Summer is the perfect time to get creative with menus. Here’s what’s cooking with seasonal ingredients.

Elevate savory menu items with sweet summer ingredients: Add more interest to dishes, including burgers or chicken entrées, with an unexpected addition of sweet seasonal ingredients like peaches and strawberries.

Get creative with condiments: Create unique condiments by infusing them with in-season ingredients, such as tomato butter or cherry chutney.

Add fresh micronutrients into dishes: Utilize summer produce in small ways such as lemon zest in desserts and dressings or corn in beverages for extra nutrients.

Ingredients to try this summer:

1. Cherry — Mix fresh cherries into spiced chutney for a sweet-savory application.

2. Corn — Incorporate puréed corn into beverages for a sweet and quirky seasonal option.

3. Cucumber — Stuff cucumber pieces with ingredients such as feta, onion, and tomato for a bite-sized Greek-inspired snack.

4. Eggplant — Top sliced eggplant with pizza fixings for a low-carb treat.

5. Lemon — Add lemon zest to dressings for a bright seasonal flavor profile.

6. Peach — Add peaches to burgers for a unique seasonal topping.

7. Strawberry — Incorporate strawberries into savory dishes, including BBQ chicken or pasta salad, for a sweet summery addition.

8. Tomato — Infuse butter or mayo with broiled cherry tomatoes for an umami-rich variation.

*Content provided in partnership with Duke's Mayo.