Five Ways to Shake Up Your Summer Flavours

A change of seasons is a great opportunity to get creative. Summer offers up a wide flavour palette thanks to the warm-weather popularity of dressed salads, smoky barbeques and seafood treats.

Here, we share 5 of our favourite summer flavour formulas and show you fresh ways to bring them to life with inspiration from our all-new Summer-Powered Recipes collection.

There's something about the char of a good grill that says summer. From steaks and seafood to corn and capsicum, caramelised edges bring depth and character to familiar ingredients.

Pairing them with smoky spices, fresh herbs or a punchy sauce can extend that character beyond the barbeque and give you the makings of a certifiable summer favourite.

Instant inspo: explore grilled flavours with our Scotch fillet with crispy okra fries, Jerusalem artichoke-potato purée and juniper-cherry jus recipe.

There’s intense heat, then there’s interesting heat. The kind that combines chilli with fragrant spices, fresh herbs and a hit of acidity to deliver dishes with warmth, depth and freshness.

Meet the growing demand for nuanced heat with simple ideas that create complex flavours: jalapeño salsa on grilled meats, chilli-spiked dressings for seafood or spicy sauces balanced by cooling avocado and cucumber.


Instant inspo: for a strong example of heat balanced with brightness, try our Sirloin with aguachile verde, pepperberry gravy and Mexican garden salad recipe.

A little acidity can make a big difference to a summer dish. Citrus, pickles, vinegars and fermented ingredients cut through richness and bring a fresh, lively finish to grilled proteins and creamy sauces.

Look to preserved lemon with seafood, pickled vegetables with grilled meats and sharp dressings on warm salads.

Instant inspo: our Barramundi with fennel chutney and preserved lemon gremolata recipe illustrates how sharp, aromatic ingredients can balance richer elements to lift a familiar dish.

Some combinations just work: think crispy prawns with a cool, creamy dipping sauce or spicy grilled chicken with a generous spoonful of herby mayonnaise.

A creamy sauce provides balance to crunchy, charred or spicy ingredients, while additions such as citrus, chilli and fresh herbs can give familiar favourites a new flavour direction.

This summer, consider how you can deliver appealing contrasts when using dipping sauces for seafood, dressings for slaws and spreads for summer sandwiches.

Instant inspo: contrasting textures and flavours anchor our Potato-crusted prawn cutlets with yuzu cocktail aioli recipe, with the yuzu also giving a familiar seafood favourite a more contemporary twist.

Familiar proteins can take on a distinctive summer identity with the clever use of fruit, sweet glazes and savoury or umami-rich ingredients.

Think mango with pork, stone fruit with grilled meats, and sweet glazes balanced by chilli, vinegar or fermented ingredients. Here, the sweetness enhances the savoury ingredients and doesn’t overwhelm them. Adventurous yet delicious!

Instant inspo: sweetness, acidity, richness and umami combine in our Pork belly lollipops with mango demi-glace, pickled nectarine and burnt carrot miso purée recipe for a distinctive summer menu offering.

For more fresh summer inspiration, download our Summer-Powered Recipes booklet. Discover 6 chef-developed recipes pairing quality proteins with pantry solutions that you can put to work in your kitchen today.

PFD customers can enter the draw to win an MG4 EV Essence 64 with a qualifying purchase of selected PFD meats or seafood and Knorr Professional or Hellmann’s products. Promotion runs 2–29 November 2026. Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.