03 July . 2026
Your New Go-To Summer Recipes
Summer at Wendell Falls has a way of bringing people together—around porches, pools and good food, of course. With warm and long sunny evenings and local produce at its peak, it’s the perfect time to lean into bright flavors and unfussy hosting. Thanks to the thoughtful kitchens crafted by our builders, cooking at home just feels right.
This season, we’re sharing five fresh flavorful recipes that celebrate the best of North Carolina’s summer. Whether you’re hosting a backyard hang, bringing a dish to a neighbor’s get‑together or simply craving something seasonal to serve at home, these dishes make warm weather cooking feel effortless. Think easy hosting, colorful ingredients and dishes that come together beautifully.
Pesto Hot Honey Flatbread
Summer is the best time for handheld snacks, and this flatbread is exactly that. Wendell Falls’ kitchens are designed with connection in mind—open layouts, easy flow from room to room and islands where everyone naturally ends up. This crispy flatbread, with its sweet twist on pesto, fits right into that rhythm. It’s simple, flavorful and the kind of dish you can assemble while friends lean on the island and catch up. Make your own hot honey flatbread here!
Watermelon Salad with Feta & Mint
Since many of the kitchens in our community are designed with natural light in mind, summer’s bright, sunny days make this chilled, colorful salad feel even more refreshing. Juicy watermelon, salty feta and fresh mint come together in a bowl that looks as bright as the space you make it in, celebrating one of our state’s favorite summer fruits.
Pro tip: If you keep a little pot of mint on your windowsill, you can snip a few leaves right as you serve. Find the quick and easy directions here.
Chile Lime Chicken Wings
These chile lime wings have “instant family favorite” written all over them. They are just the right amount of spicy and packed with enough protein to keep everyone satisfied through an afternoon of pool hopping or porch sitting. The marinade comes together fast, but they really shine when cooked on the grill. Picture it: The edges get a little charred, the lime caramelizes and suddenly the whole backyard smells like summer. They’re fun to flip, easy to share and guaranteed to be the first thing people reach for at any cookout. For the full chile lime wings recipe, click here.
Peach Iced Tea Spritz
Iced tea is a staple of an east coast summer, which makes it the perfect base for a refreshing seasonal drink. With so many Wendell Falls homes opening into back porches and patios, having a signature summer drink to enjoy alfresco feels almost essential. This peach iced tea spritz is light, bubbly and just sweet enough. It’s the kind of sip that makes you want to call your best friend, pour two glasses and catch up while enjoying the evening air. Pour yourself a drink here.
Cherry Tomato and Basil Pasta
When cherry tomatoes are at their peak, this pasta practically makes itself. A quick sauté turns them into a silky sauce with fresh basil, and the garlic sizzling on the stove fills the whole house with the best kind of summer aroma. It’s light and fresh—perfect for offsetting the summer heat. Get the step-by-step recipe here.
Hungry for a glimpse into the homes—stellar indoor and outdoor cooking spaces included—we have at Wendell Falls? Take a look at our Homefinder tool here.
Wendell Falls is located just 15 miles from downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S. Explore artfully crafted new homes and townhomes from the low $300,000s – $800,000s+.