What’s in Season in May

May seasonal fruits and vegetables bridge the gap between spring and summer in delicious fashion. This May produce guide will have your taste buds tip-toeing toward summer by way of seasonal recipes starring strawberries, artichokes, peas, and more.

 

In the midwest, May Saturdays mean one thing: Farmers market time! With hundreds of bakers, makers, foragers, farmers, and more selling their wares (not to mention breakfast tacos and warm pastries galore), there’s no better place to be on a crisp spring morning. While the coffee and cinnamon rolls are a lovely pick-me-up, the best part of the farmers market’s launch is undeniably the overflowing tables of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Wondering what’s in season in May so you can shop smartly? Consider this seasonal produce guide below like having me as your market buddy, guiding you through the essential May fruits and vegetables that are worthy of a spot in your reusable shopping bag.

Seasonal produce is fresh and affordable, so both your budget and your taste buds will be happy if you stock up accordingly. No matter if you’re strolling the aisles at the supermarket or if you’re feasting on food directly from a farmer, consider adding these fresh fruits and vegetables to your shopping list.

In case you could use some inspiration for how to put what’s in season in May to delicious use, I’m also sharing ideas for seasonal recipes to include in your next round of meal prep or as part of your menu for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or potlucks and picnics. ‘Tis the season!

Still have leftover produce from last month? See what’s in season in April.
Looking ahead to next month? Discover what’s in a season in June. 

What’s in Season in May?

• Early-season berries and stone fruits: Prime berry time isn’t for another month or two, but you can score a sneak peek of some fruits in this family, including strawberries, cherries, apricots, and plums, come May. Get your fix in pies, cobblers and crisps, as part of shortcakes, or washed and out of hand. They’re sweet like candy right now.
• Tropical fruits: I know, there isn’t exactly any growing season for kiwi and mango in the midwest, but they travel beautifully from warmer regions (where they grow prolifically and are at their peak right now). Try them with Fruit Dip, in parfaits, fruit salsas, Memorial Day fruit salads, and smoothies.
• Buckwheat, root, and thistle vegetables: Don’t sleep on often-overlooked yet versatile May vegetables like artichokes, rhubarb (yes, it’s a veggie, even though we often use it like a fruit!), and radishes. Not only would that not be comfy, but you’d be missing out on stellar starters, snacks, desserts, and more. Artichokes are excellent steamed, fried, stuffed, or roasted, while rhubarb is remarkable in pies, jams, muffins, or even savory sheet pan dinners. Radishes need nothing else besides a dunk into softened butter and a sprinkle of salt, although you could also roast them, pair them with your favorite dip, or slice and sprinkle them into salads.
• Daisy, legume, and onion family vegetables: Get this: asparagus is actually a perennial flower, as a member of the daisy family. April showers brought them, and the stalks are exceptional in tarts, scrambles, soups, and pasta recipes. Spring peas are technically considered legumes. While you certainly could whip them up into “hummus” like you use chickpeas, I’m wild sweet on peas in pasta tosses and salads. Sweet onions, and if you’re lucky enough to find them, ramps, are totally dreamy grilled, roasted, or sautéed into sauces, soups, egg breakfasts, and potato sides.

The Best Fruits and Vegetables to Eat in May

Fruits	Vegetables
Apricots	Artichokes
Cherries	Asparagus
Kiwis	Fava Beans
Plums	Radishes
Mangos	Ramps
Pineapples	Rhubarb
Strawberries	Spring Peas
	Sweet Onions

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Early-Season Berries and Stone Fruit Recipes

Kick your feet up, berry frosé season has arrived! It’s the ideal month to dive into a wide variety of festive and fresh cherry and strawberry recipes.

Fruit Dessert Recipes

Cherry Clafoutis

Cocktail Recipes

Strawberry Peach Frosé

Fruit Dessert Recipes

Cherry Cobbler

Entertaining

Fruit Platter

Fruit Dessert Recipes

Cherry Crisp

Salad Recipes

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Fruit Dessert Recipes

Cherry Pie Filling Recipe

Breakfast Recipes

Strawberry Citrus and Ginger Smoothie

Breakfast Recipes

Strawberry Pancakes

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Tropical Fruit Recipes

Pretend like you’re already on summer vacation with these island-flavored seasonal fruit salads, salsas, smoothies, and party-starting desserts.

Breakfast Recipes

Carrot Smoothie

Salad Recipes

Rainbow Thai Salad with Mango

30 Minute Meals

Hawaiian Fried Rice

Appetizer Recipes

Mango Salsa

Salad Recipes

Fruit Salad

Breakfast Recipes

Pineapple Smoothie

Mexican Recipes

Pineapple Salsa

Breakfast Recipes

Mango Smoothie

Cocktail Recipes

White Sangria

Cocktail Recipes

Pina Colada With Coconut Cream

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Buckwheat, Root, and Thistle Vegetable Recipes

These are the artichoke, radish, and rhubarb recipes you’ll want to have on repeat as part of your May menu.

Appetizer Recipes

Stuffed Mushroom Recipe

Appetizer Recipes

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Italian Recipes

Easy Flatbread Pizza

Fish and Seafood Recipes

Baked Cod

Vegetable Recipes

Roasted Radishes

Pie and Tart Recipes

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Fruit Dessert Recipes

Rhubarb Crisp

Breakfast Recipes

Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

Italian Recipes

Antipasto Platter

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Daisy, Legume, and Onion Family Vegetable Recipes

Infuse layers of flavor into any savory recipe with sweet onions and ramps, then load on the color with quick-cooking and vibrant asparagus and peas.

Appetizer Recipes

French Onion Dip

Stews and Soups

Cream of Asparagus Soup

Salad Recipes

Farro Salad with Peas and Feta

Stews and Soups

French Onion Soup

Brunch Recipes

Asparagus Frittata

Salad Recipes

Asparagus Salad

Appetizer Recipes

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus

30 Minute Meals

Pasta with Peas and Prosciutto

Side Dish Recipes

Brown Fried Rice

Salad Recipes

Israeli Couscous Salad