What To Cook In July

July is when my kitchen really starts to feel like summer. I always come home with juicy tomatoes, fresh zucchini, sweet berries, peaches, and more herbs than I planned to buy.

If you're wondering what to cook with July's freshest produce, I've rounded up the easy summer recipes I come back to every year. You'll find quick dinners, fresh salads, BBQ sides, light lunches, and simple desserts perfect for warm July days.

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What's In Season In July?

Whether you're looking for easy Fourth of July recipes, quick summer weeknight dinners, fresh BBQ side dishes, no-cook salads, refreshing summer drinks, or simple desserts filled with berries and stone fruit, you'll find plenty of delicious inspiration below. Let's get cooking!

What To Cook In July

Fourth Of July Favorites

What's in season:

• Potato Salad
• Pasta Salad
• BBQ Chicken
• Burgers

More Recipe ideas:

• No Bake Cheesecake
• Coleslaw
• Hot Dogs
• Strawberry Cheesecake
• Fruit Salad

Tomatoes 🍅

July tomatoes are the ones I wait for all summer. They're sweet, juicy, and perfect for salads, sandwiches, pasta, salsa, and easy dinners.

More Recipe ideas:

• Bruschetta
• Sandwiches
• Tomato Pasta
• Tomato Salmon Skillet

Sweet Corn 🌽

Fresh corn is one of my favorite July ingredients. I usually buy a few extra ears because leftover corn is so good in salads, tacos, pasta, and summer bowls.

Avocado Corn Salad

This Corn Tomato Avocado Salad is one of those recipes I make on repeat all summer long. Sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado come together in a fresh, colorful side dish.

RECIPE

Corn Salsa (Fresh or Frozen)

Fresh Corn Salsa that tastes like Chipotle. This quick, easy, and healthy dip is made with fresh or frozen corn and simple ingredients, perfect for tacos and parties.

RECIPE

Mexican Corn Dip With Sour Cream

Cold corn dip is an easy and delicious dip loaded with corn in a creamy base with sour cream, shredded cheese, salty chopped bacon, scallions, and chopped jalapenos.

RECIPE

More Recipe ideas:

• Corn Salad
• Corn Fritters
• Corn Dip

Zucchini & Summer Squash 🌱

July is peak zucchini season, and there are so many delicious ways to turn this versatile summer vegetable into an easy meal. I love using it in quick dinners, simple sides, and sweet summer baking.

Roasted Garlic-Parmesan Zucchini

This roasted garlic-Parmesan zucchini, squash and tomatoes recipe is a quick, flavorful summer side dish made on one sheet pan in just 40 minutes!

RECIPE

Baked Butternut Squash

Make Baked Butternut Squash with brown sugar and cinnamon in a few easy steps. You'll love how tender and caramelized this butternut squash is thanks to spices and brown sugar glaze.

RECIPE

Roasted Squash Dip (Kabachkovaya Ikra)

This roasted squash dip, also known as Kabachkovaya Ikra in Russian, is one of those recipes I grew up eating every summer. It's simple, light, and full of flavor.

RECIPE

Savory Zucchini Waffles

These Savory Cheesy Zucchini Waffles are crispy, cheesy, and perfect for a healthy, family-friendly meal. Easy to make and great for picky eaters!

RECIPE

Recipe ideas:

• Zucchini Fritters
• Stuffed Zucchini Boats
• Blueberry Zucchini Cake
• Zucchini Date Nut Bread

Cucumbers 🥒

Cucumbers are exactly what I want in July: cool, crisp, and refreshing. I always keep them in the fridge for quick salads, no-cook sides, and easy lunches.

Crunchy Cucumber Carrot Salad

This refreshing and crunchy cucumber, carrot, and zucchini salad is packed with flavor and a breeze to make. Tossed in a simple olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing with a hint of sugar and salt, it's a perfect side dish for any meal.

RECIPE

Creamy Salmon Cucumber Rolls

Looking for a healthy and flavorful snack? Try these easy-to-make avocado salmon cucumber rolls, perfect for a quick and satisfying bite. You'll fall in love the the cream cheese filling.

RECIPE

Flourless Carrot Tortillas

These flourless carrot tortillas are an easy high-protein lunch idea made with carrots, mozzarella, and eggs. Perfect for meal prep, healthy wraps, and busy weekdays when you need something simple and satisfying.

RECIPE

Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

This Mediterranean Cucumber Salad is the best side salad to pair with any main dish. It's refreshing flavor pairs well with any grilled food or can be served as a part of multiple appetizers.

RECIPE

Recipe ideas:

• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Avocado Salad With Tomatoes and Cucumbers
• Cabbage Cucumber Salad

Bell Peppers 🫑

Bell peppers are one of those vegetables I almost always have in my fridge during July. They add bright color, crunch, and sweetness to salads, fajitas, grilled vegetables, and easy skillet dinners.

Hummus With Roasted Red Pepper

Hummus with roasted red peppers is creamy, savory, with smoky pepper flavors and a little spicy kick to it. Don't limit yourself to boring hummus flavors.

RECIPE

Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers

These Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers offer a delicious twist on the traditional recipe. The peppers are perfectly cooked and filled with a savory mixture of ground turkey, cheese and rice, making it a mouth-watering dish to enjoy.

RECIPE

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Mexican Stuffed Peppers are a new twist on the classic stuffed pepper recipe. These perfectly baked peppers are loaded with pulled chicken, rich red enchilada sauce, seasonings, plenty of cheese, rice, and of course beans.

RECIPE

Recipe ideas:

• Vegetable Kabobs
• Sheet Pan Fajitas
• Shrimp Fajitas
• Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Eggplant 🍆

Eggplant is perfect for July meals. I love it grilled or roasted for pasta, dips, and easy Mediterranean-style dinners.

Roasted Eggplant Spread

Eggplant spread is so easy to make, versatile, and truly delicious! You are going to love this roasted eggplant dip or spread recipe, which is a great variation of baba ganoush.

RECIPE

Thai Eggplant Curry

This Thai Red Eggplant Curry is loaded with umami savory flavor, combining fried eggplant with sauteed onion, classic Thai spices, red curry paste, creamy coconut milk, fresh lime juice, and juicy tomatoes.

RECIPE

Tomato Eggplant Pasta

Eggplant pasta - Quick and easy vegetable pasta loaded with tender garlicky eggplant bites, herbs, bell peppers and served in delicious tomato sauce. Nutritional, comforting, and easy weeknight meal.

RECIPE

Recipe ideas:

• Eggplant Parmesan
• Sauteed Eggplant Salad

Green Beans 🫛

Fresh green beans are one of the easiest July vegetables to cook. I usually make them as a quick side dish with grilled chicken, salmon, burgers, or simple summer dinners.

Green Bean Casserole With Bacon

This Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Bacon is a fresh, from-scratch take on the holiday classic, complete with homemade fried onions.

RECIPE

Lemon Garlic Green Beans

Fresh green beans are smothered in butter, garlic, and lemon zest in this easy recipe for Lemon Garlic Green Beans. Crispy, crunchy, and loaded with flavor they are about to become your new favorite side dish.

RECIPE

Recipe ideas:

• Quick Veggie & Tofu Stir Fry
• Stir Fry Green Beans
• Vegetarian Thai Red Curry

Watermelon 🍉

Watermelon is a must for July. It's cold, juicy, and always the first thing to disappear at BBQs, picnics, and hot summer afternoons.

Watermelon Strawberry Salad

Watermelon Strawberry Salad is a delicious light, refreshing summer salad loaded with fresh sweet strawberries, juicy watermelon, and feta cheese and topped with Lime Honey Dressing.

RECIPE

Spicy Watermelon Margarita

This may be the best use for watermelon yet! These Spicy Watermelon Basil Margaritas are sweet, refreshing with a little kick of spicy flavor that comes from homemade chili sweet syrup and the delicious salted chili rim.

RECIPE

Berry Watermelon Banana Smoothie

Make a yummy and refreshing watermelon banana smoothie! Just blend together frozen watermelon, mixed berries, yogurt, and your favorite milk.

RECIPE

Recipe ideas:

• Watermelon Salsa
• Watermelon Fries
• Watermelon Slushies

Blueberries & Blackberries 🫐

Blueberries and blackberries are perfect for July breakfasts and desserts. I usually buy extra for muffins, crisps, smoothies, and yogurt bowls.

Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal is a hearty and sweet breakfast treat that is super easy to make. It can be an easy make-ahead breakfast or a healthier dessert, call it whatever you like, it is delicious!

RECIPE

Lemon Blueberry Bread

This lemon-blueberry bread is packed with lemon flavour and juicy fresh blueberries, topped with a tart lemon glaze for a beautiful lemon blueberry bread.

RECIPE

Blueberry Muffins With Yogurt

Have you ever tried making blueberry muffins with yogurt? The creamy yogurt adds moisture and a subtle tangy flavor which balances the sweet and tart blueberries in these light and fluffy muffins.

RECIPE

Recipe ideas:

• Blueberry Cream Cheese
• Banana Blueberry Bread

Fresh Herbs 🌿

Basil, dill, parsley, mint, cilantro, and chives make July meals taste brighter. I almost always keep a few bunches in the fridge for salads, sauces, grilled dinners, and quick dressings.

Recipe ideas:

• Chimichurri Steak
• Easy Parsley Sauce
• Apple Kale Salad

Grilled Dishes For July 🔥

July is the month when I rely on the grill as much as possible. It keeps the kitchen cooler and makes dinner feel easier with fresh sides like corn salad, cucumber salad, or sliced tomatoes.

Grilled Chicken and Beetroot Salad

This healthy beetroot salad is an easy salad recipe for all those who love beets and their naturally sweet flavor!

RECIPE

Easy Shrimp Tacos (Grill or Pan!)

Easy Shrimp Tacos are made with large and tender shrimp that have been marinated before grilled and then packed into corn or flour tortillas.

RECIPE

Grilled Cheese With Tomato Sandwiches

Grilled cheese sandwiches have always been a favorite comfort food for many people. Now, thanks to the popularity of air fryers, there's a new tasty version: the Air Fryer Grilled Cheese With Tomato. It's crispy, cheesy, and delicious!

RECIPE

More Recipe ideas:

• Chicken Skewers
• Roasted Vegetables
• Vegetable Kabobs

Easy Summer Dinners For July

When July gets hot, I want dinners that are fresh, simple, and not too heavy. I usually build meals around grilled protein, pasta salads, fresh vegetables, and quick sides that don't take much effort.

Italian Vegetable Stew

This easy Italian vegetable stew is a hearty, healthy one-pot dinner packed with zucchini, carrots, and bell pepper. Perfect for summer and totally plant-based!

RECIPE

Healthy Vegetable Frittata

This Healthy Vegetable Frittata dish is packed with loads of extra veggies so you can get at least one portion out of 5-a-day needed. Easy to make during busy weeknights and require less than 30 minutes of your time.

RECIPE

Low-Carb Inside Out Egg Roll

If you're looking for a low-carb dish that's sure to satisfy your Chinese food cravings then this Low-Carb Inside Out Egg Roll is a must-try!

RECIPE

Mediterranean Chickpea Pasta Salad

This salad is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep since it tastes even better the next day. Just drizzle on a little extra dressing or olive oil before serving, and you're good to go!

RECIPE