The 16 Recipes We Can’t Wait To Make This July

Watermelon pizza, anyone?

Bang Bang Potato Salad garnished with Sriracha and chopped scallions in a bowl
Photo:

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Bring on the summer celebrations this month. With this list, we've got you covered with ideas and inspiration for the Fourth, July birthdays, family barbecues, and everything festive. While we're relying on our grill to keep the heat out of the kitchen, we're also making the most of in-season fresh fruits and vegetables. Of course, we still have our trusty go-to dishes on standby, but we're throwing in some fun twists along the way. Here are some other recipes we can't wait to make all July long.

01 of 16

Best Spinach Dip Ever

Best Spinach Dip Ever

This is the perfect no-cook, one-bowl summer dip to bring on a picnic or to a barbecue. Simply mix together sour cream, mayo, spinach, chopped water chestnuts, and soup mix, allow the flavors to meld in the fridge, then serve with bread, chips, or veggies. It's as easy as that and completely delicious—over 1,100 five-star reviews agree.

02 of 16

Creole Crab and Corn Chowder

a bowl of Creole Crab and Corn Chowder with a spoon holding some of the chowder
Wyattdogster

July is when we start seeing corn everywhere, and we couldn't be more excited. This recipe from Chef John is a great place to start since, as he writes, "Ideally, you would make this in the middle of summer with ears of fresh, sweet-as-sugar corn." Well Chef, you've convinced us. We'll be making it ASAP, alongside grilled corn salad and corn muffins.

03 of 16

Greek Watermelon Pizza

Greek Watermelon Pizza
Katherine Martinelli

According to recipe creator Katherine Martinelli, "The sweet-salty combination of watermelon, feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, and mint might sound strange, but once you've tried it, you'll be convinced. A perfect summer appetizer or even light lunch, this Greek watermelon pizza looks beautiful, is a little different, and couldn't be easier to make." Pro tip: Grill the watermelon before cutting and topping for added flair.

04 of 16

Cowboy Spaghetti

cowboy spaghetti in tomato sauce topped with scallions

fabeveryday

There's never a bad time for spaghetti. Especially the way creator TheDailyGourmet sells it; "Everyone will love this cowboy spaghetti, a fun twist with bacon, cheese, and pasta in a spicy beef and tomato sauce. The best part is that it’s a one-dish meal, cooked in a cast iron skillet.

05 of 16

The Ultimate Pool Sandwich

ultimate pool side sandwich

Emily Hawkes/Karin Olsen/Lauren LaPenna

Straight from the pages of our Allstar Summer Bash, this is the answer to the ever-present question of what to pack in the cooler for those days spent on the beach or poolside. You can customize this recipe with your favorite meats and cheese. And the best part is, it's meant to last up to three days in the fridge, so you can save time in the morning and spend it soaking up the sun.

06 of 16

Cowboy Coleslaw

Cowboy Coleslaw garnished with green onions in a large bowl with a spoon

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Go full cowboy and make this slaw to accompany your Cowboy Pasta. Or serve it with anything fresh off the grill this summer. This veggie-packed side is a crowd-pleaser with seasonal produce like corn, peppers, and fresh cilantro.

07 of 16

Harissa Honey Chicken

4 beautifully caramelized chicken thighs on a parchment lined bamboo tray

France Cevallos

If the time comes when you've exhausted your grilled chicken recipes, try this sweet, spicy, and all-around flavorful spin from Allrecipes Allstar France Cevallos. And as she points out, you can always "Adjust the amount of harissa paste to suit your spice preference."

08 of 16

Amazing Spicy Grilled Shrimp

grilled shrimp on a platter

Allrecipes

Join the hundreds who have tried this recipe and rated it five stars. Shrimp are marinated in a flavorful mixture of sesame oil, hot sauce, chile paste, lemon, and more for a balance of heat and tang before they get skewered and grilled to perfection. This recipe will quickly become a barbecue go-to. Because what's better for summer than shrimp kabobs?

09 of 16

Bang Bang Potato Salad

Bang Bang Potato Salad garnished with Sriracha and chopped scallions in a bowl

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Bring Bang Bang to the picnic with this twist on potato salad that offers something for everyone. As creator Renu Dhar says, this new recipe to the site offers "A myriad combination of textures and flavors. Creamy potatoes [are] bound with a slightly sweet and spicy yet somewhat acidic sauce. The celery adds a salty, cool crunch, while the eggs add a tender bite."

10 of 16

Zucchini and Asparagus Orzo Risotto

top-down view of orzo risotto with asparagus and peas in a white pasta bowl

Jonathan Charbz

Whip together an "easy and impressive side dish or main" with this recipe from The Happy Veg that swaps the typical short-grain rice used in risotto for quicker-cooking orzo pasta. It will be the light yet satisfying veggie-packed dinner your July needs. It's even great served at room temp in a picnic basket.

11 of 16

Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Burrata and Basil

Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Peaches with Burrata and Basil

Peaches and burrata are a perfect match. Reviewer Serena Chen Phillips agrees, saying this recipe is "AMAZING and really easy. I made these exactly as is, and they were perfect—a nice sweet and salty combo. Thanks, Chef John!" If you prefer a version without prosciutto, simply omit it or try this Peach Burrata Salad as an alternative. Just don't skip the basil.

12 of 16

Simple Sheet Pan Ratatouille

Simple Sheet Pan Ratatouille
AR Magazine

This review from Shaw Kitty says it all, "Everyone at our table gave this melange of vegetables a thumbs up! I cooked the tomatoes during the last 10 minutes of baking to make them fairly warm. I also added Kosher salt to the tomatoes, which upped the flavor of all the veggies when I mixed them all together in the serving bowl." We're serving this celebration of summer veggies with our favorites from the grill.

13 of 16

Best Eton Mess

strawberry-rhubarb eaton mess topped with whipped cream

Aimee Broussard

As the recipe page states, "Many believe Eton mess came from Eton College, and could be well over a century old. The best recipes follow tradition—and this one does just that...[This] classic British dessert [is] great on hot summer days when you want to whip up something simple."

The recipe includes just three ingredients: berries, meringue cookies, and cream. You can even use red and blue fruit to make a patriotic version. All you need is about 20 minutes to assemble.

14 of 16

Lemon Sheet Cake

Lemon sheet cake piece topped with frosting and garnished with lemon and mint

Kim Shupe

Who can say no to a slice of sweet, tart, decadent lemon cake? Certainly not us. "This homemade lemon sheet cake is topped with a sweet and tart lemon glaze. It's light, lemony, and perfect for pleasing a crowd at your next summer party!" says recipe creator and Allrecipes Allstar Yolanda Gutierrez.

15 of 16

Strawberry Crunch Cake

strawberry crunch cake

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Take the strawberry ice cream bar you loved as a kid and turn it into a cake with this show-stopping recipe. Let this be the dessert you make for any and all summer birthdays, with its irresistible flavor and fun crunch made from Golden Oreos, freeze-dried strawberries, and melted butter. Need we say more?

16 of 16

Chilton Cocktail

clear glass with salted rim containing clear cocktail on ice with lemons in background

Just named the official drink of summer in our inaugural Allstar Summer Bash celebration, we're all raising a glass of this four-ingredient winner from France Cevallos. Simply pour lemon juice and vodka over ice, top with sparkling water, and serve with lemon wedge. So refreshing!

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