33 Recipes to Make in June (+ Easy Dinner Ideas)

With spring ending and summer beginning, menus are shifting. To embrace the change, here are the best recipes to make in June. 

June is one of my favorite months. Farmer’s markets are in town, barbecue season is here, and warm-weather bites are back on the table. 

With a new array of seasonal produce, there are plenty of incredible recipes to make this month.

From Maine lobster rolls to watermelon gelato, you’ll find plenty of inspiration from these June recipes.

So pick one out and let’s kick off the summer!

1. Grilled Chicken Skewers

Grilled chicken skewers always win over a crowd. 

These are the best bites for nibbling on at cookouts. They’re simple to prepare and plates aren’t necessary.

Although, you might want one so you can load up on tzatziki dip.

2. Smoked Pork Chops

Have you been waiting all winter to bust out the smoker? Christen it with smoked pork chops. 

These have a tantalizing BBQ rub that complements the pork.  

When choosing wood chips, try cherry, pecan, or apple. 

Also, be sure to use a meat thermometer. You want these juicy chops to turn out perfect. 

3. BLT Sandwich

There are BLTs. Then there’s this BLT. 

Crispy bacon, ripe beefsteak tomato slices, and crisp lettuce rest between two slices of grilled buttery sourdough. 

And it has a double smear of garlicky mayo.

Just think, in only 10 minutes you can be devouring it. 

4. Zucchini Pasta

With June in full swing, summer activities are back on the schedule.

That means you need a quick and easy dinner for the rotation. 

Here’s one of my favorites, zucchini pasta. 

Choose any pasta noodles you like and smother them in the fresh zucchini pesto sauce. 

It’s fresh, light, seasonal, healthy, and vegan. Plus, it just takes 20 minutes.

5. Baja Fish Tacos

As soon as summer hits, you’ll find me gorging on fresh fish tacos. From salmon to beer-battered, I love them all. 

Yet nothing beats Baja-style. The flaky cod, fresh slaw, and cream sauce are classic. 

These tacos do it one better with an avocado cream sauce. Yum!

6. Classic Key Lime Pie

Classic Key lime pie is the picture-perfect summer dessert.

From the graham cracker crust to the whipped topping, it’s 100 percent from scratch. So you know you’re in for a real treat. 

It might sound like a lot of effort, but it’s easier than you think. 

It takes less than 10 ingredients and 25 minutes of prep. The rest is letting it set.

7. Tomato Gazpacho

When it’s sweltering hot, cool down with tomato gazpacho. 

If you’re a tomato lover, I’m sure you know it well. This cold soup is the epitome of refreshing. 

It’s brimming with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green onions, garlic, and bread for thickening. 

Add sherry for an acidic element and a pinch of cayenne for a kick.

From brunch to a light lunch, this 10-minute cold soup will make plenty of appearances in June.

8. Stone Fruit Salad

Embrace farmer’s market season with this eye-catching stone fruit salad.

It radiates freshness with peaches, cherries, basil, arugula, and cherry tomatoes. 

To make it a little more substantial, add the farro and feta cheese.

Right before serving, drizzle olive oil and champagne vinegar on top. Then, give the salad a toss.

9. Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

Are you craving barbecue but don’t feel like starting the grill? Turn to the Instant Pot. 

You coat the pork in spices and brown sugar, then simmer it in stock and vinegar. 

After letting the appliance do its thing, shred the pork and slather it in BBQ sauce. 

It’s so lip-smacking good, you won’t even miss the grill.

10. Blueberry Muffins

Blueberries are back in season. And these muffins are the perfect way to celebrate. 

They’re tender, sweet, and topped with a buttery crumb. 

Plus, they’re jam-packed with fresh blueberries.

11. Mexican Street Corn Burger

This burger is genius! 

It combines two of the best cookout staples for an enticing food mashup. 

You get a juicy all-beef cheeseburger with a scrumptious street corn topping. 

Call your pals, as they won’t want to miss this. 

12. Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris

Chilling poolside with this frozen cocktail is my idea of a day off. 

Fruity and ice-cold, this boozy thirst quencher is a party in a glass.

It has rum, frozen strawberries, maple syrup, and citrus to perk it up. 

Ready in 5 minutes, you exude very little effort. So you can make it in a snap and get back to soaking up the sun. 

13. Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

These ice cream sandwiches will make you feel like a kid all over again. 

Packed between two soft homemade chocolate chip cookies is vanilla ice cream.

Roll the sides in mini chocolate chips to make it extra chocolatey. 

The kids will go bonkers for this dessert!

14. Crab Cakes

June makes me crave fresh seafood. If you have a hankering too, make crab cakes. 

Plump, meaty crab cakes are heaven. Plus, they couldn’t be any easier. 

You form the patties with seven ingredients, chill, then broil. It’s foolproof.

If you need inspiration for a crab cake side, try grilled avocado or corn salad.

I also like to add a big scoop of mango salsa. 

15. Grilled Peaches

Here’s a sweet treat for all your June cookouts.

These sugar-rubbed peaches are oozing with flavor. Grilling concentrates the juices and gives them a nice smoky char. 

Top them with vanilla ice cream and the graham cracker topping. 

Serve these to your friends, and they’ll be the talk of the party.

16. Summer Quinoa Salad

For picnics, day trips, or work lunches, this summer quinoa salad will be your new staple. 

Healthy and fresh, it’s overflowing with an assortment of summer ingredients. 

Avocado, tomatoes, corn, peaches, and basil add a burst of color to quinoa. Toss it with feta and a bright dressing. 

Then, pack it in a container and go enjoy the sun. Your meal is ready whenever you get hungry.

17. Cherry Tomato Pasta

This just might be the best summer pasta. Fresh, light, healthy, and fast, it checks all the right boxes.

Tender orecchiette, blistered tomatoes, garlic, and basil are dusted with parmesan and coated in balsamic. 

And, it only takes 10 minutes! 

That means you can make it any night of the week. You can even throw it together for a quick lunch.

18. One-Pan Enchiladas

Five ingredients and one skillet are all it takes to make these enchiladas.

There’s no stuffing or rolling required. 

Simply brown the beef, add the black beans, and smother it in enchilada sauce.

A few minutes before it’s ready, add tortilla strips and cheddar cheese. 

A skillet like this is perfect for camping and busy weeks alike. 

19. Baked Salmon

What’s the secret to getting the perfect flaky salmon? Bake it in the oven. 

Rub the salmon in olive oil, herbs, and spices. Add a slice of lemon on top and let it bake for about 15 minutes. 

It’s that simple!

I recommend trying it with the summer quinoa salad or the stone fruit salad. It’s also comforting with herby potato salad. 

20. Vanilla Ice Cream

Need a summer dessert to beat the heat? You can never go wrong with vanilla ice cream.

This sweet treat has a delightful custardy texture. Plus, there’s something about homemade food that just tastes better.

Add a scoop to a cone or sandwich it between two cookies. Or just grab a bowl and dig in. 

21. Pizza Carbonara

If you love pasta carbonara, just wait until you try it on a pizza!

The toppings include pancetta, mozzarella, parmesan, parsley, and a fried egg. 

You can make the dough or skip the hassle and use store-bought. 

Either way, I recommend using a pizza stone. It helps get the perfect crust consistency.

22. Grilled Italian Sausage Sandwich

Grilling and Father’s Day go hand-in-hand. 

So this holiday, give your dad what he really wants. A grilled sausage sandwich!

The plump Italian sausage has the perfect char.

Slap it onto a hoagie roll with peppers, onions, marinara, and melty mozzarella cheese. 

23. Spicy Chicken Tostadas

There are so many reasons to love tostadas. They’re easy, versatile, quick, and scrumptious. 

These spicy tostadas, though, have the best flavor combo. 

Piled high on top of a crispy shell are spicy shredded chicken, black beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, cotija, and avocado cilantro sauce. That’s a lot!

As an appetizer, lunch, or dinner, there are plenty of excuses to make them.

24. Oven Barbecue Ribs

Grab a napkin because these barbecue ribs are calling your name! 

Baby back ribs get rubbed down in a barbecue spice blend, then baked for hours.

The key to locking in all the flavor is to cover the ribs in foil.  

Near the end, you slather them in barbecue sauce and broil them for a nice char. 

They’re so juicy and fall-of-the-bone tender, it’s hard to believe they never touched a grill.

25. Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry shortcake is one of my all-time favorites. It’s a rustic and homely dessert that reminds me of my childhood. 

Anytime I need a little cheer, I spoil myself with this old-fashioned version. 

Two shortcake biscuits get all dressed up with homemade whipped cream and fresh strawberries. It’s the best!

26. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta

With the weather warming up, it’s time to swap hearty pasta for light and fresh. 

This one fits the bill perfectly. 

Tagliatelle is popping with green veggies and swimming with juicy prawns. Keep the sauce simple with butter, lemon, and garlic. 

Also, don’t miss out on the pangrattato! This zesty breadcrumb mixture adds a delightfully crispy texture to the pasta. 

27. Herby Potato Salad

It’s not a barbecue without a potato salad. So whip this up for your next cookout.

Basil, dill, chives, and a garlicky creamy cashew sauce smother baby potatoes. 

It’s mayo-free so you don’t have to worry about it sitting out. Not to mention, it’s scrumptious to boot!

28. Roasted Peppers and Asiago Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Add a wow factor to your chicken dinner by stuffing it. 

This enticing filling only uses five ingredients. It has breadcrumbs, roasted red peppers, asiago cheese, tomatoes, and parsley. 

For the chicken, all you need is spices and olive oil. 

It’s super easy and the family will love it. 

29. Lemon Blueberry Smoothie

Here’s a pick-me-up you can enjoy all month long. 

It’s a healthy mix of blueberries, a banana, lemon, almond extract, and nut milk. 

It’s full of antioxidants, potassium, and protein. The best part, though, is it’s chock-full of blueberries. 

30. Chorizo Dip Queso Fundido

Nothing gets the party started like chorizo queso! It’s such a fun dip. 

The spicy and fatty chorizo paired with the gooey cheese is supreme. 

And you only need four ingredients!

Well, okay five. You also need chips.

31. Watermelon Gelato

With school out, I’m sure you’re looking for things to do with the kids. 

Here’s one fun treat you can make together. 

It’s a two-ingredient vegan gelato featuring watermelon and banana. You can also use coconut nectar as a sweetener. 

Plus, there’s no ice cream maker required. Just use a food processor. 

32. Caprese Salad with Avocado

Here’s an easy summer recipe that never gets old.

It takes a classic Caprese and melds it with avocado, pesto, and balsamic glaze. 

Ready in 10 minutes, it’s a quick lunch or side. You can also skewer it for a party appetizer.

33. Maine Lobster Rolls

Nobody knows lobster rolls like the folks in Maine. So if you want yours to be legit, go with this.  

Big chunks of mayo-coated lobster meat are overflowing from a buttery grilled hot dog bun. 

These are the most succulent lobster rolls on the planet!

I’d say serve it with a side of fries, but really, the roll is all you need.