Our 16 Best No-Cook Recipes for Hot Summer Days

By

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Published on June 19, 2024

Chopped Power Salad with Chicken — Photo: Jason Donnelly

Stay cool on the hottest days of summer with these delicious and healthy no-cook recipes. From pastas and salads to sandwiches and wraps, these dishes come together without having to use your oven or stove. Plus, they’ve earned four- and five-star reviews from EatingWell readers, so we’re sure you’ll find something you love. One reader says our Salmon & Avocado Poke Bowl is a “great and easy recipe”, and another calls our Green Goddess Sandwich recipe “so delicious!” Once you try them, they may become a part of your regular rotation—especially in the warmer months.

01 of 16

Eat-the-Rainbow Chopped Salad with Basil & Mozzarella

Overhead view of a wooden serving bowl of Eat-the-Rainbow Chopped Salad with Basil & Mozzarella recipe — Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

This fresh and colorful chopped salad has all of the delicious flavors you love from a classic caprese salad, plus even more healthy veggies. Add grilled or roasted chicken for a quick main dish.

02 of 16

Shredded Chicken & Avocado Nacho Salad

Shredded Chicken and Avocado Nacho Salad — Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Dinner doesn't get any easier than this five-ingredient salad.

03 of 16

Salmon & Avocado Poke Bowl

a bowl with salmon, avocado and greens

Poke (pronounced poh-kay), the bite-size marinated fish salad famous in Hawaii, is so popular that it's sold by the pound in supermarkets. Now it has crossed the Pacific to become the meal-in-a-bowl du jour, served in eateries from Los Angeles to New York. But it's easy to make at home with this quick recipe. Sriracha and Chinese-style mustard add a touch of heat to the classic poke seasoning of soy sauce and sesame oil. Serving it over a brown rice salad makes it a meal.

04 of 16

Chopped Power Salad with Chicken

Chopped Power Salad with Chicken — Jason Donnelly

Enjoy this filling and colorful salad for lunch or dinner. The dressing gets made in the same bowl that the salad is tossed in, so the greens absorb every bit of flavor.

05 of 16

Green Goddess Sandwich

green goddess sandwich — Victor Protasio

This green goddess sandwich is a fresh and satisfying sandwich. The dressing packs a flavorful punch with capers and lemon juice. The cucumber and sprouts add nice crunch, and the seasoned avocado brings in the creaminess.

06 of 16

Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl

Overhead view of a white bowl of Black Bean-Quinoa Bowl recipe on a reddish brown tile tabletop — Photography: Carson Downing, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabe Greco

This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We've loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.

07 of 16

Loaded Cucumber & Avocado Sandwich

loaded cucumber and avocado sandwich — Jacob Fox

This loaded cucumber-and-avocado sandwich is filled with creamy avocado and crispy cucumbers. Ricotta cheese mixed with extra-sharp Cheddar adds flavor while sliced red peppers offer a splash of color.

08 of 16

Watermelon & Goat Cheese Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Watermelon & Goat Cheese Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette — Jason Donnelly

In this watermelon and goat cheese salad, the contrasting flavors and textures of crisp, sweet melon and creamy, tangy goat cheese are magical partners. Top with sliced grilled chicken to make it a meal.

09 of 16

Brown Rice Shrimp Bowl with Tomatoes & Avocado

Brown Rice Shrimp Bowl with Tomatoes & Avocado

This quick and easy bowl pairs brown rice with cooked shrimp, tossed in a ginger-soy-sesame sauce, to create a flavorful dish in no time. Topping with tomatoes and avocado adds color and nutrients. Use leftover brown rice or pick up a package of pre-cooked brown rice from the grocery store to keep this meal no-cook.

10 of 16

Caprese Sandwich

Caprese Sandwich — Photographer / Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Christine Keely

This caprese sandwich is fresh from the basil and hearty from thick, crusty ciabatta. The sun-dried tomatoes deepen the flavor. Topping the bread with a layer of basil leaves and using toasted bread helps to keep the sandwich from getting soggy if you need to make it a few hours ahead.

11 of 16

Tofu Poke

Tofu Poke Bowl

This fast vegan version of poke (the traditional Hawaiian salad of diced raw fish tossed in a soy-sesame sauce) swaps in extra-firm tofu for fish while loading your bowl with vegetables and crunchy toppers like pea shoots and peanuts. Serve over brown rice instead of the zucchini noodles to add a hearty boost of fiber.

12 of 16

White Bean & Veggie Salad

White Bean & Veggie Salad

This meatless main-dish salad combines creamy, satisfying white beans and avocado. Try mixing it up with different seasonal vegetables.

13 of 16

Salmon-Stuffed Avocados

Salmon-Stuffed Avocados — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

Canned salmon is a valuable pantry staple and a practical way to include heart-healthy, omega-3-rich fish in your diet. Here, we combine it with avocados in an easy no-cook meal.

14 of 16

Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas

Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas

In this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables.

15 of 16

Cucumber Chickpea Salad with Feta & Lemon

a recipe photo of the Cucumber Chickpea Salad with Feta & Lemon — Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst

This cucumber chickpea salad with feta and lemon is tangy and refreshing. You can enjoy it on its own or toss it with greens for an easy lunch or dinner. We love the grassy flavor of dill, but another fresh herb like oregano, parsley or chives will work well in its place.

16 of 16

Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps

These chicken Caesar salad wraps make for a quick, easy lunch or dinner. We like a mix of romaine and kale for texture and color, but you can use one or the other if you prefer. Romaine will not hold well once dressed, so we recommend making this wrap up to 1 day in advance or the leaves will get soggy. Parmesan crisps act as another crouton-like element—use store-bought crisps or make your own with our Parmesan Crisps recipe.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

two tall glasses filled with a light brown smoothie

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Protein Shake

three Fruit & Yogurt smoothies and frozen cherries, peaches and raspberries

Fruit & Yogurt Smoothie

Watermelon, Orange & Cucumber Salad with Castelvetrano Olive Vinaigrette

15 No-Cook Dinners to Help You Stay Hydrated on Hot Days

Berry-Coconut Smoothie

Mango-Ginger Smoothie

Mango-Ginger Smoothie

Easy Smoothie Bowl

Raspberry-Peach-Mango Smoothie Bowl

Cinnamon Oranges

Watermelon-Strawberry Smoothie

Two short clear glasses filled with the coctel de camarones recipe, garnished with a lemon wedge

Coctel de Camarones

Mango Coconut Chia Pudding

Good Green Tea Smoothie

Good Green Tea Smoothie

Raspberry Overnight Muesli

Chai Chia Pudding

Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto Salad for Two

Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto Salad

Watermelon-Mango Smoothie