An RD’s Guide to Mixing and Matching Fresh Summer Flavors for an Endlessly Versatile Season

Summer eats hit different. Basil leaves laid effortlessly on juicy tomatoes basically transport you to Italy. A cold, crispy grape feels like a fruit gusher—but better—in your mouth. Grilled fish with pineapple salsa is the ultimate dopamine dish. Drooling yet?

'Tis the season to mix and match all the fresh flavors with speed and ease, and *not* to spend hours working away in the kitchen. You can make that reality as effortless as possible with a little forward-thinking, a simple seasonal roadmap, and a quick trip to ALDI for all the premium ingredients you need. Registered dietitian Taylor Grasso, MPPD, RD, LD is here to be your guide.

For snacks that double as meals, lunches that can moonlight as dinners, and premium ingredients you can throw together without breaking a sweat, Grasso grabs everything from fresh produce to all the savory cheeses. And she's not gatekeeping her ALDI secrets—follow her through the aisles for her favorite formulas, tips, and unexpectedly delicious combos that'll keep your summer meals flexible, budget-friendly, and fun.

Start with Grasso's “power four” formula

Grasso's first tip for healthy and delicious meals during the summer (and beyond)? "Use what I call the 'power four' combination of carbohydrates, protein or fat, and color or fiber," she says. You’ll balance taste and nutrition with every bite and end up feeling satisfied and energized instead of sluggish.

Here's how the power four formula would look with a few Grasso-approved ALDI picks: Start with a base of carbs like a sliced Italian loaf, everything bagels, or Autumn crisp grapes. Layer in satiating proteins or fats such as aged reserve white cheddar, ground turkey, or Mediterranean herb salmon. Then round it out with fiber- and color-rich produce like mini cucumbers, spinach, or red cherries for a bite that checks all the boxes.

Fill your cart with multitasking ingredients

With her tried-and-true formula in mind, it's time to add to your cart—but it doesn't need to be overflowing in order to stay interesting. According to Grasso, the key to fresh and flavorful summer meals is stocking up on high-quality, versatile ingredients. Jot down a few of her MVPs for your next ALDI trip:

• Goat cheese logs: Spread it on toast, bake it in stuffed chicken, or mix it into a fruit-filled summer salad.
• Mini sweet peppers: Snack on them raw with hummus, roast them for tacos, or stuff them with pimento cheese or tuna salad.
• Keto-friendly or 100-percent whole wheat bread: Slice it up for sandwiches, French toast, or even a makeshift pizza base.
• Organic chicken breast: Grill it, shred it for wraps, or throw it on top of your go-to salad.

Pro tip: "Grill chicken or salmon at lunch and repurpose it in tacos, bowls, or salads for dinner," Grasso says. "Cook once, eat multiple times." The goal? To keep your summer simple, low-stress, and *so* satisfying.

Get creative with unexpected summer pairings

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to let your creative flag fly. Grasso says that some of the best summer meals happen when you lean into contrast: sweet with savory, creamy with crunchy, bitter with sweet (you get the idea). Need some inspo? Here are a few of her favorite summer flavor combos:

• Cranberry cinnamon goat cheese + cosmic crisp apples + sourdough square loaf: It’s basically a cheese board in sandwich form (yes, please).
• Hot honey gouda + roasted mini sweet peppers + sliced Italian loaf: A sweet-and-spicy upgrade to your go-to panini.
• Blueberry vanilla goat cheese + mini cucumbers: Trust—it’s creamy, crisp, and unexpectedly delicious.
• Sriracha gouda + ground turkey burger + grilled mini sweet peppers + brioche hamburger bun: Your backyard burger’s cooler cousin.

When it comes to balance, Grasso recommends focusing on what you can add to your plate—using the power four formula, of course—instead of cutting things out. “Savor that creamy cheese or brioche bun—just build around it with whole foods,” she says. And if your fridge is stocked with nutritious and delicious staples from ALDI? That just makes it easier (and more affordable) to keep your summer bites hitting, all season long.