15 Recipes to Help You Escape to the Beach

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Unfortunately, spring break is canceled this year. When normally we would be hauling our families off for vacation beach adventures, instead we’re self-quarantining and practicing social distancing. And that’s a good thing: by preventing the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve, we’ll be able to take those vacations next year and many more years after that!

But that doesn’t mean we don’t miss our regularly scheduled beach time. This year, we’ll have to settle for our fond memories of the beach… the sounds of crashing waves and shorebirds, the orange glow of a perfect ocean sunset, the salty breeze, and of course the delicious aroma of tropical food!

Your senses of smell and taste are strongly linked to memory, and our Produce Moms recipe book is full of meals to bring you right back to the beach — and we’ll do it without getting sand everywhere! Here are 15 beach recipes, from drinks to entrees to desserts, that will transport you to the tropics.

1. Papaya Piña Colada

15 Recipes to Help You Escape to the Beach: Papaya Piña Colada

Let’s get this beach party started! If you love Piña Coladas, you’ll love what fresh Papaya brings to this classic cocktail.

Recipe: Papaya Piña Colada

2. Cantaloupe Agua Fresca with Coconut Water

Cantaloupe Agua Fresca

Easy to make and easy to love, this Mexican drink is highly customizable — just pick your favorite fruits! This version calls for refreshing cantaloupe juice and uses nutty, electrolyte-rich coconut water, although you can just as easily use tap water.

Recipe: Cantaloupe Agua Fresca with Coconut Water

3. Fresh Citrus Shrimp Ceviche

Citrus Shrimp Ceviche

This South American dish is made with citrus-marinated seafood. Go at it with chips, crackers, or just a spoon!

Recipe: Fresh Citrus Shrimp Ceviche

4. Fresh Cherry Salsa

Cherry Salsa

Our partners at Sage Fruit whipped up this flavorful salsa recipe using Dark Sweet Cherries. It’s great as a dip, in pork or chicken tacos, and on fish!

Recipe: Fresh Cherry Salsa

5. Creamy Watermelon Sorbet

Creamy Watermelon Sorbet

No trip to the beach is complete without a stop at the local ice cream shop. This year, make your own sorbet. This recipe for creamy watermelon sorbet from our partners at Watermelon Board is surprisingly easy to make!

Recipe: Creamy Watermelon Sorbet

6. Cherry and Lime Slushies

Cherry & Lime Slushie Recipe | No Added Sugar - The Produce Moms

This is the perfect poolside drink, and that includes the kiddie pool in the backyard!

Recipe: Cherry and Lime Slushie

7. Tropical Avocado Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp Tacos with Tropical Avocado Salsa Verde
© MOXXY MARKETING

Looking for a Taco Tuesday twist? Try these shrimp tacos with avocado salsa verde, made with large tropical avocados.

Recipe: Tropical Avocado Shrimp Tacos

8. Sweet Kale Fish Tacos

Sweet Kale Fish Tacos

Another fresh take on tacos, our fish tacos are quick and easy to make. Why? Because we use a sweet kale salad kit to build them!

Recipe: Sweet Kale Fish Tacos

9. Chili-Lime Jackfruit Burrito Bowls

Chili-Lime Jackfruit Burrito Bowls

Jackfruit is an excellent alternative to pulled pork. Even if you’re not looking to replace your carnitas, it brings delicious flavor to these burrito bowls that your whole family will love.

Recipe: Chili-Lime Jackfruit Burrito Bowls

10. Easy Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Sheet Pan

Easy Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Sheet Pan

Bring some Hawaiian sensibilities to the table with this sheet pan dinner. Prep your ingredients, through them in the oven together, and in just 30 minutes you’ll have baked a beach barbeque.

Recipe: Easy Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Sheet Pan

11. Fruit and Hazelnut Salad

Hazelnut Fruit Salad

Go beachy with your salad. This one mixes some of our favorite summer fruits and is topped with hazelnuts.

Recipe: Hazelnut Fruit Salad

12. Grilled Fruit Kabobs

Grilled Fruti Kabobs + Tips for Grilling Fruit

Take advantage of the weather, clean off your grill, and try grilling some fruit! Grilling brings out the sugar in fruits, making them deliciously sweet.

Recipe: Grilled Fruit Kabobs

13. Dragon Fruit Yogurt Parfait

Dragon Fruit Yogurt Parfait

This vibrant parfait is the sort of thing you might eat for breakfast while enjoying a coastal sunrise. It makes a great dessert too!

Recipe: Dragon Fruit Yogurt Parfait

14. Strawberry Daiquiri Ice Pops

Strawberry Daiquiri Ice Pops

Poptails give you a new way to enjoy your favorite cocktails. The rum base of these Strawberry Daiquiri poptails gives them an irresistible velvety texture.

Recipe: Strawberry Daiquiri Ice Pops

15. Sandía Loca – Mexican-Style “Crazy” Watermelon

Sandía Loca | Mexican-Style "Crazy" Watermelon

Turn your backyard into a beach party! This Mexican party dessert is sure to bring smiles to your family’s faces. It’s sweet, fruity, and nutty, with a little Tajín seasoning zing!

Recipe: Sandía Loca – Mexican-Style “Crazy” Watermelon

Staying home and preventing the spread of COVID-19 is the right thing to do right now — for you, for your family, and for your whole community. But that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to some adventurous meals! We hope these beach recipes help you take your family on a vacation right at your own dining table.

What are your favorite beach recipes? Share in the comments below or tag us in your food photos on Instagram @theproducemoms. 

 

15 Beach Recipes

About Kristin

Kristin Ahaus is the Director of Content and Communications for The Produce Moms. Her focus and passion is helping all of TPM's brand partners share their stories while also helping consumers understand how to select, serve and store fresh produce. Connect with Kristin on LinkedIN.

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