What August Cooking Looks Like in My Kitchen

↓ A fantastic start to any meal and can be made entirely in a blender!

1

Cold Cucumber Soup with Greek Yogurt (10-Minute Blender Recipe)

This chilled cucumber soup is my favorite thing to make when it's too hot to cook. It's cool, creamy, and unbelievably fresh—just cucumbers, Greek yogurt, herbs, and lemon blitzed smooth in the blender. Make it ahead, chill it well, and finish with good olive oil and flaky salt. Easy, refreshing, and a little bit fancy.

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↓ Probably my favorite combination of salty and sweet of all time.

2

5 from 1 review

10-Minute Peach & Burrata Salad with Silky Prosciutto

If I could eat one thing all summer, this peach and burrata salad would be it. It’s barely a recipe—it’s more about assembling the absolute best ingredients you can find. The trick is the truffle oil; it sounds fancy, but it perfectly balances the sweetness of the peaches and the saltiness of the prosciutto. It’s my go-to for a light lunch that still feels incredibly indulgent.

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↓ I make this more than any other chicken recipe in the summer! New to the blog, but I’ve been cooking it for years.

3

Chicken Thighs with Sautéed Zucchini, Yellow Squash, & Herb Sauce

This is the kind of easy dinner I come back to again and again — juicy marinated chicken, blistered zucchini and yellow squash, and a fresh herb sauce that ties it all together. It happens in one skillet and spoons beautifully over a bowl of rice. Cozy, bright, and just fancy enough to feel special on a weeknight.

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↓ A bright, herbaceous pasta salad that can be enjoyed warm, room temp, or cold.

4

Creamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta Salad with Mozzarella

Don’t sleep on Pesto Shrimp Pasta Salad—it’s a vibrant, delicious combo of sweet roasted tomatoes, juicy shrimp, and a velvety pesto sauce. Even though it tastes gourmet, it comes together in no time, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights. The best part is you can serve it warm or chilled, making it super versatile for any occasion!

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↓ Two words: tomato rice. This is such a weeknight winner!

5

5 from 1 review

Greek Tomato Rice Bowls with Broiled Chicken Thighs

These broiled chicken thighs with Greek tomato rice are my answer to the eternal "what's for dinner?" question. The chicken marinates in a lemony, garlicky Greek yogurt mixture while you make a one-pan rice loaded with blistered cherry tomatoes — then 12 minutes under the broiler gives you juicy, charred-edge chicken with zero grill required. Add a crunchy cucumber salad and a dollop of tzatziki, and dinner is done. Weeknight cooking at its absolute best.

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↓ The most epic summer side dish to ever exist! Bright, punchy, and has the most incredible texture.

6

Charred Grilled Zucchini with Peach Agrodolce

High-heat grilling caramelizes zucchini for deep char and a tender center, while a stovetop agrodolce — white wine and vinegar reduced with shallot, thyme, and mustard seed, then finished with fresh peaches and butter — delivers that classic Italian sweet-sour balance. Toasted pine nuts add crunch; flaky salt sharpens every bite. This will quickly become the most talked-about plate at the cookout.

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↓ Ideal on hot summer days when you want a quick, refreshing (but still satisfying!) meal.

7

Peruvian-Style, Citrus-Marinated Salmon Ceviche

Fresh salmon shines in this Peruvian-style ceviche, where a bright citrus marinade gently cures the fish. Finished with red onion, jalapeño, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro, it’s fresh, vibrant, and best served with crisp homemade tostadas. A light lunch or elegant appetizer. Gluten-free.

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↓ A great piece of fish + an epic sauce = dinner perfection. Enjoy alongside any veggie!

8

Grilled Halibut with Smoky Charred Scallion Sauce

This easy grilled halibut gets a big flavor boost from a vibrant charred scallion sauce. Blended with grilled scallions, cilantro, lime, serrano pepper, garlic, and olive oil, the sauce is bright, smoky, and fresh. A boldly flavored summer dinner that’s simple to make and naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.

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↓ If there’s one dish I never tire of, it’s these grilled skewers. They’re buttery, flaky, and have a lovely citrus flavor.

9

Grilled Salmon Skewers with Za’atar & Lemon

Boldly spiced and tender, these Za'atar Salmon Skewers are my ideal summer dinner. There's no lengthy marinating time required (though of course you can prep them in advance!) and they take just minutes to cook. The salmon melts in your mouth and has a warm, nutty flavor from za'atar and sumac. Enjoy with our Creamy Greek Yogurt Sauce, couscous, rice, quinoa, or grilled veggies! Dairy-free without the sauce and naturally gluten-free.

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↓ I couldn’t not share a summer dessert! Don’t wait to make this crumble, it’s summer on a plate!

10

5 from 4 reviews

Warm Peach Crumble (with Fresh or Frozen Peaches)

Homemade Peach Crumble is the perfect summer dessert for easy entertaining! Assemble the filling made with fresh peaches in a cast-iron skillet or baking dish, then top with the buttery, crunchy topping. Easier than pie, but every bit as delicious. Serve the warm peaches with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

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August cooking is my favorite kind—loose, produce-led, and light on effort. I’m savoring every last bite before the season starts to turn.

If you’re craving more late-summer dinner inspiration, explore the full recipe index to filter by main ingredient, season, and dietary needs. Or jump straight to the recipes I return to again and again. And if you missed last month’s July picks, plenty of them are still in heavy rotation.

Here’s to farmers’ market hauls, dinners outside, and squeezing every last drop out of summer.