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. Find more exciting recipe ideas in our spring recipes, spring greens recipes and spring recipes. We also have our guides on what to eat in April and June.
May seasonal food
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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 kyiv recipe.
5. Elderflower
Elderflower comes into peak season from late May into early June. This fragrant summer bloom can be served in a variety of refreshing drinks and cocktails, cakes, desserts and even salad dressings. Bake a rhubarb & elderflower sponge cake, or layer up a strawberry & elderflower trifle with an irresistible lemon drizzle base. For a wonderfully refreshing alternative to alcohol, turn your hand to our elderflower cordial.
See more ideas on how to use elderflowers as well as our elderflower collection.
Browse recipes and find more information on more seasonal ingredients:
Seasonal food dates in May
2 May – World Tuna Day
Celebrate the versatility of tuna with our curated tuna recipes collection, which includes budget-friendly tinned tuna recipes and exquisite tuna steak dishes perfect for a special date night.
4 May – National Lemonade Day
Mix up a pitcher of homemade lemonade for a refreshing alternative to shop-bought soft drinks.
13 May – World Cocktail Day
Take your pick from our classic cocktails, including cosmopolitans, old fashioneds, mojitos and martinis.
13 May – International Hummus Day
Try our tasty recipes for hummus and make your own chickpea dip with peas, peppers or beetroot.
19-25 May – British Sandwich Week
Indulge in an epic sandwich stack worth celebrating.
21 May – National Strawberries and Cream Day
Transform the iconic strawberries and cream pairing into summer puddings, towering cakes and rosy biscuits.
26 May-8 June – British Tomato Fortnight
Put British tomatoes to brilliant use with our recipes for easy salads, fresh salsas and hearty mains.
26 May-1 June – National BBQ week
Find the perfect recipe for you in our barbecue hub.
29 May – National Biscuit Day
Fill your biscuit tin with goodies from our ultimate biscuit collection, including crinkle biscuits and shortbread.
Other dates for your diary:
10 May – World Fair Trade Day
17 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
