Summer Abundance, Solved
There’s nothing quite like a nice little morning at the farmer’s market. Arms full of summer goodies, maybe an iced coffee in tow, sunshine at your back—and then the question of… what am I supposed to do with all this? It’s my favorite problem to have!
These recipes are built around the best of peak summer produce—corn, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, peaches, green beans, and strawberries—whether tossed into a salad, baked into a snack or dessert, piled onto a bowl, or turned into dinner in 30 minutes on a Tuesday. Consider this your go-to guide for using up every last bit of that sweet summer produce.
Salads and Grain Bowls
From light and crunchy to hearty and satisfying, these salads and bowls let peak produce shine.
Fresh and Fruity Salads
- Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette – This juicy salad tastes like summer! With chipotle chicken, sweet corn, avocado, cilantro vinaigrette, bacon crumbles, and fresh strawberries for a pop of sweetness. 83 reviews, 5 average.
- Corn, Avocado, and Quinoa Salad with Marinated Tomatoes – The perfect summery quinoa salad: fresh corn, buttery avocado, nutty quinoa, juicy marinated tomatoes, and tons of fresh herbs. 43 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Couscous Summer Salad – Spiced couscous, juicy nectarines, crunchy cucumber, avocado, chickpeas, cherries, sweet corn, and mint. It’s sunshine in a bowl! 39 reviews, 4.7 average.
- Gorgeous Peach Salad – Fresh cucumber, bitey shallots, cooling mint, and sweet fleshy peaches in serious flavor harmony. 16 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad – Red peppers, cabbage, chicken, soba noodles, and a quick homemade spicy peanut sauce. 91 reviews, 4.8 average.
- Elote Style Quinoa Salad – Velvety peppers confit, juicy sweet corn, homemade dressing, cotija cheese, lime, and spices. 23 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumbers and Herbs – Paper-thin veggies, a shower of herbs, a pile of fried crispy red curry rice, and a limey garlicky vinaigrette. 50 reviews, 4.8 average.
- The Oliver’s Salad – Inspired by the restaurant Oliver’s in Minnesota: tender salmon, savory peppers and garlic confit, buttery avocado, fire-roasted corn, bacon bits, and smoky ranch dressing. 27 reviews, 4.9 average.
Bowls, Tacos, and Wraps
- Smoky Beans & Greens Tacos with Aji Verde – Smoky black beans sautéed with kale, garlic, and spices, tucked into charred corn tortillas, topped with feisty Aji Verde. 71 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Banza Chicken Bowls with Calabrian Chili Sauce – Crunchy tomato cucumber salad, thin slips of red onion, golden crisped air fryer chicken, chewy Banza, and tangy calabrian chile sauce. 22 reviews, 5 average.
- Salmon Tacos with Mango Corn Salsa – Super easy salmon tacos loaded with mango, sweet corn, and cucumber salsa. 32 reviews, 5 average.
- Ang’s Chicken Wraps – Shredded chicken, crispy cheddar cheese, fresh tomato, corn, lettuce, pickled red onion, and not one but two sauces. 18 reviews, 4.9 average.
Pasta and Weeknight Dinners
Turn your haul into a satisfying dinner, many ready in 30 minutes or one pan.
Pasta Night, Summer Edition
- Creamy Shrimp Pasta with Corn and Tomatoes – Creamy, silky noodles, garlicky shrimp, and fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, and basil. 57 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Roasted Tomato Puttanesca – The easiest puttanesca with all the silky, briney, and zippy summer freshness. 45 reviews, 4.8 average.
- Creamy Vegan Red Pepper Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes – Chewy rigatoni, blistered juicy tomatoes, creamy-but-cream-less roasted red pepper sauce, and fresh chives and basil. 59 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Burst Tomato and Zucchini Spaghetti with Avocado Sauce – Tossed with a simple, creamy, vegan avocado sauce. Healthy and ready in 30 minutes. 43 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Garlic Shrimp and Tomatoes with Parmesan Orzo – Shrimp laced with buttery garlic and thyme and a burst tomato sauce served on creamy Parmesan orzo. 19 reviews, 4.8 average.
- Basic Garlic Butter Tomato Sauce – Made with cherry tomatoes, garlic, balsamic, and butter. SO simple, good on everything. 39 reviews, 4.8 average.
Easy Mains for Busy Tuesdays
- Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Salad – Summery salmon with a big-flavored basil sauce that’s so good you’ll want to drink it. 67 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Sheet Pan Meatballs with Tomato Salad and Green Sauce – Juicy sheet pan meatballs that are salty, zesty, and briney. Pile them on tzatziki, spoon green sauce over top, and serve with a simple salad and crusty bread. 50 reviews, 5 average.
- One-Pan Farro with Tomatoes and Kale – Rustic farro with cherry tomatoes, onions, garlic, and kale. 40 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Grilled Chicken with Pepperoncini Garlic Butter – Grilled marinated chicken, a quick tomato cucumber salad, tangy feta, and zippy pepperoncini garlic butter sauce. 69 reviews, 5 average.
- Lemongrass Chicken with Rice and Zucchini – Tender chicken thighs sautéed then simmered in a creamy coconut lemongrass sauce, with jasmine rice, fresh herbs, and veg. 73 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Harissa Meatballs with Whipped Feta – Store-bought meatballs, bell peppers, zucchini, harissa, and whipped feta all in one bowl. 39 reviews, 5 average.
Sides, Sauces, and Little Extras
These recipes make the most of every extra handful from your market bag.
- Avocado Caesar Green Beans – Green beans, a quick avocado caesar, and toasted panko. This is some type of magic! 21 reviews, 4.8 average.
- 5-Ingredient Marinated Tomatoes – Fresh tomatoes, punchy lemon juice, grated garlic, a little olive oil, and herbs and salt to make it sing. 13 reviews, 5 average.
- Pickled Strawberries – Sweet vinegar-soaked strawberries on grilled sourdough with goat cheese, thyme, and honey. 16 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Roasted Tomatoes with Goat Cheese Polenta – Fresh juicy tomatoes, vibrant green spinach, and creamy goat cheese polenta. 47 reviews, 4.9 average.
- 5 Minute Magic Green Sauce – Avocado, olive oil, cilantro, lime, garlic, and parsley. Vegan and so awesome. 217 reviews, 4.8 average.
- Very Incredible Basil Sauce – Punchy, salty, bright green sauce packed with fresh basil, chives, garlic, and a bit of oregano. 21 reviews, 5 average.
Sweet Treats and Baked Goods
Use ripe summer fruit and zucchini in desserts that taste like the season.
- The Best Peach Cobbler – Made with fresh peaches, sugar, and a topping that bakes like slightly underbaked cookie dough, with crunchy sugar broiled on top. 247 reviews, 4.7 average.
- Feel-Good Zucchini Muffins – Made with oats, zucchini, dates, maple syrup, and olive oil. Just blitz in a blender and pour! 118 reviews, 4.7 average.
- Easy Strawberry Pie – Homemade strawberry pie with a graham cracker crust and cream cheese whipped cream. 9 reviews, 4.9 average.
- Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bars – Oats, almond butter, zucchini, dates, and maple syrup. So many feel-good ingredients packed into one bar! 32 reviews, 4.9 average.
About the Author
Hi! I’m Lindsay—a former 4th grade teacher, now a full-time blogger. My husband Bjork and I live in Minnesota. Favorite things include my camera, lake days, and dark chocolate. If you make one of these recipes, tag Pinch of Yum on Instagram so we can find you!
Published July 10, 2026.