October might be my favorite month because it’s my birthday month! But it’s also when I fully lean into cozy cooking. The weather cools down, soup starts sounding like a good idea again, and suddenly I want apples, pumpkin, roasted vegetables, slow cooker dinners, and something warm baking in the oven.
It’s also the month when I start thinking ahead. Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away, but now is the time to save the recipes you’ll want later and make sure your favorite fall dishes are ready to go.
Here’s what I’m making in October.
What’s in Season in October
- Fruit: apples, pears, persimmons, cranberries, grapes, and figs.
- Vegetables: pumpkin, butternut squash, acorn squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, onions, and leeks.
If you only focus on a few ingredients this month, make it apples, pumpkin, squash, potatoes, and mushrooms.
Crocktober is here!
This month I launched a brand new email series called 31 Days of Slow Cooking. Sign up here and I’ll send you one slow cooker recipe every day in October, plus a printable tracker so you can check them off as you go.
It’s free, and you don’t have to be there on day one. Join on the 10th, the 20th, or whenever, and you’ll still start from the first recipe and get every single one.
And if you’d rather have everything in one place, my new Slow Cooker Cookbook is out now. It’s a digital download with 39 recipes, so you can print it or keep it on your phone or iPad.
Make Soup Season Official
This is the month I start making soup regularly again. A big batch means easy lunches, simple dinners, and something warm to come home to on chilly evenings. Just split the leftovers into a few shallow containers so they cool quickly before they go in the fridge.
Apple and Pumpkin Season Is Here
October baking is all about apples, pumpkin, cinnamon, and cozy desserts. Whether you’re baking for a weekend gathering or just because the kitchen smells amazing, these are the recipes worth making this month.
Easy Dinners for Busy Fall Nights
October can feel surprisingly busy. These are the dinners I rely on when I need something warm, comforting, and easy enough for a weeknight.
Slow Cooker Favorites and Game Day Food
Whether you’re feeding family, friends, or a house full of football fans, these recipes make life easier. Think chili, sliders, dips, and meals that practically cook themselves.
Halloween Treats and Party Food
Halloween is one of the most fun food holidays of the year.
I like keeping things simple with easy treats, fun desserts, crowd-pleasing snacks, and recipes that work for parties or family movie nights.
October Food Moments
October is full of food traditions, from apple picking and pumpkin patches to Halloween parties and game day gatherings. Here are a few dates worth knowing about this month. You don’t need to cook for all of them.
- Canadian Thanksgiving is Monday, October 12.
- National Pasta Day is October 17.
- National Pumpkin Day is October 26.
- National Chocolate Day is October 28.
- Halloween is Saturday, October 31.
If You Only Make 3 Recipes This Month
Start with:
They capture everything I love about October cooking.
Before October Ends
Start planning your Thanksgiving menu, save your favorite holiday side dishes, and make sure you have a dessert or two ready for the busy season ahead.
October is the perfect balance of cozy fall cooking and holiday anticipation, so enjoy it while it lasts.
Leave a Review!