What’s in season – July

July is a great time to rest and recharge – while we can’t all afford to go away on long holidays, taking some time out for a low-key picnic in the park, quick paddle in the sea or potter about a garden can be enough to feel revitalised.

Gathering and prepping the fruit and vegetables that are available right now can also be a good avenue for contemplation. Got a punnet of cherries to stone, runner beans to slice, blueberries to pick or samphire to forage? Take your time and enjoy the quiet monotony of these tasks in the sunshine, then reap the rewards of your effort.

Much of the season’s produce is so simple to serve and enjoy just as it is, especially when freshly picked. But, if you’re looking for ways to use up a glut of produce or showcase your favourite fruit and veg, we’ve selected our best recipe ideas that will help you do something a little different with your summer harvest.

Fired up for seasonal flavours? Dive into our July recipes for a month of delicious dinners. Or, check out our treasure trove of summer recipes, plus refreshing summer drinks for sipping during the long summer evenings. Our summer budget recipes will also help you stretch your grocery budget further while still enjoying seasonal produce.

July season produce

1. Blueberries

Blueberries are in season from July to August. These deep blue, almost purple berries vary in size and have a grey bloom, sweet flavour and antioxidant properties. They’re usually used alongside other berries in desserts, but are also eaten as a snack or used in bakes.

Blueberry curd
Put 200g blueberries and 50g caster sugar in a saucepan. Mix 25ml water with 1 tsp cornflour, then pour this over the blueberries. Simmer for 5 mins, squashing the berries slightly using the spoon as you stir. Once thickened slightly, transfer the mixture to a heatproof bowl along with the zest and juice of ½ lemon, 50g butter and ½ tsp ground cinnamon, and set the bowl over a pan of simmering water, ensuring the base of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. When the butter has melted, whisk in 2 egg yolks, then continue to whisk over the heat for around 10 mins, or until the mixture is the consistency of custard. Push the curd through a sieve into a jug, then pour into a sterilised jar. Will keep chilled for up to two weeks. Serve with crushed meringues and double cream that’s been lightly whipped with icing sugar and a dash of sherry. Makes 140g.

There are many more ways to use blueberries in your summer baking, like our almond galette or baked egg custard. For more inspiration, see our blueberry collection.

2. Runner beans

In season from July to September, these long, flat beans require a little effort in preparation – you’ll need to remove the stringy edge before cooking (see tip). Sliced thinly or cut into lozenge-shaped pieces, runners have sweet flavour and can work in salads or more intricate side dishes. They’re usually boiled or steamed, but can also be griddled or barbecued whole, then sliced.

Our favourite way to cook runner beans is to slice them into thin ribbons, boil for 3-4 mins or until tender, and serve with a small dollop of clotted cream. For something more everyday, our linguine alla Genovese or green bean pasta bake are wonderful excuses to use up a glut.

Tip: use a peeler to take a thin strip off each of the sides of the runner beans, then use the offcuts to make stock.

For more tasty recipes, see our runner bean collection.

3. Samphire

Stock up on samphire from July to August. Flavour-wise, it’s similar to asparagus. Simmer it for 2-3 mins, then toss in melted butter as a side for fish dishes.

Try our samphire & crab salad for a light summer supper. Or, for something different, go for a modern brunch from Rosie Birkett.

For more recipe ideas, see our samphire collection.

4. Cherries

Ranging in colour from red to purple and in flavour from sweet to sour, cherries can be eaten raw or cooked, but can also be made into jams or preserves. In season from June to July, they’re a bright addition to desserts and pair well with almonds.

Fold cherries through thick Greek yogurt with a grating of dark chocolate for a quick dessert, or give Tom Kerridge’s cherry bruschetta recipe a whirl for a stylish starter. We’ve also used cherries in a moreish crumble cake and impressive bakewell crêpe cake.

Tip: to pit cherries, set a small metal piping nozzle on a board (with the wider end facing down), slowly push the cherry down against the tip and the pip should come out the end.

For our ultimate selection of recipes, see our cherry collection.

5. Strawberries

Once available in Britain for just a brief period during the summer, strawberries are now a year-round fruit thanks to imports from warmer climates. However, for the strawberries to withstand the transport time, they’re picked before they’re fully ripe, making them less flavourful than if you were to pick during in British strawberry season. Check out our helpful guide to the best strawberry picking farms in the UK to find the best spots for a fun family activity.

Once you have your glut of strawberries, blend them into a purée and add to sugar, water and lemon for a fresh strawberry lemonade. Or, add fresh strawberries to your breakfasts for a burst of flavour, as we did in our vegan strawberry pancakes. For an impressive no-cook dessert for an al fresco menu, try our strawberry eton mess cheesecake – a hybrid of two classic desserts. They’re also great additions to summer salads, like our mint tabbouleh.

More seasonal fruit and veg in July

Seasonal food dates in July:

7 July – World Chocolate Day
Celebrate this indulgent day with the best of the best using our reviews of the best vegan chocolate and best dark chocolate.

19 July – National Ice Cream Day
Cool down this summer with our top 10 ice cream desserts or vegan ice cream ideas.

25 July – National Wine & Cheese Day
Mix up your traditional wine and cheese pairings with our unique recommendations, including our vegan ‘cheese’ review, then find out why we’re drinking canned wine this summer.

Other food dates for your diary:

6-12 July – Alcohol Awareness Week

Cut back on your alcohol consumption this Alcohol Awareness Week by replacing some of your alcoholic tipples with one of our delicious mocktail recipes.

29 June-12 July – Wimbledon

Enjoy the tennis this summer by making some of our Wimbledon recipes.

See our seasonal calendar for more inspiration.

More seasonal recipes and information:

Summer recipes
Vegetarian summer recipes
Summer budget recipes
Summer family recipes
Summer dessert recipes

What fruit and veg do you enjoy in July? Leave a comment below.