What to Eat in August: Late Summer Recipes and Easy Meal Ideas

August is a funny little month for cooking.

It still feels like summer, but routines start coming back. I still want to enjoy tomato salads, zucchini recipes, peach desserts, grilled dinners, cold lunches, and easy meals that don’t make the kitchen hotter than it already is.

And I know it’s early, but this is also when I start getting excited about apple cider donuts at the farmers market. I’m not ready for pumpkin everything yet, but a warm cinnamon-sugar donut? Absolutely.

What’s in Season in August

August is the month to make the most of late-summer produce.

• Fruit: peaches, nectarines, plums, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, watermelon, and cherries.
• Vegetables: tomatoes, corn, zucchini, cucumbers, green beans, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, salad greens, and fresh herbs.

If you only focus on a few ingredients this month, make it tomatoes, zucchini, peaches, corn, and watermelon.

Use the Tomatoes Before They’re Gone

August tomatoes are some of the best of the year. Use them in sandwiches, salads, pasta, and easy dinners while they still taste like summer.

1

Chicken Caprese

Chicken Caprese is a quick and easy dinner of pan-seared chicken breast topped with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, in a simple fresh sauce.

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2

Turkish Pasta

The best Turkish Pasta recipe, my version is made with rich browned butter, savory meat sauce, toasted pine nuts, and garlicky yogurt.

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3

Burrata Salad

This Italian-inspired Burrata Salad is a showstopper! It's fresh, vibrant, and loaded with beautiful colors and textures, but the best thing about this burrata recipe is that it can be made with just a handful of humble flavorful ingredients.

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4

Fattoush Salad

Lebanese Fattoush Salad is a Middle Eastern favorite, and easy to make at home with fresh veggies, fried pita, and the best homemade dressing.

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5

Briam Greek roasted vegetables

Briam or Briami is a wonderful Mediterranean dish packed with veggies and flavor! It's a traditional Greek dish, and usually enjoyed with feta cheese, crusty bread, and olives.

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Too Much Zucchini? Start Here.

This is the month when zucchini seems to be everywhere. Bake with it, turn it into fritters, or add it to easy weeknight dinners.

6

Zucchini Fritters

Tender on the inside, and crisp and crunchy on the edges, these zucchini fritters are perfectly cooked and so simple to make!

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7

Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

Tender strips of chicken and crisp-tender zucchini are cooked in a light garlic and ginger sauce. This quick chicken zucchini stir fry is ready in 30 minutes and makes an easy dinner served over jasmine rice.

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8

Zucchini Lasagna

This zucchini lasagna uses thinly sliced zucchini instead of pasta, layered with a simple beef marinara and a creamy ricotta cheese mixture. The zucchini is roasted first to keep everything from getting watery, so the final bake comes out rich and structured. It is lighter than traditional lasagna but still hearty and filling.

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9

Zucchini Ground Beef Boats

A savory classic zucchini recipe, these zucchini boats are filled with a rich meat sauce and topped with melted cheeses for a satisfying low-carb and gluten-free meal. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep because the boats are easy to assemble and bake.

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10

Baked Chicken Thighs With Summer Vegetables

Bone in skin on chicken thighs roast over baby potatoes, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, lemon, and thyme for an easy one pan dinner. The chicken cooks until tender with golden skin, while the vegetables soften underneath in the lemony pan juices.

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Easy Dinners for Back-to-Routine Nights

August gets busy fast. These dinners are simple enough for weeknights but still fresh enough for late summer.

11

Chicken Zucchini Pasta

A fresh and creamy weeknight pasta dish made with tender chicken, sautéed zucchini, and a lemon-Parmesan cream sauce. It comes together in just 30 minutes and is full of flavor.

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12

Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders

A quick and simple recipe for Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders is about to become your new favorite weeknight meal. The sweet sauce is amazing with a side of rice.

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13

Greek Meatballs (Keftedes)

Greek meatballs, also called keftedes, are made with ground beef, grated onion, fresh herbs, garlic, and oregano. The grated onion adds moisture, so the meatballs stay tender without needing pork. Pan-fry them for the best browning, or bake them for an easier, hands-off option.

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14

Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowls

These street corn chicken rice bowls are made with juicy chili-lime chicken, long grain rice, creamy charred corn salad, avocado, cotija or feta, quick pickled onions, and fresh lime.

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15

Gnocchi With Pomodoro Sauce

You will love this Italian flavored gnocchi with sauce; rich al Pomodoro sauce coating pillowy potato pasta goodness. Topped with melted and crispy cheese, and extra fresh herbs. A family-friendly dinner that you can make in just 30 minutes!

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Lunches, Salads, and Make-Ahead Food

This is the time to keep a few useful recipes in the fridge. Think pasta salads, chicken salads, wraps, grain salads, and anything that works for lunch or dinner.

16

Green Goddess Chicken Salad

This green goddess chicken salad is a creamy, herby chicken salad made with rotisserie chicken and a quick blended dressing. It’s ready in 15 minutes and works well for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or easy packed lunches.

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17

Cottage Cheese Egg Salad

This delicious cottage cheese egg salad is creamy without any mayonnaise and high in protein thanks to full-fat cottage cheese. Seasoned with dill and smoked paprika and filled with crunchy veggies, it’s quick to make and perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or crackers.

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18

Southwest Chicken Wraps

Southwest Chicken Wraps are made in under 15 minutes with juicy pan-seared chicken breasts and the perfect combination of delicious fillings.

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19

Greek Orzo Salad

Greek Orzo Salad is what you make on a hot summer day! This pasta salad is colorful, bright, flavorful, fresh, healthy, and filling. All you have to do is make the dressing, dice up the veg, and assemble!

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20

Kidney Bean Salad

This vegan-friendly, simple, and nutritious red kidney bean salad is dressed with a deliciously tangy Mediterranean-inspired vinaigrette.

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Simple Seasonal Desserts

August desserts should be easy and fruit-forward. And don’t forget to bake with zucchini!

21

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Rich, moist, and packed with chocolate chips, this double chocolate zucchini bread is made with shredded zucchini and Greek yogurt for a soft, tender crumb.

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22

Zucchini Bread

This zucchini bread is soft, moist, and warmly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and freshly grated zucchini. It is an easy summer quick bread that works for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.

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23

Peach Pie

It’s easy to make a homemade peach pie using this peach pie recipe that includes fresh peaches, warm spices and a flaky crust.

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24

Mexican Fruit Salad

Easy and refreshing Mexican Fruit Salad, perfect for hot summer days! Serve it in a hollowed-out pineapple half for an impressive presentation.

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25

Cherry Pie Filling

A simple and versatile homemade cherry pie filling that’s perfect for pies, crisps, cheesecakes, or spooned over pancakes. Sweet, tangy, and made with real ingredients in just 20 minutes.

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26

Cherry Muffins

Homemade Cherry Muffins with almond extract are packed with fresh cherry flavor, with a moist and chewy texture.

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Before August ends, make the tomato recipes. Use the zucchini. Buy the peaches. Keep watermelon cold in the fridge. And if you see apple cider donuts at the farmers market, get one!

By the second half of the month, I usually start thinking about apple baking, cinnamon, cosy dinners, and the first pumpkin recipes of the year. But I’m not rushing August. There are still plenty of tomatoes and peaches to enjoy first.