French summer recipes to brighten up the dog days of summer ~ from Grand Aioli and a classic Tomato Tart to the perfect Strawberry Galette.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Enter your email below & we'll send the link to your inbox.
Subscribe to see brand new recipes!
By midsummer, my menu lineup starts to feel repetitive: grilled meat, burgers, pasta salad, potato salad, repeat. My husband could eat that way all year, but I need a break. That’s when I start looking to the French for a reset ~ ripe summer produce, simple tarts, crisp salads, seafood, good bread and cheese, and desserts built around fruit.
I went through my archives and pulled together the French recipes that lean into summer ~ I think this is going to be my playbook for the rest of the season.
French Summer Starter Recipes
Herb Marinated Goat Cheese
Herb Marinated Goat Cheese makes a nice season spanning appetizer because it takes the abundance of late summer herbs in such a rich, comforting sort of direction. The tangy herbaceous cheese smeared onto a toasty slice of bread is beyond delicious.
View this recipe
Salmon Mousse
My salmon mousse recipe is a modern take on a classic appetizer for your next cocktail hour. Super easy to make without gelatin or mayo ~ yum!
View this recipe
Gruyere Cheese Crackers
Crisp Gruyere cheese crackers to serve with wine or as part of a charcuterie board!
View this recipe
Homemade Boursin Cheese Recipe
Homemade Boursin cheese is a fresh garlic and herb cheese spread made with cream cheese, goat cheese, butter, and plenty of herbs. It’s creamy, tangy, and ready for crackers, vegetables, crostini, or an easy cheese board.
View this recipe
Simple Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart
Asparagus puff pastry tart is a simple, elegant savory spring tart perfect as a starter or a light lunch.
View this recipe
Asparagus Bisque
Asparagus bisque is an easy blended soup ready in 20 minutes! A delicious lunch or appetizer with a silky texture and fresh spring flavor.
View this recipe
Raw Veggies and Dip
Crisp raw veggies with a whipped basil ricotta dip is a fabulous starter to any spring meal!
View this recipe
Artichoke Bisque
Why make the same old soup? Creamy artichoke bisque with garlic and Parmesan is a fresh new option for an appetizer, lunch or light supper.
View this recipe
French Garlic Soup
Warm up with this velvety garlic soup, a regional specialty from the South of France thickened with a surprising ingredient!
View this recipe
French Mains
French Mustard Chicken
A one-pan Dijon mustard chicken with bright tang and gentle heat ~ the kind of sauce that makes dinner feel special.
View this recipe
Grand Aioli
Grand aioli is an elegant French dinner platter anchored by a garlicky dip surrounded by crisp veggies, halved eggs, shellfish, and crusty bread.
View this recipe
Tuna and White Bean Salad
This tuna and white bean salad is the very definition of a pantry meal ~ ready in 15 minutes!
View this recipe
Fish with Blood Orange and Thyme
Fish baked in parchment (the French term is 'en papillote') with oranges and thyme is a healthy meal that's perfect for winter and the Lenten season.
View this recipe
Roast Chicken with Lemon and Herbs
How to roast the perfect chicken in a few easy steps ~ so much better than rotisserie!
View this recipe
Steamed Mussels
Steamed mussels are easy to prepare, healthy, delicious, and fun to eat ~ what more could you ask from dinner?
View this recipe
Charcuterie Salad
A charcuterie salad will make a salad lover out of anybody, I guarantee it! This gutsy main course salad has everything your favorite charcuterie board has, plus a bright fresh crunch.
View this recipe
Veggie Bowls with Salmon
Low carb low calorie spring dinner: veggie bowls with salmon. Whip up a creamy lemon aioli for a perfect finishing touch.
View this recipe
Steaks Frites with Parmesan Butter
Discover the classic French bistro dish: steak frites. Learn how to make this easy elegant meal at home in just about an hour.
View this recipe
Savory Pies and Tarts
Tomato Tart
This easygoing French-style tomato tart is so simple and perfect for peak-summer tomatoes!
View this recipe
Quiche Lorraine
A quiche Lorraine is a lesson in the power of simplicity and the importance of texture in great food. Restrained yet exuberantly luxe at the same time, (how do the French do it?) you can't beat this classic quiche.
View this recipe
Wild Mushroom Crustless Quiche
My easy crustless quiche is packed with mushrooms ~ it's that vegetarian low carb dinner recipe you've been looking for!.
View this recipe
Sweet Onion and Herb Quiche
My easy onion quiche with sweet onions and fresh herbs is a fabulous light meal!
View this recipe
Mushroom and Boursin Puff Pastry Tart
Mushroom & Boursin Puff Pastry Tart is a multi-tasking dress-it-up or dress-it-down kind of dish that takes a couple of minutes to throw together and impresses everybody.
View this recipe
French Sides
French Potato Salad
Bring something new to the picnic table! French potato salad is a potato and green bean salad from the healthy Mediterranean diet.
View this recipe
French Carrot Salad
This classic French carrot salad is a fresh, 2 ingredient salad tossed with lemon Dijon dressing. A versatile side you'll make all season!
View this recipe
Tomatoes Provencal
Provencal Tomatoes is a universal side dish that goes with everything ~ make them with classic red or colorful heirloom tomatoes!
View this recipe
Green Beans Almondine
Green beans almondine is elegant, delicious, and super easy to make. It's a go-to side dish for holidays and family meals.
View this recipe
Niçoise Salad
This healthy main course tuna salad is one of the best main course salads ever invented… it's colorful, protein packed, and so satisfying.
View this recipe
Cherry Tomatoes Provençal
Cherry tomatoes Provençal is a super simple summer side that pairs juicy tomatoes with a crisp herbe de Provence gratin topping. It's easy, versatile, delicious, and so French countryside!
View this recipe
French Desserts
Creme Anglaise
Creme Anglaise is a velvety French vanilla custard sauce that's surprisingly simple to make!
View this recipe
Fresh Strawberry Galette
A fresh Strawberry Galette is a joy to make (and eat!) This rustic strawberry tart is easier than pie and so much more delicious.
View this recipe
Milk Chocolate Mousse
My Milk Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a lighter, silkier version of everybody's favorite chocolate dessert. This easy recipe makes the chocolate mousse of your dreams!
View this recipe
Raspberry Frangipane Tart
This raspberry frangipane tart celebrates that classic raspberry-almond chemistry ~ it's both homey and elegant at the same time.
View this recipe
French Pistachio Cake
French pistachio cake is surprisingly simple and a new star in my cake collection ~ this rustic dessert is a must-make.
View this recipe
Fromage Blanc Cheesecake
A delicate fromage blanc cheesecake with a silky texture and gentle tang ~ lighter than traditional cheesecake but every bit as luxurious.
View this recipe
Raspberry Champagne Sorbet
Raspberry Champagne Sorbet is an elegant (and easy!) frozen dessert fit for a special occasion.
View this recipe
Chocolate Pot de Crème
For serious chocolate lovers there's nothing quite like a pot de creme ~ make it for someone you love!
View this recipe
Chocolate Hazelnut Madeleines
Exquisite chocolate hazelnut madeleines are so easy to make! These little French cookies are great for entertaining and gifting!
View this recipe
Chocolate Meringue Cake
An easy flourless chocolate cake with a silky texture you have to taste to believe!
View this recipe
Almond Croissant Cake
My almond croissant cake is a French style coffee cake with a wonderfully light texture and plenty of flavor for almond lovers!
View this recipe
Cherry Almond Tart
Cherry Almond Tart is a simple and elegant Mediterranean style dessert that features the unbeatable flavor combination of cherry and almond!
View this recipe
