It’s May! What’s in season this month?

May has arrived with longer days, blooming gardens, and a welcome burst of fresh flavours. After the hungry gap of early spring, the markets finally feel abundant again — bunches of asparagus, the first tender new potatoes, glossy radishes, peppery watercress, and armfuls of British strawberries that actually smell like strawberries. Suddenly everything tastes a little brighter.

This is the month for simple, joyful cooking: quick dinners that leave you time to sit outside, easy lunches you can pack for a park bench, and bakes that feel celebratory without much effort. Whether you’re firing up the grill, planning a low‑key picnic, or just craving something seasonal and satisfying, here’s what’s cooking in May.

🌱 What’s in Season This Month

Vegetables

May is one of the best months for fresh, vibrant greens and early crops:

• Asparagus — short, intense season; enjoy it while it lasts
• Jersey Royal & other new potatoes — buttery, waxy, perfect simply boiled
• Fresh peas — sweet, bright, best freshly podded
• Baby broad beans — tender and nutty
• Spring greens & spring cabbage — soft, sweet leaves
• Radishes — crisp and peppery
• Spinach — tender spring leaves
• Watercress — vibrant and peppery
• Globe artichokes — delicate, nutty hearts
• Spring onions — mild and fresh
• Rocket, lettuce, cucumbers — first tender salad leaves
• Baby beetroot, baby carrots, baby turnips — early, delicate crops
• Sea kale & samphire — coastal seasonal treats

🍓 Fruit

A small but delicious selection:

• Strawberries — first British berries appear mid–late May
• Outdoor rhubarb — tangy, bright, full‑flavoured
• Gooseberries — early arrivals toward the end of the month

🍽️ Seasonal Suppers for May

Fresh, fast, and full of flavour — perfect for lighter evenings.

• Lemon & Herb Roast Chicken Thighs with Asparagus
• Creamy Spring Greens Pasta (ready in 20 minutes)
• Salmon with Dill & New Potatoes
• Halloumi & Roasted Veg Bowls — colourful and endlessly adaptable
• Asparagus & Pea Risotto — creamy, green, and full of spring energy
• Spring Lamb Shawarma — slow‑cooked, warming, great for sharing

🥗 Lighter Lunches for Warmer Days

Ideal for picnics, lunchboxes, or working from home.

• Watercress, Radish & Egg Salad with mustard dressing
• Spring Couscous with Peas, Mint & Lemon
• Asparagus & Feta Tart — delicious warm or cold
• Chicken Gyros‑Style Wraps — fresh, quick, always a hit
• Jersey Royal, Chorizo & Broad Bean Salad
• Radish, Cucumber & Dill Slaw

🍰 Sweet Things for May

Desserts start to feel joyful again.

• Strawberry Shortcakes — the easiest early‑summer treat
• Rhubarb & Custard Traybake — nostalgic and crowd‑pleasing
• Lemon Drizzle Loaf — always in season
• Mini Eton Mess Cups — perfect for bank holiday gatherings
• Rhubarb Fool — creamy, tangy, beautifully simple
• Elderflower & Gooseberry Tart — floral and bright

🌼 This Month’s Kitchen Tip

If you spot British strawberries, buy them. Imported berries are bred for travel; local ones are bred for flavour. Store them unwashed, in a single layer if possible, and enjoy within 48 hours for peak sweetness We’ll be back next month with more seasonal eats, kitchen tips, and delicious discoveries

We’ll be back next month with more seasonal eats, kitchen tips, and delicious discoveries