31 Classic New England Recipes We Can’t Wait to Make This Summer

Featuring everything from baked stuffed clams to blueberry lattice pie.

Stovetop Clambake
Credit:

Brie Goldman

Summer is eagerly approaching, and if you're anything like us, you're excited about the classic New England seasonal recipes that we all know and love. There's nothing quite like the charm of New England in the summertime—the blooming hydrangeas, 14 hours of daylight, and the salty sea breeze. What makes the summer experience even better is the unique, local seafood cuisine.

To inspire your first summer cookout after a long day in the sun or for a family feast, we've gathered all the classic New England summer recipes that we can't wait to make. Ahead, find everything from the perfect lobster roll and oyster casino to blueberry lattice pie and clam chowder.

01 of 31

Lobster Salad With Greens and Citrus Vinaigrette

Lobster Salad
Credit:

Yunhee Kim

This lobster salad is full of zesty citrus flavor and sweet lobster meat. It's an elegant, classic seafood dish that can be prepared as a starter or lunch entrée. Cooking live lobster may seem intimidating, but we provide all the tips you'll need in the recipe.

02 of 31

Seafood Linguine

frutti di mare linguine
Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo

Our recipe calls for five varieties: clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp, and squid. It makes the perfect main dish for a family feast or a celebratory centerpiece dish in the summer.

03 of 31

Lobster Bisque

Lobster Bisque
Credit:

Bryan Gardner

A cozy classic that everyone will love, lobster bisque is the ideal New England starter year-round, but especially in the late spring through early fall. To start, we use our quick and easy homemade lobster stock base for this rich, cream-based soup.

04 of 31

Lemony Shrimp Scampi

Lemony Shrimp Scampi
Credit:

Jacob Fox

A simple seafood pasta packed with fragrant, lemony shrimp flavors. It comes together in just 20 minutes and makes for the perfect summertime feast to whip up after a long day of play.

05 of 31

Perfect Lobster Roll

lobster-rolls-cover-trys_139_d112886.jpg

This classic New England recipe is one you'll want to master. There are many variations to spice it up, and we share them all in the recipe. Pair your lobster rolls with a cold glass of rosé or lager and enjoy.

06 of 31

Broiled Oysters

broiled-oysters-1206-mld102108.jpg

Broiled to perfection and drenched in Parmesan, olive oil, and herb sauce, these are a delicious summer hors d'oeuvre to serve with a glass of crisp white wine or rosé.

07 of 31

Crab Rolls

crab roll
Credit: Bryan Gardner

Crab meat takes center stage in this delicious, buttery toasted sandwich packed with mayonnaise, lemon, Old Bay seasoning, and cayenne pepper. It's a great poolside lunchtime meal that comes together in 20 minutes.

08 of 31

Blueberry Lattice Pie

Blueberry Lattice Pie
Credit:

Mike Krautter

This lattice pie makes the most of blueberry season, paired with our buttery pâte brisée. Fresh blueberries combine with cinnamon and lemon zest to enhance their flavor. It's a dessert sure to impress any guest and makes for a celebratory summer dish.

09 of 31

Baked Stuffed Clams

baked-stuffed-clams-070-d111289.jpg
Credit: Bryan Gardner

Delectable baked stuffed clams are one of our favorite seasonal dishes. The herbed breadcrumb stuffing, paired with fragrant white wine and garlic, makes these bite-sized hors d'oeuvres irresistible.

10 of 31

Chesapeake Crab Cakes

102802591.jpg
Credit: Anna Williams

Our Chesapeake crab cakes are the ultimate hors d'oeuvre for your summer cocktail party. You can form and chill them a day ahead, then fry them for up to an hour before serving. They're bite-sized, making them easy to pass around to guests.

11 of 31

Mini Lobster Rolls

Lobster rolls
Credit:

decorvow

If your family loves lobster rolls, they'll devour these mini versions. They're a fun lobster appetizer, featuring soft pull-apart rolls filled with a simple lobster salad flavored with Old Bay Seasoning and freshly chopped herbs.

12 of 31

Oysters Casino

3023_100407_oysterscasino.jpg

A summertime fan favorite, this recipe is from The Hog Island Oyster Cookbook. It's an impressive dish to serve guests or enjoy with the family during the sunset with before-dinner cocktails.

13 of 31

Hot-Crab and Pimiento-Cheese Spread

crab-dip-crudite-d-034-d111258.jpg
Credit: Lennart Weibull

Crab and pimento cheese are baked to golden perfection and served with crusty bread, crackers, or crudités. It's an irresistible spread destined to be devoured, so make sure to make enough for a crowd.

14 of 31

Shucked Oysters with Three Sauces

Shucked Oysters with Three Sauces
Credit: Thomas Loof

It wouldn't be a New England summer without freshly shucked oysters. Here, we share how we shuck them, plus three different sauces to include in your spread. Shucking oysters at home is a fun family activity that everyone can help out with and enjoy.

15 of 31

New England Clam Chowder

clam chowder
Credit:

Con Polous

There's nothing like a proper New England clam chowder. This classic creamy soup is rich, filling, and full of tender chopped seafood. We've made a few adjustments to streamline the cooking process and ensure a traditional taste.

16 of 31

Pan-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs

soft-shell-crabs-0601-mla98390.jpg

Pan-fried soft-shell crab is a New England restaurant classic, and now you can make it at home. Our simple recipe puts this meal on the table in under an hour with just five ingredients. We love pairing this main dish with a side of roasted asparagus.

17 of 31

Classic Strawberry Shortcake

featured-recipe-strawberry-shortcake-100-vert-d113085.jpg
Credit: Yossy Arefi

Showcase juicy summer strawberries with buttery biscuits and freshly whipped cream. Strawberry shortcake is the perfect celebratory dessert for July 4th on the coast, whether by the beach or enjoyed after a long day in the sun.

18 of 31

Baked Clam Dip

hot-clam-dip-0308-d112647.jpg
Credit: Mike Krautter

A baked clam and cream cheese dip paired with salty potato chips is an ode to the salty coast of New England. It's a fan favorite for enjoying before dinner or as a mid-day snack.

19 of 31

Crab Salad Sandwich

Crab Salad Sandwich
Credit:

Ditte Isager

Similar to its seafood counterpart—tuna salad—this crab salad is a delightful summertime lunch. Martha loves making this sandwich during her summers in Maine when she finds fresh crab meat. It's a simple recipe with lemon juice and mayonnaise sandwiched between brioche bread, lettuce, and a sliced tomato.

20 of 31

Steamed Mussels With Wine and Saffron

steamed mussels
Credit:

Rob Tannenbaum

Steamed mussels with white wine and saffron make for an elegant entrée that comes together in just 10 minutes. The white wine, garlic, shallots, tomatoes, parsley, and saffron bring delicious flavor. Serve this fragrant dish with crusty, grilled bread.

21 of 31

Scalloped Oysters

scalloped-oysters-m109160.jpg
Credit: Marcus Nilsson

New England is all about oysters, and this scalloped oyster dish does it all. Packed with decadent flavors like heavy cream, nutmeg, breadcrumbs, scallions, and freshly chopped parsley, it makes an ideal main dish paired with a salad, asparagus, or warm, crispy bread.

22 of 31

Martha's Spaghetti alle Vongole

spaghetti vongole
Credit: Lennart Weibull

Seafood pasta is a summertime go-to. Martha's spaghetti alle vongole will steal the show at any backyard dinner party or family gathering.

23 of 31

Parker House Rolls

parker-house-rolls-mb2009-0684-d106317.jpg
Credit: Mike Krautter

Make an abundance of Parker House rolls for crab, lobster, and shrimp sandwiches. This recipe yields 32 warm, buttery, and flakey rolls that can be enjoyed just as much on their own.

24 of 31

Apple Crisp

portion of apple crisp on plate and baking dish of apple crisp
Credit:

Julia Hartbeck

Apple crisp comes together quicker than a pie but has all the favorite flavors. It's a light and delicious summer treat that can serve a crowd. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for extra sweetness.

25 of 31

Seafood Mac and Cheese

Emerils Seafood Mac-and-Cheese
Credit:

Jake Sternquist

This decadent, creamy, and cheesy pasta dish is packed with seafood favorites like shrimp, lobster, and crab meat. It's a delicious side dish to accompany burgers or hot dogs during a summertime cookout.

26 of 31

Classic Boston Baked Beans

martha-cooking-school-legumes-boston-baked-beans-cs2013.jpg
Credit: David E. Steele

A traditional New England side dish—enter basic Boston baked beans. These slow-cooked beans take time, but it's well worth the wait. They're the ultimate barbecue side dish, served alongside pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, or burgers.

27 of 31

Stovetop Clambake

Stovetop Clambake
Credit:

Brie Goldman

We redesigned this stovetop clambake to be made indoors so you can enjoy it year-round. It includes all our favorite seafood—lobster, shrimp, clams, mussels, and more.

28 of 31

Hake Burgers

fish-burger-034-final-comp-d113019.jpg
Credit: Linda Pugliese

Whitefish burgers offer a lighter, satisfying meal. They're a great addition to any backyard cookout menu and are best dressed up with all the fixings, such as pickled onions, watercress, and mayonnaise.

29 of 31

Fried Fish

fried fish
Credit: Photos by Ryan Liebe

Bring the pub fare home and make this crowd-pleasing fried fish spread. You can replace half the fish fillets with large, peeled shrimp to mix it up.

30 of 31

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Vanilla Buttercream Filling

chocolate-whoopie-pies-vert-178-d113085.jpg
Credit: Yossy Arefi

End a summertime feast with traditional chocolate whoopie pies. The buttermilk gives the chocolate cookies a tangy flavor that balances the rich buttercream filling.

31 of 31

Baked Potatoes with Créme Fraiche and Caviar

baked potatoes with crème fraîche and caviar
Credit: Dana Gallagher

This simple yet delectable special baked potato makes for a celebratory starter or side dish. Martha uses Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe and tops them with crème fraiche and quality caviar or salmon roe for serving.

Related Articles