What's in season – May
The month of May is a dream when it comes to seasonal produce. Sandwiched between spring and summer, expect plenty of fresh greens and much more
Although summer is on its way, spring produce is still at its best in May, and you might even get the chance to have your first meal in the garden. All of these seasonal dishes would taste great eaten al fresco, even if it’s only warm enough to open a window.
Be inspired by our collection, below, for perfectly fresh spring-meets-summer recipes.
Cucumber
There's more to cucumber than Greek salads and tzatziki (although we're big fans of both). On warm spring days, serve this refreshing cucumber soup – served chilled and packed with herbs for a light lunch. If you're entertaining, make our cucumber prawn cocktail cups recipe for people to share.
For more recipe inspiration, see our cucumber collection.
Asparagus
We’re in peak asparagus season now, so use it while you can. For an easy family dinner, try our lemon roasted spring chicken with asparagus – a simple traybake that lets the oven do the work. Treat yourself to a crab & asparagus omelette for a weekend brunch, or for a completely new way with this spring veg, make asparagus fries and baconnaise for a decadent starter. Try our how to cook asparagus guide.
Tip: To prep, bend each stalk until the stem snaps off at its natural break point. This bit you’re left with, no longer attached to the spear, will be woody and stringy to eat, but you don’t have to bung it in the compost bin just yet. Instead, try making a stock to use in soups or green veg-heavy risottos.
For more recipes, see our asparagus collection.
New potatoes
Naturally slightly sweeter than fully grown potatoes, these taste great in salads or thinly sliced on a white pizza with cheese and rosemary. And surely no barbecue or garden party is complete without a big bowl of potato salad? If you've got time to spare on a weekend, bake our hearty new potato & rosemary focaccia recipe.
Tip: Dressing the potatoes while they’re still warm helps them soak up all the flavour.
Visit our new potato recipe collection for more suggestions.
Wild garlic
Wild garlic isn't around for long, so if you're lucky enough to be able to forage some, here's how to make the most of it. Blitz it it into an incredibly vibrant wild garlic soup, or make a dinner party-worthy centrepiece with this wild garlic crusted salmon recipe from Tom Kerridge. For a gourmet twist on a retro classic, try our wild garlic chicken kiev recipe.
Browse recipes and find more information on more seasonal ingredients:
Seasonal food dates in May
16-22 May – British Sandwich Week
Indulge in an epic sandwich stack worth celebrating.
27 May - National Fish & Chip Day
For a new twist try our onion bhaji fish & chips. For something more traditonal, see our ultimate fish & chips collection.
29 May-4 June – National BBQ week
Find the perfect recipe for you in our barbecue hub.
Other dates for your diary:
13 May – World Fair Trade Day
13 May – Eurovision Song Contest
Catch the grand final on BBC One (8pm) and find Eurovision recipe ideas if you’re hosting a party.
See our seasonal calendar for more inspiration.
More seasonal recipes and information
Our top spring recipes
How to use wild garlic
Foraging: a beginner's guide
Spring greens recipe collection
10 recipes to make you feel like spring is here
Healthy spring recipes
Top 10 rhubarb recipes
12 ways to serve asparagus
Bank Holiday recipes
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