Lazy summer days are at their peak in August, when days are long, hot, and begging to be taken full advantage of. Whether you’re escaping the heat indoors or looking to pack the perfect picnic, we are breaking down what produce to look for in August and ideas for how to use it all, too!
If I’m being honest, August is one of my least favorite months. It’s no longer the peak of summer, but not quite the start of fall, and yet every year it’s somehow full of both back-to-school supplies AND Halloween merch. All before September?! WOOF. But, August does pack a punch produce wise.
My time in culinary school taught me that cooking seasonally is the key to staying out of cooking ruts. While August may be a season of in-betweens, it’s still chock-full of delicious fruits and vegetables that are perfect for celebrating late summer days.
Use this jump-to menu to quickly navigate to sections of this blog post! And if you’re looking for what’s fresh in another month, check out all of the seasonal produce guides here.
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🖼️ Seasonal Foods Infographic for August
Here’s a handy infographic to use as your personal August produce guide. Save this image for all your grocery trips this month, or pin it for later!
🧾expansive list of fruits & veggies in season in August
Here are two comprehensive lists of fruits and veggies that are in season in the month of August! Stone fruits like plums, peaches, and nectarines are here for a little while longer, and summer squash like crookneck squash and zucchini are also living in the spotlight. Bell peppers (and other peppers, for that matter) are also super fresh this season, and don’t you DARE forget about tomato season!! 😤
Fruits that are in season in August:
- Apples
- Apricots
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Figs
- Grapes
- Honeydew
- Mangoes
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
Veggies that are in season in August:
- Avocados
- Basil
- Carrots
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Green beans
- Lettuce
- Okra
- Peas
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Summer squash
- Sweet onions
- Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
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✨ August ingredient spotlight & recipe share
Check out this quick highlight of what is in season in August and some links to recipes for inspiration!
Want more recipe inspo? 👀
Drop me a comment and let me know what you’re looking for! I run this site by myself, and I’m here to help YOU stay inspired! I’d be thrilled to help develop a recipe just for you!
Here’s a focused list of what fruits and vegetables are in season in August and some links to recipes for inspiration! Want more inspiration? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll help!
🍅 tomatoes – the true star of August!
When choosing tomatoes, choose firm ‘maters that yield slightly when gently pressed. They should also have a vibrant, deep color and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any that are pale in color, they will disappoint you I promise. The best ones also have that unmistakable fresh tomato smell at the stem end.
Tomatoes are summer’s MVP and super versatile. They’re perfect for fresh caprese salads, quick pasta sauces, and they even taste amazing roasted into a spreadable jam for sandwiches and charcuterie boards!
Of course, you can always enjoy a simple slice of fresh tomato on literally everything from sandwiches to burgers! And while I’m not the biggest fan of tomatoes in a cocktail, others swear by the morning-after-magic of a bloody mary.
recipe ideas for tomatoes:
caprese salad
Few salads are as simple to throw together as a summer caprese salad, especially when you can find the perfect mix of fresh heirloom tomatoes AND cherry or grape tomatoes, too!
in a sauce
One of my favorite quick sauces is this cherry tomato sauce for pizza and pasta! It comes together in under 30 minutes, and is the perfect fresh sauce for so many recipes!
roasted confit
This easy tomato condiment works overtime in the summer! It’s perfect on sandwiches, in salads, overtop pasta, and more!
💜 blackberries – the late-summer berry!
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had to toss out moldy berries literally the day after buying them. 🙈 Blackberries are particularly delicate! When shopping, examine them carefully for any signs of moisture or mold. The best berries are completely dry, plump, and firm with a uniform deep color.
Fresh blackberries are sweet yet tart and incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for everything from summery cocktails to cobblers that just scream for a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
Once home, don’t wash berries until right before using them. Store them in the refrigerator in their original breathable container or spread them in a single layer on a paper towel-lined plate. Pro tip: discard any damaged berries immediately as they’ll quickly affect the whole batch!
recipe ideas for blackberries:
muddled into mocktails
One of the quickest ways to use fresh berries is muddling them into drinks! You can easily whip up a summer lemonade variation that’s perfect for the whole family!
simmer into a simple syrup
A blackberry infused syrup works particularly well, because they benefit greatly from a bit of heat. The addition of sugar takes away any overly sour flavor that fresh berries sometimes have, too!
mixed up in margaritas
Margaritas are one of my favorite cocktails, because they are so easy to swap with seasonal substitutions! This summer berry basil margarita celebrates not one, but TWO peak summer crops for the ultimate summer sip.
🍉 watermelon – peak season summer melon!
Summer melons are ready to be served at any meal even if cantaloupe somehow makes its way into every seasonal fruit cup ever. 🤨
When choosing a watermelon, look for heavy fruits that have a defined yellow “field spot” on them. You can also tap your fruit and listen for a deep thumping sound, instead of a hollow higher pitched sound.
Watermelon is great for fruit salads, and salads with lettuce, and even tastes great when grilled.
Of course, you can also just enjoy a simple slice of fresh watermelon on a hot summer day! And if you’ve never had watermelon in a drink…get ready to get creative this summer!
recipe ideas using fresh watermelon:
watermelon simple syrup
I love using watermelon in beverages by making it into a simple syrup. Once you have that recipe made, you can open up a whole new world of tasty summer cocktails and mocktails!
watermelon infused tequila
You can also infuse your favorite liquor with watermelon, like this watermelon-infused tequila recipe!
watermelon ranch water
This watermelon tequila cocktail will have you cooled off in no time! Ranch water is light, refreshing, and perfect for long summer days!
🌿 basil – bold and herbaceous!
Basil shows up in summer gardens like a rockstar, taking center stage with its bright, aromatic leaves. It’s perfect for adding that extra pop of flavor to basically anything!
When picking basil, look for vibrant green leaves without any dark spots. The best basil should have perky, upright stems and give off that distinctive sweet-spicy aroma when you gently touch the leaves. Avoid any with wilted or browning leaves – they’re way past their prime.
Store fresh basil by trimming the stems and placing them in a glass of water like a bouquet. Keep it on your counter at room temperature (not the fridge!) to keep it fresher for longer!
recipe ideas for basil:
simple compound butter
A super easy way to showcase herbs is in compound butters, like with this basil butter recipe! It’s perfect on top of pasta or baked overtop your favorite protein!
a sunflower seed pesto
This nut-free pesto recipe is perfect when you don’t have pine nuts on hand. It uses super cost-effective sunflower seeds instead!
in your favorite pastas
This pasta al pesto recipe is perfect for showcasing fresh summer basil. It’s light, flavorful, and a quick and easy weeknight meal!
So, what’s on your shopping list this month?
Peaches & corn have already been making regular appearances in my kitchen, and BLTs are always on the menu as long as ripe tomatoes are around!
