Whether you’re going on a picnic or grilling at home, these easy no-cook summer recipes are delicious and healthy meals to enjoy on hot days.
Cold peanut noodles with chicken
10 easy summer recipes that don’t require cooking
Cool meals on hot days
At the beginning of this article, I want to mention that these recipes involve some prep cooking, but since they’re summer and seasonal, all of these dishes include seasonal ingredients (check out the farmers market for the freshest produce) and are perfect to make ahead, refrigerate, and enjoy at summer outdoor meals or non-cooking gatherings.
Or on those scorching hot afternoons when you can’t think of turning on the oven to make lunch or dinner. These recipes are healthier than store-bought ones and are perfect to prepare ahead of time and keep in the fridge for those meltingly hot moments.
dill pickle pasta salad
breakfast ideas without cook
While this article focuses on salads and main dishes (lol), I’ll share some of my favorite no-cook breakfasts.
Summer clothes are the best
All of these recipes include a variety of fruits, vegetables, greens, grains, and legumes (because #realfood). My produce and meal options vary from season to season. And I always put orange marmalade dressing on everything!
Unlike fall and winter, when we gravitate toward roasted root vegetables and hearty stews, in summer we eat lots of fresh and cold foods (and lots of smoothies and ice cream!) We go crazy for juicy tomatoes and peaches, and eat corn and zucchini for summer dinners to help us lose weight.
“The season to eat rainbows has come!”
My favorite non-vegetable salads: cucumber salad, tomato salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, sardine salad (!) These are served refreshingly by scooping them into a lettuce wrap.
I’ve put together 10 of my favorite recipes that I read over and over again.
1. Feta cheese and herb quinoa salad
This Feta and Herbed Quinoa Salad is a perfect prep day recipe to enjoy as a side salad or as a base recipe to add some protein (like rotisserie chicken) to a quick lunch or dinner. I love the crunchiness of Marcona almonds! Here’s a similar one using quinoa and chicken.
2. Superb sardine salad
Eat on potato chips, crackers, raw vegetables, collard green wraps, tortillas, or scooped with a fork. Not only is this sardine salad packed with protein and omega-3s, it’s also super delicious.
3. Caprese pasta salad
This Caprese Pasta Salad makes an easy dinner when served warm with some protein. It also makes a great lunch salad to make on prep day and eat throughout the week. Perfect for the summer picnic season.
4. Quick and Easy Mediterranean Salad Bowl
These colorful Mediterranean salad bowls are a satisfying combination of sweet and savory flavors and creamy and crunchy textures. The more boxes you can check for taste and texture with each meal, the better. Best of all, these bowls require ingredients you probably have on hand in your refrigerator or pantry.
5. Simple Herbed Lentil Salad
One of my summer lunchtime favorites, I love the combination of fresh tomatoes, crunchy lentils, and spicy arugula in this herby lentil salad.
6. Healthy Panzanella
This recipe is KERF’s take on the healthy panzanella, which means “bread salad” in Italian. Combine whole-wheat bread, kale, pumpkin, green beans, tomatoes, and goat cheese for a colorful and hearty summer salad. Goat cheese is ready!
7. Chop Chop Mediterranean Salad
This salad is super easy to put together and is packed with flavor from the artichokes, olives, and cheese. Eating this with crackers is a happy (and healthy) meal for me.
8. Bowtie Pasta Salad
This bow tie pasta salad is Italian-inspired with roasted tomatoes, red peppers, kalamata olives, and mozzarella balls. It’s simple and easy to assemble, and the Italian lemon yogurt dressing brings it all together.
9. Olive salad with feta and orzo
This olive salad recipe is bright and summery. Filled with salty olives, feta cheese, and fresh parsley. Perfect for a picnic or a quick summer dinner.
10. Cold peanut noodles
These cold peanut noodles are the perfect summer dish to make in the morning and enjoy in the evening. Noodles and vegetables intertwine with a flavorful peanut sauce.
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