Summer is the season when nature truly spoils us with an abundance of fruits and vegetables in their absolute prime. It is the perfect time to break out those new summer food recipes you have been wanting to try, using all the amazing produce this season has to offer.
Summer sets the stage for some fun in the kitchen. It is all about playing around with fresh, vibrant, colourful ingredients – from the juicy sweetness of summer fruits to the earthy, crisp textures of summer vegetables. With all the wonderful produce the season's harvest brings, there is a whole universe of culinary adventures waiting for you. Seize this chance to get creative and use our guide to make the most of all the fabulous summer foods available to you.
Welcome summer – enjoy the flavours of the season
The season is upon us, and it is time to explore the many wonderful summer food ideas that come with it. There is something truly exciting about the bright and bold flavours, the varied textures, and the rainbow of colours that seasonal summer foods bring to the table. Whether it is a refreshing watermelon salad for a sunny lunch, grilled corn on the cob for a family BBQ, or a sweet strawberry tartlet to end your evening meal, summer foods add a delightful touch to your plate. Celebrate the season by weaving these fresh and flavourful fruits and vegetables into your meals. After all, food just tastes better when it is enjoyed under the summer sun.
When it comes to summer foods, you should not skip out on desserts and pasta – we find them delicious all year round, and in this season, you simply give them a summery touch. So, take a look at our summer desserts and summer pasta recipes.
Explore the fresh summer season fruits and vegetables
Summer produce brings an incredible bounty of fruits and vegetables at their peak. The assortment of summer fruits and vegetables opens a world of flavours and textures, all waiting to be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Enjoy them fresh in their natural state or transform them into delicious dishes and summery treats – the possibilities are truly endless!
Summer foods list
Embrace the bounty of the summer season with our list of the best fruits and vegetables the season has to offer. With an array of sweet, juicy fruits and fresh vegetables coming to the fore, there is something thrilling about the anticipation of what these seasonal summer foods can bring to the table.
Summer fruits and berries
- Strawberries
Ushering in a parade of sweetness, strawberries are plump, juicy, and ripe for the picking. They inspire a myriad of cooking and baking explorations from salads to desserts and bring excitement to all types of summer foods.
- Blueberries
Delicate yet tangy, blueberries burst with flavour. They add an exciting twist to your culinary adventures, and their vibrant colour and versatility make them a delight in any dish – or simply on their own as a refreshingly flavourful snack for a sun-kissed afternoon.
- Raspberries
Bold, ruby-red raspberries add a pop of tartness to every bite, embodying the thrilling anticipation of what summer foods can bring to the table. Enjoy as a tart snack or decorate desserts with these delicious berries.
- Watermelon
One of the most iconic summer foods, watermelons, provides a harmonious blend of sweetness and mellowness. They offer a perfect respite from the sun and the heat and stand as a symbol of the season's delights.
- Peaches
Peaches, with their velvety skin and hiding a sweet, succulent interior, epitomise the taste of summer. They are delightfully sweet, sunny marvels and are delicious culinary delights enjoyed in a sweet dessert or even barbecued for a savoury and sweet salad.
- Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a beloved seasonal classic boasting a tart flavour that is beautifully balanced with a hint of sweetness. Despite technically being a vegetable, the markedly tart flavour has earned it a place amongst the pantheon of summer fruits. The tart and crisp characteristics of rhubarb make it a staple in many sweet pies and desserts, its vibrant red stalks bringing a pop of colour to any dish.
Summer vegetables
- Bell peppers
Bell peppers, with their delightful crunch and sweet notes, are a true delight of summer, ready to be tossed in salads or roasted on the BBQ. Experiment with different types like yellow, green, and red bell pepper for different flavour sensations.
- Asparagus
Best in early summer, asparagus bring a delicate crunch and earthy flavour to the table. They hold a distinct charm among summer foods, offering endless possibilities for crafting vibrant, refreshing meals, for example, grilled, steamed, or fresh from the soil.
- New potatoes
Among the popular summer vegetables in season, new potatoes take a prominent place. Their earthy taste and creamy texture seamlessly blend into various dishes, whether they are roasted, boiled, or grilled.
- Corn on the cob
Another quintessential component of summer foods is corn on the cob. The sweet and succulent kernels become particularly enjoyable when grilled or boiled and it is delicious slathered in butter and sprinkled with salt or other seasonings.
- Spinach
Spinach, a champion of summer greens, is known for its tender texture and mildly sweet flavour. It is perfect in salads or wilted down in pasta dishes, and it adds a distinct yet delicate flavour and a vibrant colour.
- Zucchini
Zucchini is a versatile summer staple that can be grilled, stuffed, or spiralised into 'zoodles'. It represents the variety and adaptability of summer foods, adding depth to any culinary adventure for a delicious summer party menu.
Cook with delicious summer vegetables
Our list of summer foods in season includes merely some of the exemplary summer vegetables that can infuse your meals with the essence of a sunlit day. If you want to see more summer foods in action, take a look at some of our summer salad recipes with all your favourite vegetables from the season.
And, below, you can check out some of our favourite summer vegetables used in delicious, popular recipes for the summer. Keep reading and get inspired!
Potato salad
There is something comforting and classic about potato salad, making it one of the perennial favourites among summer foods. This version features tender new potatoes, crisp radishes, and sweet peas. Each bite is a celebration of the season, full of flavour and texture, complete with a refreshing crunch from peppery radishes and the soft creaminess of potatoes.
The ingredients are brought together by a dressing made from creamy crème fraiche, tangy mustard, zesty lemon juice, aromatic chives, and dill. Seasoned with a touch of salt and pepper, this salad is ready to take centre stage at your next gathering.
Bacon wrapped asparagus
Picture crisp asparagus, wrapped in smoky, salty bacon, and then grilled to perfection. It signals summer to all extents making your backyard BBQ more flavourful and exciting. Grilling these wrapped beauties for just a few minutes ensures that the asparagus stays tender and provides a perfect contrast to the crispy bacon.
What truly ties the dish together is the accompanying cheese dip. Made with creamy Greek yoghurt, crumbly salad cheese, and a dash of pepper, it adds a tangy, creamy element that is simply irresistible. These bacon-wrapped asparagus give off undeniable summer vibes, turning simple summer foods into the star of the show.
Grilled corn on the cob
Nothing says summer quite like grilled corn on the cob. It is an indispensable side for any BBQ menu, with the sweet, juicy kernels bursting with flavour. We added a fiery kick with chilli butter served atop the corn. The chilli butter is a delightful blend of zesty lime juice and zest, aromatic herbs, a hint of salt, and freshly chopped chilli. To top it all off, a sprinkling of crumbled salad cheese adds a delicious creaminess that perfectly balances out the heat.
Pimientos de Padrón
Pimientos de Padrón is a popular Spanish tapas delight, bringing a burst of flavour to any gathering. These small green peppers are pan-fried until they blister, then drizzled with rich, fruity olive oil and sprinkled with flaky salt.
Their taste is mild, but occasionally you will bite into a hot one – a delightful surprise that adds to their appeal. The texture is phenomenal, with the skin of the peppers becoming slightly crispy from the pan-frying while the insides stay juicy and tender.
Enjoy all the refreshing summer season fruits
As our list of summer foods shows, when it comes to summer fruits in season, there is a treasure trove of flavours and textures to explore. From sweet or tart, juicy, and colourful berries to sweet and mellow fruits, you have everything you need for the summer foods like salads and desserts.
You might not know it yet, but these classic summer foods are so much more versatile than you can imagine. Whether incorporated into savoury dishes, used to whip up sweet desserts, or simply enjoyed as refreshing snacks, these summer fruits are a treat for your taste buds.
Strawberry salad
In this salad, ripe, sweet strawberries play a starring role and are paired with grilled red onions and green asparagus for an extra depth of flavour. This delightful strawberry salad is a perfect embodiment of summer foods, giving you a delightful taste of the season.
The strawberries are not just in the salad, but they also make a delightful appearance in the dressing. Blended strawberries, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar make a dressing that is as flavourful as it is irreplaceable. The strawberry salad is finished off with crumbled salad cheese that adds a salty, creamy contrast to the other ingredients.
Watermelon salad
This watermelon salad is super quick to make and offers a refreshing taste of summer, boasting one of the best summer fruits there is. Cubes of sweet, juicy watermelon and creamy salad cheese create a delightful contrast in textures, each complementing the other perfectly.
The salad is drizzled with homemade balsamic syrup, adding a sweet and tangy depth to the refreshing watermelon. And the finishing touches? A sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds for a little crunch and garnished with fresh mint leaves, making each bite a refreshing escape from the sun’s heat.
Strawberry tartlets
Who could resist a sweet treat featuring the darling of summer fruits, strawberries? These strawberry tartlets are the perfect portable indulgence, ideal for a summer picnic or for easily serving each guest their own sweet treat. The base is moist and flavourful, made with sweet marzipan and tangy lemon zest.
The tartlets are adorned with a sweet, velvety vanilla whipped cream, which is infused with lemon juice for a subtle tanginess that complements the strawberries. The crowning glory is a generous heap of fresh strawberry slices, providing a juicy burst of flavour with every bite, as well as chocolate shavings and pistachios on top.
Rhubarb crumble
Image biting into a crisp, butter-kissed topping, only to discover a sweet and tart rhubarb compote underneath. That is the delight that awaits you in a serving of rhubarb crumble, a perfect dessert among our sweeter summer foods.
This fruity crumble celebrates rhubarb in all its glory. The sweet, crumbly topping beautifully balances the base of tangy rhubarb compote. Served with a generous dollop of vanilla cream on top, it becomes an irresistible treat that will make you look forward to dessert time all day.
Take cooking outside to exploit everything the season has to offer
One of the absolute best parts about the season is finally getting the chance to move the cooking outdoors. It is not just about soaking up that gorgeous weather – although that is a big part of it. But it is also about those inimitable flavours and textures you only get from grilling or cooking summer foods over an open fire.
Whether it is grilling vegetables for a smoky side dish or baking bread on a stick over a campfire, outdoor cooking and dining is an exciting and fun way to make the most of every sunny day.
Want to explore more summer foods? Have a look at our summer BBQ recipes, top BBQ menu ideas, and best campfire foods. If you are looking for picnic ideas, take a look at our picnic foods or picnic snacks and finger foods.
Summer foods on the BBQ or over a bonfire
Nothing says summer foods quite like dishes prepared on a BBQ or over a roaring campfire. That smoky, slightly charred flavour, the aroma wafting through the warm air – cooking outside is utterly delicious and impossible to resist.
Think about those juicy skewers of meat, seasoned just the way you like, with your favourite mix of herbs and spices. Or imagine biting into bread on a stick, freshly cooked over an open flame. It will take you straight back to those sweet, carefree campfire days when you were a child.
There are endless summer BBQ summer food ideas out there, just waiting for you to try them. So, why not fire up the grill, gather your friends and family around the campfire, and just soak up that cosy, warm atmosphere? As you tuck into the delicious tastes of your summer foods, you will know that this is what this warm, sunny season is all about.
Bread on a stick
The humble bread on a stick is a campfire classic that captures the spirit of outdoor summer foods. It is a fun, delicious, and interactive dish that both kids and adults will love.
It is a simple bread dough, and the real fun begins when the dough is twisted around sticks and prepared over the fire. The bread bakes, and a wonderful aroma fills the air. The result is warm, fluffy bread with a slightly crispy exterior and a soft, cheese-infused interior.
Take it off the stick and fill it with grilled sausage, ketchup, or a savoury dressing, or go sweet with a filling of a fruit or berry jam or compote.
Lamb skewers
Skewers in general are among the more popular summer foods to be cooked outside, and these lamb skewers take it to the next level with roots in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. The minced lamb is mixed with different spices, and herbs, giving the meat a wonderful aromatic flavour, which is further enhanced when it is grilled.
The result is a smoky, juicy lamb skewer with a perfectly charred exterior and a tender, flavourful interior. The spices and herbs imbue the meat with a complex, layered flavour that is mouth-wateringly good. Pair these skewers with a fresh pasta salad, and you have a meal that embodies the warm, vibrant spirit of the hot season.