The Kitchn’s Top 31 Ideas for What to Cook This August

published Aug 1, 2023
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A plate of shrimp salad on a light wood surface
Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik. Food styling: James Park.

August is a sunny month that’s usually the peak time for incredibly ripe tomatoes and the juiciest corn — it’s your final chance to get your fill of summer eating. If you wanted to make one last fruity cobbler, crumble, or pie with your haul of berries, now’s the time to do so. And if you don’t want to turn on the oven, you can’t go wrong with a no-bake cheesecake or ice cream sandwiched between brioche bread

Summer’s almost over, and while it’s great to savor it with what you’re familiar with and what you know will serve you well, there’s also fun to be had in taking a risk. That’s what several members of our team have plans to do this month with their cooking. We’re switching up our grilling plans, going outside of our normal drinks of choice, and even trying more recipes inspired by viral TikTok trends.  

Personally, the August produce season is truly when I thrive because my local farmers market always has the best, juiciest peaches and plums. My favorite summer Friday activity is to go buy a giant bag of stone fruits, run home immediately, wash and slice them up, and challenge myself to make something different from the last week. It’s fun, and has led me to fall in love with this stone fruit panzanella, the iconic plum torte, and peach salsa

Don’t linger on the end. Celebrate what’s happened this summer and what August has in store. From burgers and salads, to chicken wings and ice cream, here are 31 of our favorite recipes to fuel your cooking and eating all month long. 

1 / 31
The Infinitely Tweakable Torte

Recipe Director, Lauren, is dealing with an excess of plums. She plans on making The Kitchn's Infinitely Tweakable Torte into mini cakes so she can share amongst her neighbors.

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2 / 31
Carne Asada
A citrus and garlic marinade flavors this tender grilled steak.
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3 / 31
The Ultimate Summer Pizza

Summer might be winding down, but according to Senior Recipe Editor, Christine, it's never too late to make a summer pizza with all the peak vegetables! You still have time to break out the grill or pizza oven.

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4 / 31
Stone Fruit Panzanella

Utilizing a medley of widely available seasonal produce is what makes this salad incredibly simple and so special.

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5 / 31
No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
This cookies-and-cream no-bake cheesecake with an Oreo crumb crust practically makes itself.
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6 / 31
Shrimp Salad

"I love how my shrimp salad is tangy, creamy, and so easy to make!," says Culinary Producer, James. The only way to make it better? James says the move is to drizzle on lots of chili crisp.

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7 / 31
Trader Joe's Corn & Black Bean Sheet Pan Nachos
A quick, easy sheet pan nacho recipe that uses black beans and corn to kick things up a notch.
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8 / 31
Sicilian Ice Cream Sandwich

Gelato squished between buttery toasted brioche makes for a very sophisticated no-bake summer treat.

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9 / 31
Mojo Verde
An herbaceous and bracingly acidic condiment that can be used to top potatoes and marinate meat.
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10 / 31
Seared Pork Chops with Peach Salsa
Juicy brined pork chops get coated and seared with a spice blend and served with a sweet, refreshing peach salsa.
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11 / 31
Rabokki (Ramen + Tteokbokki)

"This spicy, saucy noodle and rice cake number is my own recipe," says Recipe Production Coordinator, Justine. "But I'm always excited to cook it — especially on my birthday in August!"

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12 / 31
Seared Scallops and Corn Salad

Want to make eating alone feel like a special occasion? Associate Culinary Producer, Nicole, has got your back with her new column. Nicole's first single-serve recipe for you are these pan-seared scallops paired with a fresh corn and tomato salad.

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13 / 31
Grilled Caprese Focaccia
The classic Italian flatbread gets a summer makeover on the grill with tomatoes, basil, and fresh mozzarella.
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14 / 31
Easy Shrimp Ceviche

Staff Writer, Patty's, recipe pick for August is this shrimp ceviche from Senior Contributing Editor, Sheela. "Sheela's recipe is the the perfect no-cook summer dinner complete with vine-ripened tomatoes, garden-fresh jalapeños, creamy avocado, and plump shrimp. Quickly poaching the shrimp before tossing with lemon and lime juices adds a little food safety insurance when using frozen shrimp, but if I have fresh, locally caught shrimp available I just let the citrus do the work."

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15 / 31
How to Make the Perfect BLT

A step-by-step guide to making the sandwich of summer, filled with juicy, ripe tomatoes, salty bacon, and crisp lettuce.

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16 / 31
Garlic and Ginger Turkey Lettuce Wraps
These quick and easy lettuce wraps are filled with a satsifying combination of ground turkey and toasted cashews.
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17 / 31
Raspberry Pie with Streusel Topping

Senior Contributing Editor, Sheela, made Senior Food Editor, Kristina's, raspberry pie after going raspberry picking with her dad and hasn't stopped thinking about it since. It's packed with sweet-tart fruit and is practically luxurious. "I'll be making it as many times as I can this August."

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18 / 31
Salmon Burgers

"We're getting a little bored with our go-to salmon dinners, so I'm super excited to try Kelli's salmon burgers!" Recipe Director, Lauren, tells me. "I love the combo of lemon, garlic, and dill."

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19 / 31
Sautéed Summer Squash with Basil and Parmesan

Learn how to pan-sear yellow summer squash perfectly every time.

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20 / 31
Baked Chicken Drumsticks

"I recently made Patty's baked chicken drumsticks and it was a game-changer for my weeknight dinners! It's so easy and customizable, and I can't wait to make it again," says Senior Food Editor, Kristina.

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21 / 31
Grilled Eggplant Caprese
To tuck in more seasonality in between the red, white, and green layers of a caprese salad, look towards grilled eggplant.
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22 / 31
How To Make a Fruit Cobbler by Heart

A step-by-step recipe for making cobbler with any kind of fruit. This particular cobbler topping might just be the easiest you will ever bake.

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23 / 31
Zucchini Muffins

Meet the muffin you have to bake in August. A full pound of zucchini goes into these lemon-y, fluffy treats, which means it's perfect for using up that summer bumper crop.

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24 / 31
Sour Cream and Charred Scallion Dip

Recipe Production Coordinator, Justine, is very lactose-intolerant. But she took a chance and cross-tested this easy allium dip from Culinary Producer, James. When asked if it was worth it, this is what Justine had to say: "I would risk it all again for this dip."

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25 / 31
Paper Plane Cocktail

Says Recipe Director, Lauren: "I am mostly a beer gal, but a few of my fellow editors are convinced that this will make me a cocktail person. WE SHALL SEE." We're rooting for you, Lauren!

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26 / 31
Air Fryer Taquitos
Crispy tortillas rolled around a creamy chicken filling.
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27 / 31
Capri Sun Punch Cocktail
This boozy slushy is made right in the Capri-Sun pouch for the easiest cocktail ever.
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28 / 31
Baked Feta Pasta

This easy recipe, inspired by the TikTok-famous feta pasta, features burst cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic, lemon zest, basil, and a creamy feta sauce. "I can't believe I waited this long to finally make this TikTok hit, but I'm glad I did!" says Senior Food Editor, Kristina.

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29 / 31
Boca Negra Picosito con Salsa Dulce de Tomatillo (Spiced Chocolate Cakes with Sweet Tomatillo Sauce)

Once you dig in to this boca negra cake, your mouth will be covered in luxurious chocolate. The tomatillo sauce and chipotles add such incredible depth to this scrumptious dessert.

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30 / 31
Smoked Watermelon Agua Fresca
This summery agua fresca combines juicy sun-kissed watermelon and crisp lime juice with smoked salt and paprika, which add notes of smoke coming off a grill.
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31 / 31
Cioppino (Seafood Stew)

Cioppino is a big seafood stew of briny abundance, best shared amongst a crowd of people.

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