make. Fresh ingredients and a quick blend are all it takes.
Fresh Salsa Picante Recipe
Let’s spice up your favorite Mexican recipes with this delicious and quick-to-make Fresh Salsa Picante Recipe. Made with fresh ingredients like ripe tomatoes, onions, peppers, lime, and cilantro. It’s a great salsa that is perfect for parties, family dinners, or game-day snacking.
This is taco night and pasta salad rolled into one dish, and it works better than it sounds. It holds up well in a cooler, so it’s one of my go-to sides for a long day outside.
Taco Pasta Salad
This Taco Pasta Salad features a classic taco flavor combined with pasta, taco beef, beans, tomatoes, and more. It can be served as a picnic side or a main dish.
Corn, avocado, and tomatoes make this one feel more like a fresh summer salad than a heavy pasta side. It’s what I bring when I want something a little different at a BBQ.
Mexican Orzo Pasta Salad
This Mexican Orzo Pasta Salad makes an amazing cold pasta side dish recipe, perfect for a summer BBQ or grilling dinner! Full of fresh flavors from tomatoes, corn, avocado, and herbs.
This is the pasta salad I make when I want something bright and fresh without any meat or cheese weighing it down. The vinaigrette does all the work.
Quick, Easy Vegan Pasta Salad
This Quick, Easy Vegan Pasta Salad is loaded with fresh, bright, vibrant Mediterranean vegetables and a tangy vinaigrette. A fresh, crowd-pleasing summery Mediterranean pasta salad for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, and mid-week meals!
Sweet corn and cherry tomatoes are what make this one taste like summer to me. A simple lemon dressing keeps it light enough for a hot day.
Pasta Salad with Corn and Tomatoes
This easy Pasta Salad with Corn and Tomatoes is perfect for summer! Fresh cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and cilantro are mixed with cavatappi and a fresh lemon dressing.
This is caprese salad dressed up to feed a crowd, orzo instead of just tomatoes and mozzarella so it goes further at a potluck. It comes together fast and always looks like I tried harder than I did.
Orzo Caprese Salad
This Orzo Caprese Salad is a delicious twist on a classic caprese salad! Cooked orzo pasta is combined with juicy tomatoes, cucumber, and creamy mozzarella. Ready on the table in less than 30 minutes! Serve it for lunch, a light dinner, or as a side dish.
This is the salad I make when company is coming and I’m short on time. Crunchy vegetables, salty feta, and a bright lemon dressing come together in twenty minutes flat.
20-Minute Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta
This 20-Minute Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta is perfect for summer entertaining! It is packed with crunchy vegetables, fresh herbs, salty feta, and coated in a rich lemon dressing.
I didn’t believe pasta salad in the Instant Pot would work until I tried it myself. No draining required, and the noodles still come out perfectly tender in that tangy vinaigrette.
Instant Pot Pasta Salad
Pasta salad in the Instant Pot? Believe it! This one has tender bites of pasta in a tangy vinaigrette. It all comes together in the Instant Pot without any need for draining.
This is what happens when taco night and pizza night can’t decide who wins. It’s an easy way to switch things up without losing any of the flavors everybody loves.
Taco Pizza
This Easy Taco Pizza Recipe is loaded with big flavors from taco meat, taco sauce, and fresh vegetables. It is a delicious dinner that will help you change things up on Taco Night and will please even the pickiest of eaters.
This is my favorite way to dress up a weekend brunch. Eggs poached right in a spiced tomato sauce with andouille sausage give it real Louisiana flavor.
Creole Shakshuka
Creole Shakshuka is a wonderful combination of the traditional Mediterranean eggs poached in tomato sauce with andouille sausage and a little bit of spice. It adds flair to any brunch, lunch, or dinner.
This is the dinner I turn to when I want something quick that still feels like I put in real effort. Cheese, chicken, and a pile of vegetables make it a full meal in one bowl.
Chicken Garden Pasta Salad
Looking for a quick and easy dinner? This Chicken Garden Pasta Salad is one that is sure to please! Cheese, chicken, veggies, and pasta – what’s not to love?
These wraps are my answer for a lunch that doesn’t feel like the same sandwich every day. Creamy ranch, salty bacon, and juicy chicken make them disappear fast.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps
Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps are the perfect easy meal – and they are such a tasty recipe. The creamy ranch dressing combines with the salty bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy chicken to make such a delicious wrap.
This is my copycat version of the salad I used to order every time I went to Panera. Sweet apple chips and gorgonzola make it feel special enough for a lunch out, but it’s easy enough for any weeknight.
Panera’s Fuji Apple Salad
Panera’s Fuji Apple Salad is a popular choice for salad lovers and haters alike. With its sweet and crunchy combination of salad greens, gorgonzola cheese, crisp apple chips, tender chicken, and candied pecans, it will please even the toughest critics.
Every summer when the zucchini in my garden gets out of hand, this is one of the ways I use it up. Spiralized into noodles with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, it’s a lighter twist on caprese.
Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar
Pull out the spiralizer and make a refreshing Zucchini Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinegar. With cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and zoodles, it’s a twist on a classic caprese salad. Just a few ingredients and you’ll have a healthy delicious salad to add to any meal.
This is the pasta salad that gets requested by name at every gathering I bring it to. It hits that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tart in every bite.
Favorite Pasta Salad
This is our family’s Favorite Pasta Salad because it has it all! It has a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tart flavors in each and every bite. The pasta salad itself is incredible, but what really makes it stand out from other pasta salad recipes is the mouthwatering homemade dressing. Oh, and there is bacon!
This gumbo is a full trip to New Orleans in a bowl. It takes some patience to get the roux right, but it’s worth every minute once that first spoonful hits the table.
Creole Seafood Gumbo
Creole Seafood Gumbo is rich, delicious, and so hearty. It is a bowl of New Orleans comfort that will take your taste buds on a trip to the Big Easy.
Once my garden tomatoes start piling up, this is one of the ways I put them to good use. It tastes so much brighter than anything from a bottle.
Homemade Ketchup
Homemade Ketchup is easy to make and superior to what you’d buy in the store. This recipe uses fresh tomatoes making it extra delicious! Experiment with the tomatoes you have on hand for varied flavor in every batch!
This is my copycat of a salsa I used to buy at Trader Joe’s before I realized how easy it was to make at home. A few ears of corn and a handful of spices are really all it takes.
Sweet and Spicy Corn Salsa
All you need to make this Sweet and Spicy Corn Salsa are a few ears of corn, a bell pepper, and a handful of spices. This Trader Joe’s Copycat Recipe is perfect with chips, but you can also spoon it over salads, marinated chicken, and tacos.
I keep a batch of this in the fridge most of the summer because it goes on everything, tacos, nachos, or just a bowl of chips. Fresh ingredients make all the difference here.
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Black Bean and Corn Salsa gives fresh color and flavor to tacos, nachos, or as a dip for tortilla chips. With fresh ingredients, this is a great recipe for summer, but works just as well with frozen corn in the cooler months.
Letting the crockpot do the work is what gives this salsa that restaurant-style depth without any real effort on my part. Fire-roasted tomatoes are the trick that makes it taste like more than the sum of its parts.
Slow Cooker Salsa
Create a restaurant-style salsa with simple prep and a short cooking time with this Slow Cooker Salsa Recipe. It features fresh ingredients like Roma tomatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, onions, garlic, and jalapenos – everything for a good salsa worth sharing!
This is the salsa I make when I want something a little different at a backyard gathering. Sweet pineapple and a little heat make it feel like a mini vacation in a bowl.
Pineapple Salsa
This Pineapple Salsa is a vibrant and zesty blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that will take your taste buds on an island vacation. So whether you’re planning a backyard gathering, a beach picnic, or just looking for a refreshing snack, this pineapple salsa is just the ticket.
This one leans a little sweeter than a classic salsa, thanks to Vidalia onions straight from the garden. It’s simple, but it’s one of my favorite ways to use up a big tomato harvest.
Fresh Southern Style Salsa
Fresh Southern Style Salsa made with garden fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, Vidalia onions, and herbs. It’s a great sweet and savory appetizer!
This is about as classic as salsa gets, sweet ripe tomatoes, onion, and a good dose of Mexican spices. I keep coming back to it because it never lets me down.
Fresh Salsa Fresca
Learn how to make authentic and Fresh Salsa Fresca with this simple and delicious recipe. Each bite will burst with the flavor of classic Mexican spices, sweet ripe tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapenos, cilantro, and zesty lime juice.
Roasting the tomatoes, onion, and jalapeños first is the step that makes this taste like it came from my favorite Mexican restaurant. It’s richer and deeper than a raw salsa, and worth the extra few minutes.
Homemade Restaurant-Style Salsa
To give this Homemade Restaurant-Style Salsa a rich flavor, roast tomatoes, onion, jalapenos, and garlic before blending. Roasting concentrates the tomato flavor and will make even the most lackluster grocery-store tomatoes taste fantastic!
This is a dip I picked up a taste for outside my usual Southern cooking, and now I can’t stop making it. It’s spicy, loaded with veggies, and comes together with ingredients from any regular grocery store.
Turkish Ezme
This authentic Turkish Ezme (Acili Ezme) takes just 15 minutes to make and is super healthy loaded with veggies and not much else. It’s a delicious spicy sauce, salad, dip and meze that you will want to have with everything. This recipe uses common ingredients you can find at your regular supermarket.
These are what I make on nights I don’t feel like cooking but still want something that tastes good for me. They’re loaded with fresh vegetables and come together in the time it takes to roll a tortilla.
Vegetable Hummus Wraps
Vegetable Hummus Wraps are the perfect way to get dinner on the table quickly on those summer days when you just don’t feel like cooking. They are loaded with healthy ingredients and fresh flavors and will have your taste buds begging for more.
Ham, pepperoni, mozzarella, and olives make this pasta salad feel like a whole antipasto spread tossed together in one bowl. It’s hearty enough that it could almost be its own plate.
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Antipasto Pasta Salad combines all of our favorite antipasto ingredients with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette, some pasta, and some fresh greens to make a perfect summer salad.
This is what I make when I want bruschetta flavors but need something more filling for dinner. Juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and melty mozzarella turn grilled chicken into something special.
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken
Grilled Bruschetta Chicken combines perfectly grilled chicken with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and melty mozzarella cheese. It’s the perfect main dish to serve for dinner or to meal prep for easy lunches.
Cool down this summer with more fresh salads made with corn, cucumbers, and of course, tomatoes. Here’s a list of 20 Spectacular Summer Salad Recipes that are perfect for topping off your garden harvest. Get the Recipes: 20 Spectacular Summer Salads
I’m the home cook and photographer at Southern Bytes. My love of cooking started in my mom’s kitchen more than 30 years ago and grew even stronger after I married into a Louisiana family that lives and breathes Southern food. These are the recipes that capture the heart of Southern tradition, from collard greens and gumbo to cornbread and red beans and rice.
