We’re a week out from Memorial Day weekend, and judging by our readers’ most-saved recipes, we are officially in a summer state of mind, and I’m fully on board. The vibe this week? Cool, creamy salads for cookouts, easy desserts to bring to a backyard party, and frozen coffee drinks that feel like the start of a very good day.
There’s another clear sign summer cooking has arrived: Our first grilled recipe of the season cracked the list. And it’s a great one that I want to eat outside with a paper plate balanced on my lap. These are the recipes Serious Eats readers saved most this week using MyRecipes, our tool for saving and organizing recipes from Serious Eats and beyond.
01 of 10
Credit: Lynn Wolsted
This creamy cucumber salad skips the usual mayo for a nutty, tangy tahini dressing brightened with lemon and fresh dill. Salting the cucumbers first keeps them extra crisp and prevents the dressing from turning watery, so every bite is cool, crunchy, and refreshing. It’s a low-effort summer side you’ll want next to anything coming off the grill.
Get Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Salad
02 of 10
Credit: Serious Eats / Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This three-ingredient chocolate mousse uses cottage cheese for its rich, creamy texture—but thanks to a quick blitz in the blender, you’d never know it was there. Streaming in melted dark chocolate creates a silky, spoonable dessert that is far more decadent tasting than the ingredient list suggests.
Get Recipe: 3-Ingredient Cottage Cheese Chocolate Mousse
03 of 10
Credit: Serious Eats / Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Abby Armstrong
This springy twist on crème brûlée hides a layer of jammy roasted strawberries and rhubarb beneath its silky vanilla custard. Roasting the fruit first makes it more concentrated and syrupy, so it stays distinct from the rich cream above rather than turning watery. With or without a crackly sugar topping, it’s a dessert that is both elegant and seasonal.
Get Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Crème Brûlée
04 of 10
Credit: Serious Eats / Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Sally Mckay
This smoky, cheesy chicken alambre is a one-skillet dinner perfect for summer evenings, with marinated chicken, crispy bacon, and charred vegetables all tangled together under melted cheese.
Get Recipe: Chicken Alambre (Mexican Chicken Skillet With Bacon, Vegetables, and Melted Cheese)
05 of 10
Credit: Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez
This creamy iced coconut coffee is somewhere between a frozen coffee drink and the best iced latte you’ve ever had. Cold brew concentrate keeps the coffee flavor bold even after blending with ice, while a mix of sweetened and unsweetened coconut cream gives it a rich, lightly tropical flavor.
Get Recipe: Creamy Iced Coconut Coffee
06 of 10
Credit: Kerry Saretsky
This fast, summery pasta tosses fresh tagliatelle with a bold red pistou packed with basil, garlic, Parmesan, and chewy sun-dried tomatoes. It has all the herby richness of pesto, but with a deeper, sweeter flavor that feels distinctly Provençal. As a bonus, the whole thing comes together in about 15 minutes.
Get Recipe: Tagliatelle with Red Provençal Pistou Recipe
07 of 10
Credit: Serious Eats/ Melati Citrawireja
These harissa-honey grilled chicken skewers hit every note summer grilling should: smoky, spicy, sweet, sticky, and deeply charred in all the right places. A bold harissa marinade keeps the chicken juicy and flavorful, while a final brush of reduced glaze adds glossiness, spicy heat, and caramelized sweetness.
Get Recipe: Harissa-Honey Grilled Chicken Skewers
08 of 10
Credit: Serious Eats / Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Tricia Manzanero, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter cheesecake bars have a crunchy Oreo crust, a fluffy peanut butter filling, and a glossy layer of chocolate ganache on top. Chopped peanuts and flaky salt balance all that richness, while the freezer-friendly, make-ahead format makes them especially cookout-friendly.
Get Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars
09 of 10
Credit: Serious Eats / Qi Ai
These Greek tomato fritters are crisp-edged, herb-packed, and loaded with sweet summer tomato flavor in every bite. Using a mixture of chopped and grated tomatoes keeps the fritters juicy without turning soggy, while feta and fresh herbs add briny richness and brightness.
Get Recipe: Greek Tomato Fritters
10 of 10
Credit: Serious Eats / Jen Causey
This chicken salad swaps heavy mayo for tangy labneh for a creamy texture that is bright and fresh instead of gloopy. Za’atar, lemon, and vinegar-soaked red onions layer in sharp, savory flavor, while celery and parsley add a crisp contrast. Stuff it into sandwiches, spoon it over greens, or eat it straight from the bowl.
Get Recipe: Labneh Chicken Salad
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