What’s in Season? These 27 Summer Recipes Know

When you’re cooking in the thick of summer, it helps to stick with ingredients that are actually in season—these summer recipes know. They’re built around what tastes great right now, so things come together easily and actually make sense to eat when it’s hot out. Whether you're shopping at a market or just trying to use up what’s in your fridge, this is the kind of lineup that doesn’t overcomplicate things. Simple prep, good timing, and food that actually feels right for the moment.

A top-down view of stir-fried green beans with coconut on a white plate, accompanied by a white napkin and fork.

Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

Green bean casserole with cream cheese comes together quickly using fresh or canned beans. It’s an easy way to make the most of what’s in season.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

Grilled Asparagus

Grilled asparagus takes just 25 minutes and uses only five ingredients. It’s a simple choice that shows off how good fresh asparagus can be.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus

Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole

A white dish with green bean casserole in it. — Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This cheesy air fryer green bean casserole cooks fast and brings great texture. It’s a smart pick when you want something easy and in season.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Green Bean Casserole

Summer Gazpacho

An overhead image of two gazpacho dish in a white bowl. — Summer Gazpacho. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Gazpacho uses fresh summer vegetables and is served cold. It’s a good way to stay cool while using up produce that’s peaking.
Get the Recipe: Summer Gazpacho

Spinach Avocado Salad

Spinach and avocado salad with tomatoes and radishes comes with a bright lemon vinaigrette. It’s a no-fuss option that makes use of summer greens.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad

Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken is made in one pan and comes together quickly. It’s a solid dinner that works well when fresh tomatoes are around.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad

Radicchio and endive chicken salad with honey mustard dressing is built for warmer days. The crisp greens make it a strong seasonal pick.
Get the Recipe: Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad

Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut

Stir-fried green beans with coconut and spices come together in 30 minutes. It’s a flavorful way to use fresh beans in a quick meal.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fry Green Beans with Coconut

Pesto Tortellini Salad

A close up view of cooked tortellini pasta salad in a white bowl. — Pesto Tortellini Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This tortellini pasta salad takes just 20 minutes and uses less than 10 ingredients. It’s a solid side for any summer potluck or picnic.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

A casserole dish with zucchini and cheese on it. — Cheesy Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Zucchini casserole with melted cheese bakes easily and feeds a crowd. It’s one way to handle the extra squash that shows up in summer.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Squash and zucchini casserole comes together in 30 minutes with minimal prep. It’s a go-to when you need something fast using summer vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Close up of beet salad on a white platter with two forks on the right side. — Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Roasted beet salad with goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette fits right into seasonal menus. It’s built around ingredients that are best in summer.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

This slow cooker green bean casserole needs just 10 minutes of prep. It’s a hands-off side dish that works for holidays or casual dinners.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Summer Slow Cooker Frittata

Slow cooker frittata with zucchini and sun-dried tomatoes takes little effort. It’s a good pick when fresh summer veg is on hand and time is short.
Get the Recipe: Summer Slow Cooker Frittata

Heirloom Caprese Salad

An overhead photo of caprese salad served in a white bowl. — Heirloom Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Caprese salad uses just six ingredients and leans on ripe tomatoes and fresh basil. It’s one of the simplest ways to cook with what’s in season.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Caprese Salad

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

This cheesy green bean casserole is done in 30 minutes and topped with a crisp layer. It’s a classic side that fits right in during green bean season.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Quick Cherry Tomato and Garlic Confit

Two glass jars of cherry tomatoes and garlic confit on a white surface. — Quick Cherry Tomato and Garlic Confit. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cherry tomato confit needs almost no active prep and uses up extra tomatoes. It’s a smart way to stretch peak-season produce into later meals.
Get the Recipe: Quick Cherry Tomato and Garlic Confit

Trenette al Pesto

Trenette al pesto brings together basil, potatoes, and green beans in one dish. It’s a quick meal that uses up ingredients at their summer best.
Get the Recipe: Trenette al Pesto

Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon and Goat cheese

Green beans with cranberries, bacon, and goat cheese balance sweet and savory in one pan. It’s a bold side that fits right into summer meals.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans with Cranberries, Bacon and Goat cheese

Mango Avocado Salad

An overhead image of avocado salad in a serving bowl. — Mango Avocado Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mango avocado salad with lemon vinaigrette takes 15 minutes to throw together. It’s light, quick, and perfect for when fruit is at its peak.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Ethiopian Cabbage

Ethiopian cabbage stew cooks in one pot and is ready in 30 minutes. It’s a warming, easy meal that works well when cabbage is in season.
Get the Recipe: Ethiopian Cabbage

Slow Cooker Cabbage

Slow cooker cabbage is packed with garlic flavor and takes almost no effort. It’s a useful way to cook with in-season greens without much prep.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cabbage

Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema on a white plate surrounded by limes, cilantro, and a glass of beer. — Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema is easy to pull off and pairs well with fresh sides. It’s a great summer dinner that keeps things simple.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Din Tai Fung Green Beans

Overhead view of green beans placed on a paper towel on a platter. — Din Tai Fung Green Beans. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Garlic green beans inspired by Din Tai Fung need just four ingredients. They’re fast, bold, and make the most of green beans when they’re in season.
Get the Recipe: Din Tai Fung Green Beans

Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

An overhead image of two cabbage soups in a white serving bowl. — Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

One-pot vegan cabbage soup is hearty and easy to batch cook. It’s a solid choice when cabbage is fresh and you want something you can reheat.
Get the Recipe: Easy One Pot Cabbage Soup

Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken

Italian baked chicken filled with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil brings big flavor. It’s a great dinner that leans on peak-season tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Mozzarella Baked Chicken

Tomato Basil Bisque

Tomato basil bisque uses fresh tomatoes and parmesan for a cozy soup. It’s a way to hold on to summer flavors as the weather shifts.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque