30 No-Cook Summer Meals to Chill Out a Heat Wave

When we actually can't handle the heat in the kitchen, these no-cook recipes are great for sweltering summer days.

close up on a stack of real n'awlins muffuletta
Photo: Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

When the summer heat has reached its peak, and the last thing you want to think about is turning on the stove, reach for these easy no-cook recipes instead. Try boldly flavored rice noodle bowls, layered up sandwiches, super fresh salads, and even sip on some cool soups like gazpacho. With a few convenience ingredients on hand and these helpful ideas, you'll be throwing together no-cook summer meals in no time.

01 of 31

Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls

Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls on a wooden board
Allrecipes Magazine

Pre-cooked shrimp saves you from heating up your kitchen when you make these fresh Asian wraps. For presentation, remember that whatever you put as the bottom layer will be on the top once rolled.

02 of 31

Roast Beef Horseradish Roll-Ups

Roast Beef Horseradish Roll-Ups on parchment paper
Allrecipes Magazine

Make deli-quality wraps at home with this hearty recipe. "I make a batch of these roll-ups on Sunday and give them to the hubby and kids in their lunches throughout the week," says recipe creator Tinker802. "They are also great to put out for parties."

03 of 31

Avocado and Tuna Tapas

Avocado and Tuna Tapas on a green plate
bd.weld

Canned tuna goes fancy when it gets stuffed into rich, creamy avocado halves. Not a fan of tuna? Some reviewers have reported success using canned chicken instead.

04 of 31

Dill Gazpacho

bowl of dill gazpacho
gapey

Highlight summer's best produce with this herbaceous gazpacho. Make it a full meal by serving with a side of crusty bread for cleaning out the bowl.

05 of 31

Simple Egg Salad

Simple Egg Salad on an english muffin
Baking Nana

If you've got leftover eggs on hand, this easy salad comes together in mere moments. Ranch dressing and mustard add a zippy taste, while fresh cucumber gives each bite a distinctive crunch.

06 of 31

Zucchini Spaghetti alla Marinara

Zucchini Spaghetti alla Marinara
bd.weld

It seems like everyone's wild about zucchini "noodles." Here, they get tossed with raw tomato sauce for the ultimate fresh-from-the-garden dinner.

07 of 31

Chicken, Avocado and Mango Salad

Chicken, Avocado and Mango Salad
ReneePaj

Stop by the deli to pick up a roasted chicken, and you're well on your way to making a satisfying dinner without breaking a sweat. Choose flexible lettuce for your wraps — such as iceberg, Boston, or butter lettuce — to avoid a messy dinner.

08 of 31

Greek Pasta Salad

close up view of Greek Pasta Salad with tomatoes on a white plate
SMClanton

Use leftover pasta or store-bought prepared pasta to whip up this vibrant salad. Featuring a wealth of fresh vegetables, salty feta, and spicy pepperoni, it's all tied together with an herb-infused dressing.

09 of 31

Tuna-Artichoke Salad

Tuna-Artichoke Salad
lutzflcat

Two pantry staples, canned tuna and jarred artichoke hearts, are given a fresh twist when paired with dill, red bell pepper, and garlic. Serve this salad over a bed of greens, stuffed in a tomato, or with crackers for dipping.

10 of 31

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Black Bean and Corn Salad II
Larkspur

Sweet corn, savory black beans, and a tangy lime dressing give this salad a world of flavors. "One of the best recipes on this site," says one Allrecipes community member. Sprinkle this recipe over a bowl of lettuce and tortilla chips for a simple, no-cook taco salad.

11 of 31

Mediterranean Chicken Pitas

Mediterranean Chicken Pitas

Transport to the Mediterranean with one bite of these soft, whole wheat pitas stuffed with chicken, feta, artichoke hearts, and green onions. Use a rotisserie chicken to make meal prep easy.

12 of 31

Crab & Avocado Salad with Fruit Salsa

Crab & Avocado Salad with Fruit Salsa
LatinaCook

Decadent crab and rich avocado team up for this unique, summery dish. "There's something to be said about a salad where the ingredients stand on their own for incredible flavor, needing no more than salt, pepper, and a little fresh lime juice for dressing," says one Allrecipes community member.

13 of 31

Ranch Chicken Tacos

Ranch Chicken Tacos
Deb C

"A great change from regular Mexican-style tacos," says recipe creator Joan Dredge. "A quick, cool summer dinner made with leftover rotisserie chicken." You can make this recipe no-cook by using a warm rotisserie chicken straight from the store and skipping the step of toasting the tortillas.

14 of 31

Lobster Rolls

Lobster Rolls
Katie Foley Linn

Pre-cooked lobster, available in most well-stocked seafood sections, is key to making this summertime classic without heating up the kitchen. Green onions and celery add freshness, while mayo and lime juice make up the bold dressing.

15 of 31

Mid-Summer Italian Bread Salad

Mid Summer Italian Bread Salad
Natasha in Oz

Has your bread seen better days? Don't worry, just throw together this recipe. "Everything in this salad is fresh except the bread," says the recipe creator. "Prepare this salad with a loaf of artisan bread or rosemary bread that is a touch stale."

16 of 31

Real N'awlins Muffuletta

a medium angle of the Real N'awlins muffuletta

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

The key to an authentic muffuletta is the bold olive salad, which this recipe nails. Layer everything up and let it sit for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the bread to soak up some of the salad's juices.

17 of 31

Vietnamese Chicken Salad

Vietnamese Chicken Salad
Catkin

Another great no-cook option with leftover chicken or a rotisserie option from the grocery store. "This is a very simple-to-make salad with bold flavors," says recipe creator Jia T.

18 of 31

Raw Pad Thai

Raw Pad Thai

Strips of zucchini "noodles" and thinly sliced cabbage combine with a savory sauce featuring almond butter, honey, ginger, soy sauce, miso, garlic, and cayenne pepper. If you don't have a spiralizer, use a veggie peeler to slice zucchini lengthwise to create long thin noodles.

19 of 31

Arugula and Hummus Mini Pizzas

Arugula and Hummus Mini Pizzas
Kim's Cooking Now

Hummus and arugula combine with chopped dates and pumpkin seeds over rounds of naan bread. Finish these no-cook "pizzas" with a generous drizzle balsamic vinegar.

20 of 31

Spicy Rice Noodle Salad

Spicy Rice Noodle Salad

Rice noodles just need a quick soak in warm water, meaning you don't even need to turn on the stove to enjoy this Asian-inspired dish. Reviewer Allison Rourke says, "I LOVED this salad! So refreshing on a hot summer day."

21 of 31

Chef John's Gazpacho

looking down at a large bowl of gazpacho
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

This classic no-cook summer soup will only taste as good as the produce you use, so save this recipe for the peak of tomato season. Although it takes just a few minutes to make, be sure to let it chill in the fridge for the recommended two hours to let the flavors fully blossom.

22 of 31

No-Cook Chicken Lettuce Wraps

lettuce wraps topped with chicken
Buckwheat Queen

Deli-roasted chicken to the rescue, once again. Mix Greek yogurt with your favorite Asian-style salad dressing for a wonderfully easy sauce.

23 of 31

Ahi Shoyu Poke

Ahi Shoyu Poke
porkrich

We couldn't sum it up better than reviewer Eric: "Quick, simple, and delicious!" Feel free to bulk up your poke bowl with veggies like arugula, avocado, cucumber, shredded carrots, and diced yellow peppers.

24 of 31

Shrimp and Soba Noodle Salad

Shrimp and Soba Noodle Salad
Buckwheat Queen

Pre-cooked shrimp tossed together with hearty soba noodles and garden-fresh vegetables get a big boost of flavor from an outstanding miso, ginger, and rice vinegar dressing.

25 of 31

Strawberry Chicken Salad for Sandwiches

Strawberry Chicken Salad for Sandwiches

This bold chicken salad is perfect for summertime picnics. Each bite is infused with creamy poppy seed dressing, crunchy pecans, and sweet strawberries.

26 of 31

Mexican Mango and White Fish Ceviche

an overhead shot of mexican mango and white fish ceviche in a bowl

Citrus juice cures white fish in less than two hours. Together, the marinade and mangoes bring out the sweetness of the tomatoes. "Serve with tortilla chips, avocado, lime wedges, and salt to garnish," says recipe creator gem.

27 of 31

Turkey Salad

Turkey Salad on a cracker
Pam Ziegler Lutz

Using leftovers from a turkey dinner, or deli turkey, means you can throw together this flavorful salad with little effort. Serve scooped over greens, or with a variety of crackers and vegetable sticks for dipping.

28 of 31

Chickpea Salad II

Chickpea Salad in a blue bowl
Season Moore

Chickpeas are the star of this veggie-packed salad. Balsamic vinegar adds a bright taste, while parsley and basil amp up the flavor.

29 of 31

Turkey Wraps

Turkey Wraps
hungryallweighs

"These tasty turkey wraps are great for lunch or sliced into smaller pieces for little after-school snacks or party appetizers," says recipe creator Rochelle Brooks Thompson. And there's no need to heat the griddle, just use pre-cooked bacon.

30 of 31

Saigon Noodle Salad

Saigon Noodle Salad
lutzflcat

"This Vietnamese-style noodle salad is my 'too hot to cook' staple," says recipe creator AnnInLondon. "It is bursting with flavor and makes great use of leftover grilled meat or shrimp."

31 of 31

More Satisfying Summer Recipe Inspiration

Kielbasa with Peppers and Potatoes
abapplez
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