Seasonal cooking

The seasonal kitchen

Cook with what’s good now.

Seasonal cooking is less about following rigid rules and more about noticing what tastes especially good, is plentiful and makes sense in the kitchen right now.

Autumn in the kitchen

The generous season.

Apples, pears, blackberries, squash, courgettes, tomatoes, sweetcorn, mushrooms, beetroot, leeks and brassicas bring together the last abundance of summer and the first properly comforting ingredients.

A year in four kitchens.

Spring

Asparagus, rhubarb, purple sprouting broccoli, radishes, spring greens and watercress.

Summer

Strawberries, peas, broad beans, tomatoes, courgettes, runner beans and soft fruit.

Autumn

Apples, pears, blackberries, squash, beetroot, sweetcorn, mushrooms and leeks.

Winter

Kale, leeks, sprouts, roots, cabbage, stored apples and pears, squash and chicory.

What’s in season when?

This Foodwizardry chart focuses on useful British-grown fruit and vegetables. Seasons vary with weather, region and growing method, so use it as inspiration rather than a rigid shopping rule.

Produce	JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC
Apples	●	●						●	●	●	●	●
Pears	●	●							●	●	●	●
Rhubarb	●	●	●	●	●	●	●
Strawberries					●	●	●	●	●
Raspberries						●	●	●	●
Blackberries							●	●	●	●
Asparagus				●	●	●
Purple sprouting broccoli		●	●	●
Broad beans						●	●	●	●
Peas						●	●	●	●
Courgettes						●	●	●	●	●
Runner beans							●	●	●	●
Tomatoes						●	●	●	●	●
Sweetcorn								●	●	●
Kale	●	●	●						●	●	●	●
Leeks	●	●	●	●				●	●	●	●	●

● Dark green: at its best ● Pale sage: the season’s edge, forced growing or a suitable stored British crop.

Timings are an approximate guide compiled with reference to the British Dietetic Association and Vegetarian Society UK seasonal produce calendars.

Spring recipes

Cook in spring.

Sausage-wrapped asparagus with lemon mayonnaise

A celebratory way to make the most of Britain’s short asparagus season.

Halloumi, new potato & green bean salad

Golden halloumi and buttery new potatoes make a substantial seasonal salad.

Hot-smoked salmon & warm potato salad

Fresh herbs and new potatoes bring lightness to rich hot-smoked salmon.

Rocket & basil pesto

A vivid green sauce for pasta, vegetables, sandwiches and spring lunches.

Summer recipes

Cook in summer.

Chicken, chorizo and seafood paella with prawns, mussels, peas and charred lemon

Chicken, chorizo & seafood paella

A generous pan for long evenings, relaxed gatherings and outdoor tables.

A summer garden barbecue table with homemade burgers, garlic herb butter, salad, grilled corn and sauces

Homemade burgers with garlic & herb butter

A proper homemade burger for barbecues and informal summer meals.

Minted lamb kebabs with balsamic onions

Mint, lemon and caramelised onions make these ideal for summer grilling.

Yum Neua – spicy Thai beef salad

Sharp, fresh and full of herbs—a salad made for warm days.

Autumn recipes

Cook in autumn.

A serving of courgette, beef and potato bake with a green salad on an oak dining table

Courgette, beef & potato bake

A layered bake for the overlap between late courgettes and cooler evenings.

Chickpea, sweet potato and spinach curry served with basmati rice, mint yoghurt and mango chutney

Chickpea, sweet potato & spinach curry

A colourful, economical bowl built around autumn vegetables and cupboard staples.

Soy & ginger tempeh with kale and carrot mousse

Roasted kale and silky carrot mousse turn autumn produce into something special.

A glass jug of golden homemade vegetable stock beside a bowl of vegetable trimmings in a sage-green kitchen

Vegetable stock from kitchen scraps

Turn seasonal trimmings into useful stock for soups, stews, risottos and sauces.

Winter recipes

Cook in winter.

Cosy gluten-free chicken noodle soup

Miso, ginger and noodles make a restorative bowl for cold days.

Slow-cooker beef and tomato stew served with grated cheese and bread

Easy slow-cooker beef & tomato stew

Slow cooking transforms simple ingredients into a deeply comforting meal.

Slow-cooker chicken and bacon stew with vegetables in a dark green bowl, served with buttered crusty bread

Slow-cooker chicken & bacon stew

A creamy, homely stew made for buttered bread and dark evenings.

Sliced stuffed chicken wrapped in bacon with dauphinoise potatoes and green beans on a deep teal ceramic plate

Stuffed & wrapped chicken with dauphinoise potatoes

A richer winter dinner that feels worthy of a special table.

Catherine’s note

Seasonal does not have to mean restrictive. Frozen vegetables, preserves, tins and dependable cupboard ingredients make it possible to enjoy the best of the season without wasting what you already have.