Summer Starts Now: What I’m Cooking In May

Here’s What I’m Cooking All Month Long

May is the month I stop longing for summer and just start living in it. That means firing up the grill on a weeknight without a second thought, leaning hard into fresh basil and bright citrus, and finding every excuse to eat outside.

This list is a mix of grill-friendly showstoppers, easy weeknight dinners, and a few fresh bowls that make the most of the season. No heavy sauces, no long braises—just vibrant, flavorful cooking that tastes like May actually feels.

↓ The summer side dish I make on repeat whenever I’m entertaining. I’m not exaggerating when I say it disappears in minutes.

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Couscous Salad with Grilled Veggies & Basil Vinaigrette

This Couscous Salad with Grilled Veggies is hands down the summer side dish recipe I've made most for friends and family when entertaining. It's foolproof, and I don't say that lightly! Toss fluffy, tender pearl couscous with an abundance of grilled vegetables and baby arugula, then toss with my basil salad dressing. Dairy-free and vegetarian.

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↓ For anyone who orders a Caesar salad every time it’s on the menu. 😉 This one is so much better.

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5 from 1 review

Salmon Caesar Salad with Kale & Basil Pesto

If you're the kind of person who orders a Caesar salad every time it’s on the menu, this elevated Salmon Caesar Salad with Kale & Pesto is for you. We’re taking everything you love about the classic—creamy dressing, crisp greens, crunchy croutons—and layering in extra flavor with peppery kale, a punchy pesto twist, and perfectly pan-seared salmon. A dinner-worthy salad that’s equal parts fresh, savory, herby, and downright luxurious.

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↓ My go-to for a speedy, restaurant-quality dinner at home. The chimichurri alone is worth making this for.

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5 from 2 reviews

Skirt Steak Rice Bowls with Chimichurri Sauce

Skirt Steak Rice Bowls with cilantro chimichurri sauce are my go-to for a speedy, restaurant-quality dinner at home. Juicy skirt steak, seared to a perfect medium-rare, rests on fluffy white rice before being drizzled with a bright, herb and citrus chimichurri. A handful of quick-pickled red onions and your favorite seasonal veggies round out the bowl–making each forkful a harmony of savory, tangy, and fresh.

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↓ A Provençal classic, made easier and more delicious. Perfect alongside grilled anything.

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5 from 1 review

Oven-Baked Ratatouille with Fresh Basil

This Oven-Baked Ratatouille is a playful — and easier! — take on the classic Provençal dish highlighting fresh summer vegetables. Instead of cooking each ingredient individually, I take the quicker route of baking them together in one large dish. Enjoy as a light main course, a veggie-packed side dish for grilled meats, poultry, or seafood, or toss with pasta. I hope you give it a try, it's too good not to share! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

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↓ Restaurant-quality at home, and honestly, better than anything I’ve ordered tableside in a long time.

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5 from 3 reviews

Pan-Seared Scallops over Creamy Pesto Orzo

A sophisticated, restaurant-quality entrée that captures the essence of summer by the sea. This Pesto Orzo with Pan-Seared Scallops features a velvety mascarpone sauce studded with sweet corn and sun-dried tomatoes. Finished with golden, buttery scallops and a scatter of crispy fried capers, it’s an elegant dish designed for your next special occasion.

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↓ The weeknight chicken recipe that screams summer—burst tomatoes, wilted spinach, mascarpone. It’s got everything.

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4.8 from 6 reviews

Summer Pan-Seared Chicken with Mascarpone & Tomatoes

If you’re looking for a versatile chicken dinner that truly feels like summer, this is it. Golden pan-seared chicken breasts stay tender thanks to a quick braise in white wine (or chicken stock), finished with a generous spoonful of creamy mascarpone. Add juicy burst tomatoes, wilted spinach, and a bright squeeze of lemon, and you’ve got a fresh, flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

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↓ My favorite easy grilling recipe for entertaining. On the table in minutes, and it looks stunning.

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5 from 6 reviews

Juicy Grilled Swordfish Skewers with Italian Salsa Verde

If you need a quick seafood dish for the grill, these swordfish skewers deliver. Alternating swordfish and lemon on skewers keeps the fish moist as it grills in just minutes. Serve with Italian salsa verde for a bold, herb-forward finish.

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↓ Creamy, cheesy, and tastes like summer in a bowl. This one is a true kitchen staple.

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5 from 2 reviews

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta (with Rotisserie Chicken!)

This Chicken Pesto Pasta is the kind of dinner you’ll crave all summer long. Juicy roasted tomatoes, creamy mascarpone, pesto, rotisserie chicken, and melty mozzarella pearls come together in a pasta that’s comforting, vibrant, and ready in no time. I've been making this weeknight pasta for over a decade and it's always loved by all!

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↓ One of my all-time favorite meals to make at home—and proof that the best dinner doesn’t require turning on the oven.

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5 from 10 reviews

Ahi Tuna Poké Bowls & My Perfect Marinade

Ahi Tuna Poké Bowls are one of my all-time favorite meals to make at home. Silky tuna is tossed in a simple soy and sesame marinade, then spooned over warm sushi rice and topped with creamy avocado, scallions, and nori. Light, fresh, and packed with flavor, it’s a quick seafood dinner that feels special without the effort.

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May is when cooking stops feeling like an effort and starts feeling like the whole point.

If you’re craving more seasonal, summer-ready dinner inspiration, be sure to explore the full recipe index. You can filter by main ingredient, time of year, and dietary restrictions to find exactly what fits your mood. And if you’d like a shortcut to the recipes I personally return to again and again, those favorites are bookmarked here too. 😉

Here’s to open windows, a hot grill, and the best five months of the year ahead!