What to Cook This May
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 30, 2024
May is here! The trees are loaded with bright green leaves and I’m thriving on the abundant sunshine. My attention is divided between redesigning this website (launching soon!) and loading our garden with perennials while the time is right. Grace loves to help water the plants with her cute green watering can.
Several holidays are coming up. For Cinco de Mayo, browse Mexican recipes here (start with the guacamole and margaritas). For the Kentucky Derby, try a maple-sweetened mint julep or strawberry-infused mint julep (start infusing the bourbon now). For Mother’s Day, check out my spring brunch roundup.
The farmers’ markets will become more colorful each week this month. Below, you’ll find some of my favorite spring recipes so we can make the most of our fresh produce.
Asparagus
Perfect Roasted Asparagus
Gluten free and easily vegan (skip the cheese)
“This is an easy and very tasty way to prepare asparagus. I could eat it every day. My 8 year old loves it too. I add parmesan and lemon. I roast the asparagus in my oven for 9 minutes. Thank you for the recipe!” – Anna
Avocado
The Best Guacamole.
Gluten free and vegan
“I’ve always done guac simply with lime juice, salt and cumin to rave reviews BUT after making this C&K-style last night, I can never go back. Wow! The tiny onion crunch and pop of salt and coriander is divine. Thanks for another winner! ☺” – Janelle
Beets
Simple Beet, Arugula and Feta Salad
Gluten free and easily vegan (skip the cheese)
“This is, quite literally, my new favorite salad! I have made it for several friends – who all have adored it – and have added it to my weekly food staples. I’ve never actually made it with pumpkin seed – I substitute pistachios instead, or omit the nuts altogether if I am not eating it right away, and the homemade balsamic is fantastic…YUMMMM!” – Franki
Broccoli
Lemony Broccoli, Chickpea & Avocado Pita Sandwiches
Easily gluten free and easily vegan (see notes)
“Just made this and it’s delish!! I didn’t have pitas so I just cut up the avocado and ate it as a salad.” – Renee
Cauliflower
Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice
Gluten free and vegan
“I’ve never had cauliflower rice before, but a Google search took me to this recipe, which I made tonight. It was absolutely delicious and I have enough leftovers to use as a side dish tomorrow night I highly recommend it!” – Deirdre
Greens
The Creamiest Scrambled Eggs (with Goat Cheese)
Gluten free
“Hoo boy! This is a marvelous recipe! Great for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. I found that it was perfect fare for the latter during this hot summer weather when standing over a hot stove for any length of time just WASN’T an option! It’s easy on the tummy but SO delicious and satisfying…and healthy!” – Frances
More spinach recipes » (also arugula)
Herbs
Cilantro-Pepita Pesto with Squash Ribbons and Fettuccine
Vegan
“Not only was this delicious when I made it, the leftovers were just as good – a major plus for me because I always want to have good leftovers to bring to work for lunch. I added some roasted sweet potato to one of my portions of leftovers and the flavors worked well together. I know this has been up for awhile, but thanks for another great recipe Kate!” – Amanda
More cilantro recipes » (also dill)
Kale
Kale Pesto Pizza
Just vegetarian
“I made this for dinner last night – it was SO delicious and my whole family loved it! It was my first time making a pizza myself, and was very easy. I can’t wait for lunch today to eat the leftovers :)” – Hallie
Mango
Thai Mango Cabbage Wraps with Crispy Tofu and Peanut Sauce
Easily gluten free and easily vegan
“I made these tonight and they are so delicious. A perfect summer meal. I also mustvsay that this is the first time myself and my boyfriend have actually enjoyed (even, loved) tofu! Yay for soggy free perfectly crisp tofu.” – Deana
Mushrooms
Roasted Mushrooms with Herbed Quinoa
Gluten free and easily vegan
“Kate, I wish I could show you how much I love this recipe! I am sitting here typing while scarfing down a bowl full. It is amazing, light and just what I needed! I used red quinoa instead and I paired the dish with butter-sauted Brussel Sprouts. Sooooo delish!” – Kecia
Peas
Green Goddess Tortellini Salad
Vegetarian like the rest!
“I made this last night and it was delicious! I’ve been a long-time fan of your recipes and this is another winner. I used some asparagus, green beans, and peas as those were the veggies I had on hand. Looking forward to making it again and taking it to parties throughout the summer. Thank you Kate!” – Erika
Radishes
Strawberry Kale Salad with Nutty Granola Croutons
Gluten free
“I just found this recipe yesterday and made it right away. This is hands down one of the best salads I have ever had! My husband agrees. This will be a regular at our house! The granola makes enough for many more salads and I assume I can just freeze it to have ready for next time. The fennel seeds really add alot. Thanks for the great recipe!” – Lisa
Rhubarb
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Gluten free and easily vegan
“Hey Kathryne, I made this for a potluck last night and it was a hit! I love how the rhubarb and strawberries shine through because there’s not too much sweetness added in. I also love that the crisp isn’t too heavily laden with butter! This is a really lovely crisp and so pretty coming out of the oven too, especially when the filling is still gurgling at the sides!” – Margarita
More resources you might appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!
I haven’t seen good asparagus yet but I’m excited for it!
I have totally been OD-ing on the cauliflower. I made this delicious cauliflower curry a few weeks ago, I ate some more last Friday along with a broccoli-cauliflower stir-fry for dinner throughout last week, and I just had cauliflower rice sushi yesterday. Hahaha! I cannot get enough of it–and don’t get me started on avocado. I just love May produce and I cannot be more excited!
Coconut Rice with Brussels Sprouts? Yeah, I’ll make that tonight. :D I love these roundups. Especially since we live in the same area-ish–I know what’s peak for you is peak for me, too. :)
Thanks Lib! I hope you loved the sprouts, if you got a chance to try them. Glad to know you’re not too far away. :)
I love your monthly what to cook posts! These are a great replacement for the produce guides (that I still use as a resource!). Thanks!
Thanks, Megan! I’m glad to hear that. They’re a fun way to feature old favorites, instead of just brand new recipes!
I can’t wait for your cookbook!!! I hope you get some well-deserved relaxation & rest. Thanks so much for sharing – you’re an inspiration! xx
Thank you, Stephanie! I’m still making up for lost sleep. :) Thanks again for featuring me on your lovely site!
Congrats on getting your manuscript submitted. That’s a huge step in book-land. I’ve never cooked with rhubarb before & I’m looking forward to trying it. :)
Thank you so much, Louise! Rhubarb is delicious, especially when combined with strawberries. Yum.
I love the links you’ve included! They cover a nice variety of topics and each is an interesting read on its own. I’ve already sent the dogs in bags link to a few friends and it has totally brightened their day!
Haha! How cute is that? I’m so glad you liked them, too.
Lots of “super foods” here which I love to see. I never know what to do with kale, pizza idea is genius!
Great inspiration! I particularly like the Rhubarb Chia Jam and the Thai Mango wrap.
Yes! It’s a total reader favorite (and mine, too!).
Wow! So many fabulous recipes! They all look delicious. I will try the asparagus and cauliflower recipes first. And, if I feel adventurous, your rhubarb recipe looks scrumptious! Love your pictures of all the tantalizing recipes, but I especially love your picture of your fur baby.
Thanks, Erin! I hope you do try some of these. Cookie says hello!
Congrats on the success of your cookbook! It’s on my birthday wish list (next month), but if I don’t receive it as a gift I have it ready and waiting in my Amazon saved items!
Thanks, Jessie! I can’t wait for you to see it. :) I hope it arrives as a gift for you!
The Brooklinen pillows…did you get down or down alternative? I’ve been sleeping in inexpensive IKEA pillows for a while now and it is catching up with my neck. I’ve started looking into other options online (my pillow, for instance), but it’s tough for me to spend $50 a pillow without getting to feel it first! Anyway, I’d love to hear more about your experience with Brooklinen.
Hey Becky! I totally know what you mean. I’m a side sleeper and I’m learning that side sleepers are especially prone to alignment issues. I feel like Brooklinen’s pillow does a much better job at keeping my neck in line than my old pillow… I’m not even sure where that pillow came from, to tell you the truth! I opted for the down pillow after reading about their sourcing, but I imagine the down alternative is just as good. Anyway, if you do decide to order one and don’t love it, they have a good 60-day return policy.
May looks great! I like the Internet round up and my favorite was the dog in the Ikea bag!
Haha! I loved that one, too. Brought a smile to my face. :)
Just wanted to comment that I am actually so freakin’ excited for your book!! Like actually so damn excited it’s silly! xx
I’m glad I’m not the only one!!! I can’t wait for everyone to see it. :)
You can always buy leeks, clean and chop them and then freeze them until you find a recipe.
Exactly!
In Sweden it’s very popular to eat a potato and leek soup. Maybe you could do a twist version of that? :) xoxo
Thanks, Rebecca! I’ve noted it. :)
I LOVE your seasonal eating guide! This is the first time I’ve seen one. I want to eat seasonal produce, but I never know exactly what is in season. This takes the guesswork out. Thank you so much! :D
You’re welcome, Ailene!
Kate, I love the “Beet, Arugula and Feta Salad”. It’s such a refreshing, light and healthy option for a dinner! Love the others too, but I instantly got hungry from this one :)
Thank you, Ines!
Aww thank you so much for including me lady!
Of course! I saw myself in that post like crazy.
Hello, where can I read reviews on your recipes? I see the number of reviews attached to the recipe but I am unable to read them.
Hi Mary! Great question. There are reviews and comments under the notes section of each recipe. Depending on how many comments, it can take a moment to load. I hope this is helpful!
I have been eating an INSANE amount of greens this past week. I am stoked to start cooking more mushrooms, kale, herbs, broccoli, and cauliflower!
:) :)
So fresh and healthy! These recipes look so good! I HAVE to try the broccoli, chickpea, & avocado pitas.
Thank you! Let me know what you think, Becky.
Hi, Kate. Your blog is so beautiful and your photography is amazing! I love reading your posts, and- being vegan- I appreciate the “make it vegan” options at the ends of recipes. Keep up the amazing work!
Thank you, Megan! So sweet. I’m glad you find the variation notes helpful.
Thank you for sharing such a great blog.
You’re welcome! I’m happy you like it.
This is great!I really like your blog…just discovered it
Welcome! Let me know what you think of recipes as you try them.
I saw a recipe yesterday for a dish with kale and peas and box chow and bought them yesterday, but cannot find the recipe.Could you please send it today? Thank you.
I’m getting mail through Xfinity and not Apple as usual so everything is different.
Hi Valerie! Do you mean my lemony green pasta?
Kate, you’ve done it again! These monthly posts are a HUGE timesaver and a helpful tool to shake up my cooking rotation. Thank you! Can’t wait to try some of these out!
Dear Kate,
Your wonderful blog makes my day. Thank you so much for the interesting links…allostatic load and focus management were quite helpful. I have asparagus and kale in my fridge right now so I’ll be making the roasted asparagus and the strawberry kale salad this week! The strawberries in our community garden are just now ripening. We’re getting lots of lettuce and greens right now so the green smoothies from your Love Real Food cookbook are easy and nourishing. Hope you are doing well and thank you again for all your wonderful blog. Deborah in NC.
You’re welcome! Thank you for your comment, Deborah. I hope you enjoy the recipes!
You are the only food blogger I follow (and some of your recipes are in frequent rotation in our house AND I have hinted for some time that my fellas should get me your cook book- will they come through on Mother’s Day??) and this post (May 2, 2020) links to an article (allostatic load) that I am quoted in. I am unreasonably thrilled. Thanks for keeping it up Kate! Lots of crumbs for Cookie.
I hope they come through for you, Lynn! It’s a great gift, if I do say so myself. :)
Hello Katheten. look on line Bakers Creek Heirloom Seed. great photographs unique produce I live in Texas so my Heirloom Garden is producing Kale Carrots 3 kinds. squash Italian is up corn at 12 inches snap peas at 6 feet pole and bush beans climbing. beets radishes tomatoes in flower garden salsa peppers is a must Chili peppers .com has great plants shipped to you hundreds of diff. kinds and great tomatoes. better than seeds. Bin growing for 65 years. know my stuff grew for nurseries and restaurants. ” Good Eating “
Thank you, Joseph! Sounds like you have an amazing garden going. I will check out those seed sites, thank you for sharing!
How is Cookie?
Hi Brenda, thanks for asking! She’s doing really well and snoozing next to me as I type (snoring, actually). We finished her 25-week CHOP chemo protocol about a month ago. Unfortunately, she still has one swollen lymph node and we’ve confirmed that it still contains cancer cells. So, we’ve decided to carry on with chemo every three weeks (hopefully every four weeks in the future) since she’s been tolerating it so well. She’s stable and we’ve determined that these drugs are the most effective against her particular cancer cells. It’s tough to make these decisions for her, but she’s very much her usual ornery self, so I feel like I’m doing right by her.
Glad to hear she’s doing well. I love your recipes. I began with Bees Knees at the beginning. The cute picture of you and Cookie is what originally made me click on your site!
Brenda
Hi Kate, would it be possible for you to add “half” to the scale options on the recipe? Sometimes I make food just for myself and that would be helpful. Thanks either way, I love your recipes!
Hey Natalie, that’s a really good idea. That functionality comes through my recipe plugin so I’ll suggest it to them. Have a great day!
Your recipes make my month! Since it all started, don’t ask me why, but my husband has taken over the cooking that I’ve done daily since I was 11 years old (I’m 69) but I do like to give him a break when he’ll let me so I always turn to your recipes. Pretty painless, very healthy, and always so pretty!
(I’m a dog lover too.)
Terry R
Thank you so much, Terry! It’s great to hear from you. How fun that your husband is managing the cooking for a time! Have a great weekend!
Will you stop showing off and making me feel jealous..! This must-have tasted so delicious. Stop posting such tasty dishes.
Hi! Where can I get the recipe for the picture at the top of the page of the pita bread tacos with the broccoli and chickpeas?
Hi Vanessa!Lemony Broccoli, Chickpea & Avocado Pita Sandwiches
Looking for Best Restaurants South Bay Browse through South Bay Eater online and find the best Food in South Bay.
Hello. I like the round ups, but are we going to get back to new recipes again? Thanks
Hi Mike, I’m working on new recipes, but they take some time to finalize and publish. Stay tuned!
How is Cookie? You haven’t mentioned her in a while.
Hi Sue, We recently had to say good bye to Cookie. Farewell to Cookie, 2008 – 2023
I’m trying to find the recipe for the May picture. The shell with broccoli and chickpeas? Maybe some avacado in there?
Lemony Broccoli, Chickpea & Avocado Pita Sandwiches