Seasonal Summer Recipes

Summer produce is the best. I’m sorry. I love all the other seasons and their delectable seasonal produce, but summer is where my heart is at – it always has been. In fact, I think seasonal summer recipes and summer produce are what inspired me to write my Summer Recipe Collection.

And while we all know and love summer corn and watermelon, that is just the tip of the iceberg (and no, we’re not talking about the minimalistic lettuce).

In writing out my complete seasonal produce cheat sheet, I realized that summer has the most unique items. There is often a lot of crossover between fall, winter, and spring, but summer produce – much of it only exists in summer!

The other fabulous thing is that summer produce, especially if grown at home, seems to always be in rabid abundance – overwhelmingly so for many.

A few of my siblings and I are still a bit traumatized from the Zucchini Summer of ’02. It might not have been 2002, but I’ve completely blocked it out, so it doesn’t matter. Sorry, mom!

Summer Recipes

So while your first thought at hearing summer recipes is what to make when it’s too hot to function (there are a few of those below too), I’m also referring to eating great seasonal summer produce!

Sadly a few of my favorite summer produce recipes require the oven to be on, hot, and on for a long time. I usually aim to cook these as early in the day as possible! Here are a slew of side dishes for grilled chicken – organized by warm and cold dishes even.

The best part about in-season produce is that the great produce do all the hard work. It’ll all taste so delicious, you’ll want to serve them in all your summer dinner party menus!

Seasonal eating is also one of the tastiest and easiest ways to avoid food waste. It’s healthier, often easier, and did I mention tastier??

What’s in Season in Summer?

Bell Pepper Recipes

Looking for some heat? Try one of these serrano pepper recipes!

Berry Recipes

Cherry Recipes

Corn Recipes

Cucumber Recipes

Eggplant Recipes

Fig Recipes

Fresh Herb Recipes

Read these tips for how to keep herbs fresh for longer! And don’t miss this easy tutorial on how to dry fresh basil!

Green Bean Recipes

Melon Recipes

Peach Recipes

Strawberry Recipes

Stone Fruit Recipes

Tomato Recipes

See these tips for storing tomatoes properly!

Watermelon Recipes

Zucchini Recipes

Hot Weather Recipes

Ok. And just a few more things to help you handle the hot weather. This lavender iced tea is so tasty and fancy as is this frozen lavender lemonade. And don’t skip out of these simple ways to enjoy a healthy iced tea.

And one of these summer mocktails or one of these fresh strawberry cocktails should do the trick as well!