What Fruit Is in Season in July? 12 Summer Picks

July is prime time for summer produce. Whether you're making mocktails, a summer salad or whipping up a smoothie, picking the best of what July has to offer can help get the tastiest results. 

Here's a quick rundown of what fruit is in season in July and recipes to inspire your next summer meals.

1. Cherries

July is prime time for cherries, with deep red Bing cherries offering a bold, classic sweetness and Rainier cherries bringing a creamier, more delicate flavor with their golden-yellow skin and rosy blush. 

Look for stems that are bright green and flexible, as brown or brittle stems signal the fruit is past its prime. Both varieties are versatile in the kitchen, working equally well for fresh snacking, cherry clafoutis, homemade tarts or a classic cherry pie.

2. Strawberries

Strawberries are one of summer's most versatile fruits, going from a simple bowl with cream to a backyard daiquiri to a layered cake with ease. 

Choose berries that are fragrant and red all the way to the stem, since a pale or white center means the berry was picked too early. Strawberry preparation is also important. Store them unwashed in the refrigerator and wash just before eating for best results. 

3. Blueberries

July marks peak blueberry season, when the berries are at their plumpest and most flavorful. Ripe blueberries should be firm, uniformly deep blue and free of wrinkles or soft spots and should be refrigerated as soon as you get home. Hold off on washing until just before eating, since moisture shortens their shelf life and can accelerate mold.

4. Peaches

Peaches reach peak season during July and August, though some early varieties may still need a day or two to ripen. If you bring home firm peaches, place them in a brown paper bag at room temperature for one to two days. The bag helps ripen the peaches without bruising until they give slightly near the stem and smell floral.

5. Apricots

Apricots hit their peak in July, offering a sweet, slightly tart flavor with rich, jammy notes. Look for velvety, golden-orange skin with a rosy blush and a distinct floral perfume to find the ripest ones. 

They shine in preserves and jams that you can spread on toast, use as a glaze for roasted chicken or serve alongside a cheese board, making them one of the most versatile fruits of the season.

6. Raspberries

Raspberries are among the most fragile July fruits, bruising easily and deteriorating quickly after harvest, so plan to eat them within a day or two of purchase. 

Store them unwashed in a single layer in the refrigerator, ideally on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess moisture, and wash them gently just before eating. When shopping, look for dry containers with no juice pooling at the bottom, which signals crushed or overripe berries.

7. Nectarines

Nectarines are similar to peaches but bring a slightly more acidic, zesty flavor and smooth, fuzz-free skin that requires no peeling. To check ripeness, press gently near the stem end for a slight give and look for a vibrant yellow-gold background color rather than green. 

If you're in the mood for something new, halve them and grill for a few minutes per side to develop a caramelized, smoky flavor. Pair with ice cream, ricotta or a drizzle of honey to serve.

8. Blackberries

By July, blackberries are typically at their peak, plump and glossy with a sweet-tart flavor that works well in everything from sauces and sorbets to cocktails, smoothies and mixed berry salads. 

Like raspberries, they should be washed only right before eating to prevent them from turning mushy, and stored refrigerated in a single layer for up to three days. Look for uniformly dark, plump berries with a slight sheen, since dull or red-tinged ones aren't fully ripe yet.

9. Plums

Plums are at their peak this month, making it a great time to eat them fresh or cook them down into homemade jams, preserves or a savory plum sauce that pairs well with roasted meats.

July brings early-season plum varieties like Santa Rosa, known for reddish-purple skin and a sweet-tart balance with juicy, amber-colored flesh. Their short season makes July the window to stock up and experiment.

10. Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe reaches peak sweetness in July, with the warm temperatures of midsummer concentrating natural sugars in a way that simply doesn't happen other times of year. 

To find a ripe one, press gently on the stem end for a slight give, look for well-raised netting and a golden-yellow background color rather than green, and check for a sweet, floral scent. Once cut, refrigerate promptly and use within three to four days.

11. Watermelon

Watermelon is a traditional summer staple you'll often find at 4th of July cookouts and backyard barbecues, and July is when it's at its sweetest. It's perfect for eating fresh, blending into agua fresca or tossing into a summer salad.

Pick a melon that feels heavy for its size, has a firm and symmetrical shape, and shows a creamy yellow field spot on the underside, which signals it has ripened fully in the sun. Once cut, wrap tightly and refrigerate immediately to preserve its juiciness.

12. Figs

Figs have two harvests each year, and the main summer crop arrives in July with characteristic deep sweetness and a jammy interior. A ripe fig should feel tender and slightly yielding to the touch, and since figs stop ripening once picked, it's worth choosing ones that are already soft and fragrant at the store. 

Refrigerate them immediately and plan to use them within one to two days, fresh in salads, roasted on crostini or paired with cheese.

Order fresh fruit through Instacart

July's seasonal fruit lineup is one of the best of the year, and stone fruits like peaches and cherries have a tight window, while peak-season berries are at their most flavorful for just a few weeks. 

Ordering delivery through Instacart means you can get the season's best July fruits delivered straight to your door. Browse the latest seasonal arrivals and order delivery now.

July fruit FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions about July's best produce.

What are stone fruits?

Stone fruits are fruits that contain a single hard pit at their center, surrounded by fleshy fruit. The group includes cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots, all of which peak in summer and share a tendency toward rich, sweet-tart flavor and a short season worth taking advantage of.

Are fruit prices higher in July?

Berry and stone fruit prices in July vary by type and availability. Early-season strawberries may carry a premium as the spring crop winds down, while mid- to late-July blueberries and blackberries tend to be more abundant and reasonably priced. Shopping for July produce through Instacart lets you compare options across stores and find the best value without multiple trips.

What’s the best way to store summer fruit?

Everything has its own best way to store, but for most summer fruits, it's best to keep them unwashed in the refrigerator and rinsed just before eating. Berries are especially delicate and do best stored in a single layer on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Stone fruits like peaches and nectarines can be left at room temperature to finish ripening before moving to the fridge.