Pack your coolers with Minnesota Grown flavor!
Few things say Minnesota summer like a day at the lake—sun on the water, a cooler packed with good food, and time shared with friends and family. And when that food is made with peak-season, locally grown ingredients? Life doesn’t get much better.
We’ve pulled together a crowd-pleasing and travel-ready lake day menu that celebrates the best flavors of the season while supporting the local farmers, growers, and makers who nourish our communities.
Every dish highlights Minnesota Grown ingredients that are at their peak freshness and flavor in July—ripe berries, crisp vegetables, fragrant herbs—as well as year-round local favorites like farm-fresh chicken and eggs, and sweet Minnesota honey and maple syrup. Whether you’re setting out a lakeside spread or filling a picnic basket for the boat, these recipes offer a delicious way to support local farmers, connect with your crew, and savor the best of the season.
On the menu:
A refreshing Raspberry Rosemary Smash Mocktail to quench your July thirst
Herb-packed Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Radish and Pickle
Tender Blueberry Cornbread Muffins with Local Honey Butter to satisfy your sweet tooth
Ready to get cooking?
Check out the recipes at the links above and use the Minnesota Grown Directory to find local ingredients near you—and make this lake day deliciously Minnesotan.