Summer Is Coming: How Our Kitchen Changes This Time of Year
As May comes to a close, I always find myself noticing little shifts happening around our house. The weather gets warmer, the days get longer, and somehow the kids start acting like they haven’t eaten in weeks, despite having snacks an hour ago.
Summer doesn’t just change our schedule. It changes our kitchen too. While I wouldn’t say we completely reinvent the way we eat during the summer months, there are definitely some rhythms that start to look a little different.
Goodbye Heavy Comfort Food
Don’t get me wrong. I love a cozy comfort meal as much as anyone.
Actually, I may be the wrong person to ask because I’m fully convinced soup is a year round food. It could be 95 degrees outside, and I’d happily eat a bowl of chicken noodle soup.
Paul strongly disagrees. In fact, he’s essentially forbidden me from making soup once the temperature gets above 70 degrees. 😅
So while I’d happily keep soup season going all year long, the rest of the family is usually ready for something lighter by the time summer arrives.
More:
- grilled foods
- fresh fruit
- pasta salads
- sandwiches
- simple side dishes
Less:
- heavy casseroles
- long oven bakes
- meals that make the kitchen feel ten degrees hotter
Summer cooking becomes less about comfort and more about simplicity.
The Return of Snack Season
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a mom, it’s that summer is snack season.
The kids are outside more. They’re running around more. And they’re hungry all the time.
Suddenly I’m buying:
- extra fruit
- popsicles
- crackers
- yogurt
- anything that can be grabbed quickly between outdoor adventures
Some days it feels like my primary job is simply restocking snacks.
Keeping Dinner Simple
One thing I’ve learned over the past few years is that summer isn’t the season to overcomplicate dinner. Between family activities, longer evenings, and trying to spend more time outside, I don’t always want to spend an hour in the kitchen.
This is usually when:
- slow cooker meals
- sheet pan dinners
- air fryer recipes
- simple family favorites
start showing up more often. The easier the cleanup, the better.
Making Room for Seasonal Favorites
Summer is also when certain foods start making regular appearances again.
Fresh berries. Watermelon. Corn on the cob. Cold lemonade. Simple desserts that don’t require much effort.
There’s something about seasonal foods that makes the kitchen feel connected to the season we’re in.
Letting Go of Perfect Plans
If I’m being honest, one of the biggest summer transitions has nothing to do with food itself. It’s expectations.
Schedules become a little looser. Bedtimes occasionally drift later. Plans change. And meals don’t always happen exactly the way I imagined.
I’ve found that summer goes much better when I stop trying to make everything perfect and focus on what works for our family.
Looking Ahead
As we move into June, I’m looking forward to trying new recipes, sharing more family reviews, and finding simple ways to enjoy this season.
The kitchen may look a little different during the summer months, but that’s part of the fun. More fruit, simple meals, and definitely more snacks.
And hopefully a lot more memories made around the table.
Looking for new recipes to try? You can find a list of my reviews here: Recipe Reviews
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Hi, I’m Erin. I test internet recipes so your family doesn’t have to. Expect wins, disasters, and everything in between. Honest reviews from a real kitchen with real kids.