Finding the perfect summer dip or side isn’t just about sticking to “same old, same old.” It’s about finding new ways to improve flavor and make classics taste deliciously different. You can achieve this with simple tweaks and the right ingredients.
Here’s a collection of summer dips and sides that may be familiar or entirely new to you. With the addition of Pacific Foods products, these nine recipes transform from ordinary to unique.
Capture the essence of summer with this flavorful dip. Bursting with seasonal freshness, it stars sautéed leeks, kale and cherry tomatoes. Cannellini beans and Pacific Foods Cream of Roasted Garlic and Herb Soup add a creamy richness to the base.
Top with a blend of parmesan and mozzarella, then bake this dip to golden perfection. Serve it alongside crusty bread for a leisurely appetizer.
View the full recipe: Garlic & Herb White Bean Dip
Buffalo chicken dip is creamy, spicy and downright delicious when served as an appetizer alongside celery, crackers, chips or bread. This dip features Pacific Foods cream of chicken soup rather than mayo, ranch or blue cheese dressing. Combined with cream cheese and sour cream, it creates a velvety complement to the spicy chicken.
Warm the oven to 375°F. Melt butter in a skillet and sauté garlic for three minutes. Next, toss in shredded chicken and your favorite buffalo sauce, cooking it for about five minutes until the sauce reduces by half.
Next, in a medium bowl, mix the soup, cream cheese and sour cream until it’s smooth. Stir in the chicken mixture to combine it all together.
Pour the mixture into a cast iron skillet or oven-proof pan and spread evenly. Top with cheese and bake it for 10-12 minutes. Then broil the mixture until it forms a golden crust. Garnish with fresh green onions before serving.
View the full recipe: Buffalo Chicken Party Dip
If you’re looking for a vibrant summer side, this dish delivers. It’s as visually stunning as it is delicious, and it takes full advantage of this wholesome summer vegetable.
Remove the stems of the carrots, saving the tops for later. Place whole carrots on a baking tray and drizzle with oil, salt and pepper. Roast them, stir them a bit, then continue roasting.
When you go to stir them again, pour Pacific Foods Organic Vegetable Broth into the tray for additional moisture and flavor. Then, finish roasting until the liquid is gone and the carrots are tender.
It’s the colorful pesto spread that really makes this dish shine. Blend the carrot tops with garlic, pine nuts, basil, parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Add more oil if needed to adjust the consistency. Arrange roasted carrots on a platter and top them with pesto before serving.
View the full recipe: Whole Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto
When you need a special side, Persian Jeweled Rice dazzles the taste buds and elevates any summer meal. Begin by caramelizing sliced onions to golden-brown perfection. Add aromatic spices — cumin and cardamom — along with crunchy pistachios and slivered almonds, cooking it all in ghee.
Mix in Pacific Foods Organic Vegetable Broth and Pacific Foods Organic Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup for a wonderfully complex flavor. Add fragrant orange blossom water and saffron to the pot. All of these will infuse the rice with a savory taste and inviting aroma.
As the rice cooks, plump up barberries and raisins in boiling water. Once the rice is cooked, fold in the caramelized onion mixture and the rehydrated barberries and raisins. You’re ready to serve!
View the full recipe: Persian Jeweled Rice
This dish takes carrots to a whole new level and will be a unique addition to your summer get-togethers.
Instead of using only oil or butter for roasting, our method starts by gently sautéing the carrots in Pacific Foods bone broth. This imparts a rich, savory depth of flavor that’s truly exceptional.
Once the carrots are brightly colored and tender, transfer them to a prepared baking tray. Drizzle melted butter or ghee over the top and season them with a sprinkle of sea salt, and into the oven they go. Roast them until they’re caramelized and tender. Just before serving, drizzle the roasted carrots with luscious maple syrup for a final sweet finish.
View the full recipe: Roasted Carrots with Bone Broth and Maple
This is a mouthwatering summer side dish bursting with savory, sweet and nutty flavors. Earthy Brussels sprouts and salty bacon are balanced with a sweet glaze, and the bacon and pecans provide a welcome crunch.
Start by crisping bacon pieces in a skillet until they’re perfectly golden and the fat has rendered. After setting aside the bacon, toss fresh Brussels sprouts in the remaining grease, allowing them to brown and crisp. Then, deglaze the pan with Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Stock.
To amp up the sweetness, add coconut sugar and bourbon. Finally, toss in pecans and season with salt to taste.
View the full recipe: Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts
These spring rolls are packed with vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients. They’re also vegan friendly for all your guests to enjoy.
The highlight of these rolls is the creamy sauce, which is an ideal summer dip. Mix Pacific Foods Organic Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup, soaked cashews, cilantro, ginger, curry powder, Thai pepper and a blend of spices. The sweet carrots in the soup are a great backdrop to the buttery cashews, spicy ginger and herbaceous cilantro.
To assemble the spring rolls, start by softening rice paper sheets in warm water. Ensure they’re pliable and ready to hold the colorful array of veggies. Instead of a meat-based filling, mix it up with a vibrant combination of thinly sliced vegetables, sprouts, onions and fresh herbs.
For an extra-satisfying roll, include vermicelli noodles or mung bean noodles wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. Once filled, roll up your spring rolls tightly, sealing in all the deliciousness. Paired with the homemade dipping sauce, these spring rolls are perfect for any summer gathering.
View the full recipe: Vegan Spring Rolls with Ginger Curry Dipping Sauce
When done right, smashed potatoes offer delightfully contrasting textures with crispy skin and soft, fluffy insides. While many recipes rely solely on water to boil the potatoes, our rendition elevates the flavors with Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Stock.
Layer potatoes in a 10-inch saucepan and cover them with the stock, salt, pepper and olive oil. Add rosemary sprigs. Bring the potatoes to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes until they’re tender.
Discard the rosemary stems, then smash the potatoes gently and drizzle them with more olive oil. Cook uncovered until the broth evaporates, forming a golden-brown crust. Flip the potatoes and brown the other side. Serve with fresh rosemary.
View the full recipe: Smashed Potatoes (Potatoes Fondantes)
No buffalo or barbecue sauce here! This dish features a homemade chipotle dip that starts with Pacific Foods chicken broth. Mix this with honey, chipotle peppers and vinegar, then boil to reduce. You should get a lusciously thick and syrupy concoction.
Reserve half of this sauce for dipping. Lightly coat the chicken wings with salt and pepper. Air fry them until they’re cooked through, basting them with chipotle sauce periodically so you end up with a delicious glaze. Serve them with celery and carrot sticks.
View the full recipe: Air-Fried Chicken Wings with Chipotle Sauce
Let Pacific Foods be your secret ingredient for creating unforgettable summer moments. Our broths are crafted to bring more wellness to your pantry.
With our intentionally-sourced ingredients, Pacific Foods emboldens your summer dips and is created for every lifestyle — from plant-based to gluten-free. Explore our soups, broth, and stocks today for help creating outstanding summer dips.