As summer schedules start to fill up fast, you want to use your time efficiently so you can savor
each and every minute of the summer season. Whether you are focused on eating for the
seasons or just looking for some summer meal prep tips, here are seven summer meal prep tips
to help you make the most of summertime.
#1 Add Flavor
The hot summer season means eating lighter, refreshing fare like chilled soups, fresh salads,
and homemade sandwiches. Add fresh, homemade flavor to your next meal by making your
own salad dressings, sauces, and vinaigrettes, or opt for one of your favorite store-bought
brands. You’d be surprised how much a good vinaigrette can turn boring veggies into
crave-worthy summer snacks!
#2 Chill Out
Breakfast doesn’t have to mean a boring bowl of cereal. Keep summer breakfasts chill with
cooler choices that are refreshing. Think of things like fresh fruit smoothies, overnight oats, and
yogurt parfaits. When it comes to snacks, freeze berries, cherries, and grapes. Enjoy them on
their own or blend them together with avocado, Greek yogurt, or your favorite nut or seed butter
and turn them into a well-balanced snack like this frozen yogurt bark.
#3 Eat for the Seasons
When eating for the seasons, you need to first shop for the seasons. According to Food and
Wine, here are the top fruits and vegetables that are in season during the summer months:
● Basil
● Blackberries
● Blueberries
● Broccoli
● Cherries
● Corn
● Cucumber
● Eggplant
● Green Beans
● Okra
● Peaches
● Plums
● Radishes
● Raspberries
● Rhubarb
● Summer Squash
● Tomatoes
● Watermelon
The best place to find all of this delicious summer produce is at the local community farmers
market and summertime is the quintessential season for farmers markets. Find a farmers
market near you and stock up on these summertime staples. Looking for a farmers market in
your community? Check out the USDA’s National Farmers Market Directory.
#4 Get Groceries Delivered
If summer weekends are packed with travel and time spent away in the great outdoors, don’t try
and squeeze all of your weekly grocery shopping and meal prep into one day. (We get stressed
just thinking about it!) Instead, plan ahead and order your groceries online. Whether it’s
grass-fed beef, healthy snacks, or wild-caught seafood, you can order almost anything online.
Don’t forget man’s best friend and stock up on summertime supplies for the furry friends in your
life.
#5 Go Raw
During the warmer summer months, our bodies naturally crave cooling foods to help keep our
bodies comfortable in the summertime heat and humidity. The good news is most summertime
produce tastes delicious raw. Foods like cucumbers, fresh fruit, and tomatoes can be incredibly
refreshing on a hot summer’s day. Make summer meal prep easy by setting aside time one day
a week to thoroughly chop, cut, dice, slice, and wash summertime produce so you are ready for
some fun in the sun.
#6 Grill Out
Nothing tastes better than a homemade meal, but during the warm summer months, turning on
the oven is probably the last thing you want to do. (Am I right or am I right?) No need to sacrifice
one of your favorite meals during a summertime heatwave. Instead, head outside and fire up the
grill. Throw on some summertime classics like burgers, franks, and steaks. You can even host a
meal prep party, so you are all set for the summertime months ahead.
Tip: Check out our guide to the best summertime steaks and if you’re entertaining on a budget,
host a backyard burger bar party.
#7 Heat and Serve
If grilling isn’t your thing, that’s okay. Order an already prepared, pre-cooked meal instead. The
best part, no ovens required! All you have to do is heat and serve then enjoy. Dinner can’t get
any easier than that!
Keep cool this summer and enjoy all the summer season has to offer by spending less time in
the kitchen with these seven summer shopping and meal prep tips.
