Courtney Balestier

The end of summer can be bittersweet, but it only takes the thought of cozy suppers to get us excited for fall. As soon as there’s a little chill in the air, we’re eager for earthy veggies, rich flavors, and warm-belly recipes. That goes double for The Kitchn Culinary Producer James Park.“Fall is truly my favorite season,” says The Kitchn Culinary Producer James Park. “This might be basic to say, but nothing gets me excited like fall-flavored items!

As summer starts to wind down, it’s time to trade our clam bakes and poolside snacks for packed lunches and quick dinners before soccer practice. It’s a mental — and culinary — shift that can be a welcome return to routine! First we just have to remember what our routines are.With two young kids, The Kitchn Senior Food Editor Kristina Razon and her husband know this dance all too well.

Is it our imagination, or does everything taste at least 5 percent better during the summer? By the pool, on the patio, or at the beach, the season seems to elevate even the simplest snack. And, of course, there are so many fresh ingredients bursting with flavor.

This time of year, you’ll catch our dining tables gathering dust — we’re too busy enjoying dinner outside, with a big helping of sunsets, blooming flowers, and fresh air. “I live for eating outdoors,” says The Kitchn’s Editor-in-Chief Lindsay Funston.

If there’s a word that’s dominating our decor these days, it’s calm. With all the tumult of the past few years, you don’t need to be a minimalist to appreciate a more serene aesthetic, from softer lighting to more sumptuous fabrics. These design elements are like little sighs, making your space more comforting no matter what’s going on outside.

Name: Lori MonteLocation: Queen Creek, AZAge: 53Number of people in household: 2Occupation: Chef and EngineerWhere you shopped: Albertsons®Grocery hauls aren’t just what you fill your cart with: They’re also the possibilities that spring from a single trip to the store. Inside all those shopping bags are potlucks with friends, family game nights, comfort meals when we need them most, and nutritious starts to the school day.

Name: Laura SampsonLocation: Palmer, AKAge: 52Number of people in household: 3Occupation: Small Business Owner, Little House Big Alaska, and Palmer Folk SchoolWhere you shopped: Carrs®Grocery hauls aren’t just what you fill your cart with: They’re also the possibilities that spring from a single trip to the store. Inside all those shopping bags are potlucks with friends, family game nights, comfort meals when we need them most, and nutritious starts to the school day.

Name: Jenn PowellLocation: Cochecton, NYAge: 48Number of people in household: 5Occupation: Influencer/Owner, Jenn Powell DesignsWhere you shopped: ACME®Grocery hauls aren’t just what you fill your cart with: They’re also the possibilities that spring from a single trip to the store. Inside all those shopping bags are potlucks with friends, family game nights, comfort meals when we need them most, and nutritious starts to the school day.

January is the month when winter really starts to settle in. All those snowy days and cold nights call for serious comfort: the creamy, cheesy, hearty kind. “January days are short, cold, and gray. There’s nothing better at the end of them than a comforting meal,” says Kitchn’s Editor-in-Chief Faith Durand. “The warmer, cozier, ooier, and gooier, the better!”When the forecast calls for just that, Faith turns to Target’s grocery line, Good & Gather.

Nothing tests our kitchens’ capacities — or our stamina — quite like holiday cooking. We’re making more food for more people than at any other time of the year. Even when you love cooking (and we do!), the cycle of shopping-cooking-entertaining can get overwhelming. And when that happens, we like to organize the fridge.Seriously! Organizing your fridge is a practical matter, sure, but it’s also a gift for your peace of mind.

If you cook even a few nights a week, you’ve definitely pictured your dream kitchen. The one that’s like yours but better, either because it actually has enough counter space or simply because the oven doesn’t turn it into a sauna. Your dream kitchen is perfect down to the last detail, from the tiled backsplash to the I’ve finally arrived countertops. And every kitchen needs a dream fridge that makes cooking, hosting, and not losing leftovers easy.

Gingerbread houses, roast turkeys, cinnamon rolls: The holidays are our kitchens’ time to shine. But first, we need to literally make them shine. Giving your kitchen a deep clean now — we’re talking cupboards, fridge, those corners you never notice — will pay off for months.

Getting dinner on the table every night takes work, and we can all run out of steam. For Kitchn project manager Kit Turley, the trouble was that her go-to weeknight recipes had gone from reliable to monotonous. Add an opinionated five-year-old to the mix, and planning fresh, flavorful meals got even more complicated.Kit decided to try Blue Apron’s all-in-one meal kits to escape her family’s “didn’t we just have this?” rut.

When it comes to gift giving, there’s nothing like finding a this-is-so-you item that your loved one didn’t even know they wanted. This year, I found the item for everyone. And they’re all the same thing.The LifeStraw Home water filter pitcher has everything I look for in a gift. It’s beautiful, with a sleek minimalist design that shines on the table or counter.

Comfort food will never go out of style — but that doesn’t mean we can’t jazz it up a little. October at Kitchn is an ode to modern comfort food, as we put a fresh spin on classics that never fail to satisfy. From gray days to rainy nights, now is the time for food that feels like a hug.“As the weather changes, the meals we make change with it,” says Kitchn Editor-in-Chief Faith Durand. “They become warmer, cozier, and more comforting.

It’s as reliable as the air starting to crisp and the leaves beginning to turn: Once fall arrives, we crave cozy dishes, warm spices, and all things autumnal. “Pumpkin gets all the glory this time of year, but there are lots of fall flavors to love,” says Kitchn Editor-in-Chief Faith Durand. “We wait all year to enjoy the bounty of autumn, and it’s finally time!

This September, Kitchn is highlighting the recipes you need to know right now: Those back-to-basics ideas that get a delicious dinner done fast. It’s something we could all use this month, as the kids head back to school and life gets busier. “We’re focusing on the staples that every home cook needs to build their portfolio of recipes,” says Kitchn Editor-in-Chief Faith Durand. “Reminder: It’s okay to keep dinner simple!

August is a month of change: Vacation is ending, school is starting, and the lazy days of summer are about to get not-at-all lazy. It can be a rocky transition, but it’s made easier when the whole family goes through it together. That’s why August is Family Month on Kitchn: to remind you of little ways to keep family first. Kitchn Editor-in-Chief Faith Durand knows just how to pull it off while keeping the whole family happy.

Cabinets are the hardest-working, longest-lasting furniture in your kitchen — which means that, at some point, you’ve probably considered giving yours a facelift. Repainting your cabinets can be one of the most rewarding DIYs you’ll ever tackle. It can transform your whole kitchen for a fraction of the effort and expense of a renovation. Just ask Rachel, whose Chicago kitchen we recently gave a paint makeover.Intrigued?

There’s a lot to love in Rachel’s spacious and airy kitchen, which we recently gave a crisp and colorful makeover. Your eyes might go right to the walls (stunning!) or the cabinets (so fresh!). But there’s another painted detail that helps the room feel cohesive: the wall shelves and brackets coated with spray paint. It’s a small job that makes a big impact.

As with so many things in life, when it comes to color, more doesn’t always mean better. The kitchen in Rachel’s 19th-century Chicago home was spacious, bright, and airy — but a hodgepodge of paint colors and mismatched design choices detracted from all those positive features.“Every time I went into the kitchen I felt overwhelmed,” Rachel says. “The previous owners chose mint green to mimic the original color.

There’s a reason July is Vegetable Month on Kitchn: Practically every veggie is in season right now. For Kitchn’s editor-in-chief Faith Durand, Vegetable Month is also a great opportunity to squeeze in more plant-based nutrition at the dinner table — for both the kids and the grownups. “We’re always hunting for ways to make it easier and even more delightful to pile on the veg,” she says.The first place Faith looks? Target!

June is Block Party Month on Kitchn! There’s something so classic yet so refreshing about the idea of a block party: the sun, the community, the snacks — especially the snacks. Friendly and relaxed, block parties represent everything we love about summer gatherings.

The holiday season is full of delightful surprises: last-minute party invites, gifts you didn’t know you wanted, friends stopping by with freshly baked cookies. We love the spontaneous festivity of this time of year — especially when our freezers are stocked with secret ingredients that transform into delicious apps, desserts, and cocktails at a moment’s notice.

The holiday season is full of delightful surprises: last-minute party invites, gifts you didn’t know you wanted, friends stopping by with freshly baked cookies. We love the spontaneous festivity of this time of year — especially when our freezers are stocked with secret ingredients that transform into delicious apps, desserts, and cocktails at a moment’s notice.

The holiday season is full of delightful surprises: last-minute party invites, gifts you didn’t know you wanted, friends stopping by with freshly baked cookies. We love the spontaneous festivity of this time of year — especially when our freezers are stocked with secret ingredients that transform into delicious apps, desserts, and cocktails at a moment’s notice.

The holiday season is full of delightful surprises: last-minute party invites, gifts you didn’t know you wanted, friends stopping by with freshly baked cookies. We love the spontaneous festivity of this time of year — especially when our freezers are stocked with secret ingredients that transform into delicious apps, desserts, and cocktails at a moment’s notice.

The holiday season is full of delightful surprises: last-minute party invites, gifts you didn’t know you wanted, friends stopping by with freshly baked cookies. We love the spontaneous festivity of this time of year — especially when our freezers are stocked with secret ingredients that transform into delicious apps, desserts, and cocktails at a moment’s notice.

There’s no reason to feel guilty about indulging in the deliciousness of the holiday season. But if all those party snacks and festive desserts have you craving more wholesome, nutritious meals at home, then you can get a jump on that January urge to reset — without making the most eventful time of the year any more hectic.

We have an extra reason to be thankful this year, as we prepare to gather — safely! — with family and friends. We can’t wait to celebrate together, but we also remember how stressful it can be to host an epic holiday feast (especially a year out of practice). That’s why we’re making the most of our grocery runs to maximize convenience in the kitchen.

We have an extra reason to be thankful this year, as we prepare to gather — safely! — with family and friends. We can’t wait to celebrate together, but we also remember how stressful it can be to host an epic holiday feast (especially a year out of practice). That’s why we’re making the most of our grocery runs to maximize convenience in the kitchen.

We have an extra reason to be thankful this year, as we prepare to gather — safely! — with family and friends. We can’t wait to celebrate together, but we also remember how stressful it can be to host an epic holiday feast (especially a year out of practice). That’s why we’re making the most of our grocery runs to maximize convenience in the kitchen.