June is the official start of the summer season, which means school is out, days are full of sunshine, and markets are full of fresh produce! Whether you’re hosting a laid-back picnic or just adding something seasonal to your Tuesday dinner, here’s what produce to look for in June and how to use it!
My time in culinary school taught me that one of the easiest ways to stay inspired throughout the year is to cook seasonally. This is the season of backyard BBQs, barefoot dinners on the patio, and snacking straight from the fruit bowl. It’s time to cool quick dinners so you can enjoy the longer days, make no-bake desserts to escape the heat of the kitchen, and use the freshest summer produce June has to offer!
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ℹ️ June seasonal produce infographic
pro tip: Save either infographic below to your phone’s camera roll for easy reference when grocery shopping, or pin it to your seasonal food Pinterest board for later!
🧾expansive list of fruits & veggies in season in June
Here is a complete list of what you can find in your local markets in June! You’ll notice some produce that shows up year-round, but there’s LOTS to enjoy that’s only here for the summer!
What fruits are in season in June:
- Apricots
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Boysenberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Currants
- Dragon Fruit
- Figs
- Guava
- Lychee
- Mangoes
- Melons
- Papaya
- Passion Fruit
- Peaches
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Pineapple
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
What vegetables are in season in June:
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Chili Peppers
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Chives
- Edamame
- Eggplant
- Garlic
- Green Beans
- Green Onions
- Mustard Greens
- Okra
- Peas
- Peppers
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Shallots
- Summer Squash
- Tomatillos
- Tomatoes
- Zucchini
✨ June ingredient spotlight & recipe share
Check out this quick highlight of what is in season in June 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 June and some links to recipes for inspiration! Want more inspiration? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll help!
🍉 watermelon – the (un)official fruit of summer!
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 June day at a BBQ! And if you’ve never had watermelon in a drink…get ready to get creative this summer!
recipe ideas for watermelon:
make a simple syrup
Try mixing up a batch of watermelon simple syrup and get ready to be the life of all your summer bbqs!
infuse in a liquor
Infused liquors are one of my favorite ways to enjoy seasonal produce in a creative way! Try this watermelon tequila for fresh summer drinks!
fun summer drinks
Summer = the time for light, refreshing, and simple cocktails. It doesn’t get more classic than this watermelon ranch water drink!
🥒 zucchini – the super abundant summer squash!
I cannot tell you how many years I’ve tried growing zucchini in my backyard garden. Okay, it’s at least five. 🙈 Each season, the vine borers get my squash before they even have a chance to fruit. Thankfully, during the summer, squash like zucchini and crookneck squash are so plentiful they’re almost always on sale.
In-season zucchini is tender, mild, and incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for everything from pastas to grilled veggie platters at al-fresco lunches and dinners.
Look for small to medium-sized zucchini with smooth, glossy skin and no soft spots. Bigger zucchini can sometimes be watery or a little seedy.
recipe ideas for zucchini:
tossed in a seasonal pasta dish
Slice zucchini and sauté it with some olive oil and garlic then add it to your favorite summer pasta recipes! It works beautifully in this creamy pesto pasta!
top a summer veggie pizza
Pizzas + veggies are a classic combo! Make your own mini appetizer pizzas topped with a variety of fresh summer veg like zucchini and other summer squash!
add to a veggie platter for dipping
In the summer, I love using fresh, sliced zucchini on veggie platters in place of traditional chips or carrots. Cut slices of zucchini about 1/4 inch thick and serve with a bowl of cool ricotta dip!
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🍓 strawberries – summer berries in bloom!
Toss strawberries into salads, blend them into smoothies, or stir them into yogurt bowls!
Strawberries don’t really ripen after they are picked, so make sure to choose berries that are bright red in color, floral and fragrant in aroma, and don’t have any signs of spoilage.
These berries are very delicate and notorious for spoiling quickly, so if you aren’t going to use them within 2-3 days, you can pop them in the freezer after washing and slicing!
recipe ideas using fresh strawberries:
strawberry simple syrup
Fresh strawberries are infused into a simple syrup in this easy strawberry drink syrup! It’s perfect for cocktails, mocktails, and more!
strawberry wine cocktails
Sip your way closer to springtime with this seasonal frozen strawberry wine cocktail featuring rosé wine and strawberry syrup.
simple strawberry jam
This no-pectin berry jam is a great summer cooking activity for the whole family! Strawberry jam is so easy to make and perfect for no-cook nostalgic PBJ’s!
🌶️ peppers – from mild to spicy!
Summer peppers start showing up in June, and they’re great for adding just the right amount of heat or crunch to your meals. Peppers can be smoky, sweet, and even savory.
When picking jalapeños, look for firm, glossy peppers with smooth skin. The ripest peppers should also have deep, dark green coloring. Avoid peppers with soft spots or wrinkles, as they’re past their prime.
Store fresh peppers in the fridge crisper drawer in a vented zip-top bag or a mesh produce bag. They’ll usually stay fresh for up to a week!
recipe ideas for jalapeño:
make a pepper-infused liquor
Infusions are for more than just fruits! Veggies like peppers are great for using in infused liquors like this jalapeño tequila recipe!
custom-mix summer cocktails
Making drinks at home means it’s easier than ever to customize them! These less spicy jalapeño margaritas can be made with zero heat or lots of it, depending on what you like!
top a homemade pizza dough
Making pizza at home is the perfect summer activity to do with your family and friends! I love adding jalapeños to home baked pizza dough for a pop of flavor.
💬 Let me know in the comments what June produce you’re looking forward to!
I may be biased with June being my birthday month, but I think it has some of the best seasonal produce out of the whole year. Berries are ripe, and summer veggies are perfect for grilling! I’ve even been known to throw fruits on the grill this time of year! 😛
