31 Healthy Seasonal Recipes to Make in July

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31 healthy seasonal recipes to cook this July featuring peak summer produce like tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, corn, berries, and fresh herbs. Easy, flavorful meals for every day of the month!

Seasonal cooking is kind of my thing, catch the entire “what to cook” series here.

what to cook in july

“If I had my way, I’d remove January from the calendar altogether and have July twice.”
โ€” Roald Dahl

Thereโ€™s something about July that feels both wild and effortless โ€” the days stretch long, the sun is high, and the garden seems to grow while your back is turned. This year, Iโ€™m harvesting with confidence: delicate stalks of broccolini, overflowing baskets of tender greens, and more blooming chamomile than I know what to do with. Itโ€™s a far cry from my early gardening days, when I crossed every finger hoping something (anything!) would sprout.

Seasonal eating has always been part of my nutrition philosophy, but growing even a small portion of my own food has deepened that connection in ways I never expected. When youโ€™ve pulled garlic from the soil yourself, or eaten berries still warm from the sun, you start to understand how flavor, nourishment, and timing are all woven together.

If you donโ€™t garden, donโ€™t worry โ€” the farmerโ€™s markets are overflowing this time of year. Below youโ€™ll find 31 healthy seasonal recipes to celebrate Julyโ€™s best ingredients โ€” simple, colorful meals that make the most of the season.

WHAT’S IN SEASON IN JULY?

July is peak season for fresh, vibrant produce โ€” the kind of food that practically begs to be eaten raw, grilled, or tossed together with olive oil and lemon. My morning harvests are bursting right now: black raspberries, sun-cured garlic, and onions pulled straight from the soil. Whether youโ€™re gardening, hitting the farmerโ€™s market, or stocking up at the grocery store, this is a month to cook with color and ease.

Fill your market bags with these seasonal goodies:

  • Blueberries
  • Blackberries
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Corn
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Garlic
  • Green Beans
  • Kale
  • Lettuces
  • Peppers
  • Raspberries
  • Spinach
  • Tomatoes
  • Zucchini
  • Fresh herbs

If you make one of these recipes leave a review below and let me know how you liked it or share a photo on Instagram with the tag #AbrasKitchen so I can share your masterpiece!

Let’s Get Cooking!

Healthy Breakfasts

Quick, satisfying, and full of seasonal flavor, I’m very into smoothies in the summer!

Cottage Cheese Smoothie
This deliciousย protein-packed cottage cheese smoothieย has a punchy blueberry flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. This is an outstanding way to start your morning, packed with natural protein and antioxidants from fresh berries.ย 
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blueberry cottage cheese smoothie in a mason jar with a metal straw.
Strawberry Banana Adaptogen Smoothie
A classic strawberry banana smoothie with the addition of a few functional food delights to make a nutritious and delicious smoothie! The perfect quick and healthy breakfast, creamy, sweet, and totally satisfying.
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Ingredients for Strawberry Banana Adaptogen Smoothie on a white background
Blackberry Avocado Smoothie Bowl
Superfood blackberry avocado smoothie bowl, you eat it with a spoon and then walk through the pearly gates of breakfast heaven.
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Superfood blackberry avocado smoothie bowl, you eat it with a spoon and then walk through the pearly gates of breakfast heaven. Vegan, Paleo, Whole30, Healthy smoothie |abraskitchen.com๏ปฟ
Green Tea Raspberry Smoothie
Green tea replaces milk or juice in this healthy and delicious smoothie, combined with sweet raspberries, and creamy coconut (or greek) yogurt. This green tea raspberry smoothie is quick and easy and super good for you!
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Green tea replaces milk or juice in this healthy and delicious smoothie, combined with sweet raspberries, and creamy coconut (or greek) yogurt. This green tea raspberry smoothie is quick and easy and super good for you!

FRESH & FLAVORFUL SUMMER SALADS

Summer meals should be light, fresh, exciting, and also easy. There are many summer days when I am perfectly happy with a fresh cucumber salad and a big bowl of cooked greens, or a chilled soup and a hunk of cheese.

Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad
You are going to LOVE this 5-ingredient Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad. This fresh zesty salad stars juicy peaches, salty halloumi cheese, and a punchy basil vinaigrette in 10 minutes you'll capture summer on a plate. Healthy, seasonal cooking at its best!
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white plate filled with beautiful peaches, halloumi cheese, and pistachios
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Avocado and Fresh Peaches
A fresh heirloom tomato salad with juicy sweet peaches, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs. This healthy, simple salad is the very representation of savoring the final weeks of summer using only seasonal local produce. 
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A fresh heirloom tomato salad with juicy sweet peaches, creamy avocado, and fresh herbs. This healthy, simple salad is the very representation of savoring the final weeks of summer using only seasonal local produce.ย 
Creamy Cucumber and Radish Salad
Crisp radishes, cool cucumbers, fresh mint, crunchy red onions, and a creamy greek yogurt lemon dressing. This healthy, refreshing creamy cucumber radish salad is exactly what you will want to enjoy on a hot summer day!
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white bowl of cucumber radish salad on white background with lemon and mint in the background
Mediterranean Green Bean Salad
This Mediterranean Green Bean Salad with marinated tomatoes, fresh herbs, and feta cheese is the fresh seasonal salad I've made three times this week!
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plate of mediterranean green bean salad with tomatoes, herbs and feta cheese

MAKE AHEAD PASTA AND GRAIN SALADS

Picnic-perfect, potluck-ready, and meal prep-approvedโ€”these hearty pasta and grain salads are a staple in my summer kitchen. They get better as they sit and are endlessly adaptable based on what youโ€™ve got on hand.

Chickpea Caesar Pasta Salad
Crunchy and light with bits of parmesan and pickled shallots, this yummy vegetarian pasta salad is perfect for any occasion!
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Chickpea Caesar Pasta Salad in a purple bowl
Mediterranean Roasted Shrimp and Vegetable Orzo Salad
Loaded with fresh roasted vegetables, shrimp, dill, and feta cheese this Mediterranean inspired lemony orzo salad is a quick and easy summer side dish and is fantastic served warm or cold.ย 
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Loaded with fresh roasted vegetables, shrimp, dill, and feta cheese this Mediterranean inspired lemony orzo salad is a quick and easy summer side dish and is fantastic served warm or cold.ย 
Salmon Farro Salad with Corn and Bacon
Seared blackened salmon, crispy bacon, nutty farro, sweet summer corn, and fresh garden tomatoes all tossed together with a simple dijon dressing.ย 
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Salmon Farro Salad with Corn and Bacon
Carrot Top Tabouli Salad
A light refreshing salad filled with fresh herbs, veggies, and heart healthy bulgur. Carrot top tabouli is my favorite summer lunch. 
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A light refreshing salad filled with fresh herbs and veggies, and heart healthy bulgur. Carrot top tabouli is my favorite summer lunch. Vegan, Plant Strong! |abraskitchen.com
Mediterranean Farro Salad with Roasted Eggplant
Nutty chewy (and super healthy) farro meet a bounty of fresh herbs, perfectly roasted eggplant, garden fresh tomatoes, and lots of kalamata olives! All tossed together in a garlic vinaigrette. This healthy vegan grain salad is easy enough to prepare and so delicious!
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Nutty chewy (and super healthy) farro meet a bounty of fresh herbs, perfectly roasted eggplant, garden fresh tomatoes, and lots of kalamata olives! All tossed together in a garlic vinaigrette. This healthy vegan grain salad is easy enough to prepare and so delicious!

LIGHT + EASY SUMMER DINNERS

Hot weather calls for meals that donโ€™t require a lot of fussโ€”or heat. These simple, nourishing dinners are perfect for weeknights when you want real food without hovering over the stove.

Blackened Salmon Tacos with Peach Salsa
Craving a fresh and flavorful meal on the fly? This easy salmon taco recipe combines seasoned blackened salmon, a jazzy peach salsa, and warm corn tortillas for a vibrant, delicious dinner thatโ€™s ready in under 20 minutes!
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grey plate with salmon tacos
Steak Cobb Salad with Creamy Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing
This grilled steak Cobb salad is everything you want in a summer meal: crisp, creamy, smoky, and satisfying. Packed with veggies, grilled steak, and a lightened-up blue cheese dressing, itโ€™s the kind of meal that works equally well for meal prep or a casual al fresco lunch.
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a large bowl of steak cobb salad with a fork
Pasta al Limone
Classic Italian lemon pasta in itsย simplest form. Thisย pasta al limone recipeย is made with just 3 ingredients and ready as quickly as you can boil water.
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a bowl of lemon oasta with a fork on the side and a blue napkin with a lemon to top
Healthy Burger Bowls
Craving all the flavors of a burger but want to keep things light and fresh? This Healthy Burger Bowl brings you everything you love in one easy, satisfying dish.
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A close up shot of healthy burger bowl with sauce drizzled on top
Seared Scallop Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa
Blackened scallops are magic when tucked into warm tortillas and crowned with a peppy mango and avocado salsa. These sublime scallop tacos will be a welcomed addition to taco night.
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Seared Scallop Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa on a sheet tray on a white background

BBQ CLASSICS

BBQs just arenโ€™t complete without classic potato salad and crunchy coleslaw. Here are my favorite recipes that bring creamy, tangy, and refreshing flavors to your summer gatheringsโ€”easy to make ahead and crowd-pleasing every time.

Warm Ramp Potato Salad
Looking for a fun twist on traditional potato salad? This warm (or room temperature) ramp potato salad is going to be your new go-to recipe for summer BBQs, picnics, and al fresco dinners. Tender garlicky ramps, fresh herbs, and sharp mustard this healthy potato salad contains no mayo and is packed with seasonal flavors and bursting with nutritious goodness.
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a large terracotta platter on a white background with ramp potato salad
Dill Pickle Potato Salad
Crunchy dill pickles tossed together with creamy red, white, and blue potatoes, a huge handful of fresh dill and scallions. Dill pickle potato salad is quite literally THE BEST potato salad you will ever eat, for pickle lovers everywhere!
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Crunchy dill pickles tossed together with creamy red, white, and blue potatoes, a huge handful of fresh dill and scallions. Dill pickle potato salad is quite literally THE BEST potato salad you will ever eat, for pickle lovers everywhere!
Almond Pesto Potato Salad with Green Beans
A bright and healthy side dish bursting with summer flavor. Almond pesto potato salad with green beans is easy to make and loaded with good for you ingredients, the perfect alternative to a mayonnaise-based potato salad. 
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Probiotic Sauerkraut Coleslaw
A crunchy, briny, tangy coleslaw (mayo-free) with a probiotic boost from gut-healthy sauerkraut. This coleslaw is begging to be piled high on tacos, grain bowls, or served at your next BBQ.
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Composed cabbage probiotic slaw in a bowl with a fork.
Dill Pickle Coleslaw
Crunchy and creamy with a salty punch from dill pickles, this is a fun revamp of a summertime staple.
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Large bowl of Close up of Dill Pickle Coleslaw in a purple bowl on white background

NATURALLY SWEET TREATS

When fruit is at its peak, dessert doesn’t need to be complicated. These simple, naturally sweet recipes let Julyโ€™s berries, stone fruit, and melons shine.

Almond Flour Peach Cobbler (GF)
This easy to make almond flour peach cobbler can be made with fresh or frozen fruit and is delicious all year long! Fresh juicy peaches, and sweet seasonal berries topped with cake-like "golden milk" biscuits. Gluten-free.
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Peach Berry Cobbler with Golden Milk Biscuits
Gluten Free Pound Cake
This gluten free pound cake is buttery, tender, and has the perfect bounce in every slice. Itโ€™s not a โ€œgood for gluten freeโ€ kind of cakeโ€”itโ€™s a just plain amazing cake, full stop.
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slice of gluten free pound cake with whipped cream and strawberries
Almond Flour Cherry Rhubarb Crumble (GF)
Easy 7-ingredient almond flour cherry rhubarb crumble. Served in individual portions for a quick and delicious summer dessert for two! Oat-free, refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan optional.ย 
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Easy 7-ingredient paleo cherry rhubarb crumble. Served in individual portion, for a quick and delicious summer dessert for 2. Oat-free, refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan optional.ย 
Anti-Inflammatory Tropical Turmeric Popsicles
5 super healthy functional ingredients create a delicious anti-inflammatory tropical turmeric popsicle.  A healthy kid-friendly recipe!
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Anti-inflammatory tropical turmeric popsicles. Quick and easy, only 5 ingredients! A frozen treat that is good for you. |abraskitchen.com

NO-COOK RECIPES FOR HOT DAYS

Too hot to cook? Iโ€™ve got you. These no-cook meals and snacks are cooling, colorful, and still packed with seasonal flavorโ€”perfect for days when even turning on the stovetop feels like too much.

Watermelon Gazpacho
A light and refreshing chilled summer soup, savory with a touch of sweetness from the watermelon. Watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeno, scallions, and fresh herbs are the stars of this healthy soup!
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Watermelon Gazpacho - A light and refreshing chilled summer soup, savory with a touch of sweetness from the watermelon. Watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeno, scallions, and fresh herbs are the stars of this healthy soup!
Chilled Beet and Yogurt Soup with Fresh Dill
Light and refreshing this creamy chilled beet soup with yogurt and fresh dill is a real summertime treat!
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Light and refreshing this creamy chilled beet soup is a real summertime treat! Vegetarian, Healthy, Seasonal |Abraskitchen.com
Beet Sumac Hummus
Healthy and delicious hummus made with beets and citrusy sumac spice as pretty as it is healthy! A very easy recipe that is the perfect healthy snack!
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Easy Beet Sumac Hummus with Veggies
Spicy Thai Broccoli Salad with Peanut Dressing
This super healthy and delicious Thai broccoli salad is loaded with colorful veggies and a mouthwatering spicy peanut butter dressing. This healthy broccoli salad is gluten-free, vegan and makes the perfect side dish or main dish any night of the week!
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This super healthy and delicious Thai broccoli salad is loaded with colorful veggies and a mouthwatering spicy peanut butter dressing. This healthy broccoli salad is gluten-free, vegan and makes the perfect side dish or main dish any night of the week!
Abra's Kitchen Healthy Food Blog

Abra is a licensed nutritionist, seasoned home cook, and forever flavor-chaser. Sheโ€™s spent more than two decades exploring the connection between food and healthโ€”and just as long obsessing over what makes something truly delicious. Abraโ€™s Kitchen is where those two loves meet, with recipes that celebrate vegetables, follow the seasons, and make you excited to cook.

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