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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 a salad 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 25 delish no-cook dinners perfect for your upcoming summer nights.
A version of this article was originally published in June 2017.
Tuna Stacks
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 .
Asian Chopped Salad
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
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
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
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
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
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