Just 30 June-Approved Recipes To Make This Month That Literally Scream Summer In Every Way
If you, like us, have spent every day since January waiting for summer produce to become abundant at your grocery store, we've got great news for you: Your moment is here! Below, you'll find 30 recipes that scream summer, from simple, low-cook meals to delicious dinners that'll impress all of your summer guests. We've bookmarked every last one already...and we have a funny feeling you'll be doing the same shortly. ☀️
Fresh zucchini and basil put a fresh and summery spin on this creamy risotto. Start by sautéing your zucchini in butter with onion and garlic until it carmelizes to make the base for this deceptively simple dish.
Recipe: Jammy Zucchini Risotto
2.Teriyaki Burgers With Grilled Pineapple
This recipe calls for ground turkey, but you can use whatever kind of meat or plant-based burger substitution you like best. Between the grilled pineapple and the sweet and tangy sauce, these burgers are bound to be a hit at your next cookout.
"I high-key cannot (and never will) get enough of Grace Elkus' genius "modern TV dinner" of crispy store-bought gnocchi with edamame in two forms: crisped up alongside the shelf-stable gnocchi and blended into a creamy sauce with briny feta and herbs. The whole meal comes together in 15 minutes or less, which makes it the perfect back-pocket meal for busy summer evenings."
—Ross Yoder
Recipe: Crispy Gnocchi and Edamame
Feel Good Foodie / Via feelgoodfoodie.net
We're all probably familiar with baked oats at this point, but they're tried-and-true for a reason. This version gives you that extra boost of protein to start your day, plus it's totally customizable with whatever add-ins you're craving!
Recipe: Protein Baked Oats
5.Chimichurri Kale Steak Salad With Manchego Croutons
How Sweet Eats / Via howsweeteats.com
If you're getting tired of the same old salads, break out of your rut with this flavorful and seriously filling medley that shines as a main dish.
Recipe: Chimichurri Kale Steak Salad With Manchego Croutons
Two Peas and Their Pod / Via twopeasandtheirpod.com
As we approach zucchini season, it's safe to assume we'll all accumulate too much at one point, and this coconut lime loaf is the perfect way to jazz up the usual zucchini bread. One bite and you'll instantly be in summer mode.
Recipe: Coconut Lime Zucchini Loaf
Heartbeet Kitchen / Via heartbeetkitchen.com
Warmer weather calls for frozen cocktails, and there's nothing easier than whipping up a big batch of frosé for those sunny-day get-togethers. If cherries aren't your thing, swap another seasonal fruit like raspberries or watermelon.
Recipe: Easy Tart Cherry Frosé
This vegan tofu sandwich is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun weekend lunch. Fry up a couple of extra tofu cutlets to stash in your fridge or freezer while you're at it for those summer days when it's simply too hot to cook.
Recipe: Thai Peanut Tofu Sandwich
9.Blackberry Ricotta French Toast
When berry season finally rolls around, you do one thing: Grab as many plump, tart blackberries as you can and weave them into this glorious French toast bake for a bright, fruity finish. Since this French toast is made casserole-style, the insides stay gloriously custardy while the tops get golden brown and crisp.
Recipe: Blackberry Ricotta French Toast
This classic French recipe looks way more complicated than it actually is. In fact, it calls for just a handful of ingredients like trout, butter, capers, almonds, and lemon. If trout isn't your thing, feel free to substitute with salmon.
Recipe: Trout Almondine
11.The Crispiest Spring Chicken
Alexandra Cooks / Via alexandracooks.com
Between the seriously fresh herb sauce and the delectably crispy skin, this is the one chicken recipe you'll want to make over and over and over again.
Recipe: The Crispiest Spring Chicken
12.Creamy Crab and Tomato Orzotto
"I'd like to petition for risotto hype to die down so that orzotto (aka orzo risotto) can finally have its moment. I was genuinely shocked at how easy Hailee Catalano's recipe was, given I've always been intimidated by risotto. It's creamy, rich, and spicy — perfect for a special occasion dinner. If you don't want to shell out the $30-plus for eight ounces of crab meat, swap with shrimp for a more casual dinner! Either way, prepare to be very impressed with yourself after serving this."
—Claudia Santos
Recipe: Creamy Crab and Tomato Orzotto
13.Zucchini and Cheddar Frittata
Grated zucchini fills this easy frittata with tons of veggies, and it offers the added bonus of keeping things from drying out, too. Even better: Leftovers heat up nicely the next day (and the day after that) for easy grab-and-go breakfasts.
Recipe: Zucchini and Cheddar Frittata
14.Whipped Ricotta with Olive Oil and Honey
Whipped ricotta is the one summer appetizer that marries together "easy" and "impressive" in perfect harmony. Here, it's accompanied by fruity olive oil and honey, which make it the perfect savory-sweet spread to swoop all over a hunk of crusty bread.
15.BBQ Cauliflower Chopped Salad
This tangy salad proves you don't need meat to enjoy classic summer barbecue flavors. Top it with crunchy tortilla strips and homemade ranch dressing for a satisfying meal.
Recipe: BBQ Cauliflower Chopped Salad
There's no prep required for this marinate-and-cook recipe that comes together in no time. Serve it over rice or a big salad for a weeknight-friendly meal.
Recipe: Hawaiian Chicken
17.Triple Berry Cheesecake Muffins
Muffins can sometimes be a little boring, but with a scoop of cheesecake filling and a healthy dose of streusel, these muffins are anything but. Serve them anytime between brunch and dessert, and watch as they quickly disappear.
Recipe: Triple Berry Cheesecake Muffins
18.Goddess Curry Chicken Salad
Cook yourself a big batch of this vibrant curry chicken salad one day, and you'll have no-cook lunches for all the days following. Instead of mayo, this recipe uses Greek yogurt to keep things light while packing in just as much creaminess.
Recipe: Goddess Curry Chicken Salad
Foxes Love Lemons / Via foxeslovelemons.com
Flaky roasted salmon, sautéed spinach and capers, and whatever pasta you like best are tossed in a creamy white wine sauce to make this elevated yet simple recipe worthy of a date night meal.
Recipe: Creamy Salmon Pasta
Not only does this dessert come together in a flash, but it's also completely vegan and gluten-free. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and it'll quickly become your summer BBQ staple.
Recipe: Ginger Peach Crisp
This custardy French dessert looks so impressive you'll be surprised at how easy it is to make. The batter is all made in a blender to get everything as smooth as possible and save you any hassle (but a good old-fashioned whisk or immersion blender will also do the trick).
Recipe: Brown Sugar Plum Clafoutis
22.Cherry Couscous And Arugula Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
Juicy cherries balance peppery arugula for a salad that gorgeously highlights the season's produce. Serve the recipe as written for a side or starter that feels fancy AF, or add roasted chickpeas or another source of protein to make this into a stand-alone meal.
Recipe: Cherry Couscous And Arugula Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
Palomas are like a margarita's less sweet cousin, and this watermelon version makes it even more refreshing on a hot day. The recipe calls for orange juice, but feel free to stick to the traditional grapefruit if that's your jam.
Recipe: Salted Watermelon Paloma
This recipe's name is no exaggeration; it packs in all the most delicious parts of summer produce, from juicy stone fruit to sweet cherry tomatoes — and even includes some citrusy quick-pickled onions for extra pops of flavor in each bite.
Recipe: Ultimate Summer Salad
Oh Sweet Basil / Via ohsweetbasil.com
Elevate your taco night. This recipe calls for a flaky white fish like cod or tilapia. It's marinated in buttermilk, tossed in flour and spices, pan-fried until golden, and tossed into tortillas.
Recipe: Easy Fish Tacos
Salty feta and cool, crispy watermelon go together surprisingly well, making this guacamole extra special. Whip it up in ten minutes or less for a perfect summer afternoon snack.
Recipe: Watermelon Feta Guacamole
This slow cooker pork recipe is a great choice for when you're cooking for a crowd or looking for an easy protein to meal prep for a week's worth of tasty dinners.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
Whether or not you like it, this fascinating combo of tonic water, espresso, and citrus is already being hailed as the (non-alcoholic) drink of summer 2024. Even if you're apprehensive about it, just take our word for it: It rocks. It's sorta sweet, sorta bitter, and the lemon peel gives it the perfect understated citrusy kick.
Recipe: Espresso Tonic
This vegan version of Korean bibimbap is super flavorful and extremely customizable, so grab your favorite seasonal veggies like broccoli and zucchini. Serve it as-is for an easy vegan dinner, or throw a fried egg over the top for some extra protein.
Recipe: Tofu Bibimbap
30.Grilled Polenta With Cherry Tomatoes
Stir-fried greens, grilled polenta, and bursting cherry tomatoes come together quickly for a weeknight dinner that's still impressive enough to serve for company. Did I mention it's ready in about 30 minutes?
Which recipe are you most looking forward to making? Tell us in the comments below. Happy cooking!
