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We’ve got a hefty guide for July! Summertime gives us quite a bounty of fresh fruits and veggies. I’ve been harvesting from my garden a lot over the past few weeks and it’s such a gift: peppers, onions, greens, herbs, tomatoes… it’s amazing. On top of that, July gives us some gems like blackberries and peaches that you’ll want to take advantage of quickly, because they aren’t around for long.

Here’s what to look for this month.

Avocado

Avocados that have been sliced open.

Avocados. We’re obsessed. We want it with chips, smashed onto toast, tossed into salads, and stacked onto sandwiches. Avocado is the perfect addition for those who love everything that is rich and creamy, but want to make smarter choices. This fruit is high in fiber, heart-healthy fats, and it offers up a ton of vitamins. It also contains more potassium than bananas!

Try avocado in my Grilled Tuna Steak Salad with Wasabi Vinaigrette!

Or try these other recipes:

  1. Citrus Avocado Salad by Fork in the Kitchen
  2. Spiced Flank Steak Tacos by The Original Dish
  3. Mexican-Style English Muffin Pizzas by Kitchen @ Hoskins

Blackberries

Big white bowl of blackberries.

Blackberries are a gorgeously sweet treat, so take advantage of them while they’re around! They’re great in baked goods, toppled over ice cream, or simmered into a jammy compote. You could also easily muddle them into a cocktail if you want to be really fancy.

Try blackberries in these recipes:

  1. Summer Nights Blackberry Lavender Mojitos by Two Sisters Living Life
  2. Blackberry Arugula Chicken Salad by Peanut Butter and Fitness
  3. Blackberry Overnight Oats by Grateful Grazer

Blueberries

Bowl of fresh blueberries.

Anytime blueberries are mentioned, my mind goes straight to the nostalgic smell of warm blueberry muffins on a summer morning. (Okay, or blueberry vodka.) This antioxidant-rich berry is well-known for its impact on bone health, skin health, heart health, and so much more. Whether you bake it into goodies or top your yogurt with it, make sure to take advantage of it this season.

Try my Blueberry Banana Oat Crumb Muffins!

Or try blueberries in these other recipes:

  1. Blueberry Peach Quinoa Salad by Crumb Top Baking
  2. Slow Cooker Blueberry BBQ Sauce by My Kitchen Love
  3. Blueberry Ice Cream by Grandbaby Cakes

Cherries

Bowl of cherries.

Cherries are a favorite in this house. Whether they’re a tart or sweet variation, you can do so many different things with them. Admittedly, we usually just eat them by the bowlful. Which is totally okay since these tiny stone fruit are packed with fiber, minerals, and vitamins, making them a healthy snack choice. And like most berries, they lend themselves to dishes both sweet and savory.

Try them in my Almond Cherry Oatmeal!

Or try these other cherry-filled recipes:

  1. Cherry Pie Kombucha by Brew Buch
  2. Cherry Pretzel Tart by White Kitchen Red Wine
  3. Tender Kale Salad with Goat Cheese, Cherries, and Almonds by Hungry Haley

Corn

Fresh cobs of corn in a strainer.

Crisp and sweet corn on the cob is a dream—especially slathered in butter and speckled with salt. But there are so many other ways to enjoy it, too! It can be used in salads, sprinkled over tacos, or baked into bread. It also has its health benefits. It’s an energy booster, it’s good for your skin, and it can aid in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Try corn in these recipes:

  1. Mexican Street Corn Fries by A Seasoned Greeting
  2. Corn Fritters by Grandbaby Cakes
  3. Corn Chowder by The Original Dish

Cucumbers

Plate full of peppered cucumber slices.

Cucumbers are amazing! They’re so crisp and refreshing. Whether you’re tossing them into a salad or placing them into your seltzer water, they’ll cool you right down, which makes them the perfect veg for these scorching summer months. Though cucumbers seem like nothing more than crunchy flesh and water, they’re high in nutrients, antioxidants, and could help lower blood sugar. Naturally, they also promote hydration. This is one of the easiest veggies to add to your diet this season, so make sure you load up.

Cool off with my Cold Sesame Noodles with Shaved Cucumber and Mango Salad!

Or try cucumbers in these other recipes:

  1. Spicy Refrigerator Dill Pickles by With Spice
  2. Green Goddess Sandwiches by Rhubarb and Cod
  3. Cucumber Tomato Salad by George Eats

Green Beans

Glass bowl full of fresh green beans.

Did you know that there are over 130 varieties of green beans? Don’t worry, we won’t go through them all. We’re just here to encourage consumption because green beans are packed with the good stuff. Think vitamins A, C, and K. They’re also a low FODMAP food, a heart-healthy option, and they contain protein. Wins all around!

Try green beans with our sheet pan Baked Hoisin Salmon!

Or try these other green bean recipes:

  1. Quick Pickled Green Beans by Fork in the Road
  2. Warm Cauliflower, Green Beans, and Chickpea Salad by the Healthy Hunter
  3. Green Beans Almondine by The Modern Proper

Greens

Head of green and purple artisan lettuce.

Spring greens are about to sprout and our salads are about to get a whole lot brighter! Spinach, lettuce, arugula, and swiss chard are fantastic on their own or blended together. Don’t forget that these nutrient-dense greens aren’t meant for salads exclusively. You can twirl them into your pasta, toss them into soups, and blend them into your smoothies.

Try my Lemon Pasta with Arugula!

Or try these other recipes:

  1. Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Tomato by Peas and Crayons
  2. Giant Beans and Greens on Toast by With Spice
  3. Thai Lettuce Wraps by Cupful of Kale 

Herbs

Herbs

It is too easy to go overboard with fresh herbs this time of year. Especially if you’re growing your own. You can throw them into your pasta sauce, use them to garnish grilled meats, toss them with roasted potatoes—you name it. Fresh herbs give everything an extra dose of freshness, not to mention a beautiful punch of green.

Try them in my One Pan Herb and Garlic Chicken with Rice!

Or try them in one of these other recipes:

  1. DIY Garden Herb Salt by A Life Delicious
  2. Green Shakshuka by The Crooked Carrot
  3. Falafel Flatbread by Downshiftology

Kale

Bowl of torn kale.

Remember when kale was the star of the superfoods? Kale chips, kale smoothies—kale was everywhere. Various other vegetables have stepped into the superfood spotlight since, but kale still holds a secure spot in the nutritional world with its rich source of vitamins, folate, manganese, and dietary minerals.

Try my Soothing Lemon Chicken Soup With Kale!

Or try kale in these other recipes:

  1. Chickpea Kale Caesar Wrap by Cait’s Plate
  2. Loaded Veggie Tacos with Avocado Cilantro Sauce by A Simple Palate
  3. Squash and Caramelized Onion Pasta by Lazy Cat Kitchen

Mango

A couple of mangoes on a marble slab.

This tropical fruit is always welcome at the table—weather it be bundled into a summer roll, tossed into a fruit salsa, or swirled into ice cream. It also happens to have a ton of health benefits! Mangoes promote good gut health, boosts immunity, can help lower cholesterol, and it has a low glycemic index. It’s easy to enjoy a sweet and peppery mango on its own, but I encourage you to start throwing them into recipes.

Try mango in my Shrimp Tacos with Mango Habanero Salsa!

Or try it in these other recipes:

  1. Vegan Yogurt Fruit Popsicles by Heart Fully Nourished
  2. Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Kabobs by Erhardts Eat
  3. Raspberry Mango Pop Tarts by Cherry On My Sundae

Peppers

Bell peppers on a cutting board, gutted and partly chopped.

Bell peppers are are such a wonderful addition to, well, almost anything! They fit comfortably in Italian cuisine, Mexican, Chinese, Thai, etc. And their bold flavor and crispness is always noticed. Bell peppers belong to the nightshade family and can be enjoyed raw or cooked.

Try my Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers with Lentils!

Or try bell peppers in these other recipes:

  1. Easy Grilled Veggie Skewers by The Forked Spoon
  2. Sweet and Sour Chicken by Bowl of Delicious
  3. Pinto Bean Nachos by Nourish and Fete

Plums

Bowl of plums.

Plums are a treat for the tastebuds and for our bods. They’re packs with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber! (You’ve heard of the miracle that is prune juice, I’m sure.) Plums can be enjoyed on their own or used in dishes both sweet and, believe it or not, savory.

Try these plum recipes:

  1. Chai-Spiced Plum Galette by The Communal Feast
  2. Duck Stir Fry with Fresh Plums and Peanuts by Krumpli
  3. Sautéed Plums in Wine Sauce with Ice Cream by Fork in the Kitchen

Potatoes

Small potatoes in a large white bowl.

Potatoes—everyone’s favorite guilty pleasure! Starchy, heavy, and comforting, this root veg is often associated with being bad for you. Especially since it tends to turn up as a crispy fried side—hash browns, tater tots, French fries. But potatoes do offer some benefits. Along with being satiating, they’re high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and resistant starch. Moderation and healthier preparation are key.

Try my Baked Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary!

Or try potatoes in these other recipes:

  1. Perfect Latkes by The View from Great Island
  2. Best Mashed Potatoes by Downshiftology
  3. Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup by Munchkin Time

Radishes

Bunch of radishes.

Thrown over tacos, tossed into a green salad, or pickled and served with charcuterie, radishes are one of my faves. There’s just something exhilarating about them with their snappy peppery flavor. Despite the fact that they’re mostly used as a garnish or addition, they’re also great on their own when roasted and they come with some pretty awesome health benefits—like supporting a healthy digestive system.

Try my Addictive Spicy Quick Pickle Radishes!

Or try radishes in these other recipes:

  1. Roasted Radish Mini Bagels by My Goodness Kitchen
  2. Roasted Radishes by Real + Vibrant
  3. Radish Potato Salad by With Food + Love

Raspberries

Fresh raspberries.

Tart and sweet, raspberries seems to pair perfectly with chocolaty goodness in all desserts—from cakes to ice cream. They also make a wonderful snack on their own, considering the fact that they’re low in calories and high in fiber. They’re a great addition to your morning yogurt, oatmeal, and even salads!

Try raspberries in these recipes:

  1. Raspberry Mint Mojitos by KJ & Company
  2. Goat Cheese and Roasted Raspberry Crumble Ice Cream by Gathered At My Table
  3. Chocolate Brownies with Raspberry Champagne Cream by Jaimie Eats

Squash

Summer squash and zucchini.

Squash—there are so many varieties! And though the mention of squash is typically connected to cooler months, summer has a wonderful offering. Yellow squash and zucchini are super simple to prepare, too. Roughly chop them up, toss them in some olive oil and spices, and roast to tender golden perfection. You could also get creative and make muffins, crispy fried fritters, or make use of their blossoms.

Try my Tex Mex Stuffed Zucchini Boats!

Or try summer squash in these other recipes:

  1. Calabacitas by Isabel Eats
  2. Zucchini Pizza Tart by Page & Plate
  3. Easy Zucchini Fritters by Six Hungry Feet

Strawberries

White bowl filled with juicy red strawberries.

Who doesn’t love a bright red, juicy strawberry? Fun fact: strawberries as we know them are a hybrid of two wild strawberry species from North America and Chile. From jams to baked goods, strawberries can be used in a variety of ways. But they’re also easy to consume in fresh, in their simplest form. And if you eat a lot of strawberries, you can tell when it’s peak season; you can taste it. These gems are a fab source of vitamin C, manganese, folate, and potassium.

Try my Spiked Strawberry Lemonade Fizz!

Or try strawberries in these other recipes:

  1. Strawberry Shortcake by Truffles and Trends
  2. Grilled Steak and Strawberry Salad by Fannetastic Food
  3. Strawberry Rhubarb Pop Tarts by Peanut Butter + Chocolate

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are never a bad idea. We put them in salads, on burgers, over pizza—there isn’t a bad time for them! But there IS a best time for them, and that’s when they’re in season. Botanically a fruit, tomatoes are treated like vegetables. They come in several varieties, they’re easy to grow, and they’re a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

Try my Summer Caprese Burgers with Pesto Mayo!

Or try fresh tomatoes in these other recipes:

  1. Basic Bruschetta by Rise Shine Cook
  2. BLT Salad from A Gouda Life
  3. Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta by It’s Not Complicated

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