{"id":250954,"date":"2026-06-26T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/45-light-bright-healthy-summer-dinners\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T09:00:00","slug":"45-light-bright-healthy-summer-dinners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/45-light-bright-healthy-summer-dinners\/","title":{"rendered":"45 Light + Bright Healthy Summer Dinners"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Healthy summer dinners that are light, bright, and delicious! Lots of fresh summer produce to make eating well feel super easy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Summer just has a way of making healthy eating feel\u2026 actually easy? Like, when tomatoes look like that<\/em> at the farmers market, and corn is practically begging to be thrown on the grill, you really don\u2019t need much convincing to eat well. Fresh produce does most of the heavy lifting and honestly, the meals kind of make themselves.<\/p>\n

These recipes are some of my favorites to make in the summer when I want things to feel light and breezy. They\u2019re bright, they\u2019re colorful, they\u2019re the kind of dinners that feel good when you eat them and look beautiful on the dinner table, and not a single one feels like you\u2019re trying <\/em>to be \u201chealthy.\u201d It\u2019s just good food that happens to be exactly what you\u2019re craving right now. \u2764\ufe0f<\/p>\n

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Healthy Summer Dinner Recipes<\/h2>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tSalmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

We\u2019re making a summery salmon with a beautiful, big-flavored basil sauce that is so good, you\u2019re going to want to just drink it. Perfectly-spiced, fresh, and a dinner for everyone!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Sheet<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tSheet Pan Meatballs with Tomato Salad and Green Sauce\t\t<\/h2>\n

Juicy little sheet pan meatballs that are salty, zesty, briney, and so so delicious. Pile them on tzatziki, spoon some punchy green sauce over top, and serve with a simple salad and crusty bread.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Napa<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tNapa Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing\t\t<\/h2>\n

This Napa Chicken Salad is crunched up to the MAX! Fresh napa cabbage, juicy rotisserie chicken, a super easy homemade sesame dressing, and crunchy handfuls of cashews, fried wonton strips, dried ramen noodles, crispy fried onions, or sesame sticks\u2026the choice is yours! <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Smoky<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tSmoky Beans & Greens Tacos with Aji Verde\t\t<\/h2>\n

Three cheers for summertime eating! Smoky black beans saut\u00e9ed with kale and garlic and spices, tucked into charred corn tortillas, and topped with the best feisty, punchy green sauce \u2013 Aji Verde! <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Lemongrass<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tLemongrass Vermicelli Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

Lemongrass Vermicelli Salad \u2013 a summer showstopper! A twirl of vermicelli noodles, pan-fried tofu, fresh herbs and veggies, and a lime-and-lemongrass-based sauce that just slips all over the plate.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Couscous<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tCouscous Summer Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

Couscous Summer Salad! Spiced couscous, juicy nectarines, crunchy cucumber, avocado, chickpeas, cherries, sweet corn, and mint. It\u2019s sunshine in a bowl! <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Chipotle<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tSummer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette\t\t<\/h2>\n

This juicy salad tastes like summer! With chipotle chicken, sweet corn, avocado, cilantro vinaigrette, bacon crumbles, and fresh strawberries for a pop of sweetness.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Roasted<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tRoasted Cauliflower Burrito Bowls\t\t<\/h2>\n

Nothing fancy to see here \u2013 just a healthy, delicious, vegan burrito bowl combo featuring spicy roasted cauliflower, pico de gallo, creamy refried black beans, rice, corn, avocado, and a good lime drench.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Quinoa<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tCorn, Avocado, and Quinoa Salad with Marinated Tomatoes\t\t<\/h2>\n

The perfect summery quinoa salad \u2013 fresh corn, buttery avocado, nutty quinoa, juicy marinated tomatoes, and tons of fresh herbs.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Couscous<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tCouscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette\t\t<\/h2>\n

A bright, zippy, unexpectedly delicious couscous salad that\u2019s packed with sweet potatoes, black beans, spinach, feta, and more \u2013 all tossed with a life-changing lime basil vinaigrette!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Peanut<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tSpicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

This Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad features red peppers, cabbage, chicken, soba noodles, and a quick homemade spicy peanut sauce. Salads don\u2019t get much yummier than this.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Rainbow<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tRainbow Chicken Salad with Almond Honey Mustard Dressing\t\t<\/h2>\n

Tender chicken, plump grapes and berries, crisp lettuce, tangy feta cheese, crunchy almonds, and the real star \u2013 almond honey mustard dressing! Eat the rainbow and be glad, friends!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Lemon<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tLemon Herb Pasta Salad with Marinated Chickpeas\t\t<\/h2>\n

A super fresh, super summery Lemon Herb Pasta Salad! Packed with tangy marinated chickpeas, chewy pasta, lots of herbs and garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, and a handful of parmesan to top it off.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Beef<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tStreet Corn Beef and Sweet Potato Bowls\t\t<\/h2>\n

One of my family\u2019s favorite easy dinners that works SO well for meal prep! Sweet potatoes and ground beef get dolloped with a creamy high protein street corn style dip that is bonkers delicious.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Cashew<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tCashew Crunch Salad with Sesame Dressing\t\t<\/h2>\n

This Cashew Crunch Salad is loaded up with crunchy veg, chow mein noodles, edamame, and roasted cashews and it\u2019ll make you ACTUALLY WANT TO EAT A SALAD. And the sesame dressing \u2013 OMG!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Sesame<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tSesame Noodle Bowls\t\t<\/h2>\n

Meal Prep Sesame Noodle Bowls! Fork-twirly noodles, an easy creamy sesame sauce, perfect browned chicken, and all the veg. YUM.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Shrimp<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tShrimp and Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing\t\t<\/h2>\n

This Shrimp and Avocado Salad is topped with spicy shrimp, crisp cucumbers, spinach, creamy avocado, and a generous drizzle of miso dressing. The happiest green salad ever!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Oliver's<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tThe Oliver\u2019s Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

We\u2019re bringing you the most beautiful salad inspired by the restaurant Oliver\u2019s in Minnesota. Tender salmon, savory peppers and garlic confit, buttery chunks of avocado, fire-roasted corn, bacon bits, and a river of homemade smoky ranch dressing. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"One<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tOne-Pan Farro with Tomatoes and Kale\t\t<\/h2>\n

This One-Pan Farro with Tomatoes and Kale is a straight-up DREAM! Rustic farro cozied up to cherry tomatoes, onions, garlic, and kale. So good and so wholesome!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Lemongrass<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tLemongrass Chicken with Rice and Zucchini\t\t<\/h2>\n

This Lemongrass Chicken with Rice and Zucchini is OMG-level good! Tender chicken thighs, saut\u00e9ed and then simmered in a creamy coconut and lemongrass sauce, sits next to a steamy pile of jasmine rice, fresh herbs, and your choice of veg. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Spicy<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tSpicy Shrimp with Peach Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

This is summertime in a bowl! Spicy shrimp with all the delicious heat, smoke, and sweetness we want, alongside a fresh peach and cucumber salad.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Crispy<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tCrispy Rice Salad with Cucumbers and Herbs\t\t<\/h2>\n

Paper-thin veggies, a shower of herbs, a pile of fried crispy red curry rice, and a limey garlicky vinaigrette all over top. This crispy rice salad is all I want to eat right now!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Crunchy<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tCrunchy Roll Bowls\t\t<\/h2>\n

A block of tofu, nicely browned in teriyaki sauce, served on a bed of sticky rice with edamame, cucumber, avocado, jalape\u00f1o, and a handful of crushed-up crunchy onions, buried under a thick drizzle of extra teriyaki and spicy mayo.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Elote<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tElote Style Quinoa Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

Elote Quinoa Salad made with velvety peppers confit, juicy sweet corn, homemade dressing, cotija cheese, lime, and spices. Perfect for summer and so, so good! <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Sheet<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tSheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Tzatziki\t\t<\/h2>\n

Part bowl, part salad, part sandwich folded up into any kind of bread you like, and I\u2019m here for it in every form. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Chicken<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tHoney Chipotle Chicken Skewers\t\t<\/h2>\n

These chicken skewers are a family favorite! Very easy, deliciously smoky, nice and sweet, with a good amount of spice and bite. Air fryer, grill, and oven-friendly!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Chipotle<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tChipotle Salmon with Orange Salsa and Aji Verde\t\t<\/h2>\n

Sweet-and-smoky chipotle salmon topped with fresh orange salsa and creamy aji verde! An easy, delicious, restaurant-level salmon dinner.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Grilled<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tGrilled Chicken with Pepperoncini Garlic Butter\t\t<\/h2>\n

This is such a fun one! Grilled marinated chicken, a quick tomato cucumber salad, tangy bits of feta, and a zippy pepperoncini garlic butter sauce poured over the whole thing.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Peanut<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tThai Peanut Chicken Bowls\t\t<\/h2>\n

I love a shortcut dinner hack! These bowls feature caramelized peanut chicken, a tangle of vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs and cucumber salad, and peanut sauce all over top.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Salmon<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tYummy Salmon Burgers with Slaw\t\t<\/h2>\n

These salmon burgers are THE YUMMIEST! and made with just five ingredients. The best for a quick + easy high protein lunch or dinner.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Thai<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tChopped Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

This simple chopped Thai chicken salad has BIG flavors \u2013 peanut, lime, soy, chili, cilantro. Topped with a homemade peanut dressing! Healthy and fresh.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Peach<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tGorgeous Peach Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

Fresh cucumber, bitey shallots, cooling mint, and sweet fleshy peaches coming together in serious flavor harmony! I love this peach salad.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Greens<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tAvocado Caesar Green Beans\t\t<\/h2>\n

Grab a bag of green beans, blitz up a quick avocado caesar, toast some panko, and let\u2019s go! This is some type of magic.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Chicken<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tAng\u2019s Chicken Wraps\t\t<\/h2>\n

Hellllooo quick summer lunch! These chicken wraps have me hooked. Shredded chicken, crispy cheddar cheese, fresh veg like tomato, corn, and lettuce, some pickled red onion, and not one, but TWO sauces.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"BBQ<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tBBQ Salmon Bowls with Mango Avocado Salsa\t\t<\/h2>\n

BBQ Salmon Bowls with Mango Avocado Salsa! An easy and impressive dinner with yummy smoky-sweet flavor and a zip of zesty homemade salsa to take it over the top. The BEST weeknight dinner. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Banza<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tBanza Chicken Bowls with Calabrian Chili Sauce\t\t<\/h2>\n

This bowl has it all! The crunch of the tomato cucumber salad, the thin slips of bitey red onion, the golden crisped air fryer chicken cut into tender little strips, a big pile of perfectly chewy Banza, and a dollop of tangy calabrian chile sauce on top.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Chimichurri<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tChimichurri Shrimp with Tomatoes\t\t<\/h2>\n

Saucy, punchy, and delightful Chimichurri Shrimp! Served with a tomato salad, a pile of hot steamy rice, and a dollop of creamy tzatziki.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Mediterranean<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tMediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce\t\t<\/h2>\n

Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce! A mix of quinoa, cucumbers or kale or spinach, feta cheese, kalamata olives, and pepperoncini!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Quinoa<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tGreen Goddess Quinoa Summer Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

Green Goddess Quinoa Summer Salad \u2013 simple, healthy, and extremely adaptable to whatever veggies you have on hand! my family LOVES this recipe. vegetarian and can be made vegan.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Cauliflower<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tRoasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps with Korean BBQ-Inspired Sauce\t\t<\/h2>\n

Roasted Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps with Korean BBQ-Inspired Sauce! Roasted cauliflower tossed in a sweet and sticky sauce, all topped with chives, peanuts, and spicy mayo.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Roasted<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tRoasted Peanut Kale Crunch Salad\t\t<\/h2>\n

OOOH BABY, this salad is so good! Crunchy kale and cabbage, fresh herbs and fresno peppers, chopped peanuts, and a perfect roasted peanut vinaigrette that tucks into all the salad nooks and crannies. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Shrimp<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tBaked Shrimp with Feta and Grilled Sourdough\t\t<\/h2>\n

The yummiest Baked Shrimp with Feta and Grilled Sourdough! Bubble up some feta, garlic, shrimp, and tomato sauce in a pan, grill some buttery crispy bread, and dunk that right on in. The simplest fancy-ish dinner!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Harissa<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tHarissa Meatballs with Whipped Feta\t\t<\/h2>\n

These Harissa Meatballs with Whipped Feta are perfect for an easy SOS dinner! Store-bought meatballs, bell peppers, zucchini, harissa, and whipped feta all in one bowl. YUMMY!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Tofu<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tFirecracker Vegan Lettuce Wraps\t\t<\/h2>\n

HELLO YUM. Firecracker Lettuce Wraps that are happily vegan \u2013 with crispy tofu bits, saucy brown rice noodles, and a creamy sesame sauce.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\"Kale,<\/a>\t<\/div>\n
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\n\t\t\tMarinated Kale and Chicken Bowls with Sun Dried Tomato Sauce\t\t<\/h2>\n

Marinated Kale and Chicken Quinoa Bowl with Sun Dried Tomato Sauce! This recipe is clean, simple, and nutritious!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Wholesome Summer Snacks<\/h2>\n

I think my favorite part of summer might be all the snacking that presents itself \u2013 play date snacks, running-out-the-door snacks, car ride snacks, and just normal out-back-on-the-deck snacks. These are a few of my favorite healthy snacks for summer!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Healthy summer dinners that are light, bright, and delicious! Lots of fresh summer produce to make eating well feel super easy. Summer just has a way of making healthy eating feel\u2026 actually easy? Like, when tomatoes look like that at the farmers market, and corn is practically begging to be thrown on the grill, you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":250955,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-250954","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-food"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250954","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=250954"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250954\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/250955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=250954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=250954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=250954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}