If You, Like Me, Know That July Is The Best Month For Cooking, You’ll Bookmark These 31 Summery Recipes ASAP
Here in New York, it's hot and ungodly humid, and I can't walk nine minutes to the subway without sweating through every garment on my body. What I'm trying to say is: It's finally July. And though peak summer weather might wreak havoc on our wardrobes and window A/C units, it also gives us an abundance of summer's best produce to cook with — and for that, I'm profoundly grateful.
Whether you're strawberry picking to your heart's content or just patiently waiting for that first juicy bite of summer tomatoes, these are the best seasonal recipes for every day of this glorious month.
1.Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad
When corn takes over every farm stand and you're sick of eating it straight off the cob, this zesty, creamy corn salad is the most delicious way to use it all up — and the spicy-sweet hot honey chicken it's served alongside will become your new grilling season go-to. When I say that a bite of cool, crunchy corn with succulent grilled chicken is one of the most perfect, texturally-satisfying bites you could dream of, I'm not exaggerating.
2.Baba Ganoush
With its sweet and smoky bite, baba ganoush is surely the most crowd-pleasing way to enjoy eggplant this summer, along with plenty of toasted pita bread for dipping, of course. This recipe calls for grilling your eggplant or toasting it on the grates of a gas range, but if you have a firepit or charcoal grill, I highly recommend tossing 'em directly into the hot coals for maximum flavor.
Recipe: Baba Ganoush
3.Savory Zucchini Bread
When you find yourself with a surplus of zucchini or summer squash — and if you're anything like me, it's only a matter of time — turn to this savory, cheesy variation of classic zucchini bread. It's the ideal accompaniment to a casual summer dinner, and even better the next day once it's toasted and slathered with melty butter.
Recipe: Savory Zucchini Bread
4.Red White and Blueberry Salad
When July 4th rolls around, do yourself a massive favor and plan to serve this festive salad that's as delicious as it is aesthetically pleasing. Pops of salty feta complement the sweetness of summer watermelon and blueberries, and while you don't have to cut the watermelon into stars if you don't want to, it's undeniably adorable.
Recipe: Red White and Blueberry Salad
5.Spicy Baked Fish Tacos
Nothing screams summer cooking like firing up the grill, but grilling fish can be an uphill battle. In this minimal-ingredient recipe, your oven (and a quick spice rub) will turn any white fish into flaky, spicy goodness, ready to be piled high with your favorite taco toppings.
Recipe: Spicy Baked Fish Tacos
6.Halloumi & Melon Skewers with Honey-Lime Glaze
Like pineapple, summer melons like watermelon and cantaloupe truly become the tastiest versions of themselves after a brief char on the grill. The star of the show, however, is the honey-lime glaze. If you're wise, you'll make a double batch for everything from marinating meats to drizzling over ice cream.
7.Slow-Roasted Strawberries
Think of slow-roasted strawberries as the best homemade jam ever but with none of the endless stirring. Three hours at 250ºF turns a sheet pan full of fresh strawberries into a syrupy-sweet masterpiece that's destined to be ladled on top of basically any dessert...or mashed onto your morning toast.
Recipe: Slow-Roasted Strawberries
8.Frozen Peach Rosé Slushy
For an equally-delicious non-alcoholic version, you can easily omit the rosé from the slush itself. The slushy will still be cool, refreshing, and full of flavor, and anyone who chooses to imbibe can top theirs with a splash of rosé (or even Prosecco) for an extra kick.
Recipe: Frozen Peach Rosé Slushy
9.Strawberries and Cream Buttermilk Waffles
Combining fresh strawberries with a spoonful of sugar and a splash of orange juice brings out all their natural sweetness with a hint of something extra. If you don't own a waffle maker, this topping works just as nicely with your favorite pancake recipe.
10.BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pineapple Mango Slaw
If you've never cooked pulled pork in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, this is your sign from the universe to give it a try. With six to eight hours and a bit of BBQ sauce, you'll secure Future You the easiest, most succulent dinner ever, which is made even better with a super summery, fruit-forward slaw.
Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Pineapple Mango Slaw
11.Classic Tomato Sandwich
There's not a frill to be found in this "recipe" — just soft bread, plenty of creamy mayo (Duke's or Hellman's only, if you know what's best for you), and a few extra-thick slices of summer's best.
Recipe: Classic Tomato Sandwich
12.Cucumber Salad with Herb Garlic Vinaigrette
Slice these cucumbers thin for maximum surface area, but not too thin. The goal for these cukes is to retain maximum crunch after marinating in dressing, so aim for a 1/8"-cut instead of going totally paper-thin.
13.Grilled Caprese Pizza
For homemade pizza without turning on your oven in the already-sweltering weather, fire up your grill. Slices of heirloom tomato, gooey mozzarella, and torn basil make an ideal summery pie, but you can customize ingredients according to your own tastes and preferences as you wish; thin ribbons of zucchini and a smear of fresh pesto would also do the trick.
Recipe: Grilled Caprese Pizza
14.Stone Fruit Tart
Though it looks fancy, this elegant tart is deceptively simple. Using thawed, store-bought puff pastry makes this six-ingredient dessert incredibly easy to prepare, and you can easily use the stone fruit that's easiest for you to get a hold of, from apricots to nectarines to plums.
Recipe: Stone Fruit Tart
15.One-Pot Lemon Butter Ricotta and Zucchini Pasta
For those nights when you can't stand even the thought of dirtying another dish or piece of cookware, this one-pot pasta dish will save your sanity while feeding the whole family. Kids and picky eaters love it, too; since the zucchini is finely grated, it packs in plenty of veggie goodness as a nearly-secret ingredient.
16.Arugula Salad with Quinoa, Apricot, and Avocado
This fresh but hearty salad with creamy avocado and sweet dried apricots is a delectable side dish, but it's easy to turn into the main attraction. Top with sliced grilled chicken or even flaky roasted salmon for a full, nutritious meal.
17.Grilled Ribeye Steak with Italian Salsa Verde
Punchy salsa verde takes this steak from "delicious" to "lick-the-plate-worthy." Though the recipe calls for parsley, you can add as many fresh green herbs as you can get your hands on, from basil to oregano.
18.Blackberry Margaritas
Muddling fresh blackberries releases their sweet juices, making these margaritas the most perfectly balanced cocktail for a variety of scenarios. Even better, they're super easy to batch out; mix in a pitcher in advance, stash in the fridge, and you can enjoy a summery beverage at your leisure.
Recipe: Blackberry Margaritas
19.Grilled Okra with Spicy Chipotle Dipping Sauce
In my humble opinion, okra is the sleeper hit of all mid-summer produce. In this recipe, it's prepared expertly: A burst of high-heat cooking over the grill gorgeously chars the outsides while turning the insides blissfully creamy. If the grates on your grill are wide enough for the okra to fall through, try using skewers or even a grill basket.
20.Mexican Street Corn Salad
Most commonly known as esquites, this "salad" takes all the tangy, punchy flavors of Mexican street corn and turns it into the ultimate side dish. Make it ahead for your next summer BBQ; IMO, it always tastes best on day two or three.
Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad
21.Golden Beet Chips with Spicy Goat Cheese Dip
If you feel "meh" about beets, this recipe was made for you. With a less earthy flavor profile than standard red beets, thinly-sliced golden beets become crunchy after roasting in the oven, and they're the perfect vehicle for a smooth and tangy herbed goat cheese dip.
22.Thomas Keller's Roasted Zucchini
Thomas Keller's viral method for preparing zucchini is having a big moment on the internet these days, and once you try it for yourself, you'll understand exactly why. Shallow slashes on the exposed flesh allow any excess moisture to drain before a quick, hot sear and a gentle roast, resulting in a nearly custard-like texture. (FYI: It's also a genius method for preparing smaller eggplants.)
Recipe: Thomas Keller's Roasted Zucchini
23.Eggs in Purgatory
With 20 ounces of cherry tomatoes — aka a lot — this particular preparation of eggs in purgatory is the perfect summertime brunch. Or lunch. Or dinner! Basically, it's the ideal low-effort recipe for any meal or occasion.
Recipe: Eggs in Purgatory
24.Cucumber Gazpacho
Any gazpacho recipe will offer cool refreshment on a hot and sticky day, but cucumber gazpacho, in particular, perfectly straddles the line between refreshing and savory. Once you've blended the ingredients, the gazpacho will keep in your fridge for a few days. To serve, just pour into bowls and garnish to your heart's content.
Recipe: Cucumber Gazpacho
25.Panzanella Salad with Peaches and Corn
With ingredients like peaches, corn, basil, and tomatoes, this Panzanella utilizes four summer produce staples and turns them into an approachable, elegant centerpiece.
26.Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Crispy Tofu
Vibrant, crunchy, and picnic-ready, these vegetarian summer rolls are a weekly staple in my house when the weather gets hot and I can't even fathom eating a warm dinner.
27.Lavender Basil Lemonade
Classic lemonade might be the ultimate summer beverage, but it's even better with plenty of fresh basil, honey for depth of flavor, and a touch of dried lavender. The results are luscious and floral without being perfumey, and the recipe is easily doubled (or tripled) so you can make a big batch all at once.
Recipe: Lavender Basil Lemonade
28.Sweet Corn Polenta with Shrimp
Utilizing quick-cooking ingredients like shrimp and instant polenta, this impressive meal only takes about 15 minutes to cook. Summer corn adds pops of texture and sweetness to each and every bite.
Recipe: Sweet Corn Polenta with Shrimp
29.Cherry Cobbler
Cobbler is the ultimate hands-off summer dessert for a crowd, and this cherry version might be the best variation of all. Serve it on the hot side of warm with a scoop (or two) of ice cream, and watch it disappear before your very eyes.
Recipe: Cherry Cobbler
30.Open-Face Eggplant Sandwiches
Searing thinly-sliced eggplant and then marinating it in a puckery, vinegar-based dressing is the easiest way to turn eggplant into a starry main event. Don't skimp on the pickled onions for crunch, either; as a bonus, you can use the extras to spice up just about anything you cook, from salads to grilled proteins.
Recipe: Open-Face Eggplant Sandwiches
31.Mango Royale
A variation on Filipino crema de fruta, this "cake" comes together with just four ingredients and doesn't even require an oven. So, if you, like me, love dessert but don't want to spend too much time putting something together, this recipe was practically made for you to enjoy all summer long. For maximum flavor, be sure to use the juiciest, softest mangoes you can get your hands on.
Recipe: Mango Royale
