25 healthy summer recipes

For more plant-based taco inspiration, take a look at these vegan tacos, jackfruit tacos, buffalo cauliflower tacos and more taco recipes.

2. Vegan tempeh and pineapple kebabs

Swap meaty kebabs for these delicious ones made with marinated tempeh and juicy pineapple, both of which count towards your plant foods, if you're counting them. Serve with a salad, instead of buns, to add even more plants.

Dive into more of our meat-free barbecue recipes.

3. Cod, cherry tomato and green olive traybake

Nourish your health with this Mediterranean-style cod, cherry tomato and green olive traybake. It's quick and easy to prepare but packs a nutritional punch.

Try this tasty dish then browse our other traybake recipes.

4. Healthy baked oats

Forget sugary cereal, start your day with wholesome baked oats topped with yogurt and a drizzle of honey. You'll be rewarded with a sustained hit of energy, that doesn't leave you crashing later.

Then check out our classic baked oats plus more bakes using oats and blackberry recipes. And if you're looking for homemade ice cream, check out our best ice cream recipes.

5. Vegan risotto

Risotto can be a great way to add more plants to your meals, so providing plenty of fibre and a range of vitamins and minerals. Here, we've used fennel, courgette, peas and parsley, along with a good squeeze of lemon.

Try our vegan risotto recipe then check out our vegetarian risotto, vegan ramen, vegan Thai green curry and vegan pizza.

6. Courgette curry

This light, summery curry is packed with goodness. Spices, veggies and tinned tomatoes all contribute to your plant food intake, which contributes to a healthy, balanced gut. Serve with wholegrain rice for extra gut-loving fibre.

We've also got plenty more vegetarian curries, including a healthy spinach, chickpea and potato recipe.

7. Mediterranean chicken traybake

Famed for being one of the world's healthiest diets, the Mediterranean way of eating includes plenty of good fats, protein and colourful vegetables. You'll get them all in this delicious chicken traybake which combines olives, feta, oregano and plum tomatoes.

Need more inspo? Check out our best healthy dinner ideas.

8. Aubergine teriyaki bowls

Keep a bag of edamame beans in the freezer and you'll be just minutes away from adding more plant-based protein to your meal. Here, we combined them with spicy aubergine, rice and crunchy radishes.

Looking for more bowl food ideas? Try our vegan buddha bowl, vegan fajita bowl, vegan sushi bowl and plenty more.

9. Healthy turkey burgers

Swap unhealthy beef burgers, which are high in fat, for these lighter burgers made with turkey. This lean protein still keeps you full and tastes great, but is considerably better for you. Combine with speedy tomato chutney and wholemeal buns for a nutritious and energising meal.

If you like these, then check out our healthy chicken burgers, vegan black bean burgers and more of the best burger recipes.

10. Smashed broad beans on toast

Canned baked beans are high in salt and sugar, but these wonderfully green broad beans on toast are delicious, quick and easy to rustle up and a great source of protein. Throw together for a nourishing lunch.

Make the most of broad beans while they're in season with all our best broad bean recipes.

11. Aubergine kebabs with charred onion salsa

For a lighter bbq main, try these veggie skewers and serve with charred onion salsa and a big bowl of herby couscous. You'll get plenty of plants, which supplies your body with much needed fibre and nutrients.

Try our aubergine kebabs recipe then check out our BBQ aubergines and more skewer ideas such as our mushroom shawarma, Greek chicken skewers and vegan kebabs.

12. Sunblush tomato and olive vegan paella

Eat the rainbow with this Mediterranean-style plant-based paella. Instead of the classic seafood and chorizo, this healthy version combines peppers, courgette, olives, tomatoes and artichoke – all of which contain a variety of important nutrients, including fibre. It really is a winner of a recipe.

We've also got plenty more vegetarian recipes to try, including our vegetarian chilli, vegetarian curry and veg risotto.

13. Chicken pasta salad

There's no reason you should miss out on pasta salad, but it might be an idea to skip the calorie-laden ones made with mayonnaise. Instead, throw together this healthy version using left-over chicken, tomatoes and greens for a protein-packed lunch or midweek dinner.

Make our easy chicken pasta salad or check out more healthy chicken recipes. We've also got plenty more chicken salad recipes to try such as our chicken pasta salad and chicken and avocado salad.

14. Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a refreshing cold soup featuring cucumber, red pepper and red onion on a plum tomato base, it's popular in Spain and other countries which follow the Mediterranean diet. Serve with wholemeal baguette for a healthy lunch.

15. Prawn, avocado and rocket orzo

For a dinner that's packed with protein and good fats, try this delicious orzo pasta made with prawns, avocado, rocket and lemon. It's light yet filling.

If you're looking for something similar, check out our other delicious prawn pasta recipes.

16. Pea and mint soup

Frozen peas are a secret weapon when it comes to make protein-packed, meat-free meals. Always keep a stash in the freezer and you'll be able to whip up this fresh, summery soup in just 30 minutes.

Serve this pea and mint soup with homemade ricotta and lemon crostini, then check out our glorious green gazpacho.

17. Roasted courgette, chickpea and lemon salad

Chickpeas are a good source of protein and fibre, which means they help to keep you full and support a healthy gut. Combine with roasted courgettes and a punchy harissa dressing for a delicious veggie meal.

Want to know which are the best chickpeas to buy? Read our review – then make our best chickpea recipes.

18. Tuna and tomato salad with olives

For a light Mediterranean-style lunch, top tomatoes and Kalamata olives with perfectly seared tuna steak. Tomatoes contain a protective carotenoids which support healthy skin and eyes.

Looking for more delicious tuna recipes? Try our classic niçoise salad, tuna wraps and tuna pasta salad.

19. Healthy blondies

There's no reason to miss out on treats just because you're eating healthily, in fact being too restrictive with your diet will only leave you unhappy and craving the sweet stuff. Bake up a batch of these vegan blondes, made with coconut sugar for a caramelised flavour, coconut milk for a creamy texture and blueberries for a fruity zing.

Bake these healthy blondies, then check out our healthy chocolate cake, healthy muffins and sugar-free banana bread.

20. Za’atar roasted aubergine with Puy lentil salad

Lentils are rich in protective plant compounds called phenols, these help to protect from disease, as well as fibre which supports a healthy heart and digestive system. Add them to this light, vegetarian salad with roasted aubergine and Middle Eastern flavours.

Make these za’atar roasted aubergines, then check out more aubergine recipes such as our smoked aubergine with pepper and walnut salad.

21. Spanish chicken traybake

This nourishing meal is light yet filling. Flavour chicken thighs with sweet smoked paprika and honey, then roast until sweet and sticky alongside new potatoes, red peppers and green olives.

Try our Spanish chicken traybake, then check out our healthy sausage traybake recipe.

22. Healthy spinach omelette

Eggs are highly nutritious and a fantastic source of high quality protein, this means they help the body with growth and repair. As protein is more filling than carbohydrate, this healthy spinach omelette for lunch should keep you going until dinner.

Make this healthy spinach omelette, then check out our vegetable omelette, broccoli and roasted red pepper frittata and more healthy lunch recipes.

23. Bag-baked cod with tomatoes, chorizo and butter beans

You'll get a triple hit of protein from this seriously delicious dish, thanks to the cod, beans and chorizo. It's packed full of fragrant, spicy Spanish flavours – it's a guaranteed winner.

For more healthy fish dishes, try our healthy fish pie and lighter fishcakes.

24. Vegan sausage rolls

While classic sausage rolls might not be a healthy choice, these vegan ones are made with mushrooms and beans, which give you a good dose of fibre and plant-based protein. Encased in flaky puff pastry, they still feel like the real deal.

Looking for more meat-free recipes? Try our vegan butternut squash pie and beetroot tart tatin.

25. Two-tone freezer smoothie

Add avocado to your morning berry and banana smoothie to make it more filling and for a top up of good fats. They freeze brilliantly, and it’s a great way to prolong the life of perfectly ripe ones.

If you like this, you'll love our vegan blueberry smoothie bowl.