If your kitchen counter is starting to look like a produce stand, you are officially in the best kind of trouble. Between the tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and corn all hitting their peak at the same time, it can feel like a race against the clock to use everything before it goes soft in the crisper drawer.

I have raised beds full of herbs, tomatoes, and cucumbers every summer, and I am always leaning on our local farm families for the zucchini, squash, and sweet corn I do not grow myself. Either way, garden season means recipe season around here. I rounded up the recipes I make on repeat once the harvest starts rolling in, organized by what is probably piling up on your counter right now, plus all of my favorite ways to preserve the extras so you can enjoy garden season all year long.

Tomato Overload

Nothing says summer like a tomato plant that has completely taken over the garden. These are the recipes that make the most of that abundance.

Caprese Salad...

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If your garden (or your neighbor’s garden, or the produce stand you can’t drive past) has been handing you more cucumbers than you know what to do with, I’ve got the answer. This cucumber salsa is crisp, cool, and just a little creamy, think somewhere between a classic pico de gallo and a cucumber salad, with a scoop of sour cream to bring it all together.

I make a version of this every summer when the counter is covered in cucumbers, tomatoes, and whatever pepper looks good that week. It’s the kind of recipe that comes together while you’re catching up on the day: chop, stir, chill, done.

I just do raised gardens for herbs, tomatoes and cucumbers in the summer. This is mainly because we are obsessed with caprese salad, refrigerator dill pickles, and fire-roasted salsa.

Why You’ll Love This Cucumber Salsa

• No cooking required. Everything happens on the cutting board and in one bowl.
• Ready in about 20 minutes, plus a little...

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If you love elote, you know that messy, drippy, unbelievably good Mexican street corn on a stick, but you’re tired of corn silk in your teeth and mayo running down your wrist, this Creamy Mexican Street Corn Salad is your answer. It’s every bit of that smoky, creamy, tangy flavor you love, just scooped onto a chip or a spoon instead of a cob.

I make a batch of this practically every time we fire up the grill in the summer. It disappears faster than anything else on the table, and it takes maybe fifteen minutes to throw together if your corn is already cooked. That’s the whole appeal here: this is a real-life, weeknight-and-weekend recipe, not a fussy one.

What Makes This Corn Salad “Street Corn” Style

Traditional Mexican street corn, or elote, gets its signature flavor from a few key players: a creamy mayo-and-sour-cream base, smoky chili, and salty crumbled cheese. This salad keeps every one of those elements intact:

• Mayonnaise and...

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If you’ve spent even five minutes scrolling food content lately, you’ve probably landed on BeanTok — the corner of the internet convincing everyone (myself included) that beans deserve way more love. Between their fiber, protein, and ability to turn into a full meal with minimal effort, I’ve been intentionally trying to eat more beans — and this Italian Grinder Bean Salad instantly earned a spot on repeat.

This recipe was inspired by the viral grinder-style bean salads floating around online, but made my way: creamy, tangy, packed with bold Italian flavor, and incredibly satisfying without needing pasta or bread. It’s perfect for meal prep, summer lunches, or as a protein-packed side dish for grilling season.

If you love Italian Grinder-inspired recipes, then we have you covered. Not just with this grinder bean salad, but be sure to check out the Italian Grinder Pasta Salad, Italian Antipasto Salad, and Grinder Coleslaw.

Why...

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Thanksgiving is all about the sides! Whether you love buttery potatoes, creamy casseroles, or crisp veggies, these easy Thanksgiving side dishes from Beyer Eats and Drinks will steal the show. Each one is simple to make, family-friendly, and perfect for prepping ahead of your big feast.

1. Easy Creamy Corn Pudding Casserole

A Southern-style favorite that’s creamy, sweet, and perfectly custardy.
This baked corn pudding combines creamed corn, whole-kernel corn, and evaporated milk for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
👉 Get the recipe → Easy Creamy Corn Pudding Casserole

2. Butternut Squash Soufflé

Sweet meets savory in this light, fluffy holiday side.
Whipped butternut squash, butter, eggs, and a hint of sugar bake into a soufflé that feels like dessert but pairs beautifully with turkey or ham.
👉 Try the recipe → Butternut Squash Soufflé

3. Traditional 7-Layer Salad with Peas & Eggs

Crunchy,...

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If you love the creamy, cheesy goodness of crab rangoons, this Crock Pot Crab Rangoon Dip brings all that flavor into a warm, shareable appetizer. Loaded with crab meat, cream cheese, and a touch of garlic and green onions, this dip is perfect for game day, holiday gatherings, or any night you’re craving that irresistible seafood-meets-cream-cheese combo.

Appetizers are my favorite meal. So when New Year’s Eve or Football Sunday needs a new dip recipe, I pick this crab ragoon dip in the crock pot. I love this small casserole crock pot for dips, just like this slow cooker crab ragoon dip. Some of my favorite dip recipes are crock pot hot corn and bacon dip, smoked queso, and white pizza dip.

🧀 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Crock Pot Crab Rangoon Dip has everything you love about your favorite takeout appetizer — creamy, cheesy filling with a hint of garlic and soy — made effortlessly in your slow cooker. It’s warm,...

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Football Sunday 🏈 isn’t just about the big plays on the field—it’s about the food on the table. Whether you’re tailgating in the parking lot, hosting friends in your living room, or just looking for an excuse to snack all afternoon, game day calls for bold, crowd-pleasing recipes. From cheesy dips and sliders to smoky wings and hearty slow cooker favorites, these Football Sunday recipes from Beyer Eats and Drinks are guaranteed to keep your fans fueled from kickoff to the final whistle.

🫕 Appetizers & Dips That Score Big

No game-day spread is complete without cheesy dips and shareable appetizers. These easy football dips and snacks deliver gooey cheese pulls, smoky flavors, and layers of bold Tex-Mex taste. Perfect for tortilla chips, crackers, or veggies, these dips keep fans gathered around the snack table from kickoff to the final whistle.

Go to Recipe Creamy Pickle Wrap Dip with Deli Ham – A Crowd-Pleasing Party...

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These Smoked Cowboy Beef Sandwiches start with a chuck roast rubbed in bold barbecue seasoning and smoked low and slow. Then the magic happens — the beef is braised in a rich mixture of Coca-Cola, beef broth, jalapeños, garlic, onions, and smoky bacon until it’s fall-apart tender. Pile it high on a bun with Colby Jack cheese, crispy bacon, fried onions, and pickles for a sandwich that’s smoky, cheesy, and downright irresistible.

We love smoked brisket, smoked beef roast, and also slow cooker Italian beef, and even the butter beef roast. So we decided to take all the flavors of so many of our favorites and bring them together for the spicy jalapeno and bacon beef chuck roast on the smoker.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Cowboy-Style Flavor: A smoky chuck roast coated in barbecue seasoning gives these sandwiches bold, rustic flavor.
• Melt-In-Your-Mouth Tender: The long, slow cooking process makes the beef juicy and fork-tender, whether you...

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If you’re anything like me, you love when dinner stretches into tomorrow. Some meals just magically transform overnight, becoming richer, creamier, and more flavorful by the time you reheat them. These dishes aren’t just great the night you make them—they’re practically begging to be leftovers. Perfect for meal prep, busy weeknights, or when you want lunch that tastes like comfort food in a Tupperware container, these 20+ recipes taste better the next day.

Here are my favorite recipes that taste even better the next day:

Soups that are Even Better as Leftovers

Lasagna Soup

Lasagna is famous for being better on day two, but this Lasagna Soup takes it to another level. The noodles soak up the meaty tomato broth overnight, giving you a rich, stick-to-your-ribs bowl the next day. Pair it with garlic bread and you’ll forget you’re eating leftovers.

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Looking for a hearty, no-fuss dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday suppers? These Crock Pot Beef Tips with Mushrooms are tender, juicy bites of beef slow-cooked in a rich, savory mushroom gravy. Made with simple pantry ingredients, this comforting meal is a family favorite that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. If you love slow cooker beef recipes like beef stew or pot roast, this one is sure to become part of your regular rotation.

If you love this Crock Pot Beef Tips with Mushrooms, you’re in for a treat—here are a few more recipes from BeyerBeware.net that tap into the same slow-cooker, beefy goodness:

Try the Red Wine Crock Pot Beef Roast with Mushrooms and Onions for an elevated version that adds red wine and caramelized onions to that beloved mushroom gravy. Or, for a noodle-forward spin, dig into the Crock Pot Beef and Noodles—a creamy, cozy dish made with beef roast, cream of mushroom soup, and...

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