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What to Eat in May

Posted by Jess Larson on May 1st, 2026
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What to Eat in May is a collection of fresh recipes made for longer, lighter days. From big, vibrant salads and easy bowls to grill-friendly mains and fun brunch favorites, these recipes celebrate the shift into spring cooking with bright ingredients and simple prep. Low-fuss, flavor-packed seasonal meals perfect for backyard dinners, potlucks, and everything in between.
A colorful bowl with grilled chicken, black beans, rice, corn, bell peppers, red onion, cilantro, guacamole, and lime wedges. Overlaid white text reads, what to eat in may.

Simple Recipes for Spring Nights and Backyard Dinners

May is when everything starts to feel a little lighter. 

The windows are open, the grill’s back on, and dinner somehow ends up happening outside more often than not. It’s that point in the season where plans feel a little more spontaneous – “come over,” “bring something,” “we’ll figure it out when you get here.”

And in the kitchen, I’m following that same lead.

I want food that feels fresh and easy – something with a little crunch, a lot of color, and flavors that pop without a ton of effort. A big strawberry chicken salad with lots of herbs, fajita bowls loaded up with toppings and a creamy avocado crema, or turkey burgers on the grill while everyone hangs out nearby.

I find myself gravitating towards meals I can pull together quickly and share, whether it’s a casual dinner at home, a slow weekend brunch, or something to bring along to a last-minute potluck. Less time cooking and more time soaking up the weather and time with loved ones.

What to Eat in May is built around exactly that – recipes that fit into this stretch of the season without overcomplicating it.

These are the ones I reach for when I want something simple, seasonal, and full of flavor, while still making the most of these longer days.

What to Eat In May

A bowl of seasoned grilled chicken, sliced red and yellow bell peppers, corn, black beans, red onion, fresh cilantro, lime wedge, and creamy green sauce over rice.

Chicken Fajita Bowls with Avocado Crema

Inspired by my go-to Chipotle order, this homemade Chicken Fajita Bowl recipe is the ultimate weeknight dinner! Start with easy sheet pan chicken fajitas, whip up some cilantro lime rice, creamy-dreamy avocado crema, and any other chicken fajitas bowl toppings you love. Dig in for a feel-good dinner ready in 30 minutes or less!

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An overhead shot of the strawberry chicken salad on a light pink surface. The bowl is surrounded by a white dish towel, a jar of vinaigrette, and small bowls of strawberries, almonds and goat cheese.

Herbed Chicken Strawberry Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette

A completely feel-good Herbed Chicken Strawberry Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette! Full of texture and perfectly sweet-savory, this strawberry chicken salad is THE salad to make during berry season! Perfect for low-key weeknight dinners, light meal prep lunches, or summer entertaining with friends!

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Stuffed Southwest Turkey Burger place on a burger bun with lettuce & guacamole. Burger is sitting on a light wood board, with a jar of salsa behind it.

Stuffed Southwest Turkey Burgers with Pepper Jack & Guacamole

Stuffed Southwest Turkey Burgers are mega juicy, mega cheesy, and mega flavorful, with bursts of spicy chiles and creamy guacamole in every single bite. This turkey burger recipe takes no more than 10 minutes to prep and the burgers grill up in just 10 minutes more. YES, please!

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An overhead shot of a small bowl of guacamole surrounded by tortilla chips on a parchment-lined plate atop a blue tiled surface. The plate is surrounded by lime wedges and halves and a small dish of tajin.

15-Minute Guac Cart Guacamole

Inspired by my restaurant days, this easy Fresh Guacamole recipe combines ripe avocados with jalapeños, red onion, fresh lime juice, and lots of cilantro. Smashed together in a zip-top bag (or traditional molcajete), the result is a chunky-creamy guacamole dip with bright and spicy flavor. And this homemade guacamole never browns!

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A finished puff pastry breakfast pizza is served atop a piece of parchment paper and rests atop a peach colored textured surface. The pizza has been garnished with arugula lightly dressed in olive oil, lemon zest, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Quartered and halved pieces of lemon along with loose arugula leaves surround the pizza along with a small wooden pinch bowl filled with kosher salt, a clear glass bowl filled with arugula, and a gold serving utensil. A slice of pizza has been cut for serving and is slightly separated from the rest of the breakfast pizza.

Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizza with Everything Bagel Crust

At-home brunch doesn’t get better than this festive and easy-to-make Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizza with Everything Bagel Crust! This semi-homemade breakfast pizza recipe tops flaky puff pastry with crispy fried pancetta, gruyère cheese, perfectly cooked eggs, and an everything bagel-inspired crust. A completely cafe-worthy brunch in 30 minutes!

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Close up of Falafel-ish Quinoa Salad shown in a large pink ceramic serving bowl. The salad is topped with lots of fresh parsley leaves. Two vintage spoons are nestled in the left side of the bowl. The bowl sits atop a white surface, with a gray & white striped linen nestled next to it.

Falafel-ish Quinoa Salad

Enjoyed by thousands of PWWB readers over the years, a fresh, fast, and flavorful Falafel-ish Quinoa Salad! Inspired by the light and herbaceous flavors of falafel, this cold salad tosses fluffy quinoa with hearty chickpeas, crunchy veggies, and tons of fresh herbs. We love it as an easy meal-prepped lunch, but it also doubles as a fresh side for summery dinners.

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One salmon taco bowl is served inside of a green ceramic bowl that rest atop a light pink textured surface. The bowl is surrounded by a small white pinch bowl filled with chopped cilantro, lime wedges, a small ceramic bowl filled green sauce, fresh cilantro, and a light green linen napkin. A fork rests inside of the salmon taco bowl.

Salmon Taco Bowls with Cilantro Ginger Green Sauce

Fresh, colorful, and layered with texture, these Salmon Taco Bowls are the ultimate fuss-free weeknight dinner. Toss bite-sized salmon in smoky taco seasoning, sear until golden and flaky, then pile it over rice. Add your favorite toppings – creamy avocado, crunchy slaw, fresh pico de gallo – and finish with a drizzle of creamy cilantro ginger sauce.

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An overhead shot of a large bowl of prepared pasta salad topped with pesto, sitting alongside a wooden cutting board, bowl of basil leaves, striped dish towel, jar of pesto, and bowl of pepper atop a white surface.

Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

Our go-to Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies is a summer staple! Simply toss al dente pasta, grilled lemon chicken and veggies, and mozzarella cheese into homemade basil pesto sauce for a fresh and satisfying summer dinner or side dish. Perfect for summer potlucks, meal prep lunches, weeknight dinners, and so much more!

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An overhead shot of an assembled shrimp bowl with lettuce, rice, avocado, and mango salsa in a light orange bowl atop a light blue surface. The bowl is surrounded by other assembled bowls and bowls of mango salsa, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Quick & Easy Shrimp Rice Bowls with Mango Salsa

When I first shared this Shrimp Rice Bowl recipe, it went totally viral…and for good reason! Layered with garlicky sautéed shrimp, juicy mango salsa, and cilantro lime rice, these bowls deliver everything you crave in a quick, flavor-packed dinner. Even better? They’re easy to make, seriously satisfying, and ready in just 35 minutes!

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Hi there, I'm Jess!

If there’s 1 thing to know about me, it’s this: I am head-over-heels in love with food. I’m on a mission to make weeknight cooking flavorful, fast, & fun for other foodies, & PWWB is where I share foolproof recipes that deliver major flavor with minimal effort. Other true loves: pretty shoes, puppies, Grey’s Anatomy, & my cozy kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.

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