20 no-cook dinners for hot summer nights

chickpea feta & pinenut salad-2
Flickr | jules:stonesoup

After a long day working or playing in the sizzling summer sun, the last thing you want to do is come home and stand over a hot stove. However, dinner is a must. Whether you need to feed your entire family or just want something light to nourish yourself, there are loads of options that don’t require any cooking.

From soups and salads to substantial sandwiches, you can whip up an easy, yet delicious and impressive meal—without turning on the stove.

1. Tomato Cucumber Gazpacho

Light, refreshing gazpacho is an ideal summer meal. You can use a variety of veggies and even fruits to make this cold soup, but this simple recipe pairs sweet, juicy tomatoes with cool cucumbers and some savory seasonings.

blender gazpacho photo
Flickr | telepathicparanoia

2. Curried Waldorf Salad

This twist on the traditional salad made with fresh apples, celery, grapes and crunchy walnuts kicks it up a notch with the addition of just a little curry powder.

apple walnut salad photo
Flickr | Scott Teresi

3. Crab Salad Sandwich

Whether you prefer real or imitation crab, you can quickly toss together a cool, creamy salad with some mayo, mustard and lemon juice. Serve on croissants or crusty rolls.

crab salad roll photo
Flickr | insatiablemunch

4. Ham And Cheese Sushi Rolls

Kiddos will love this take on a traditional ham sandwich. Remove the crust from several slices of bread, roll them flat, add your favorite sandwich fixings and roll ‘em up.

cheese roll ups photo
Flickr | mealmakeovermoms

5. Chilled Cucumber And Avocado Soup

A blend of creamy avocado, fresh cucumber and fragrant dill make this gorgeous green soup a satisfying summer meal.

chilled cucumber soup photo
Flickr | cheeseslave

6. Chicken Salad with Grapes and Walnuts

Use leftovers, canned chicken, or grab a rotisserie bird from the supermarket to make this a no-cook dinner. Sweet grapes and crunchy walnuts give this salad wonderful taste and texture.

chicken salad with grapes photo
Flickr | Au Kirk

7. Tuscan Cobb Salad

Let your mouth take a mini vacation to Italy with this take on the standard Cobb salad. Top chopped romaine with turkey (from the deli), avocado, hard boiled egg, pancetta and herb dressing.

tuscan cobb salad photo
Flickr | yngvalerie

8. Barbecue Leftover Salad

Save those cookout leftovers to use in a decadent summer salad. Top your favorite greens with barbecued meat and anything else that looks good (grilled corn, for example).

bbq salad photo
Flickr | avlxyz

9. BLT Salad

Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches are a longstanding family favorite, but they can feel a little heavy after a hot day. Nix the bread and turn your BLT into a salad! Use precooked bacon for a fast, satiating dinner.

BLT salad photo
Flickr | jspatchwork

10. Watermelon Feta Salad

Watermelon is a common summertime snack, but have you ever considered it as a main course? Paired with salty feta and chopped mint, it becomes a light but delicious dinner.

watermelon feta salad photo
Flickr | Salvadonica, Chianti, Tuscany

11. Tomato, Mozzarella And Pesto Sandwich

Slather pesto and layers of ripe tomato and fresh mozzarella slices on your favorite rolls. This light meal will appeal to all ages.

tomato mozzarella sandwich photo
Flickr | ironypoisoning

12. Panzanella Salad

Don’t toss that day-old baguette! This classic salad marries marinated bread with tomatoes, mozzarella and other favorite Italian flavors.

panzanella salad photo
Flickr | thefoodplace.co.uk

13. Cantaloupe Soup

Another light, creamy soup option for those no-cook nights, this slightly sweet dish combines fresh melon with ingredients such as citrus juice and a dash of cinnamon.

cantaloupe soup photo
Flickr | mealmakeovermoms

14. White Bean And Tuna Salad

Cans of tuna and beans are the basis of this nourishing, no-cook dinner. Serve on a bed of greens or tuck inside of a wrap.

white bean tuna photo
Flickr | jules:stonesoup

15. Black Bean, Corn And Tomatillo Salad

This vibrant, Mexican-inspired meal can also be made using canned goods from your pantry. Fresh avocado and raw pepitas provide even more amazing flavor.

bean corn salad photo
Flickr | Gudlyf

16. Rainbow Slaw

When you are craving something light and healthful, you cannot go wrong with this gorgeous slaw. Chop an array of colorful veggies and top with mouthwatering lemon-herb vinaigrette.

rainbow noodle salad photo
Flickr | katiesw1

17. Pesto “Zoodles”

You can use a spiral slicer to make zucchini noodles or make “ribbons” with your traditional slicer. Toss with tomatoes and pesto basil for a quick, savory dinner sans the stove.

pesto zucchini noodles photo
Flickr | audrey.taylor89

18. Peach And Prosciutto Salad

The next time you pick up some syrupy sweet peaches at a summer farmer’s market, pair them with prosciutto for an unforgettable salad. Chopped greens, sliced almonds and fresh goat cheese complete the meal.

prosciutto peach photo
Flickr | kurmanstaff

19. Fattoush Salad

Although the traditional recipe calls for toasted pita bread, you can make this a no-cook meal by subbing store-bought pita chips. Add leftover or rotisserie chicken if you’d like a little protein.

Fattoush Salad photo
Flickr | TheCulinaryGeek

20. Veggie Wraps

Spread tortillas with a velvety mixture of cream cheese, mayo and ranch seasoning before piling on the veggies. Add a helping of shredded cheese and leftover meat from the fridge, if desired for a quick and yummy summer supper.

veggie chicken wrap photo
Flickr | Yu+Mi

[h/t: BuzzFeed]

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About the Author
Tricia Goss
Tricia Goss is a Texas-based writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience. She is passionate about helping readers improve their skills, gain knowledge and attain more happiness in life. When she’s not working, Tricia enjoys traveling with her husband and their dog, especially to visit their five grandchildren.

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