What to Eat for the Buck Moon

The July full moon calls us to proudly show off our growth. I've got 100 ideas for what to eat for the Buck Moon, and they're all totally awesome. Let's get into it.

The full moon in July falls at a time of great natural abundance. This moon is known as the Buck Moon, indicating that both plants and animals are flourishing. I always picture Bambi strutting around showing off his new antlers. There's a very confident, almost swaggering energy to this moon. It's definitely not time to hide how awesome you are.

And with so much food ripe for the taking, the possibilities for feasting are vast. It may be too hot to cook indoors, but when food is this ripe and fresh, it hardly needs anything done to it to make it taste absolutely exquisite. So take advantage of this bounty while you can.

Spiritual Meaning of the Buck Moon

For me, the Buck Moon is all about reflecting on our growth and learning to really own who we've become. Often our personal growth is so incremental that it's hard for us to notice unless we take the time to look back.

Think back on a past version of you who would have handled a stressful situation in a completely different way. Remember the days when you didn't believe in your power. Notice how differently the present version of you responds. You've come so far. This moon wants you to celebrate that expansion.

What's in season at the Buck Moon

A lot of fruits, vegetables, and herbs are flourishing in July. Our choice is pretty vast, and our ancestors would have had it pretty good as well. August begins the start of harvest season, but there are plenty of fresh foods waiting to be picked and eaten.

Be sure to check out your local farmer's market to see what's in season in your particular area. Here are some ideas of fresh foods you can use to celebrate the full moon in July.

Lamb is also in season in July.

Capricorn foods

In 2024, we have a second full moon in Capricorn since the July full moon arrives the day before the sun enters Leo. Capricorn foods are a bit on the heavy side, as the sun transits through this sign in the dead of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Still, you can incorporate many of them into your summer recipes to help call in that determined an ambitious mountain goat energy.

Here are some Capricon corresponded foods for you to work with.

• goat cheese
• onions
• pasta and other starchy foods
• pine nuts
• potatoes
• spinach

Recipes for the Buck Moon

I tried to keep things as light and fresh as possible for a person who loves carbs and comfort food. July has been miserable in the UK, but I know in many parts of the world, it can be stiflingly hot, so I tried to pick things that wouldn't overheat your kitchen or keep you away from enjoying the sunshine.

Breakfast

With kids off school, summer breakfasts can be a real treat. Why not take a some time to make something hot and delicious for the morning after the full moon? Plus, if you cook and awesome breakfast, you can probably take the rest of the day off from being in the kitchen. Any of these would be totally delicious and earn you the right to get takeout later on.

• Raspberry Pancakes - Cook fresh, juicy berries right into your morning pancakes.
• Chilli Scrambled Eggs - Add a little fire energy to a quick and easy classic.
• Bacon & Goat Cheese Quiche - Get yourself some Capricorn energy for brunch.
• Herb Biscuits & Sausage Gravy - Made with fresh parsley and green onions to make use of summer herbs.
• Spinach & Cheese Baked Eggs - Topped with an herby, crunchy breadcrumb layer for added texture.
• Zucchini & Potato Pancakes - Someone you know definitely grew too many zucchinis, so this is a great way to enjoy them.
• Bacon Egg & Cheese Grilled Potatoes - Make this rustic breakfast in your campfire.
• Eggs in Purgatory - Banish your demons with this awesome hangover breakfast.
• Spicy Mashed Potato Patties - A delicious way to use up leftover mashed potatoes.
• Full English Breakfast - Hardly light and breezy, but there are tomatoes on the plate, so it counts.
• Black Pudding Hash - Hearty and deeply savoury, this dish comes together with ease.

Dips & Appetizers

Chips and dip, cheese and charcuterie boards, and basically anything you assemble rather than cook are my go to dinner options in the summer. When it's too hot ot eat, this is exactly what you need.

• Scallion & Chili Yogurt Dip - This comes together in five minutes, and you won't want to stop eating it.
• Harissa Hummus - Add a hint of fire energy and a beautiful pink hue to your favorite hummus.
• Sour Cream & Chive Dip - It's so easy and so good, the store bought stuff seems pointless.
• Jalapeno Deviled Eggs - It's not a party without deviled eggs.
• Easy Peanut Butter Hummus - I could probably eat the whole bowl myself. It's that delicious.
• Sweet Potato Chickpea Dip - Bring the colors of the sun to the table.
• Creamy Garlic Spinach Dip - A gorgeous, light, and easy way to enjoy fresh spinach.
• Goat Cheese Crostini with Macadamia Nuts & Honey - This one is perfect for people who don't actually know how to cook.
• Whipped Ricotta - Like eating a cloud.
• Whipped Feta on Toast - Use this as a base for seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
• Jalapeno Popper Dip - A hot and cheesy dip with some serious fire energy.
• Baked Chicken Taquitos - Great for a movie or game night in the air conditioning.
• Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers - You can make these on the indirect heat side of your grill if you don't want to turn on the oven.

Soups, Salads & Sandwiches

Big meals are often not what you're looking for in July. And the Earth is offering up such bounty, the flavor possibilities are nearly endless. Keep it light with one of these simple options.

• Caesar Salad with Brown Butter Croutons - With a deliciously tangy, garlicky dressing, this is one salad I can't stop eating.
• Hummus & Egg Toast with Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Chives - Fancy toast all summer long!
• Brie Grilled Cheese with Ham & Cherry Jam - Fruit and cheese and crunchy bread. What more could you want?
• Roasted Tomato & Mozzarella Salad - Did you grow way too many tomatoes in your garden? This recipe will help.
• Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad - The color pallete is reason enough to dig into this beauty.
• Cheddar Corn Soup - This is a Lughnasadh favorite, but it works for the Buck Moon as well.
• Vegan Sweet Corn & Roasted Bell Pepper Soup - Any excuse to eat summer corn!
• Chicken Corn Soup - This soup comes together in about 10 minutes.
• Spinach & Ricotta Grilled Cheese - Use fresh or frozen spinach to make this calzone-style sandwich.
• Green Minestrone Soup - This is a delicious way to use up the veg from your summer garden.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Soup - This colorful soup is full of flavor.
• Fiery Halloumi Salad - Hunks of grilled cheese on a bed of lettuce topped with homemade sweet chili sauce. Need I say more?
• Italian Grilled Cheese - With bright and fresh pesto, this sandwich is packed with flavor.

Dinner

I'm thinking fast and fresh and colorful for you this month, kids. But also obviously extremely delicious.

• Spinach Pesto - This no-cook sauce will make just about anything taste more awesome.
• Lemon Linguine - All you have to do is boil pasta and stir in this bright and sunny sauce. The heat from the pasta will do all the cooking.
• Vegan Tomato Curry - Use a variety of colors, shapes and sizes for your tomatoes in this recipe to make it extra beautiful.
• Spicy Southwest Burger - Fire up the grill for this spicy favorite.
• Gammon Steak with Pineapple Salsa - A 10 minute dish with jalapeno and fresh mint.
• Grilled Chicken Skewers with Chilli Mint Yogurt - Turn your chicken kebabs into somehting fresh and summery.
• Bacon & Corn Risotto - If there was such a thing as a summer risotto, it would be this.
• One Pot Lemon & Ricotta Pasta - Made with sweet summer corn and fresh basil.
• Lemon Garlic Pasta - A simple pasta with bread crumbs and fresh parsley.
• Spaghetti Arrabbiata - They say spicy food makes you sweat and helps you cool down. I don't know about that, but I know this pasta is delicious.
• Spicy Bacon Mac & Cheese - Use a variety of fresh chili peppers in this comforting dish.
• Turkey Meatballs - Lighter meatballs cooked in a simple tomato sauce.
• Lahmacun - My take on little Turkish pizzas made with ground lamb and lots of herbs and spices.

Side dishes

Throw some chicken, fish, or sausages on the grill, then slap down a totally delicious side dish. That's all you need to do for a full moon feast. Some of these are also awesome potluck options.

• Southwest Pasta Salad - The longer it sits, the more delicious it gets.
• Peas with Pancetta & Cream - A totally indulgent way to enjoy sweet summer peas.
• Loaded Baked Potato Salad - Complete with cheese, bacon, and sour cream.
• Bacon & Egg Potato Salad - This side is awesome served warm or cold.
• Dill Potato Salad - Fresh dill smells like abundance.
• Garlic Herb Bread - Never serve pasta without it. This one uses fresh parsley and other herbs.
• Parmesan Fried Gnocchi - A simple 5-minute side dish with dried herbs from the pantry.
• Grilled Potato Foil Packets with Lemon Dill Creme Fraiche - Make this on the grill or in your campfire.
• Red Bean Salad - A bright and colorful no-cook side dish.
• Maple Glazed Carrots - Make your fresh carrots really shine.
• Italian Roasted Potatoes - Use fresh rosemary for added flavor.
• Za'atar Potato Salad - I would happily eat this all by itself if you'd let me.

Breads

I know some people won't be clamouring to bake bread in July, but some of us are resisting the temptation to turn the heat on. So maybe a bit of baking is just what you need to make use of those fresh herbs that are flourishing this summer.

• Dill & Cheddar Popovers - Crispy popovers are such a treat alongside a juicy cut of meat.
• Parmesan Oregano Bread - Bake up a few loaves, then make them into sandwiches for a picnic.
• Cheddar Jalapeno Biscuits - These are full of fresh summer flavors.
• Skillet Cornbread - It's almost time to celebrate the corn and grain harvest!
• Bacon Goat Cheese & Green Onion Biscuits - The burst of flavor from the tangy goat cheese makes these extra awesome.
• Corn & Green Onion Biscuits - Made with just 3 ingredients, these are delicious, simple, and quick.
• Gorgonzola Focaccia Bread - Top this loaf with pine nuts for their cleansing energy.
• Cheddar Habanero Cornbread - This fiery bread is actually really delicious topped with butter and honey.
• Rosemary Potato Rolls - There's never a wrong time to incorporate this universal herb into your cooking.
• Smoked Cheddar & Sage Biscuits - Clear away negative energy while eating something delicious.
• Garlic & Herb Focaccia Bread - This gets topped with fresh herbs and an entire head of roasted garlic.

Desserts

I always want dessert, even in July. And when it incorporates the energy of fresh fruit and herbs, you almost can't say no.

• One Bowl Victoria Sponge - A quick and simple cake featuring sweet raspberry jam.
• Mint Chocolate Chip Brownie Ice Cream Cake - This is definitely going to cool you off and make you happy.
• Bakewell Tart - Almonds carry sun energy, and raspberries bring love.
• Chocolate Mint Cupcakes - These light and moist cupcakes bring a burst of minty abundant energy.
• Grasshopper Pie - This no-bake pie is based on the classic kitschy cocktail.
• Lemon Polenta Cake - A gluten-free option that calls in the abundant energy of corn.
• Lemon & Thyme Pound Cake - Thyme brings courage and protection.
• Mint Chocolate Mousse - Another no-bake option that is deeply indulgent.
• Lavender Cake - Create peace and harmony with cake.

Sweet Treats

Maybe you're taking life a bit slower in the summer. Make time to treat yourself to something sweet in the afternoon. Life is meant to be enjoyed under the Buck Moon.

• Blueberry Mojito Muffins - A muffin cocktail mash up with a hit of mint.
• White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies - People lose their minds when they eat these.
• Homemade Blueberry Muffins - Never underestimate a simple classic.
• Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies - Use your favorite mint-infused chocolate to bring a summery twist to a classic cookie.
• Mint Brownies - Layers of deliciousness.
• Blueberry Jam Muffins - Who needs fresh berries when you've got a jar of jam in the fridge?

Drinks

Whether you're keeping yourself hydrated on a nature hike or sipping fruity cocktails by the pool, you'll want the flavors of summer in your cup. Tis the season the fill our glass with fruit and herbs.

• Raspberry Lemonade - This sweet and tart drink has a gorgeous color and can easily be made boozy if that's your jam.
• Kir Royale - A super simple drink for those late summer nights.
• Cherry Orange Sangria - Perfect for day drinking while grazing and gossiping over a charcuterie board.
• Pimm's & Cherry Lemonade - It's not summer without Pimm's.
• Cloudy Cider Cup - Ice cold hard cider is so refreshing in the summer.
• Vanilla Ginger Mojito - Use the fresh mint from your garden or windowsill to make this flavorful drink.
• Raspberry Margaritas - This one really feels like a party.
• Cucumber Lemon Mint Infused Water - A simple way to stay refreshed on a hot day.
• Carrot Ginger Orange Mimosas - It's like health food but with booze. Don't ask, just drink.
• Mint Limeade - A pitcher full of abundance energy.
• Strawberry Lemon & Basil Infused Water - The prettiest way to drink water that I've ever seen.
• Cherry Berry Cocktail - This one would make a great little summer love spell for a willing partner.

Celebrate the Buck Moon

I hope you get out there and show off this summer for the Buck Moon. Whether you're flaunting a new outfit or impressing people with your new found kitchen skills, you deserve to feel awesome. There's no need to hide how great you are! I hope you take the time to enjoy yourself.

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