11 Recipes Our Editors Can’t Stop Thinking About Making This July

It’s July, which means spring picnics are behind us and summer potluck chaos is upon us. And by chaos, I mean utter chaos. First and foremost, the onslaught of fresh, in-season produce has me fully committed. My fridge is currently overflowing with peaches, cherries, berries, cucumbers, and garlic scapes, but I’m somehow convinced I have room for more. Then there’s the sneaky heat, which I’m adamant about fighting with cold salads, icy drinks, and a stubborn will to stay cool. I’m even prepping for those picnics, too. (Might I suggest investing in an ice chest to keep your feta from liquefying? Or perusing our no-cook recipes that won’t turn your kitchen into a furnace?)

When I polled our editors for their favorite recipes this month, one theme stood out: a collective craving for punchy, salty flavors, mostly made without the use of a stove. This includes charred corn salads, creamy yogurt pastas, and tangy pickle dips, along with a Vietnamese stuffed tomato recipe that signals the long-awaited arrival of tomato season. Keep reading to explore all 11 of our editor-approved picks this month, and I guarantee you’ll find something to make.

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“We’re having a neighborhood barbecue soon, and this salad will be my contribution. It’s got all the components of a star potluck recipe: smoky bacon, crisp bits of fruit (apple, in this case), crunchy nuts, and a super creamy dressing. I already know I’m going to hear about how good those pickled raisins are, and of course, I agree.” – Ashlee Redger, Writer

Get Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Salad

“I’ve been thinking about these stuffed tomatoes since I saw them pop up on our editorial calendar! Stuffing tomatoes may sound fussy, but our contributor Vy Tran‘s recipe is fairly straightforward, and I can’t wait to eat it with a big bowl of rice.” – Genevieve Yam, Senior Editor

Get Recipe: Vietnamese Stuffed Tomatoes

“If anyone is ever looking for me at a cookout or party, find the wavy chips and sour cream and onion dip, and there you’ll find me. That salty, creamy, crunchy combo of classic sour cream and onion dip just calls to me, but I’ve found an even louder voice calling me to the chip bowl: this sour cream– and mayo-based pickle dip, which is loaded with chopped pickles and topped with crispy pickle brine–infused breadcrumbs. When a friend asked me to bring a dish to a July Fourth picnic, I knew this was the one. I’ll be bringing it, along with a bag or two of wavy chips (pickle flavored, of course) for dipping!” – Megan O. Steintrager, Associate Editorial Director

Get Recipe: Fried Pickle Dip

“I can’t stop thinking about this salad: creamy avocado, sweet corn, meaty poblanos. The crunchy coating of Fritos puts it over the top and onto my meal prep list.” – Grace Kelly, Senior Editor

Get Recipe: Charred Corn Salad

“This recipe for plump, juicy shrimp requires just a handful of ingredients and comes together in less than 30 minutes, which is exactly what I want on a busy weeknight.” – Genevieve

Get Recipe: Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp)

“Peanut sauce rules everything around me, especially when I’m dipping, dunking, and smothering it on my favorite summer vegetables. I can’t wait to bring a platter of gado gado to my next dinner party so everyone can experience the creamy joys of peanut sauce together.” – Jess Eng, Associate Editor

Get Recipe: Gado Gado

“Hot pasta, cool yogurt, spiced meat, and toasty nuts—this sounds like the perfect filling (but not too filling) summer meal. Way better than boring ol’ mac and cheese or pasta salad. I’m so excited to make Laila’s first published recipe for us as a staff editor!” – Leah Colins, Senior Culinary Editor

Related: Macarona bil laban

Cheese Foam Tea

“All summer long, my cravings for a chilled cup of tea never stop. And so I’ll ransack my tea cabinet for loose tea leaves and whip up cold brew after cold brew. When I’m feeling extra fancy or serving my friends, I like to add a dollop of cheese foam to the top, too.” – Jess

Get Recipe: Cheese Foam Tea

“Somehow I have never eaten—much less made—a poke cake, but since the topping is my favorite part of any cake, I am very excited to make this summery strawberry poke cake. It has three toppings: a jammy syrup that gets poured into holes poked into the cake (thus the name), a topping of whipped cream thickened with cream cheese, and a layer of sliced fresh strawberries. The cream cheese keeps the topping in place and stops it from weeping into the other layers. And there’s absolutely no weeping allowed in my kitchen.” – Megan

Get Recipe: Strawberry Poke Cake

“I’m mentally prepping for back to back BBQs next weekend. Already, a ton of people have volunteered various skewers, burgers, and hot dogs. But I know the party will want (no need) a smoky, salty, extra luscious dish, and this corn will undoubtedly bring that much needed heat.” – Jess

Get Recipe: Smoked Paprika Harissa Butter

“It’s July! It’s scorching hot, I’m tired, and I want something sweet, so I’ll do what Italians do and pour some espresso over creamy gelato.” – Genevieve

Get Recipe: Affogato

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