30 No-Cook Summer Dinners

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Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta sang it best: “Oh-oh-ah…those su-huh-mmerrrrr…niiiiiiiiiiights!”

It’s a pretty magical time of year, right? The stunning sunsets, hanging out on patios and drinking a cold one with your buds, basically spending most if not all your time outdoors. Of course, there are those days when it’s too darn hot outside, but we can all pretty much agree that we prefer summer nights over any other time of the year.

But when it comes to dinner, if we’re not having a cookout or going out to dinner, the last thing most of us wants to do is turn on that oven or cook something on the stovetop. Whether we’re just too busy or we don’t have it in us to heat up the kitchen, some days, we just want a delicious no-cook summer dinner to keep us cool.

From rotisserie chicken tacos you can throw together in mere minutes on a busy weeknight to chilled soups for particularly warm days and a nutritious and hydrating green salad to munch on after an indulgent vacation, here are 30 delish no-cook dinners perfect for your upcoming summer nights.

A version of this article was originally published in June 2017.

Chipotle Chicken Salad

Image Credit: Chef Elizabeth Reese.

Smoky chipotle peppers add a spicy kick of flavor to this creamy chicken salad recipe. Use rotisserie chicken to save time, and serve the spicy chipotle chicken salad on your favorite bread, rolls, and crackers, or as a filling for crunchy lettuce wraps.

Get the recipe from Chef Elizabeth Reese.
Healthier Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Image Credit: Healthy With a Chance of Sprinkles.

Yet again, rotisserie chicken is the key to getting this meal on the table without having to cook. Toss the shredded chicken with Buffalo sauce and honey, and you’re ready to assemble your tacos.

Get the recipe from Healthy With a Chance of Sprinkles.
Red Cabbage and Bean Salad

Image Credit: Tasty Simple Vegan.

It’s tempting to just have salad for dinner when it’s hot out, but you need to make sure that your body isn’t subsisting on lettuce alone. That’s why we love this red cabbage and bean salad recipe. It’s cool, fresh, and great in the humidity, but two types of canned beans join the fresh veggies for a plant-based boost of protein that will help keep your body fueled.

Get the recipe from Tasty Simple Vegan.
Pane Cunzato – Seasoned Sicilian Sandwich Recipe

Image Credit: The Spaghetti Sisterhood.

Close your eyes and imagine that you’re sitting on a white marble patio overlooking the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean. That’s how you’ll feel after taking a bite of this pane cunzato recipe. It’s a simple Sicilian sandwich made with bread, cheese, tomato, and anchovies. Can’t find the Sicilian bread and cheese called for in the recipe? Use ciabatta rolls and low-moisture mozzarella or thickly sliced provolone cheese instead.

Get the recipe from The Spaghetti Sisterhood.
Thai Cabbage Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

Image Credit: Rosemary & Maple.

Crispy, crunchy cabbage is loaded with bold flavors in this Thai-inspired salad recipe. The dressing can be made on the stove-top, but we recommend using the microwave to keep your kitchen cool.

Get the recipe from Rosemary & Maple.
Tuna Stacks

Image Credit: Chelsea's Messy Apron.

Use leftover rice or microwaved rice to make these tuna stacks, which layer a creamy sriracha tuna salad with rice and a bright mango-cucumber salad.

Get the recipe from Chelsea’s Messy Apron.
Chicken Caprese Wraps

Image Credit: Olga's Flavor Factory.

If you want something a little heartier than a salad for dinner, try adding chicken to the classic caprese trio of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, then roll it all together to make a satisfying wrap.

Get the recipe from Olga’s Flavor Factory.
Chickpea Avocado Tacos

Image Credit: Kim's Cravings.

You don’t need to turn on the stove to make tacos. This vegan recipe is made with fresh veggies, chickpeas, and tortillas. You can also use the filling mix to make wraps, or simply eat it as a salad.

Get the recipe from Kim’s Cravings.
Chopped Broccoli Salad

Image Credit: Cookie + Kate.

Buy toasted nuts so you can skip cooking the sunflower seeds called for in this recipe yourself, and it becomes totally cooking-free. Best of all? This sturdy broccoli salad lasts for days in the fridge, so it’s great for meal-prepping.

Get the recipe from Cookie + Kate.
No-Cook Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

Image Credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes

Store bought pesto and fresh zoodles (which you can also sometimes find in the produce section of the grocery store these days) are the stars of this easy no-cook summer recipe. Craving more protein? Add feta cheese, chickpeas, or your favorite tinned fish.

Get the recipe from Healthy Seasonal Recipes.
Smoked Salmon Flatbread Pizzas

Image Credit: Three Many Cooks.

Why save the smoked salmon for breakfast? Swap the bagel for store-bought flatbread, and you’ve got a no-cook dinner instead.

Get the recipe from Three Many Cooks.
Tropical Shrimp Ceviche

Image Credit: Lexi's Clean Kitchen.

Lime juice helps “cook” shrimp for you in this flavorful tropical ceviche recipe. Serve with tortilla chips or plantain chips and eat al fresco, so you can pretend you’re on vacation.

Get the recipe from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen.
Italian Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Image Credit: Dash of Mandi.

Best served ice cold, this salad tastes just like your favorite Italian sub. The details are what make it a stand out — crunchy marcona almonds, spicy salami, creamy mozzarella, and a tangy-sweet dressing.

Get the recipe from Dash of Mandi.
10-Minute No-Cook Dinner Bowls

Image Credit: Beauty Bites.

Artichokes, assemble! Jarred artichokes, roasted red peppers, a whole lot of fresh veggies, hummus, and more come together to make this nutritious no-cook meal.

Get the recipe from Beauty Bites.
Chilled Tofu Avocado Salad

Image Credit: The Woks of Life.

From the silky, creamy texture of the chilled tofu and rich avocado, to the savory, tangy dressing on top, you’ll fall in love with every element of this no-cook summer recipe.

Get the recipe from The Woks of Life.
Thai Peanut Wraps

Image Credit: Spiced Blog.

Cool, crunchy, and colorful, these Thai peanut wraps are loaded with veggies and an irresistible peanut sauce. Using extra-protein wraps will help keep you satisfied.

Get the recipe from Spiced Blog.
La Scala Chopped Salad

Image Credit: Foolproof Living.

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re kind of obsessed with chopped salads. There’s something endlessly craveable about the combination of crunchy veggies, salty cured meats, and the perfect dressing that we just can’t get enough of.

Get the recipe from Foolproof Living.
Vegan Basil Cucumber Gazpacho

Image Credit: Vibrant Plate.

You’d never guess that a dish this elegant came together in just 15 minutes, but we’ll keep your secret safe. This cooling green gazpacho is made with basil, cucumber, and vegan yogurt, and is perfect for those dog days of summer when it’s so hot you don’t even want to eat.

Get the recipe from Vibrant Plate.
Chickpea Blueberry Salad

Image Credit: Running on Real Food.

If you’re having a salad for dinner, you’ve got to make sure it’s got the protein and carbs you need for a complete meal. That’s where the chickpeas, hemp seeds, and blueberries come in handy with this colorful salad recipe.

Get the recipe from Running on Real Food.
Pan Bagnat

Image Credit: Wild Greens & Sardines.

The beauty of this French picnic sandwich is that it can be made ahead of time — it actually improves with age as the flavors meld together.

Invest in a high-quality jar of tuna packed in olive oil for maximum flavor. It pairs well with French wine.

Get the recipe from Wild Greens & Sardines.
Rice Noodle Salad

Image Credit: The Suburban Soap Box.

Rice noodles are soaked in hot water instead of boiled, making this salad a cinch to throw together on a busy weeknight. Throw in your favorite crunchy veggies, and you’ve got dinner in a flash.

Get the recipe from The Suburban Soap Box.
Open-Faced Tomato Sandwich

Image Credit: Little Broken.

Let summer’s star — the tomato — shine brightly in this easy and delicious open-faced sandwich. Colorful heirloom tomatoes pair perfectly with a garlic-herb aioli loaded with chives, basil and parsley.

Get the recipe from Little Broken.
Chilled Summer Soup

Image Credit: With Food + Love.

This gorgeous chilled soup is perfect for those sweltering summer days. Unlike the traditional tomato-based gazpacho, this soup is made with sweet corn, sun gold tomatoes and yellow peppers and topped with a fresh cucumber relish for added crunch.

Get the recipe from With Food + Love.
Kale Taco Salad

Image Credit: What's Gaby Cooking.

This Mexican taco salad makes for a satisfying dinner with minimal effort. Fresh corn adds a summery crunch, black beans and cheese add protein, and the cilantro vinaigrette is downright addictive.

Get the recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking.
Strawberry Tabbouleh

Image Credit: Love & Lemons.

Put those summer strawberries to good use in this tasty tabbouleh salad. You could add shredded store-bought chicken for extra protein, or toss in some chickpeas to keep thing vegetarian.

Get the recipe from Love & Lemons.
Asian Chopped Salad

Image Credit: Cooking Classy.

Pick up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store and make this Asian chicken chopped salad for dinner tonight. It’s crunchy, satisfying and perfect for those lazy days of summer.

Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.
Meze Platter

Image Credit: What's Gaby Cooking.

What’s better than meze for dinner? This vegetarian meze platter features marinated artichokes, feta, grape leaves, hummus, tzatziki — all you need is your favorite pita to scoop up the goodness.

Get the recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking.
Ham & Cheese Cucumber Rollups

Image Credit: Little Broken.

These low-carb cucumber rollups are filled with creamy avocado hummus, honey ham, provolone cheese, cilantro and baby spinach. Choose your favorite deli meat and start rolling.

Get the recipe from Little Broken.
Green Goddess Detox Salad

Image Credit: Pinch of Yum.

A green detox salad is the perfect dinner to reset your diet after an indulgent vacation during which you went a little too hard on the margs. This good-for-you (but also delicious) salad is loaded with spinach, feta, almonds, avocado and a spicy green goddess dressing.

Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum.
Greek Pita Pizza

Image Credit: Recipe Runner.

Top your Greek pita pizza with your favorite hummus and summer veggies for a satisfying and easy dinner your family will love.

Get the recipe from Recipe Runner.
No-Cook Summer Dinners