July Produce Guide: What's In Season Now?

What's Fresh July illustrated header with July produce — Photo: Allrecipes Illustrations

As we settle into summer, you may be wondering what fruits and vegetables to keep an eye out for at the farmers' market — and what exactly to cook with your next produce haul. Here's a comprehensive list of the fruits and veggies you should look out for in July (including our best buying tips, storage hacks, and recipes):

What's Fresh July produce list — Allrecipes Illustrations

Beets

Heritage Beetroot 'Detroit' & 'Cylindra' — Clay Perry/Getty Images

Beets are grown year-round, but they're typically harvested in summer and fall. The root vegetable is known for its earthy flavor and deep maroon hue. Beets add color and flavor to a vast variety of dishes: Slice them and toss with salads, blend them into soups, or roast them to serve as a healthy side dish.

What to Look For

Look for deep red beets with unblemished skin and bright green, unwilted leaves (if leaves are still attached). Opt for beets less than 2 inches in diameter if they're in stock, as smaller beets are sweeter and more tender.

Storage

If the leaves are still attached, trim them to about an inch before storage and store them the way you would regular greens. Long greens will draw moisture from the roots, speeding up spoilage. Keep beets in the crisper drawer of your fridge for two to three weeks for maximum freshness. They're hardy veggies, so they'll stay firm for months, but they may lose flavor after a few weeks.

Recipes

side view of canning jars of deep red beet wedges arranged on a kitchen towel — KGora

Explore our entire collection of Beet Recipes.

Blueberries

Antioxidant-packed blueberries are basically summertime incarnate. The vibrant fruit is great for snacking, but it's perhaps most associated with decadent, seasonal desserts (blueberry pie is never a bad idea). If you don't feel like baking, try adding blueberries to your favorite salads or making a delicious compote.

What to Look For

Avoid blueberries with a reddish hue — this means they were picked too early and will never fully ripen. Choose berries with smooth, plump skin.

Storage

Immediately toss any blueberries with mold. One moldy berry can prematurely spoil the whole bunch, so don't skip this step. The best container is the breathable, plastic one the berries likely came in. Place a paper towel at the bottom to absorb moisture, then store in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Recipes

Explore our entire collection of Blueberry Recipes.

Blackberries

Blackberries are at peak freshness during the height of summer. Though they often play second fiddle to other berries, like blueberries and strawberries, this sweet-tart fruit deserves its moment in the limelight. Try the deep purple berry in desserts, cocktails, jams, and more.

What to Look For

Buy smooth-skinned blackberries that are bright, uniform in color, and plump.

Storage

As with blueberries, it's important to check your blackberries for mold before storing. Throw out any that show signs of molding. Again, the best container is the breathable, plastic one the berries likely came in — place a paper towel at the bottom to absorb moisture, then store in the fridge for up to a week.

Recipes

Blackberry Mascarpone Tart with Thyme Shortbread Crust — Photo by Kim's Cooking Now. Kim's Cooking Now

Explore our entire collection of Blackberry Recipes.

Corn

Corn, which is considered a vegetable and a cereal grain, is one of the most important ingredients in North American cuisines. Corn kernels add a burst of sunny color and fresh flavor to salads and salsas, while corn on the cob is a welcome side dish at any summertime gathering.

What to Look For

Choose corn with bright green husks that are wrapped tightly around the ear. The silk protruding from the top should look healthy, not dry, and the kernels should feel plump through the husk.

Storage

Wrap corn securely in a storage bag. It'll stay good in the refrigerator for a few days. If you don't plan to eat your fresh corn within three or four days, consider freezing it.

Recipes

Explore our entire collection of Corn Recipes.

Cucumber

Fun fact: The cucumber is treated as a vegetable in a culinary sense, but it's botanically considered a fruit. Stay cool this July with the refreshing gourd. The moisture-rich vegetable has a mellow flavor that works well in everything from cocktails to salads.

What to Look For

Try to find firm, dark green cucumbers without any brown or yellow spots. Look for smooth skin, as wrinkles indicate a loss of moisture.

Storage

Store whole cucumbers in the warmest part of the fridge (toward the front, away from the cooling elements in the back) for about five days. If you don't think you'll use your cucumbers relatively quickly, consider pickling or freezing.

Recipes

bowl of Grandma's Cucumber and Onion Salad recipe — Jason Hilton

Explore our entire collection of Cucumber Recipes.

Fennel

Fennel can look a bit intimidating to people who haven't cooked with it before, but the delicious vegetable is surprisingly easy to work with. You may be familiar with fennel sausage, but try the sweetly aromatic bulb in soups or salads for a sweet burst of anise-like flavor. Don't throw out the earthy fronds! Use them as you would an herb, like dill.

What to Look For

Look for white or pale green fennel bulbs that are tight, blemish-free, and feel dry to the touch. Fronds should be green and feathery with no flowering.

Storage

Trim the fronds to about an inch before storing. Wrap loosely to allow for air circulation and store in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Recipes

Baked Fennel with Gorgonzola — Soup Loving Nicole

Explore our entire collection of Fennel Recipes.

Okra

Okra is a Southern staple that you definitely don't want to miss when it's at peak freshness. If you're averse to okra's signature sliminess, you can still enjoy the mild veggie — roast it in the oven or cook it in an air fryer to achieve irresistible crispiness. Of course, classic fried okra will never go out of style.

What to Look For

Opt for bright green pods that are free of blemishes and bruises. Avoid okra that feels sticky when you pick it up.

Storage

Loosely wrap okra and store in the fridge. Fresh okra should be used relatively quickly (within a few days). Don't let your summer okra spoil — pickle or freeze it to preserve flavor and freshness.

Recipes

roasted okra on a white surface — CSteichen

Explore our entire collection of Okra Recipes.

Peaches

It's no wonder we pine for peach season all year long: Peaches are sweet, healthy, and amazingly versatile. Fresh peaches are not only perfect for all your summertime baking needs, they're guaranteed to take your savory salads and salsas up a notch.

What to Look For

Look at the skin near the stem: A golden hue indicates freshness, while pale yellow or green means the peach is not quite ripe. Peaches should be firm, but soft enough to give slightly when gently squeezed.

Storage

Store ripe peaches away from unripe peaches. Place unripe peaches, stem down, on the counter. Once they're ripe, transfer them to the fridge and eat within two or three days.

Recipes

Fresh Southern Peach Cobbler — lutzflcat

Explore our entire collection of Peach Recipes.

Purslane

Never heard of purslane? It's the deliciously nutritious leafy green you've been missing in your life. Purslane — which is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids — has a tart and lemony flavor that improves everything from salads to stews.

What to Look For

Purslane is harvested when it's young, small, and close to the ground. If you're buying purslane at the store or farmers' market, look for unwilted green leaves that look fresh and healthy.

Storage

Make sure purslane is thoroughly washed and trimmed before storing. Gently wrap purslane in a paper towel, loosely wrap in a storage bag, then store in the fridge for up to three days.

Recipes

Purslane, Cherry Tomato, and Cucumber Salad — Diana Moutsopoulos

Explore our entire collection of Purslane Recipes.

Zucchini

It's July, and every amateur gardener knows what that means: Zucchini is back with a vengeance. If your garden is overrun with the summertime staple, you're in luck! It's one of the most versatile ingredients around. Bake it into moist breads and muffins or make fresh-tasting ratatouille or zucchini boats for dinner.

What to Look For

Pick zucchini that's relatively small, as large ones tend to be watery and flavorless. Stems should ideally still be attached and the skin should be bright green and blemish-free.

Storage

Store unwashed zucchini in a ventilated storage bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge. If it's stored properly, fresh zucchini will last for about a week. It'll last for about three months in the freezer.