37 Best June Recipes for 2024
We’ve arrived: It’s time to to throw dinner on the grill and sip something cool all afternoon, and this list of our best June recipes will help you accomplish just that. The drinks you’ll find below keep things easy and refreshing, whether you're looking to make cocktails for a crowd or mix up a special nonalcoholic option. Once you have a beverage in hand—and maybe some SPF on that face—you’re ready to spend a low-key day tending to the grill.
Whether you’re making softly smoky salmon or any of the grilled chicken recipes featured below, the meal is not complete without veggie sides, including crunchy slaws and creamy, herby potato salad. Make sure to save room for something sweet; any list of June recipes would be incomplete without desserts that showcase strawberries, blueberries, and cherries. Scroll down to get the recipes—plus a no-bake ice cream-filled icebox cake for days when it’s simply too hot to turn on the oven.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich1/36Grilled Chicken Salad With Creamy Any-Pickle Dressing
We’ll kick off this list of essential June recipes with this reader-favorite dinner. The buttermilk dressing, which also acts as the marinade for the chicken, leans on pickle brine for tanginess and seasoning.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell3/36Pasta With 15-Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Lillian Chou5/36Cornell-Style Chicken
While this regional specialty is really best with a touch of smoke from the coals, you can use your oven if you don’t have access to an outdoor grill.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh6/36Herby Green Goddess Potato Salad
Making green goddess dressing is a fantastic way to use up all the fresh herbs that are popping off in your garden this time of year. This potato salad recipe takes inspiration from the verdant salad-saucer and wakes up otherwise simple spuds.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone7/36Our Favorite Key Lime Pie
Chilled key lime pie straight from the fridge just might be the best summer dessert. Keep this recipe saved for your next barbecue or potluck.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce8/36Juiciest Grilled Chicken Breast With Citrus Marinade
This recipe is all about the marinade, which can be made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. The acid in the citrus juice and vinegar works to tenderize the chicken while imparting bright flavor.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert9/36The Ultimate Paloma
Cool off with this easy tequila cocktail, brightened with grapefruit and a squeeze of fresh lime. You can rim the glass with salt, but it’s fine to add just a pinch to the drink instead. Try to track down Ting soda for the ultimate version of this simple drink.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert12/36Lemon, Lime, and Bitters
Temper the sweetness in this lemon-limeade with a few dashes of warmly spiced Angostura bitters.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich13/36Philly Fluff Cake
When you’re ready to change it up from the usual pound cake, bake this Philly Fluff cake instead. It has a rich tang from cream cheese, and it makes a superb backdrop for macerated berries.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton14/36Easy Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a reliable picnic staple that only gets better the longer it sits. Plus, without any mayo, this version doesn’t need to be refrigerated when you’re passing plates outside.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich16/36Garlicky Instant Ramen Noodle Salad With Grilled Chicken Thighs
Packs of instant ramen are for more than just quick lunches or late-night slurps. Use the noodles to give body and a springy bite to this grilled chicken salad. But don’t toss out the seasoning packet that comes with the noodles—we have ideas for how to use that too.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food styling by Micah Marie Morton18/36Easy Coffee Cake
This streusel-laden coffee cake is one of our favorites to serve with brunch. Add coffee and a side of bacon for the best start to the weekend.
Photo by Caleb Adams, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell19/36Cedar-Plank Salmon
Grilling over a cedar plank is a great way to impart subtle smoky flavor to your grilled fish without having to buy a whole smoker. Not to mention, the presentation can’t be beat.
Johnny Miller20/36Cucumber Salad With Red Onion and Dill
A sharp vegetable peeler makes prepping this cucumber salad easy. Serve next to grilled lamb or fish.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich22/36Gin Rickey
This tart and sparkling refresher will both quench your thirst and cool you off. Keep lots of citrus on hand to make this cocktail any time guests show up at your door.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich23/36Swordfish Steaks With Peppercorn Butter
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne24/36Super-Moist Yellow Cake With Rich Chocolate Frosting
Planning a birthday bash this June? If so, you’ve found the perfect cake for the occasion.
25/36Quick Fried Cabbage With Noodles and Bacon
A quick and easy stir-fry is always welcome, no matter the time of year. But when the weather starts warming up, you’ll love that the quick cooking helps keep your kitchen temperature to a minimum.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams, Food Styling by Judy Haubert26/36Homemade Maraschino Cherries
Turn your kitchen into a proper soda shop this summer, complete with egg creams and malts. While store-bought maraschino cherries will do in a pinch, this easy homemade version feels way more special.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim28/36Buldak-Style Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks
For grilled chicken that’s packed with flavor, let the drumsticks marinate with gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, fish sauce, sugar, and sesame oil while you throw together a summery side salad, or allow the mixture to sit in the fridge for up to 12 hours, if you’re planning that far ahead.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich29/36Blueberry Scones
Keep your butter in the freezer so you’re always ready to make these tall and tender scones.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton30/36Raspberry and Pistachio Ice Cream Icebox Cake
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams, Food Styling by Judy Haubert34/36Trampoline Frappé
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich36/36Double-Stack Mushroom and Chicken Cheeseburgers
