What to eat this July

July is all about soaking up summer. The long days, warm nights, and laid-back rhythm of the season make it the perfect time to slow down and really enjoy your meals. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard, packing up a picnic, or serving up something cold and sweet, there are so many ways to make food feel fun, fresh, and connected this month.

I know how easy it is to get stuck in a rut, especially when the heat kicks in and you’re juggling busy days, hungry kids, and trying to just get dinner on the table. That’s exactly why I’m here. My goal is to help you bring more variety and joy to your family’s meals in a way that actually works with your real life.

This month, we’re leaning into simple summer celebrations. Think grilled veggies and fruit, easy picnic dinners, make-your-own ice cream sundaes, and flavor-packed dishes that encourage your kids to explore something new. These ideas are playful, seasonal, low-stress and perfect for building memories and enjoying the moment, no matter how full your calendar feels.

Use the inspiration below to shake up your meal plan with creativity, curiosity, and a whole lot of sunshine.

July is National Grilling Month

It’s hot outside, so fire up the grill and cook outside as much as you can this month! What I love is how cooking outside over fire is something the entire world enjoys – so don’t get stuck in a rut only serving burgers and hotdogs! There’s a whole world of amazing grilled meals to explore!

• Pretend you are on a tropical vacation with huli huli chicken! Add some pineapple and macaroni salad and you can have a Hawaiian luau at home.
• Za’atar beef kabobs are a fantastic flavorful choice that is kid friendly and super easy.
• Grilled tandoori chicken is another great meal my family loves! Great flavor without being overwhelming for kids.

Fun food related days in July

There are always a ton of food holidays each month, but I have hand picked just a few for you to enjoy this month:

• July 6 – National Handroll Day – try your hand at making sushi at home!
• July 14 – National Mac and Cheese Day – Try making your own homemade mac and cheese, or invite some friends over and have a mac and cheese cook-off! Use my taste testing sheet to record your results.
• July 18 – National Tropical Fruit Day – Explore some new fruits! What can you find at the store that you haven’t tried before?
• July 23 – National Lemon Day – So many different ways to use lemon! Will you go for something sweet like earl grey lemon bars or a savory side dish like Greek lemon potatoes?
• July 28 – National Milk Chocolate Day – Go on a chocolate deep dive and explore and taste different kinds of chocolate with my “Exploring Chocolate” ebook!
• July 31 – National Avocado Day – Make your own homemade guacamole together!

Fun seasonal recipes to try in July

There are so many fun recipes to try this month! Here is even more inspiration if you need it!

• Make sure you try out the Dinners for a Difference meal this month! Its not only a fun way to get kids involved in the kitchen but its also a great meal to pack for a picnic!

Want to make adding variety into your meals this month easy and fun? Try my Foodie Bingo Sheet!

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Download the bingo sheet to make adding variety into your meal plans easy and fun!