Are you wondering what to cook in May? Browse our collection of 40 best May recipes to cook for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert!

It's officially May which means an abundant of fresh seasonal recipes to cook all month long! This month is all about fresh and vibrant spring recipes that start to slowly transition into colorful summer recipes by the end of the month. We have incorporated seasonal spring produce and kept mindful of holidays in May to bring you our collection of 40 best recipes to cook in May including breakfast, soups and salads for lunch, protein-packed dinners, appetizers and snacks, and fruity desserts!
Holidays in May
What else does May bring? A number of fun holidays which are all centered around food!
- Cinco de Mayo. We start the month off with Cinco de Mayo which calls for a Mexican fiesta. Browse all our Cinco de Mayo Mexican Recipes.
- Mother’s Day. About a week or so later, we celebrate our moms. We have a collection of Mother's Day recipes to check out including: Mother's Day Brunch Menu, Mother's Day Dinner Ideas, and Mother's Day Desserts.
- Memorial Day. Last but not least, we officially kick into summer at the end of the month with our start of summer recipes on Memorial Day. See all the recipes that you would need here: 60 Best Memorial Day Recipes.
What is in Season in May
There are a number of fruits and vegetables that are season in the spring which makes for an abundant variety of delicious spring recipes to cook this May. Some of the most popular items that you can find fresh in your local grocery store or farmer's markets in the month of May include (click the links below for a list of recipes that we have using that ingredient):
If you are looking for more information on fruits and veggies are in season in the spring including the benefits of cooking seasonally and tips when shopping for spring produce see our full Spring Produce Guide.
Breakfast Recipes to Cook in May
- Asparagus Frittata. This Asparagus Frittata, made with sautéed asparagus and peas baked with eggs and creamy feta cheese, is perfect for your next spring brunch!
- Huevos Rancheros. Huevos Rancheros is a classic Mexican breakfast dish that features fried eggs perched atop a bed of warm tortillas and beans and topped with salsa.
- Green Smoothie Bowl. This green smoothie bowl is healthy, delicious, and nutritious. It's quick and easy to make in just minutes, for a quick energy boost to start the day.
- Best Old Fashioned Pancakes. The Best Old Fashioned Pancakes are soft, tender, fluffy, and so easy to make. Ready in 15 minutes and perfect for lazy Sunday mornings!
- Breakfast Bagel. With layers of scrambled eggs, melty cheese, fresh tomato, creamy avocado, and peppery arugula, this Breakfast Bagel is a perfect way to start your day. | aheadofthyme.com
- Fruit and Yogurt Parfait. Layer fresh fruits, creamy Greek yogurt and crunchy granola to make this fruit and yogurt parfait for a delicious and healthy breakfast or a simple snack.
- Breakfast Quesadillas. Vegetarian Breakfast Quesadillas are quick and easy to make, loaded with eggs and veggies, and flavorful. Perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly too.
- Strawberry Muffins. Strawberry Muffins are tender, fluffy, and delicious! They are golden-brown and crisp outside while moist and cake-like inside and loaded with strawberries.
Lunch Recipes to Make in May
- Spring Salad. This Spring Salad is light, fresh, and vibrant. It is packed with fresh seasonal vegetables and chickpeas tossed in a homemade honey balsamic dressing.
- Lemon Asparagus Soup with Parmesan. Lemon asparagus soup with parmesan is the perfect spring soup — smooth, light, fresh, and flavourful. It's customizable and can be served hot or cold. The perfect spring recipe.
- Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Peppers. Chicken parmesan stuffed peppers are delicious, flavorful, healthy, and filling, and combines two all-time favorites. Great for meal prep and freezes well.
- Beef Taco Salad. Beef taco salad is a simple, filling, and delicious meal loaded with your favorite taco fillings, and a creamy lime dressing. Make it in 20 minutes.
- Vegan Burritos. Easy homemade Vegan Burritos are the most flavorful version of beans and rice you've had, all rolled up in a large tortilla and served with homemade guac.
- Chopped Asparagus Salad. Chopped asparagus salad with lemon vinaigrette is the easiest and best spring salad ever - colourful, vibrant, flavourful, light, and crunchy.
- Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich. This easy-to-make, light and crunchy Vietnamese lemongrass chicken banh mi sandwich is packed with tender chicken, pickled vegetables and fresh herbs.
- Borscht (Beet Soup). Ukrainian borscht soup is a vegan beet soup made with red beets and vegetables. It's nutritious, flavorful, delicious, easy to make, and freezer-friendly.
Dinner Recipes to Cook in May
- Pasta Primavera. Pasta Primavera is a classic pasta dish that is overflowing with fresh colorful veggies. Make this vegetarian pasta this spring in less than 30 minutes!
- Chicken Madeira. Chicken Madeira with sautéed mushrooms and tender crisp asparagus is topped with melty mozzarella cheese. Cheaper and better than the Cheesecake Factory!
- Salmon Burgers. These Salmon Burgers made with real fresh salmon, are crispy on the outside and flaky inside, juicy and thick, and healthy and packed with protein.
- Spring Vegetable Gnocchi. Spring Vegetable Gnocchi with tender asparagus, peas, and pesto is the perfect way to enjoy the flavors of the season. Ready in 20 minutes!
- Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl. Easy to make, light and fresh teriyaki grilled salmon rice bowl is topped with vegetables, seaweed and salmon roe, with homemade teriyaki sauce on top.
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole. Chicken Enchilada Casserole is cheesy, saucy, and packed with layers of enchilada classics like chicken and beans, tortillas, and cheese. A family favorite!
- Beef Noodle Stir Fry. This beef noodle stir fry is the 20-minute dinner that you have been looking for — quick and easy, delicious and flavorful, and so much better than takeout.
- Asparagus Pasta. Make the most of the spring harvest with this delightfully simple lemony Asparagus Pasta recipe. Ready in under 20 minutes!
- Baked Queso Chicken. Baked queso chicken with tomatoes is an easy, cheesy, delicious chicken dinner that takes just 30 minutes to cook with skinless chicken breasts. The best weeknight dinner.
Appetizers and Snacks to Make in May
- Crispy Refried Bean Tacos. Crispy Refried Bean Tacos are made with crispy, golden-brown tortillas, perfectly seasoned refried beans, and a handful of your favorite taco garnishes.
- Ricotta Crostini with Peas and Mint. Ricotta Crostini with Peas and Mint is easily the most refreshing spring appetizer for any party. It's quick and easy to make and can be prepped ahead.
- Asparagus Tart. Asparagus tart with Gruyère cheese, a balsamic glaze, and flaky puff pastry, is a flavourful and delicious addition to brunch, as an Easter appetizer, or for a light dinner this spring.
- Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Garlic Butter Steak Bites are tender, juicy, and flavorful. This quick and easy appetizer or weeknight dinner takes just 15 minutes to make in one skillet.
- Tofu Lettuce Wraps. Tofu Lettuce Wraps are filled with a vegan filling of tofu, veggies, and homemade peanut sauce for the best balance of textures and flavors.
- 7 Layer Dip. This easy and delicious 7 layer dip is the perfect dip to serve at your next party, made with layers of beans, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and more.
- Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chicken. Vietnamese summer rolls with chicken are fresh, light, and healthy. This Asian summer snack takes less than 20 minutes to make and easier than you think.
- Sheet Pan Nachos. Oven-baked loaded sheet pan nachos are a crowd pleaser for an easy weeknight dinner or appetizer to serve on Cinco de Mayo or game day.
Desserts to Bake in May
- Palmiers. Palmiers are light, crunchy, swirled treats you can easily make in under 30 minutes using just 2 ingredients. They're buttery, crispy, flaky, and sweet.
- Strawberry Shortcake. Classic Strawberry Shortcake is a small, layered cake featuring fluffy crumbly biscuits, a fresh strawberry filling, and homemade whipped cream.
- Crepe Cake. This no bake Crepe Cake is soft, decadent, and easy to make, with over 20 thin layers of crepes nestled between a berry mascarpone whipped cream filling.
- Madeleines. Classic Madeleines are soft spongy mini cakes with a signature shell shape and dusting of sugar on top. Making French butter cakes is easier than you think!
- French Macarons with Vanilla Buttercream Filling. Easy French macarons with vanilla buttercream filling are sweet, light, airy, and delicate cookies that melt in your mouth. Beginners can make them too!
- Strawberry Cobbler. Strawberry Cobbler made with sweet, gooey strawberries and light, fluffy cakey batter is an easy summer dessert to make from scratch with 10 minutes prep.
- Funnel Cake. There’s truly nothing like a homemade Funnel Cake: a crispy jumble of crispy vanilla-tinged batter fried and topped with a powdered sugar, and served warm.
Did You Make Any of These Recipes to Cook in May?
Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of delicious recipes to cook this May. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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