Here are all the best summer recipes for your table! Load up on seasonal fresh tomatoes, zucchini, corn, and berries, and let’s get cooking.
Summer is the most exciting season for eating! With fresh seasonal produce and outdoor cooking on the grill, there are endless possibilities. To us, summer recipes utilize the best fresh produce, leverage the grill, and no-cook or minimal cook if at all possible. The recipes below highlight the best summer produce, including:
- Vegetables like tomatoes, corn, zucchini, summer squash, green beans, eggplant, and cucumber
- Herbs like basil, thyme, dill, and mint
- Fruits like watermelon, peaches, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries
Looking for something specific? Browse by Summer Dinners, Summer Side Dishes, Summer Salads, Summer Desserts, or Summer Cocktails. Otherwise…let’s get started.
And now…the best summer recipes to try this season!
This summer salad recipe is the best way to serve rich and creamy burrata cheese! Pair it with summer fruit or tomatoes, olive oil and sea salt.
The best summer recipes are the simplest. Pesto pasta with homemade basil pesto, al dente noodles and a sprinkle of Parmesan? Perfection.
Here’s how to make the best three bean salad recipe: a fresh spin on Grandma’s! It’s so easy to throw together for summer picnics and potlucks.
What’s better than the classic combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil? Try this summery delight: the Caprese sandwich! This riff on the classic Italian salad from Capri layers the classic ingredients as a sandwich filling, with an irresistibly creamy, pesto aioli that adds a pop of savory brightness to each bite.
This summer watermelon salad recipe could not be more refreshing! It pairs sweet melon with salty feta, fresh mint or basil, and lemon zest.
What’s better than a creamy, cool gazpacho on a blazing hot day? The cool puree of tomato and cucumber against the zing of sherry vinegar and rich olive oil is truly one of life’s great pleasures.
Here’s the BEST way to cook corn on the cob: grilled right on the grates! It comes out beautifully smoky and charred, with a little crunch. Use it to make Grilled Corn Salad or Elote Salad.
Here's the classic potato salad made the American way: creamy, tangy and sweet, and loaded with crunchy onions and pickles.
The best summer beverage? Homemade with real lemons. Make it at home with fresh squeezed citrus, and you’ll find out why this beverage became so popular in the first place. Make a big pitcher for parties, or you can make it by the glass. Either way, you’ll be absolutely smitten!
Looking for a fun appetizer idea or healthy snack? Try Fruit Skewers! Everything tastes better on a stick, right? This is a simple concept that’s more like an idea than a recipe: but it makes everyone go crazy for pure, fresh fruit. Use whatever fruits you like and if desired, serve with our favorite 3 ingredient fruit dip! The skewers are perfect for a summer appetizer, snack ideas or even a healthy dessert.
Here’s a summer salad recipe that’s ultra versatile for picnics and barbecues: this Tortellini Salad! The tang of the artichoke, chewy pillowy pasta, zippy tomatoes, and peppery basil come together into a symphony of flavor! It stores up to 4 days in the fridge, making it a perfect easy lunch.
This fresh peach salsa recipe is the ideal recipe for summer potlucks. Serve with tortilla chips, grilled fish, tacos, and more!
This easy blueberry cake recipe is stunning: it’s fluffy, lightly sweet, and scented with lemon. The perfect summer recipe for dessert or brunch!
Here’s how to make the absolute best grilled salmon! It’s perfectly tender and flavored with a magic seasoning blend that takes it to new heights.
A new and improved take on that classic summer broccoli salad! Crunchy and savory sweet, it stars broccoli, raisins, and a flavor-popping dressing.
Here's the best-ever fresh Strawberry Pie! It highlights the ripe berry flavor, perfectly sweet tart with a delicious hint of cinnamon. The flavor is almost beyond words. Don’t believe us? Well, you’ve got to test for yourself!
This mouthwatering veggie burger recipe is slathered with barbecue sauce and doesn’t fall apart on the grill! It’s truly the best you’ll find.
This colorful antipasto salad is hearty and full of zingy flavor, with lots of crunchy veggies, olives, artichokes, cheese, and Italian herbs.
This authentic Greek salad is ideal for summer! It's packed with fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumber, salty feta cheese, and briny olives: just like they make it in Greece!
The best easiest summer side dish recipe? Let’s make Veggie Kabobs! Perhaps you’ve made these before without a recipe. But you’ll know, the veggies risk coming out under-seasoned and over-cooked. But with this recipe, these summer veggies come out cooked to perfection! It’s the ideal side dish for a grilled dinner.
This grilled shrimp is full of juicy flavor! The shrimp seasoning brings in just the right touch of savory and smoky.
Here’s summer’s best treat, if you can find a bunch of those magical pinkish-green stalks: Rhubarb Crisp! This homey dessert is absolute summer nostalgia: each bite is a burst of gooey, sweet tart candy topped with a golden oat crumble. Top it with melty vanilla ice cream, and there’s nothing better than scooping up heaping mouthfuls on a summer’s evening.
This watermelon slushie has the best sweet flavor! A frosty glass with this juicy fruit is perfect for summer entertaining.
Also try: Watermelon Water or Watermelon Lemonade
Here’s a refreshing summer side dish: creamy cucumber salad with sour cream! The silky sauce with dill and shallots brings an irresistible flavor.
This easy zucchini bread recipe will become a family favorite: it’s moistened by Greek yogurt and so fast to whip up.
Everyone knows that homemade ice cream is the best. And in the case of strawberry ice cream, the results are beyond worth the effort. Try this homemade strawberry ice cream recipe! It’s lusciously creamy, with a pure sweet tart berry flavor interspersed with chunks of red berries.
This grilled tilapia is perfectly seasoned and easy to make! You’ll be amazed by the amount of flavor in this healthy summer dinner recipe. Also try grilled cod or grilled red snapper.
This strawberry crumble recipe is meant for summer evenings on the patio! The big berry flavor and oat topping make a recipe you’ll bake up again and again.
We cracked the code to the best zucchini lasagna, great for summer's bounty! Roasted zucchini noodles and three cheeses make just the right Italian flavor.
Here’s how to make that classic summer recipe: the shrimp boil! This easy meal of corn, potatoes and shrimp is perfect for a crowd. No plates required!
Summer’s best dessert is Watermelon Sorbet! Each bite is an explosion of pure juicy fruit flavor, with a smooth, frosty texture. Even better: it’s incredibly simple to blend up.
There’s nothing better than a fantastic Caprese salad in the summer! Pair perfectly ripe, juicy tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and peppery basil.
Bright green basil pesto is a natural fit with baked fish! This pesto salmon is an easy summer meal that also works to impress guests.
This plant-packed Sloppy Joes recipe has a tangy lentil filling that’s full of flavor and nutrients! It’s a laid back summer dinner everyone will love.
This summery raspberry lemonade is easy to make and bursting with fresh flavor! It’s loads better than anything you can buy from the store.
This cherry tomato pasta pairs sweet tomatoes blistered in a hot pan with fresh basil and Parmesan. An easy summer dinner idea that’s simply stunning!
This squash and zucchini casserole is a total crowd pleaser! A cozy summer side dish, it’s topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
Here’s a fresh spin on cherry limeade! Make this crowd pleasing summer drink by the glass, and you can adjust the flavors to taste.
Pesto cavatappi is a fast and easy summer dinner recipe that’s full of big flavor! The pesto cream sauce comes together in minutes.
This easy blueberry cobbler has a little magic! As it bakes, the blueberries sink to the bottom and the batter forms a golden crust on top.
Grilled bananas is a summer dessert everyone will rave about! Flavored with maple, cinnamon and nutmeg, they’re even better topped with ice cream.
The ideal summer recipe? Frose, aka frozen rosé wine! The one is all natural, featuring wine and strawberries.
These mind-blowing grilled tomatoes are easy and packed with smoky, juicy flavor. Serve them with herbs for a sensational summer treat.
Here’s the easiest, most refreshing cocktail: a white wine spritzer! Add bubbles to your favorite wine to make the ideal summer drink.
Here’s how to make strawberry shortcake: the classic way! Tender, biscuit-like shortcakes meet sweet berries and fluffy homemade whipped cream.
These grilled potatoes in foil are so easy to make, and they’re always a hit! Throw them on and forget about them while you make the rest of the meal. Or, skip the foil and make Crispy Grilled Potatoes.
This easy corn salad is fresh and full of tangy flavor, with bursts of bright tomato and basil! The classic summer salad for BBQs and picnics. Use grilled corn for Grilled Corn Salad.
Here’s how to make the best grilled green beans! Each bite is tender with a burst of salty, charred flavor: they’re simply irresistible.
This easy coleslaw recipe really is the best! The creamy, savory dressing and crunchy veggies make it totally irresistible.
The classic Aperol spritz is the ideal summer recipe! It’s light and bubbly, with hints of citrus and herbs: one of the most refreshing mixed drinks of all time.
This tomato basil salad captures the magic of the season! Marinate the flavors with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a recipe that’s pure summer. Also try Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad or Fresh Tomato Salad.
Here’s how to make the simplest, best grilled portobello mushrooms with big flavor! This method is fast and easy: no marinading time required.
Summer is time for dill pickles! Follow this easy, no fail tutorial to fill jars with the best tangy flavor and satisfying crunch.
Grilled peaches are easy to make and full of sweet and smoky flavor! Top with vanilla ice cream for the perfect summer grilled dessert.
Juicy cherry tomatoes contrast cool cucumber, salty olives, and savory feta cheese, with generous handfuls of parsley, dill, and a Greek-style vinaigrette dressing.
Elote is classic Mexican street corn, grilled and slathered in a irresistible sauce. This summer recipe has an added feature: built-in handles for easy eating!
Use those summer tomatoes for homemade pico de gallo! Just 6 ingredients, it’s the ideal dip for tortilla chips and topping for fish or tacos.
This strawberry summer salad is just right for the season, with a tangy strawberry vinaigrette salad dressing, pecans, and juicy berries!
This peach crisp with fresh juicy fruit is a summer classic! It’s got a sweet, vanilla-scented filling and a golden crunchy crumble.
This French main dish salad is legendary: for good reason! Nicoise salad is protein-packed and makes a stunning summer lunch or dinner (glass of wine optional).
More summer inspiration
Try some of these ideas for more refreshing, delicious seasonal eats:
- The spritz is the best bubbly drink for cooling off: try these 7 Spritz Recipes
- In a rush? Make simple sauteed zucchini or sauteed green beans
- Eat plant-forward? Try our 20 Best Summer Vegetarian Recipes
- Got berries? Try this classic blackberry crisp, blackberry salad or blackberry margarita
- Growing a big basil plant? Try a Gin Basil Smash, Basil “Collins” or of course, basil pesto.
60 Best Summer Recipes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This summer salad recipe is the best way to enjoy the season! Pair burrata or fresh mozzarella with summer fruit and fresh tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 4-ounce balls burrata cheese or fresh mozzarella cheese
Summer fruit: heirloom tomatoes, ripe peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew, berries, etc (we used 2 peaches and 1 handful cherry tomatoes) - 1 handful fresh basil leaves and thyme sprigs
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Chunky sea salt
Instructions
- Place 1 ball of cheese on the plate.
- Surround it with the summer fruit (sliced tomatoes or peaches, or berries).
- Top with torn basil leaves and other herbs. If desired, add torn pieces of another ball of cheese to add texture and visual appeal.
- Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with chunky sea salt. Serve immediately.
- Category: Salad
- Method: Fresh
- Cuisine: Summer
- Diet: Vegetarian
Keywords: Summer recipes
Let us know if you have any questions!
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thank you for all of these, love being able to take advantage of summer ingredients and these 50 recipes will help me cover a lot of them!
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