While the sweltering heat of summer can at times feel unbearable, the incredible produce sure makes up for it. Tomatoes, corn, zucchini, cherries, peaches — I don’t know about you, but I’m already planning that 7 a.m. run to my local farmers market to grab the best of the best (i.e., the only time I’ll wake up that early on a weekend). So here are some of the best July recipes I found scouring the internet so that you can utilize all that summer produce in the best way possible.
1.Grilled Zucchini Corn Orzo Salad
It’s officially pasta salad summer, and there’s no better way to celebrate than grilling up the best in-season produce and tossing it all together with orzo and creamy goat cheese (or feta!).
Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Corn Orzo Salad
Think of this yogurt cake like a slightly lightened-up pound cake made with olive oil, yogurt, whole wheat flour, and less sugar. That means we can eat the whole thing, right?
Recipe: Blueberry Lemon Yogurt Cake
There’s no perfect way to showcase summer fruit than to put it all between a flaky crust. Use your favorites, or whatever looks good at your local farmers market!
Recipe: Summer Fruit Crostata
A little whimsy with a lot of flavor, beer can chicken has been making its rounds on social media, and it’s easy to see why. If you can look past the slight absurdity, you’ll be left with a tender, flavorful, low-effort chicken (and a great talking point).
Recipe: Beer Can Chicken
We’re officially declaring this summer shrimp roll summer (because who the heck wants to spend $35 on a skimpy lobster roll?!). The citrusy yuzu mayo paired with the classic Old Bay flavor in this one makes it a must for any summer gathering.
Recipe: Yuzu Old Bay Shrimp Roll
Burgers are great during a BBQ, but grilling up dozens of burgers with requests for different temperatures? A nightmare. These grilled wings will make hosting so much easier (and even include a secret ingredient to achieving ultimate crispiness).
Recipe: Grilled Chicken Wings
This dessert is so easy, I promise even the worst cook you know could make it. Plus, it only takes five minutes and is perfect for cooling you down on those sweltering summer days.
Recipe: Shaved Peach Ice
8.Salmon Crudo with Brown Butter, Citrus, and Soy
A no-cook recipe that’s just as delicious as it is beautiful? Count us in. This salmon crudo offers incredible contrasting flavors thanks to the tangy citrus and nutty brown butter. Serve with some simple steamed rice for a complete meal or on its own as a stunning appetizer.
Recipe: Salmon Crudo with Brown Butter, Citrus, and Soy
9.Charred Eggplant Pasta with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
The Original Dish / Via theoriginaldish.com
Smoky, spicy, tangy — this summer pasta is bound to make its way into your weekly meal rotation and even turn eggplant haters into huge fans.
Recipe: Charred Eggplant Pasta with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
There’s nothing quite like a beach sandwich in the summer, and this one’s got you set with layers of ham, mozzarella, roasted peppers, and tomato. Trust me, eating this under the July sun might just heal you.
Recipe: Summer Picnic Sandwich
The striking color of this beet labneh dip alone will have everyone asking, “What is that?!” Roast and peel your beets ahead of time, and this comes together in a pinch.
Recipe: Beet-Labneh Dip
12.Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad
You don’t have to arrange this salad into an aesthetic checkerboard, but it is scientifically proven to get a few “oohs” and “ahs” from your guests.
Recipe: Watermelon, Cucumber, and Feta Salad
13.Summer Tomato Risotto with Fennel and Fresh Herbs
We often associate the heartiness of risotto with the colder months, but this fresh and light tomato version is the ideal dinner for a summer night. It’s also naturally vegan, subbing out the cheese and butter for lots and lots of olive oil.
Recipe: Summer Tomato Risotto with Fennel and Fresh Herbs
14.Smoky Grilled Chicken with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce
Serve this with a flatbread of your choice (naan or pita would be incredible) for a meal that’s just as good on day one as it is on day three.
Recipe: Smoky Grilled Chicken with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce
I bet galettes don’t come top of mind when you think of grilling recipes, but we’re here to change that. Your grill will be on all day during the 4th anyway, so why not throw a dessert on there?
Recipe: Grilled Blueberry Galette
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The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com
The ultimate meal for when you girl bossed a little too close to the sun with your gardening and are now overwhelmed with all the zucchini in your backyard. Make sure you’re squeezing out all the excess liquid for the crispiest results.
Recipe: Zucchini Fritters
17.Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
Recipe Tin Eats / Via recipetineats.com
Chimichurri is the best way to level up any protein, and it works wonders to add a little brightness to grilled steak.
Recipe: Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
18.Grilled Corn On the Cob with Chipotle Lime Butter
Grilled corn on the cob never disappoints. But grilled corn on the cob with chipotle lime butter? That straight-up impresses.
Recipe: Grilled Corn On the Cob with Chipotle Lime Butter
19.Strawberry Shortcakes with Sumac, Whipped Labneh, and Mint
This is your grandma’s strawberry shortcake all grown up. Yes, making the three components is a labor of love, but it’s so worth it. (And if you don’t want to make your own shortcakes, you can always use day-old pound cake.)
Recipe: Strawberry Shortcakes with Sumac, Whipped Labneh, and Mint
A fruity twist on the classic, this gazpacho is made with juicy watermelon, cucumber, and tomato, then garnished with crumbled feta and fresh mint for a sweet and savory dish.
Recipe: Watermelon Gazpacho
21.Pan Con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread)
If you really want your summer tomatoes to speak for themselves, look no further than pan con tomate. The ingredients here are minimal and simple, so make sure you’re grabbing the best you can find.
Recipe: Pan Con Tomate (Spanish Tomato Bread)
Peach cobbler. In pancake form. Need I say more?
Recipe: Peach Pancakes
23.Grilled Oysters with Garlic Herb Sauce
Grilled oysters are just one of those things that scream summer. If you’re new to shucking these bad boys, make sure you’re following some sort of guide and have the right tools so you don’t injure yourself!
Recipe: Grilled Oysters with Garlic Herb Sauce
A Beautiful Plate / Via abeautifulplate.com
Single-layer snacking cakes are what summer is all about, especially when they include the ideal pairing of pistachio and raspberries.
Recipe: Raspberry Pistachio Cake
While the grilled shrimp on these tacos are delicious, the slaw and spicy mayo really help bring everything home for an easy and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Tacos
26.Roasted Veggie Summer Salad
Not every summer salad has to be solely made up of raw veggies! Throw some of your favorite summer produce on the grill for a side dish or vegetarian main that feels fresh yet hearty.
Recipe: Roasted Veggie Summer Salad
All you need are 10 minutes and six ingredients for this tart and sweet cocktail. Batch it to serve a crowd and dress up your glasses for the perfect party drink.
Recipe: Spiked Cherry Limeade
This frittata is probably the best thing you can do with expensive eggs right now. It’s also totally customizable — add meat, roasted veggies, pesto, or whatever else you can dream up!
Recipe: Caprese Frittata
29.Jerk Tofu and Roasted Plantain Bowls
Who knew you could pack this much flavor in one bowl? You’ll find yourself craving this spicy-sweet vegan meal over and over again.
Recipe: Jerk Tofu and Roasted Plantain Bowls
30.Tomato and Chargrilled Pepper Soup with Feta and Bacon
Charring your vegetables brings a ton of flavor to whatever you’re making. No grill? No problem! You can cook them right on your gas stovetop (or a super high heat oven).
Recipe: Tomato and Chargrilled Pepper Soup with Feta and Bacon
Cucumbers? In summer? Groundbreaking, I know. But there’s a reason this refreshing veggie ends up in everything from our salads to our cocktails as the temperatures reach 90-plus degrees, and this drink is sure to cool you down when that happens.
Recipe: Cucumber Mint Gin Fizz
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This post was curated with recipes from the Tasty library using AI and edited by our staff.
