During the summer season, it’s more common to crave foods that are fresh, light and keep us cool. Since we are so warm in the summer months, we don’t want to spend any extra time heating things up in the kitchen.
Instead, it’s more ideal to eat foods that don’t require any cooking. Plus, this way we can spend more time in the pool and less time checking the oven.
If you need some delicious and healthy summer food ideas, try these eight no-cook dinner recipes for hot weather.
1. White Bean Caprese Salad
Get out those summer tomatoes for this fresh and seasonal salad that is loaded with nutrients. This unique twist on a Caprese salad includes the classic mozzarella, basil, and balsamic combo, but it adds in some white beans for extra protein.
Recipe: Skinny Taste
2. Zoodles With Avocado Sauce
This healthy dinner dish uses raw spiralized zucchini noodles to make a pasta that’s tossed in a creamy sauce made of avocado to create an indulgent meal with none of the guilt.
Recipe: Simple Vegan Blog
3. Raw Lentil Tacos
Have a healthy and low maintenance Taco Tuesday with these healthified tacos, which use butter lettuce as taco shells and a mixture of sprouted lentils, sunflower seeds, and mushrooms as a “meat” filling.
Recipe: Nouveau Raw
4. Fig and Persimmon Balsamic Kale Salad
Nothing screams summer like a fruit-filled salad. Get in all your nutrients with kale, avocado, almonds, and tomatoes, and enjoy a sweet little kick from the addition of figs and persimmon.
Recipe: Kale Me Maybe
5. Rainbow Spring Rolls
These may be spring rolls, but you can enjoy them in any warm season, including the summer. These colorful rolls are filled with a variety of nutrient-filled fruits and vegetables, and they’re served with a side of a simple, no-cook Ginger Peanut sauce.
Recipe: Minimalist Baker
6. Raw Pad Thai
This bowl will satisfy your cravings for both a bowl of noodles or a salad. This raw take on Pad Thai requires no cooking and uses a variety of vegetables for a tasty plant-based, no-cook dinner.
Recipe: Oh She Glows
7. Tuna Poke Bowl
Fresh fish is light and tasty, and when it’s raw, it makes an extremely low-maintenance meal. Make your own poke bowl using ahi tuna, avocado, green onion, ginger, and seaweed.
Recipe: PopSugar
8. Raw Cauliflower Couscous Salad With Za’atar
This raw tabouli-inspired salad uses cauliflower as couscous and is loaded with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and fresh parsley. It can be thrown together quickly and topped with some lemon and za’atar for a spice-filled dressing.
Recipe: Turnip The Oven