Welcome to my “What To Cook” monthly series! July is when summer cooking really hits its stride. Farmers’ markets are overflowing with colorful produce, backyard grills are working overtime, and fresh, easy meals become the name of the game.
Photo: Gayle McLeod
The Ultimate Summer Recipes For July
July is the one month where I try to push myself to be outside every…single…day. The weather is glorious in Southern California, so I much prefer to be outside on my grill rather than indoors over my stove. I also love how grilling adds incredible flavor, especially with my baby back ribs and shish kabobs. But if I am cooking in the kitchen, it’s going to be simple summer recipes, and lots of make-ahead salads and sides.
Basically, July has a big theme of summer cookout dishes, because what’s summer without vibrant backyard hangs? So whether you’re planning a 4th of July menu, hosting a barbecue, or looking for healthy summer dinner ideas, this list celebrates the very best flavors of the season.
This classic chicken salad is always in rotation during July. I love keeping a batch in the fridge for easy lunches, lettuce wraps, or quick dinners on busy summer days.
These turkey burgers are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for anyone looking for a lighter alternative to traditional beef burgers. They’re a staple on my grill all summer long and pair beautifully with fresh toppings and a side of coleslaw.
If there's one side dish or appetizer I can always count on, it's this cowboy caviar. Packed with beans, vegetables, and a zesty dressing, it’s part dip, part salad, and so delicious scooped with tortilla chips.
This slow cooker pulled pork is one of my favorite recipes for effortless summer entertaining. The pork cooks low and slow until it’s perfectly tender and easy to shred, making it ideal for tacos, bowls, or serving alongside classic barbecue sides like coleslaw and cowboy caviar.
A good coleslaw is the perfect companion to grilled meats, burgers, and ribs. This version has been deemed a favorite thanks to my homemade coleslaw dressing. And if you prefer a no-mayo version, this vingear coleslaw is also a fan favorite!
This shrimp salad is one of my favorite warm-weather lunches. It’s light yet filling, easy to meal prep, and comes together quickly when you need something fresh without turning on the oven.
These baby back ribs are my secret for the best cookout meal. After more than a decade of making them every summer, these ribs are guaranteed to be fall-apart tender and packed with flavor. Plus, the homemade spiced rum pineapple BBQ sauce really takes them over the top.
This shrimp salad is one of my favorite ways to use mangoes this season. Nothing says summer quite like sweet mango paired with creamy avocado and shrimp. It's vibrant, tropical, and actually filling with lots of protein.
Juicy and tender sirloin steak is soaked in the best beef marinade, then threaded on skewers with onion, bell peppers, and mushrooms before being tossed on a hot grill for a quick 15 minutes until perfectly browned. Hello, summer cookouts and dinner parties!
Since we're in the thick of basil season, here's a reminder to make my basil pesto sauce and make this super easy ground turkey skillet! I love making this for a simple, healthy, and savory summer meal that doesn't require too much effort.
If you make any of these July recipes, let me know how they turn out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re looking for more healthy food inspiration, join my free newsletter here.
Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.
