20 Best Summer Sides Under 200 Calories

Some sides come naturally, like meat with potatoes or tomato soup with grilled cheese. These duos work in tandem to make family-approved meals that are hits time and time again. But we know that occasionally it's time to try something different.

Shake up your side salad with raspberries and blue cheese, swap out roasted potatoes for mouthwatering slices of sweet potato, and skip the Caesar and try a wedge of iceberg lettuce drizzled with homemade Parmesan dressing.

We have our picks for the best Cooking Light Diet side dishes, always tasty and always family approved. If you're swapping out a side dish on your Cooking Light Diet plan, be sure to keep the calories in the same range as the side dish recommended for you. 

Fresh Creamed Corn

There's nothing like sweet corn in the summer months, especially a buttery and creamy version. Who said diet food was bland?

Spinach Salad with Avocado and Orange

Take your simple salad to the next level with creamy avocado and citrusy orange. 

Raspberry and Blue Cheese Salad

This fruity salad is everything you want in a side dish: a little bit crunchy, a little bit creamy, and a whole lot of yummy. 

Crunchy Zucchini Chips

Swap potato chips for crispy zucchini chips. In summer months, zucchini are extra sweet, so you'll love the salty sweet contrast. 

Grilled Green Onions with Orzo and Sweet Peas

Menchego cheese has a nutty bite, and it's a perfect topper for this light orzo salad. 

Tequila Slaw with Lime and Cilantro

You heard us right. Tequila in diet food is the real deal, and everyone at your barbecue will be asking for the recipe. 

Cranberry-Almond Broccoli Salad

Bacon, cranberries, almonds, and creamy broccoli mixed into one bowl. We'll take seconds. 

Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Tomato and mozzarella is a dynamic duo we love, but this recipe takes it one step further. 

Watermelon Cucumber Salad 

Summertime screams watermelon, but why save it for dessert? Make things a little sweet and savory with onion and cucumber mixed in. 

Creamy Roasted Tomato Soup

The last thing you crave in the heat is a bowl of soup, but this one's so good you'll enjoy it year round. Plus, in season tomatoes give this soup a dimension you can't get in the wintertime.

Summer Melon and Ham Salad with Burrata and Chile

Melon, creamy cheese, and meaty ham make this side dish a winner in our book. 

Kale Salad with Mango and Coconut 

Kale takes on flavors like no other lettuce, so with juicy mango it's the perfect pair. 

Sweet Potato Wedges

Sweet potatoes are super filling, but feel lighter than a plateful of French fries. Dip these in Greek yogurt if your calorie goal allows for an instant treat. 

Cucumber and Green Tomato Gazpacho 

Gazpacho is the soup of summer, and this cucumber and green tomatoes version definitely turns heads. 

Spaghetti Squash with Tomato-Basil Sauce

If you're craving a side of pasta at dinner time, take a crack at spaghetti squash for a pasta like dish you'll love. 

Asparagus and Peas with Warm Tarragon Vinaigrette 

Asparagus and peas are super summer produce that will amp up the flavor of your boring salad any day. 

Spinach and Garlic Mashed Potatoes 

Sometimes you just have to have your mashed potatoes. This side goes a little bit lighter, and increases the nutrients from the spinach. 

Apple Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette 

If you've never had apples in salad you're truly missing out. The slight sour and crunch make for a perfect bite. 

Black Pepper Parmesan Wedge Salad

Not only does this side look professional, but there's no lettuce prep so it's super easy to make. Just pour on the dressing, and enjoy.

Arugula, Egg, and Charred Asparagus Salad 

This side salad has so many textures, your mouth will be very pleased. Egg adds some extra protein, while charred asparagus creates a summer BBQ feel. 

These are just a few of the many examples of side dish recipes available on the Cooking Light Diet. For more, head to the Facebook community group, or learn more at CookingLightDiet.com.