July is for easy food that tastes like summer: juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, ripe peaches, cold watermelon, big salads, grilled dinners, and simple desserts that do not ask too much of you.
Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, a picnic in the park, a long weekend with family, or a simple dinner on the patio, this is the month for fresh, unfussy food.
Tip!
July is also one of the few times of year you’ll find fresh sour cherries, so if you spot them at the market, grab a bag and make a cherry pie, crisp, or compote.
Here are the July recipes I’m reaching for this month, from fresh tomato ideas and summer salads to easy dinners, grilling recipes, and fruit desserts.
What’s in Season in July
- Fruit: peaches, nectarines, apricots, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, sour cherries, watermelon, and strawberries.
- Vegetables: tomatoes, corn, zucchini, cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers, eggplant, green beans, peppers, new potatoes, artichokes, salad greens, and fresh herbs.
Five Things I’m Buying on Repeat
My shopping cart always seems to include:
- Tomatoes
- Peaches
- Corn
- Watermelon
- Fresh basil
With those five ingredients, you can make sandwiches, salads, sides, desserts, and easy dinners all month long.
Tip!
If you’re growing basil this year, now’s the time to put it to good use. Start with a batch of homemade basil pesto, then use it all week in creamy pesto gnocchi, pesto chicken pasta, pesto potato salad, or even a Caprese sandwich with pesto aioli.
Have Too Many Tomatoes? Good.
This is the best kind of July problem.
A good tomato barely needs anything, but these recipes are a great place to start if you’re looking for new ways to use them.
Keep One Big Salad in the Fridge
A good summer salad makes lunch easier, rounds out dinner, and works for BBQs, picnics, and potlucks. These are the salads I keep coming back to all month long.
Too Hot to Cook? Start Here.
When it’s hot outside, the last thing I want is a complicated dinner.
These recipes are fresh, simple, and perfect for warm evenings when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
Fire Up the Grill
July is grilling season.
Whether you’re planning a cookout, celebrating the Fourth of July, or just trying to keep the kitchen cool, these recipes make dinner easy.
Desserts That Taste Like July
July desserts should be easy and fruit-forward:
Before July Ends
Make the tomato recipes while tomatoes are good. Buy the peaches before you miss the best ones. Cook with sweet corn while it’s in season. Keep watermelon cold in the fridge, and save a few easy dinner ideas for the hottest nights. July is short, and these are the recipes that make the most of it!
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