July is here! Let’s listen to it on long summer days and warm summer evenings. I hope you are enjoying a fun long weekend. Please stay safe.
If you are looking for Fourth of July recipes, Here are some of my favorites. The more salad, the better. Browse with images here.
- Dips: Mediterranean tomato and feta dip, pimento cheese or strawberry salsa
- Salad: Favorite Quinoa Salad, Black Bean Salad, Herbed Potato Salad, Layered Panzanella, Mediterranean Bean Salad or Watermelon Salad with Herbed Yogurt Dressing
- Main Dish: Caprese sandwich, favorite veggie burger or grilled pizza
- Dessert: Almond cake with berries on top, mixed berry crisp or plain blueberry cake
- Additional: Aperol Spritz, Classic Mojitos, Easy Pineapple Mint Popsicles, or Strawberry Smoothies
Avocado
Gabby’s Cucumber Salad
Gluten free and vegetarian
“Made this last night on the fly and loved it – as did my daughter! Quick and easy – served with pasta when you get home from work. – Connie
More Avocado Recipes »
Berry! Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries
Gluten-free almond cake with berries on top
gluten free
“So good. I added a little powdered sugar to the Greek yogurt and it was delicious. Thanks for the easy summer showstopper! – Carrie
More Blueberry Recipes » (Also Blackberries, Raspberries and Strawberries)
cherry
Balsamic Stone Fruit Sundae
If you use vegan ice cream, it’s gluten free and vegan
“I made this for a cooking class I taught and everyone loved it!! Hope you get some more readers, because I tell a lot of my patients about your blog :)” – Tricia
More Cherry Recipes »
corn
Sweet Corn and Black Bean Tacos
Gluten free and easily vegan
“I made these last night and they were great! I love the flavor; the lime adds so much. I followed the recipe exactly and they were great for lunch the next day! – Laura
More Corn Recipes »
cucumber
Tazatziki
gluten free
“This is the best tzatziki recipe ever. I come back to it again and again. Everyone who tastes it wants the recipe! Thank you so much” – Terry
More Cucumber Recipes »
green beans
Blackened Green Bean and Quinoa Salad
Gluten free and easily vegan (omit the feta).
“This might actually be my favorite grain salad. The combination of textures is amazing—don’t skip the toasted almonds, of course! It’s a bit involved, but if you’re multitasking, it comes together fairly quickly. I’ve made it several times now and as long as I have fresh sweet corn Will definitely keep it up as long as I can!-Eleanor
More Green Bean Recipes »
green vegetables
Ashley’s Sun-Dried Tomato Caesar Salad
Vegetarian and delicious
“Tried this last night it was delicious and so easy! On my lunch favorites list. Thanks Kate!” – Caroline
More Salad Recipes »
today
Baked Feta Dip with Cherry Tomatoes
Gluten free (with gluten-free additives)
“Fantastic appetizer that everyone loves!! I’ve served this four times in the last two months and it’s a big hit. So easy to make!!” – Nancy
More Tulsi Recipes » (Also Cilantro and Dill)
in time
Heirloom BLT Salad (with Coconut Bacon!)
vegan
“Kate, this salad is so delicious. The dressing—I know everyone is going wild for your coconut bacon, which is wonderful and all, but the dressing! I love that it’s oil-free so you can really load it up. This salad is for my book salad. The bar is raised. You’ve done it again, Cookie and Kate!” – Tori
More Kale Recipes »
mango
Thai Mango Cabbage Wrapped in Crispy Tofu and Peanut Sauce
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“I made these tonight and they are so delicious. A perfect summer dish. I also want to say that this is the first time my boyfriend and I have actually enjoyed (even, loved) tofu! Jyotsna Mukta for perfectly crispy tofu. – Dina
More Mango Recipes »
peach
Creamy Peach and Honey Popsicles
gluten free
“My husband and I’s favorite recipe! Can you substitute peaches for other fruits? Was thinking strawberries or raspberries!” – Mallory (The answer is yes – check out my Roasted Berry and Honey Yogurt Popsicles!)
More Peach Recipes »
pepper
Fresh black bean salad
Gluten-free and vegetarian
“Hi Kate, I forgot how delicious this salad is! Served with slow cooker mac and cheese for dinner last night. I really like that you mix the whole salad at once, don’t have a separate dressing to prepare, and that dressing too. Just “dresses” the ingredients and doesn’t drown them!! The perfect summer meal – easy, make ahead, no oven needed 🙂 Thanks, again, for sharing!” – Chris
More Bell Pepper Recipes »
plum
Plum crisp
Gluten-free and easily vegan (see notes)
“I made this as dessert for a women’s group dinner and everyone loved it! Thank you.” – Daniela
More plum recipes »
potatoes
Herbed Red Potato Salad (No Mayo!)
Gluten-free and vegetarian
“Absolutely wonderful recipe – so fresh and lighter than traditional potato salad and it was a hit on my dad’s birthday! It was so good we’re making it again tonight!” – Tori
More Potato Recipes »
Radish
Colorful veggie lettuce wraps
vegan
“I just made these for dinner and they were delicious! My whole family loved them. Easy to put together and fun to put on the table. Thank you for all the great recipes!” – Catherine
More Radish Recipes »
Summer squash
Pesto Squash Noodles and Spaghetti with Burst Cherry Tomatoes
Easily gluten free and easily vegan (see notes)
“Didn’t think twice about whipping it up for tonight because I just had to buy zucchinis and tomatoes. I made it vegetarian with nutritional yeast and oh my this is an amazing recipe. Very simple! You are quickly becoming my favorite food blogger! Can’t wait to share this creation with my love. Thanks” – Lauren
More Zucchini Recipes » (Also Yellow Squash)
tomato
Mediterranean Tomato and Feta Dip
gluten free
“Made it tonight for a quick dinner. It was so delicious! I’ll be bringing it to all the parties/BBQs I go to this summer. I love your blog :)” – Jodi
More Tomato Recipes »
Don’t forget to tag your recipe photos #cookieandkate so we can all see! If you’re looking for an ingredient that didn’t make the list, check out my ingredient index for relevant recipes.
More resources you may appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch, and 20 simple weeknight meals. You can buy the kitchen tools I need here. Be sure to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!