What’s in Season in August? Your Ultimate Guide to Peak Produce & Recipes
Welcome to the vibrant world of August produce! As summer reaches its grand finale, this month offers an incredible bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables at their peak. From juicy peaches and refreshing watermelons to crisp bell peppers and versatile cucumbers, the late-summer harvest is here for you to savor before the season shifts. This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the best of August’s seasonal offerings, providing a detailed list of what’s fresh and delicious, along with inspiring recipes to elevate your culinary creations this month. Embrace the abundance and infuse your cooking with the unparalleled flavors of the season!
table of contents
Toggle
August Produce Guide: Savoring Summer’s Last Hurrah
As the long, sun-drenched days of summer begin to gently transition into the cooler embrace of autumn, August stands as a glorious bridge, offering a final surge of peak-season produce. While the heat may linger, there’s a distinct feeling of late summer in the air, a nostalgic appreciation for the abundance before the leaves begin to turn. This month is truly the last chance to indulge in the full spectrum of summer’s harvest, from succulent fruits to crisp vegetables, all bursting with flavor and nutrients.
Incorporating these seasonal gems into your daily cooking not only enhances the taste of your dishes but also offers numerous health benefits. Produce picked at its peak ripeness, like the fruits and vegetables available in August, contains higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Furthermore, choosing seasonal and local produce often means supporting local farmers and reducing your carbon footprint. Whether you’re making vibrant salads, grilling fresh vegetables, blending refreshing smoothies, or crafting delicious desserts, cooking with August’s bounty is a celebration of nature’s finest. Make the most of this fleeting period by exploring new recipes and rediscovering old favorites that highlight these incredible ingredients. You’ll find plenty of inspiration in our curated list of August recipes below!
Vegetables in Season in August: A Harvest of Freshness
August brings a spectacular array of vegetables, many of which are at their absolute best. This is the time to load up on summer favorites like juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers, alongside the first hints of autumn with various squashes making their appearance. Visiting your local farmers market or browsing the produce aisle will reveal an incredible selection of fresh, flavorful, and nutrient-packed options. These vegetables are incredibly versatile, perfect for grilling, roasting, or enjoying raw in salads.
Below is your ultimate guide to the vegetables that are thriving in August. Look for vibrant colors, firm textures, and a fresh aroma to ensure you’re picking the highest quality produce for your kitchen:
Acorn squash
Bell peppers
Butternut squash
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Green beans
Hot peppers
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Okra
Potatoes
Serrano peppers
Shishito peppers
Summer squash
Swiss chard
Tomatoes
Winter squash
Zucchini
Fruits in Season in August: Sweetness at its Peak
When it comes to fruits, August truly shines, offering an abundance of sweet and juicy delights. Many of summer’s most beloved fruits, like peaches and watermelons, reach their peak ripeness this month, making them incredibly flavorful and refreshing. From breakfast bowls to dessert platters, these fruits add natural sweetness and vibrant color to any meal. This is the perfect time to enjoy them fresh, bake them into pies, or blend them into cooling beverages.
Here is a comprehensive list of all the fruits that are in season in August. Stock up on these luscious options to enjoy their incredible taste and boost your intake of essential vitamins and fiber:
Apples
Apricots
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Figs
Honeydew
Kiwi
Mangoes
Peaches
Plums
Pluots
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon
August Seasonal Recipes: Culinary Inspiration for Your Harvest
With such an impressive list of seasonal fruits and vegetables, your kitchen is set to become a hub of delicious activity! The sheer variety of produce available in August means endless culinary possibilities. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering, planning weeknight dinners, or simply looking for a new recipe to try, these seasonal ingredients are guaranteed to make your dishes sing with flavor. From refreshing salads and vibrant appetizers to hearty main courses and delectable desserts, we’ve gathered some of our favorite recipes that perfectly highlight August’s bounty.
Explore the recipes below to find fresh inspiration for your August cooking. Each dish is designed to maximize the natural tastes of peak-season produce, proving that simple, fresh ingredients can create truly extraordinary meals. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for a handy graphic you can save to easily remember all this wonderful August produce!
Burrata Peach Salad
This peach burrata salad with hot honey vinaigrette is the ultimate summer recipe. Made with sweet peaches, creamy burrata, toasted pistachios, and fresh basil, this dish can be served as an appetizer, side, or light lunch. Ready in 15 minutes with no cooking required!
Peach Margarita
This peach margarita is a fresh, juicy twist on the classic cocktail, made with ripe peach puree, smooth tequila, and a splash of citrusy orange liqueur. It’s the ultimate summer margarita recipe.
Summer Charcuterie Board
A Summer Charcuterie Board is the ultimate way to embrace the flavors of summer! Bursting with an array of seasonal fruits, refreshing dips, and a tempting assortment of artisanal cheeses and cured meats, this board is a grazer’s ultimate dream. It is an unforgettable centerpiece for any summer gathering!
BBQ Glazed Grilled Bratwurst with Spicy Peach Bacon Salsa
BBQ Glazed Grilled Bratwurst with Spicy Peach Bacon Salsa is a simple recipe with big bold flavors that are ideal for celebrating the end of summer. The grilled brats have a sweet and savory glaze from the Head Country BBQ Sauce, which pairs perfectly with the smoky, spicy, and fruity salsa on top. Easy enough to make any night of the week, but totally wow-worthy for a party!
Peach Vodka Cocktail
This peach vodka cocktail is bright, fizzy, and bursting with fresh peach flavor. It is a celebration of peak-season stone fruit in every sip. With just a few simple ingredients, this cocktail comes together in minutes and it’s the perfect sip for a hot summer day when you want something refreshing but not overly sweet.
Peach Blueberry Galette
A peach blueberry galette is a rustic fruit dessert that’s much easier to make than pie! The buttery free form crust gets folded over the juicy filling and then baked. Serve with vanilla ice cream for a real treat.
Watermelon Gin Cocktail
A watermelon gin cocktail is the best way to quench your thirst this summer! The combination of fresh juicy watermelon, refreshing mint, and floral gin is one that will have you coming back for more. Plus you can easily make it in a big batch to serve at your next gathering!
Tomato Peach Bruschetta
Tomato Peach Bruschetta is a fruity upgrade on the Italian appetizer that you will not be able to stop eating. The sweet peaches with the meaty tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil are the easiest and tastiest bread topping ever!
Watermelon Vodka Cocktail
A mouthwatering Watermelon Vodka Cocktail is the epitome of summer refreshment! This invigorating drink combines the natural sweetness and juiciness of fresh watermelon with the smooth, clean notes of vodka. It’s a tasty fusion of flavors that will keep you cool and revitalized, making it the ideal choice for hot summer days.
Spicy Italian Stuffed Peppers
Spicy Italian Stuffed Peppers are a fresh twist on a family favorite! Sweet bell peppers are stuffed with a hearty mixture of ground beef, marinara sauce, Italian herbs, cheese, and veggies. Each stuffed pepper is a dinner unto itself, but without the carbs that you typically see in stuffed peppers!
Bourbon Peach Smash
A Bourbon Peach Smash is fruity, boozy, and refreshing. Make the most of peak peach season with this sensational mixture of peaches, mint, lemon, and bourbon.
Grilled Salmon with Charred Corn Avocado Tomato Salsa
Grilled Salmon with Charred Corn Avocado Tomato Salsa brings a bunch of spice to the party, without any guilt! The bright and flavorful salsa on top of a heartily spiced fish is a simple way to make the most of fresh summer flavors. This is going to become your new favorite summertime dinner.
Grilled Peach Cobbler
Grilled Peach Cobbler is summery and fresh, making the most of the seasonal fruit and grilling season! The entire recipe comes together in a cast iron skillet, and can even be made straight on the campfire.
Blistered Shishito Peppers
Here you’ll find the blistered shishito peppers with bonito flakes (based off a recipe I had in Asheville many years ago on a foodie trip). They are oh-so flavorful and simple to make!
Melon Prosciutto Salad
An easy melon prosciutto salad is a refreshing combination of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew. With the addition of a honey citrus dressing made with fresh citrus juice and herbs, you’ll find yourself making this recipe over and over again for a side dish or even a poolside snack.
Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Empanadas with Avocado Dipping Sauce
Butternut Squash Goat Cheese Empanadas with avocado dipping sauce are the ideal hearty, warm, and cheesy vegetarian handheld pies. Filled with plenty of vegetables and tangy goat cheese, the flavors dance across your taste buds in the best way! Going vegetarian for a night has never been tastier.
Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble
This Bourbon Cherry Peach Crumble is a delightful combination of tart cherries and juicy peaches, topped with a brown sugar oatmeal topping. It’s one of those recipes that’s easy to make and everyone always goes crazy for! Just be sure to have some ice cream handy to serve it with.
Greek Stuffed Roasted Sweet Peppers
Greek Stuffed Roasted Sweet Peppers are one of the easiest appetizers to make, but that doesn’t mean they are light on flavor! Olive tapenade hummus paired with the sweet and savory roasted peppers is a delicious way to start a meal.
Need more inspiration for summer cooking/baking? Check out my summer recipes page!
What’s in Season in August? Pin This August Produce Guide for Later!
