The Summer Produce List: 20 Seasonal Favorites + What to Cook With Them

There’s something magical about summer produce. It’s vibrant, juicy, and full of flavor — the kind of food that barely needs fussing with. Whether you’re stocking your farmers’ market tote or planning your next backyard dinner, these 20 in-season ingredients are your go-to guide for what to buy and what to cook all summer long.

Here’s what’s in season — and how to make the most of it.

1. Peaches

Sweet, juicy peaches are one of summer’s greatest pleasures. Whether enjoyed fresh out of hand, grilled, baked into desserts, or tossed into salads, their fragrant flavor and tender texture make them one of the season’s most versatile fruits. Peak-season peaches are noticeably sweeter and more aromatic than those available during the rest of the year.

Recipe: Grilled Peach & Burrata Salad — Slice and grill until caramelized, then serve with creamy burrata, pistachios, and a drizzle of honey.

2. Tomatoes

Nothing compares to the flavor of a vine-ripened summer tomato. Warm days and abundant sunshine produce tomatoes that are exceptionally sweet, juicy, and full of flavor, making them perfect for everything from fresh salads and sandwiches to homemade sauces and salsas.

Recipe: Heirloom Tomato & Ricotta Tart — Juicy slices o tomatoes with ricotta and basil on a flaky puff pastry crust.

3. Corn

Fresh sweet corn is a hallmark of summer dining. Picked at its peak, the kernels are crisp, juicy, and naturally sweet, requiring little more than a pat of butter and a sprinkle of salt. Corn also shines in salads, chowders, salsas, and countless grilled dishes.

Recipe: Mexican Street Corn (Elote) — Grill whole ears and slather with mayo, cotija, lime juice, and chili powder.

4. Strawberries

Summer strawberries are bursting with sweetness and vibrant color. While they’re available year-round, locally grown berries harvested during their natural season offer the best flavor and texture. They’re equally delicious in desserts, breakfast dishes, salads, and refreshing beverages.

Recipe: Roasted Strawberry Shortcake — Sweet, sun-ripened berries meet buttery shortcakes and pillowy cream.

5. Cucumbers

Cool, crisp cucumbers are a welcome addition to hot summer meals. Their refreshing crunch makes them ideal for salads, sandwiches, chilled soups, and quick pickles. Their mild flavor also pairs beautifully with fresh herbs, citrus, and creamy dressings.

Recipe: Creamy Cucumber & Radish Salad — Cool, crisp, and a perfect side for grilled fish.

6. Basil

Few herbs capture the taste of summer quite like fresh basil. Its bright, aromatic leaves add fresh flavor to everything from pasta and pizza to salads, sandwiches, and homemade pesto. During the growing season, basil is abundant and exceptionally fragrant.

Recipe: Fresh Basil Pesto — Toss with pasta, smear on sandwiches, or swirl into soup.

7. Blueberries

Blueberries reach their sweetest, juiciest peak during the summer months. Packed with vibrant flavor, they’re delicious fresh by the handful or baked into muffins, pies, crisps, and pancakes. They also add natural sweetness to salads, smoothies, and yogurt parfaits.

Recipe: Blueberry Granola Muffins — A light interior, crunchy top, and just sweet enough for morning or midday snacking.

8. Zucchini

Summer gardens often produce more zucchini than anyone knows what to do with—and for good reason. This tender squash has a mild flavor that works equally well in savory dishes, baked goods, pasta substitutes, casseroles, and on the grill.

Recipe: Grilled Zucchini & Halloumi Skewers with Basil‑Lemon Drizzle — Thick slices of zucchini and mild halloumi cheese.

9. Red Onions

With a slightly milder bite than yellow onions, red onions are especially popular during summer when they’re served raw in salads, burgers, sandwiches, and fresh salsas. Their crisp texture and vibrant color brighten both the flavor and appearance of seasonal dishes.

Recipe: Quick Pickled Onions — Marinate in vinegar, sugar, and salt for a tangy topping you’ll want on everything.

10. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are at their sweetest and most colorful during the summer growing season. Whether red, yellow, orange, or green, they add crisp texture and vibrant flavor to salads, kabobs, stir-fries, sandwiches, and grilled vegetable platters.

Recipe: Stuffed Peppers — A traditional stuffed pepper recipe with beef and rice.

11. Watermelon

Nothing says summer quite like a slice of cold watermelon. Refreshingly sweet and incredibly juicy, watermelon is perfect for picnics, barbecues, fruit salads, smoothies, and even savory dishes paired with feta cheese or fresh herbs.

Recipe: Watermelon and Halloumi Salad — Sweet meets salty with fresh mint and quick-pickled red onions.

12. Arugula

Peppery yet delicate, arugula brings fresh flavor to summer salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and pasta dishes. Its slightly spicy bite pairs beautifully with sweet fruits, grilled vegetables, citrus, and creamy cheeses, making it a favorite seasonal green.

Recipe: Arugula Pesto Flatbread Pizza — Peppery greens layered with pesto and cheese on crispy crust.

13. Cherries

Sweet cherries are one of summer’s shortest-lived treats, making their arrival especially anticipated each year. Their juicy, rich flavor is wonderful for snacking, baking, preserving, or adding to both sweet and savory recipes while they’re in season.

Recipe: Cherry Clafoutis — A classic French custardy dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make.

14. New Potatoes

New potatoes are young potatoes harvested before reaching full maturity. Their thin skins, creamy texture, and naturally sweet flavor make them especially delicious roasted, boiled, grilled, or tossed into classic summer potato salads.

Recipe: Potato Salad with Tarragon Vinaigrette — Toss warm potatoes with this mustardy tarragon vinaigrette..

15. Lemons

Bright, tangy lemons bring fresh flavor to countless summer recipes. From homemade lemonade and refreshing cocktails to grilled seafood, vegetables, desserts, and salad dressings, their vibrant acidity helps balance rich flavors and highlights seasonal produce.

Recipe: Lemon Posset with Fresh Berries — A simple custardy lemon dessert that doesn’t use eggs or gelatin..

16. Garlic

Fresh garlic harvested in summer offers a milder, sweeter flavor than garlic that’s been stored for months. Whether roasted, grilled, sautéed, or used raw in dressings and marinades, garlic enhances nearly every savory summer recipe.

Recipe: Garlic Butter Grilled Shrimp — Garlic and butter are all shrimp really need. Serve with grilled bread.

17. Plums

Juicy, sweet-tart plums offer a wonderful balance of flavor that makes them equally enjoyable fresh or cooked. Their colorful skins and tender flesh are perfect for desserts, jams, salads, grilled fruit platters, and simple snacks during their short summer season.

Recipe: Roasted Plum & Vanilla Bean Crisp — This simple dessert captures the best of late summer and is especially delicious served warm with vanilla ice cream.

18. Summer Squash

Tender summer squash, including yellow squash and pattypan varieties, is one of the season’s most versatile vegetables. Its mild flavor works beautifully in sautés, casseroles, grilled dishes, soups, and pasta, making it a reliable addition to countless summer meals.

Recipe: Summer Squash Gratin — Layer thin rounds with cheese and breadcrumbs for a golden, bubbly bake.

19. Grapes

Fresh grapes are crisp, juicy, and naturally sweet during late summer. While they’re perfect for snacking, they also add freshness to salads, cheese boards, desserts, and even roasted dishes, where their sweetness becomes even more concentrated.

Recipe: Frozen Grape Sorbet — An easy, three ingredient sorbet that’s perfect for hot summer afternoons.

20. Green Beans

Fresh green beans are crisp, tender, and full of flavor during the summer harvest. Whether steamed, sautéed, roasted, grilled, or tossed into salads, they provide a satisfying crunch and pair well with everything from garlic and herbs to tomatoes and almonds.