Summer is the best time to enjoy fresh, flavorful, and budget friendly fruits and vegetables – especially if you’re trying to feed your family healthy, organic meals without breaking the bank.
In some states/climates, summer is a great time to garden. Growing your own produce is the ideal way to enjoy an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables and save money. If you’re like me and live in a hot dry climate (🥵 summer is NOT my favorite), a summer garden can be difficult. While I have been dabbling in gardening, my garden has not been very fruitful and definitely has not saved me any money. Hopefully I’ll get better at it someday.
If you are like me and have to rely on stocking your fridge and pantry with produce from the store, shopping what is in season will get you the best tasting fruits and vegetables, for the best price. Seasonal produce is more abundant, travels less to get to your store, and is often cheaper – especially at local farmers markets.
So what should you be reaching for this summer?
Here is your go-to list of summer produce that’s in season, plus some quick tips for using them in your family’s meals.
What fruit is in season during summer?
These are the fruits that are best to buy during summer:
- Strawberries – sweet, kid-approved and perfect for desserts or freezing
- Blueberries – high in antioxidants, ideal to add to pancakes or overnight oats
- Raspberries – high in nutrients and fiber
- Cherries – one of our favorites when they are in season
- Peaches – also a favorite, we love them on yogurt or cottage cheese, or in a peach crisp (with ice cream of course)
- Plums – easy for a snack or on top of salad
- Melons – super hydrating and budget friendly
- Grapes – pop them in the fridge for a fun cold treat
- Apricots – also a great snack paired with some cheese and nuts
- Figs (late summer) – delicious with cheese or baked into muffins
Budget tip: Buy berries in bulk if you find them on sale and freeze them for smoothies or baking later. One of my favorites to make with frozen berries is a chia berry sauce. It’s delicious on top of pancakes, french toast, waffles, yogurt, chia pudding, or my kids like to just eat it plain.
What vegetables are in season during summer?
These vegetables are great for raw snacking, simple sides, and easy dinners.
- Zucchini – spiralize, grill or shred into muffins
- Summer squash – great roasted or sauteed
- Tomatoes – delicious on burgers, sandwiches, salads, in egg bake or fresh salsa
- Corn – boil, grill, or cut off the cob and freeze for later
- Cucumbers – a refreshing and crunchy snack
- Bell peppers – sweet and packed with vitamin C
- Green beans – perfect for steaming, roasting or adding to stir fries
- Eggplant – great roasted or added to pasta dishes
- Okra – ripe in summer, I honestly have never tried it
- Lettuce and greens – summer salads are my favorite and BYO salad night is an easy dinner around here
- Radishes – great in slaws or roasted
Hack: Wash and chop up extra veggies when prepping dinner to keep in the fridge so they are ready when you need them.
Summer is the perfect time to liven up your meals with bright, fresh produce that tastes amazing and saves you money! Seasonal produce has more flavor, tastes better and stays fresh longer which means you are less likely to throw wilted and moldy produce away.
Take advantage of the abundance of in season produce while it lasts!
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