What’s In Season in May: Your Ultimate Guide to Fresh Spring Produce & Seasonal Recipes
Welcome to May! As the last whispers of spring give way to the promise of summer, this month truly blossoms into a vibrant period for fresh produce. If you’re eager to discover what delicious fruits and vegetables are at their peak right now, you’ve landed in the perfect place. From the sweet tang of pineapple to the aromatic notes of wild garlic, May offers a spectacular array of ingredients that are bursting with flavor and nutrients, ready to transform your meals.
After a typically rainy April, May bursts into life with warmer sunshine, longer days, and flowers everywhere. This delightful shift means we wave goodbye to many cold-weather favorites like beets and heavy citrus, and eagerly welcome a refreshing variety of produce that hints at the bountiful summer months ahead. This period is truly unique, offering a bridge between the crispness of spring and the warmth of summer harvests.
This comprehensive guide to what’s in season in May is your go-to resource for a full list of produce to prioritize over the next few weeks. While many items are available year-round in our modern world, choosing produce when it’s in its peak season ensures you get the absolute best in terms of flavor, nutritional value, and often, price. Shopping seasonally also supports local farmers and reduces your environmental footprint. Embrace the seasonality!
With farmer’s markets beginning to open their stalls wider, you can look forward to not only superior quality but also better pricing on the fresh produce listed below! This abundance will empower you to create the freshest, most flavorful salads (including delightful fruit salads!), invigorating smoothies, delectable pies, light muffins, homemade jams, and countless other beloved late spring recipes. Get ready to experience food at its most delicious!
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Vibrant Vegetables in Season in May
May is a fantastic month for vegetables, offering a bridge between the hearty greens of early spring and the lighter fare of summer. This is your definitive list for navigating the produce aisle or your local farmer’s market, ensuring you bring home the freshest, most flavorful vegetables. Look out for tender asparagus, sweet peas, and aromatic wild garlic that truly capture the essence of late spring.
Artichokes: Earthy and delicate, these thistles are wonderful steamed, grilled, or baked.
Arugula: Peppery and crisp, it adds a fantastic bite to fresh salads and sandwiches.
Asparagus: The quintessential spring vegetable, tender, versatile, and delicious roasted, steamed, or grilled.
Avocados: Creamy and rich, perfect for guacamole, salads, or spread on toast.
Beets: Sweet and earthy, lovely roasted, pickled, or grated raw into salads.
Bell Peppers: Crisp, colorful, and sweet, excellent raw in salads or cooked in various dishes.
Bok Choy: Mild and crunchy, ideal for Asian-inspired stir-fries and soups.
Broccoli: Nutrient-packed florets, delicious roasted, steamed, or added to casseroles.
Carrots: Sweet, crunchy, and vibrant, they’re versatile in both sweet and savory recipes.
Cauliflower: A versatile vegetable, great for roasting, mashing, ricing, or as a low-carb alternative.
Celery: Crisp and refreshing, it adds essential crunch to salads and serves as a flavorful base for soups.
Corn: Early varieties begin to appear, signaling the approach of warmer, sunnier days.
Cucumbers: Hydrating and cool, perfect for refreshing summer salads, sandwiches, and infused water.
Endive: Slightly bitter, crisp leaves, excellent in salads or as a scoop for dips.
Fennel: With its distinct anise flavor, fennel adds unique depth to salads, roasts, and seafood dishes.
Green Beans: Tender and fresh, a classic side dish that pairs well with almost any meal.
Kale: Hearty and nutritious, perfect for salads, smoothies, or sautéed with garlic.
Leeks: Offering a mild, sweet onion flavor, leeks are excellent in soups, quiches, or simply roasted.
Microgreens: Packed with intense flavor and nutrients, these tiny greens are perfect for garnishing or adding a fresh punch to any dish.
Mushrooms: Earthy and umami-rich, mushrooms add a satisfying depth to sauces, stir-fries, and risottos.
New Potatoes: Small, creamy, and delicate, these potatoes are perfect for roasting, boiling, or in potato salads.
Okra: With its unique texture, okra is great for stews, gumbos, or simply fried until crispy.
Peas: Sweet and tender, fresh peas are a true taste of spring, wonderful in pasta, salads, or as a vibrant side.
Potatoes: A versatile and comforting staple, suitable for countless preparations from fries to gratins.
Radicchio: Bitter and bold, its beautiful crimson leaves add color and a pleasant bite to salads.
Radishes: Peppery and crisp, radishes are wonderful sliced into salads, served with butter and salt, or simply as a fresh snack.
Rhubarb: Tart and tangy, rhubarb is a baking favorite, excellent in pies, crumbles, and compotes.
Spinach: Tender, iron-rich, and incredibly versatile, spinach can be enjoyed raw in salads or cooked into almost any meal.
Spring Greens: A delightful mix of delicate salad leaves, perfect for light and fresh springtime salads.
Sweet Onions: Mild and sweet, these onions are perfect for caramelizing, grilling, or adding to fresh salsas.
Wild Garlic: Offering a pungent, garlicky flavor, it’s ideal for making vibrant pesto, soups, or infusing oils.
Zucchini: One of the first summer squashes to appear, zucchini is excellent grilled, sautéed, or spiralized.
Luscious Fruits to Enjoy in May
May truly marks the beginning of berry season and the reappearance of many beloved stone fruits, making it an exciting time for fruit lovers. Now is the perfect moment to gather these gems and incorporate them into your favorite snacks, desserts, main dishes, and refreshing cocktails. From the ruby red sweetness of strawberries to the tropical delight of pineapple, your culinary creations are about to get a major upgrade!
Apples: Crisp and sweet, many varieties are still available from cold storage, perfect for snacking.
Apricots: Juicy and slightly tart, these delicate stone fruits are excellent raw or baked into delicious treats.
Blackberries: Dark, sweet, and tangy, blackberries are fantastic in pies, jams, or simply fresh with cream.
Blueberries: Bursting with flavor, blueberries are perfect for baking, smoothies, or a healthy snack.
Cantaloupe: Sweet and incredibly refreshing, cantaloupe is a true taste of early summer.
Cherries: Juicy and sweet, often a highly anticipated fruit of late spring, great for eating fresh or baking.
Grapefruit: Tart and refreshing, ideal for breakfasts, juices, or adding zest to savory dishes.
Kiwi: Tangy and vibrant green, kiwi adds a unique flavor and beautiful color to fruit salads and desserts.
Lemons: Zesty and bright, lemons are an indispensable kitchen staple for countless sweet and savory recipes.
Limes: Pungent and aromatic, limes are perfect for cocktails, marinades, and adding a fresh finish to many dishes.
Mangos: Sweet and tropical, mangoes bring a burst of sunshine to any dish, from salsas to smoothies.
Nectarines: Juicy and sweet, similar to peaches but with a smooth skin, perfect for fresh eating or grilling.
Oranges: Sweet and citrusy, great for juice, snacks, or adding a bright note to savory recipes.
Papaya: Tropical and subtly sweet, papaya is lovely in fruit salads or paired with a squeeze of lime.
Peaches: Beginning to ripen, these sweet and fuzzy stone fruits are a delightful herald of summer.
Pineapple: Tropical, sweet, and tangy, pineapple is incredibly versatile for both savory and sweet preparations.
Plums: Juicy and sweet-tart, plums are excellent in desserts, jams, or simply enjoyed fresh.
Raspberries: Delicate and sweet, raspberries are perfect for toppings, baking, or eating straight from the punnet.
Strawberries: The undisputed star of May, these sweet, juicy, and aromatic berries are at their absolute peak.
Tomatoes: While botanically a fruit, their juicy and flavorful varieties begin to flourish, making them ideal for salads and sauces.
Delightful May Seasonal Recipes
With springtime being a season for rejuvenation and fresh starts, I always make it a priority to incorporate as many seasonal ingredients as possible into my recipes throughout May. The abundance of vibrant fruits and vegetables this month makes it incredibly easy and enjoyable to cook with nature’s best.
Below, I’m thrilled to share some of my absolute favorite May seasonal recipes. Each of these festive eats and sips is perfectly suited for a gathering, but they are also straightforward enough to whip up on any weeknight for your cherished friends and family. Don’t just bookmark these for later – challenge yourself to make one next week or this coming weekend! After all, life is too short to merely dream about delicious recipes. Make them, savor them, and enjoy the incredible flavors of May!
And for a quick reference, be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post where you’ll find a handy graphic to save, ensuring you always know what’s in season in May!
Blueberry Simple Syrup
This delightful blueberry simple syrup brings a burst of intense berry flavor to cocktails, mocktails, refreshing lemonades, and even your morning pancakes. It’s a quintessential summer staple that miraculously requires just three ingredients and zero fuss. You’ll quickly find yourself wanting to drizzle this versatile, sweet elixir over nearly everything!
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
This lemon blueberry cheesecake is the epitome of creamy, tangy perfection, generously loaded with juicy blueberries! Baked on a delightfully buttery graham cracker crust and elegantly crowned with a simple blueberry compote, it presents a harmonious fusion of zesty citrus, sweet berries, and rich, decadent cheesecake. An ideal make-ahead dessert, perfectly suited for spring and summer entertaining!
White Sangria
If you’re hosting a summer celebration or simply need a refreshing drink that can be prepared in advance and pairs beautifully with any meal, this white sangria is the absolute perfect choice. Exceptionally easy to customize with your favorite fruits and remarkably versatile, it’s a delightful beverage you’ll find yourself returning to again and again throughout the warmer months.
Charred Cilantro Lime Corn Chicken Avocado Tacos
These Charred Cilantro Lime Corn Chicken Avocado Tacos offer the absolute best reason to enjoy Taco Tuesday right at home this week. Featuring succulent honey-lime chicken paired with a spicy charred corn salsa, every single element of these vibrant and colorful tacos delivers a satisfying texture and abundant punches of incredible flavor. Prepare for them to become a weekly culinary obsession!
Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Experience the ultimate dessert with this Chocolate Strawberry Cake! Featuring moist, fluffy chocolate cake layers generously frosted with a vibrant, fruity strawberry buttercream, this recipe stands as my most beloved and popular cake creation of all time. It’s an ideal choice for any celebration or simply to indulge your sweet tooth with a perfect blend of rich chocolate and fresh berry flavors!
Spicy Italian Stuffed Peppers
Reimagine a classic with these Spicy Italian Stuffed Peppers – a fresh and exciting twist on a beloved family favorite! Sweet bell peppers are generously filled with a robust mixture of seasoned ground beef, rich marinara sauce, aromatic Italian herbs, savory cheese, and fresh vegetables. Each perfectly baked stuffed pepper serves as a satisfying, flavorful dinner unto itself, offering a delicious, carb-conscious alternative to traditional recipes!
Sparkling Blueberry Thyme Vodka Lemonade
A Sparkling Blueberry Thyme Vodka Lemonade offers just the right amount of fruity tartness, ensuring you stay perfectly refreshed this summer! The surprisingly elegant addition of thyme introduces a subtle, herbaceous note that you’ll find incredibly captivating. Be prepared to indulge in at least two of these delightful concoctions – they’re simply that good and utterly irresistible!
Jalapeño Avocado Cream Cheese Wontons
If you adore the classic zest of jalapeño poppers, prepare to be absolutely thrilled by these incredible Jalapeño Avocado Cream Cheese Wontons! The harmonious blend of a creamy and spicy filling, all encased in perfectly crispy wonton wrappers, makes these poppers an absolutely fantastic appetizer for any party (or an irresistibly addictive afternoon snack…). You’ll quickly see why they’re a crowd-pleaser!
Raspberry Margarita
A refreshing Raspberry Margarita is something truly special, effortlessly easy, and utterly delicious to whip up this week! Crafted with only four simple ingredients, it’s guaranteed to be a smashing hit with your friends and family. Gather your key ingredients and join us in making this classic cocktail with a vibrant, fruity twist that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of May!
Sheet Pan Pineapple Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Jalapeño Sauce
These Sheet Pan Pineapple Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Jalapeño Sauce promise to get dinner on your table in under 30 minutes, with as little effort as possible. Everything is conveniently roasted on a single sheet pan, the vibrant jalapeño sauce blends up effortlessly, and the taco fillings are simply sliced. Prepare to enjoy a super easy, yet complex mix of spicy, sweet, and smoky flavors!
French Onion Burger
Savor all the beloved flavors of your favorite French onion soup, brilliantly reimagined in a mouthwatering burger! These juicy, incredibly flavorful burgers are expertly topped with rich, melted Gruyere cheese and perfectly caramelized onions, creating a killer summer burger. It’s an irresistible fusion that will undoubtedly be the star of any backyard barbecue or casual dinner gathering this May!
Garlic Butter Oven Roasted Carrots and Potatoes
Discover the ultimate versatile side dish with these Garlic Butter Oven Roasted Carrots and Potatoes! The delightful pairing of rich, creamy golden potatoes with vibrant, flavorful carrots creates a timeless combination that truly goes with anything you can imagine. All you need are a few simple ingredients from your pantry to create this flavorful and comforting accompaniment to your May meals!
Spicy Mango Margarita
A Spicy Mango Margarita strikes just the right balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes, making it perfectly invigorating for your palate! This vibrant cocktail pairs wonderfully with your favorite tacos, zesty dips, and more. Plus, for your next gathering, there’s a convenient option to make it in a big batch, ensuring everyone gets to enjoy this fantastic May cocktail!
Easy Risotto with Asparagus and Peas
Risotto with Asparagus and Peas is a wonderfully simple yet incredibly flavorful recipe, perfect for elevating any springtime meal. The tender and creamy risotto is generously packed with crisp, fresh asparagus and sweet, plump peas, making it an effortlessly elegant pairing for your favorite protein. Serve it proudly as a sophisticated side dish, an inviting starter, or even a satisfying vegetarian main course this May!
Blackberry Mojito
It’s officially spring, which means it’s the perfect time to bust out the berries and incorporate them into EVERYTHING! Make your next happy hour even happier and more vibrant with a delightful Blackberry Mojito. This cocktail, bursting with fresh, sweet-tart blackberry flavor and invigorating mint, is sure to be a refreshing hit for all your May gatherings and relaxation moments.
Need more inspiration for summer cooking or baking? Be sure to explore my dedicated summer recipes page for a wealth of ideas!
Visual Guide: What’s In Season in May?
As you embrace the delicious bounty of May, remember that the season of incredible produce is just beginning! Prepare for the exciting warmer months ahead with my detailed seasonal produce guides, covering what’s in season in June and July. Stay tuned for even more fresh inspiration to keep your kitchen vibrant, your meals flavorful, and your table bountiful all season long!