What to Cook in June to Kick off Summer

It is June. School is out, and so is the sun. Summertime is here. And it doesn’t matter whether your summer is a little Otis Redding’s ‘(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay,’ Will Smith’s ‘Summertime,’ or a Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Hot Girl Summer,’ it is going to require some good eats for sure. With that said, one question remains: What to cook in June?!

Time to Bust Out the Old Grill

So what if it is hotter than a fire hydrant looking for a dog – it is time to drag that grill out, make your shopping list, and send an invite out to your group chat. Kick off the summer the right way!

But wait! First, you need the recipes – drinks and dessert included.

What to Cook in June this Season

Digging into something delicious and trying to decide what to cook in June during the summer season means using only the freshest ingredients. This is why it is so important to know what is in season during the month of June and throughout the summer. So, look for ingredients that include:

-Berries

-Bell peppers

-Cherries

-Cantaloupe

-Summer squash

-Corn

-Cucumbers

-Green beans

-Tomatoes

-Watermelon

-Peaches

-Plums

-Apricots

-Nectarines

-Mangoes

Summertime Small Plates

Summer is about being social and spending time with friends. And sometimes, you just want to munch on something while you visit. These small plates don’t lack anything when it comes to deliciousness.

Garlic Ginger Chicken Potstickers: Sure, you can buy them frozen, but why would you want to when you can easily make them homemade – and they taste better, too. Fill wonton wrappers with a delicious combination of ground chicken, shiitake mushrooms, green onions, and cilantro. With flavors from grated ginger, soy sauce rice wine vinegar, and more – these are sure to be a hit!

Avocado Strawberry Mango Salsa: Stop right now and make this. Just know that you are going to have to stop yourself from eating it all. It is that good. It is cool and creamy, sweet and juicy. And then there is a surprise kick from some jalapeno. You can scoop this up with some pita chips or place it on top of your grilled chicken or a hearty grilled fish like wahoo or swordfish.

Summertime Main Dishes

Looking to dig into something filling yet cool and light for the summer heat? Check out these main dishes for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

Balsamic Watermelon Chicken Salad: When you are out in the summer heat, you want a main dish that is not going to weigh you down – but you don’t want to remain famished, either. This simple salad includes grilled chicken layered with spinach, watermelon, blue cheese, almonds, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. What a delight!

Spicy Corn and Peaches with Burrata: If you are looking for a delicious lunch that incorporates all the fresh fruits and veggies of the season, this is a great place to start. You will combine grilled corn (slightly charred) with zesty lime juice, lemon, peppers, olive oil, and more – and then mix peaches. Top it off with a piece of creamy burrata cheese. You can absolutely just eat this out of the bowl, but it also pairs beautifully with grilled bread. Scoop it up and enjoy!

Grilled Salmon Salad with Avocado Cucumber Salsa: Fire up that grill and grill up a perfect piece of salmon. Top it with an avocado cucumber salsa – and serve it over a bed of lettuce with a zesty, creamy cilantro yogurt lime dressing. It’s a great combination of the season grilled salmon sandwiched between the cool salsa and the salad. There is not much more you can ask for on a summer evening.

Summertime Desserts

Crush your sweet tooth with these summertime desserts:

Fresh Strawberry Pie: Every now and then, less is more. And that is so the case here with this strawberry pie. It is so simplistic but so delicious. It is perfect. Keep it chilled to make it even more refreshing. You can buy a premade pie crust or make your own. Otherwise, the combination of some sugar, cornstarch, water, and strawberry gelatin mixed with fresh summer strawberries is all you need to fill the pie. Top off with some cool whip or vanilla ice cream!

Peach-Plum Galette: This French pastry is rustic looking and full of summer stone fruits. The recipe calls for peaches and plums, but you can use any combination.

You would first create the flat pastry using a simple mix of sugar, salt, flour, and butter. Then, you fill it with sweetened fruits, lime juice, vanilla, sprinkled sugar, and more. This, too, pairs well with ice cream.

Summertime Cocktails, Mocktails, and More

Strawberries and Cream Frozen Cocktail: There are few things more enjoyable than a frozen cocktail on a hot summer day. This strawberries and cream frozen cocktail with cardamom and pistachios just hit the spot. So many fruity and creamy flavors with a little sweetness from honey and some vodka to boot – your summer needs this adult beverage.

Mango Meyer Lemon Margarita Mocktail: If you are looking for something fresh and refreshing for a pool day or game night under the stars this summer, you won’t want to miss this one. Using fresh mango juice (no store-bought stuff), you are mango puree, simple syrup, fresh Meyer lemon juice, Peregrino sparkling water, and ice. Serve with a sugary rim and a lemon wedge. Kids will even love this one.

Summertime Smoothie: Smoothies are a great way to cool down on a hot day. Except, unlike the frozen cocktail above, you get all sorts of goodness. Raspberries, bananas, orange juice, almond milk, and pomegranate juice all blend together to create a summer explosion sucked through a straw! Make a big batch for the fam to sip on the way to the beach or while relaxing by the pool. It’s also a great and nutritious treat to whip up after a day of exploring outside.

Bangin’ Recipes for a Hot Summer

If you are trying to decide what to cook in June to kick off summer, you will want to add these to your list. It is a fresh combination of ingredients that will burst with flavor while keeping you feeling refreshed. Remember, no matter how busy your summer keeps you, always make time to enjoy a good meal and the company of others. Summer is what memories are made of.

So what are you waiting for? Try one, two, three, or all of these amazing recipes — perfect for throwing on the grill, in the wall oven, or even on the cooktop or range.