April Food Holidays to Spring Clean Your Menus
Let April’s food holidays inspire culinary creativity in your kitchen. These celebrations offer the perfect motivation to refresh menus and experiment with comfort classics like the BLT and grilled cheese. Whether you’re planning family meals or entertaining friends, April’s food-centric calendar provides delicious ideas for your springtime table.
National BLT Sandwich Month
Celebrate America’s beloved bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich all month. The beauty of the BLT lies in its brilliant simplicity—crispy bacon, cool lettuce, and juicy tomato slices brought together by mayonnaise on toasted bread. Elevate this classic with premium bacon, butter lettuce instead of iceberg, and early spring heirloom tomatoes if you can find them. For a springtime twist, consider adding sliced avocado or a few roasted asparagus spears to bring seasonal freshness to this timeless sandwich.
The versatility of the BLT makes it adaptable for any meal—try it deconstructed as a salad for lunch, in mini form for appetizers, or topped with a fried egg for a satisfying breakfast. Health-conscious diners can experiment with turkey bacon, whole grain bread, or yogurt-based spreads without sacrificing the essential character that has made this sandwich an American staple. Even the bread-averse can enjoy the flavors by wrapping the fillings in large lettuce leaves for a carb-free alternative that still delivers that perfect bacon-vegetable contrast.
This BLT Sandwich with the Best Sauce from Natasha's Kitchen adds avocado. It's the sauce, though, that takes it to the top. The sauce, made with mayo, sour cream, and mustard, is simple yet superb. If you prepare a BLT sandwich on April 6, you'll celebrate two holidays at once—National BLT Sandwich Month and Fresh Tomato Day!
National Garlic Month
April’s celebration of garlic gives us all permission to embrace this aromatic bulb without apology or restraint. Beyond its legendary flavor-enhancing properties, garlic offers impressive health benefits, including immune-boosting compounds, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants to help the body against oxidative damage. Cooking techniques dramatically transform garlic’s character, from the gentle infusion of whole cloves simmered in olive oil to the nutty complexity of carefully golden-browned bits that season everything from pasta to roasted vegetables. Sample the difference between the sharp bite of raw minced garlic in a vinaigrette and the mellow sweetness of whole roasted heads that spread like butter on crusty bread.
The Spruce Eats' Garlic Butter for Steak is an excellent compound butter that makes steak even better. Dollop this garlic-infused butter onto just-cooked steak. It will slowly melt over the steak, adding rich flavor. It's also great for chicken, pork chops, and seafood. Ragú's Roasted Garlic Short Rib Stuffed Ciabatta saves you prep time using convenient jarred garlic pasta sauce. The cooking time for the beef short ribs is reduced by using an Instant Pot. Once the ribs, vegetables, and sauce cook, and you've shredded the beef, assemble the meat on the sandwich bread and top with provolone cheese, peppers, and fresh basil. Bon appétit!
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Month
Few foods unite nostalgic comfort and gourmet potential like the grilled cheese sandwich, celebrated throughout April. The basic formula—bread plus cheese plus heat—creates a foundation for endless variations, from the classic American cheese on white bread to sophisticated combinations featuring artisanal cheeses, seasonal produce, and unexpected condiments. Spring offers particular inspiration for elevated grilled cheese creations, with options like tangy goat cheese paired with tender asparagus, or sharp cheddar melted with thin-sliced apples and a whisper of honey.
Experiment with bread varieties beyond the standard sandwich loaf. Sourdough adds tangy complexity, while brioche brings rich, buttery notes that complement creamy cheeses. Even the simplest grilled cheese becomes a complete meal when paired with a seasonal spring vegetable soup or bright salad, creating a balanced plate that satisfies both comfort cravings and nutritional needs. If you want to go all out, make Feel Good Foodie's Roasted Vegetable Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Made using sourdough bread, Havarti and Gouda cheeses, zucchini, eggplant, red pepper, and red onions, this sandwich is incredibly flavorful and melty!
April’s food holidays offer perfect timing as we transition from winter’s hearty fare to lighter spring cooking, providing structure for menu planning and inspiration for kitchen adventures. The next time you’re bored in the kitchen, let these holiday foods be your guide to refreshed menus and renewed culinary enthusiasm.
