3 Ways to Refresh Your Summer Menu
Summer means patio dining, catering orders and diners craving lighter, brighter flavors. But switching things up for the new season doesn’t have to be a major overhaul. With some smart tweaks, you can match summer energy with your menu while keeping labor, inventory management and food costs in check.
- Shift formats, not ingredients. As temperatures rise, guests naturally gravitate toward lighter builds with vibrant produce and citrusy vinaigrettes or herby marinades. These Banh Mi Turkey Wraps are the perfect appetizer or small plate for summer diners. Try turning entrées into grain- or greens-based bowls using center-of-plate proteins, like in this Green Goddess Pasta Salad. It features Roast & Serve Turkey Breast over vegetables such as asparagus, haricot verts and watercress with gemelli pasta in a cooling, flavorful bowl.
- Create special summer sauces. Pair a versatile protein like turkey with a rotating lineup of seasonal sauces to create variety. Think fresh, herbaceous, citrus-forward or layered profiles like sweet-spicy or globally inspired. Chimichurri is a great example, or a lemon-basil aioli, such as in this Citrus-Herb Turkey Ciabatta. Mediterranean flavors are also a great choice for warmer weather. Try this grab-and-go-friendly Mediterranean Power Salad, featuring a blood orange vinaigrette with mint, basil and blood orange zest.
- Go casual. From patio seating and festivals to travel season and on-the-go occasions, summer guests tend to look for menu items that feel approachable, shareable and portable. Offer easy handhelds like this Turkey and Fig Panini, layering fig jam, Granny Smith apple slices and creamy brie on walnut bread. This Late Harvest Turkey Burger combines sweet and savory with cherry jam, a caramelized onion goat cheese spread and Swiss cheese on a brioche bun.
Your summer menu is a great place to get creative by using ingredients in unexpected ways or offering seasonal sauces to refresh entrées. Keep it light, make it colorful and don’t forget to have some fun—and your diners will, too! How will you refresh your menu this summer? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
