11 Low-Carb No-Cook Dinner Recipes

11 No-Cook, Low-Carb Dinners for a Healthy, Refreshing Evening

Updated on August 12, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

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Chopped Power Salad with Chicken — Photo: Jason Donnelly

We put together these healthy and refreshing dinner recipes for those hot summer nights. No stovetop or oven cooking is required for these no-cook, low-carb meals, so you can keep cool while preparing a delicious and simple dinner.

For any recipe that requires cooked chicken, use leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken or fire up the grill. For some of the recipes, you could even use canned chicken. Just be aware of the sodium in the canned and rotisserie chicken—some can add a lot of sodium to your daily intake.

All of these dinners have no more than 15 carbohydrates per serving, perfect if you're reducing your carb intake. But just because they're lower in carbs, it doesn't mean they're lacking in nutrition or taste. Recipes like our Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad and Salmon-Stuffed Avocados are packed with crucial nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals to help you follow a healthy low-carb eating pattern.

01 of 11

Shrimp Cobb Salad with Dijon Dressing

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We've replaced chicken with shrimp in this delicious and easy spin on the classic Cobb salad. This satisfying salad takes just 20 minutes to make, so it's perfect for weeknight dinners, but it's elegant enough to serve to guests.

02 of 11

Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad

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Avocado makes an exceptionally creamy and healthful dressing for this chicken salad. A bit of ranch dressing with pickled jalapeño adds a tangy spin to the lunchtime classic. Serve it on a slice of whole-wheat toast for an open-face sandwich or in a lettuce cup for a low-carb lunch.

03 of 11

Chopped Power Salad with Chicken

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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.

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Salmon-Stuffed Avocados

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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.

05 of 11

Spinach & Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad

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One of our most popular salad recipes, Spinach-Strawberry Salad with Feta & Walnuts, gets a makeover in these simple yet totally satisfying meal-prep spinach salad bowls. They require minimal prep and can be customized to your taste. Swap in roasted salmon for the chicken thighs, and almonds or pecans for the walnuts, and use any fresh berry that looks good at your market. For those hot summer nights when you want to keep the oven off, use leftover or rotisserie chicken, or fire up the outside grill to cook the chicken.

06 of 11

Broccoli Salad with Bacon

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Classic broccoli salad, the perfect dish for a potluck, is updated with cauliflower, bacon and a sprinkle of crunchy sunflower seeds in this so-easy recipe that's sure to be a new picnic favorite. This goes great with grilled chicken or steak.

07 of 11

Meal-Prep Turkey Cobb Salad

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Cubed deli turkey takes the place of chicken, while Cheddar replaces blue cheese in this easy Cobb-inspired salad. The protein-rich turkey and cheese, plus eggs and bacon, gives the salad staying power, so you won't get hungry an hour after you eat. Feel free to swap out the turkey for cooked chicken or chickpeas to mix things up. Serve the salad right away or pack it up in individual containers and you'll be set for lunch for days.

08 of 11

Chicken, Brussels Sprouts & Mushroom Salad

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Shaving the vegetables for this easy salad recipe makes them deliciously tender-crisp without having to cook anything and helps them stand up to the bright homemade vinaigrette and salty Parmesan cheese.

09 of 11

Cucumber Turkey Sub Sandwich

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When you're craving a sub but you don't want all the carbs, these turkey-and-cheese deli sandwiches on cucumber rolls are a healthy alternative. Hollow out a cucumber and fill it up with your favorite sandwich fillings for a crisp sub with fewer carbs and calories. Plus, you can easily pack these up for work, school or a picnic—no soggy bread!

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Raw Vegan Zoodles with Romesco

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Trying out a raw vegan diet or just looking for an easy no-cook recipe? This spiralized zucchini noodle dinner with red pepper sauce is refreshing, satisfying and oh-so-delicious! Plus, it couldn't be easier to make. Just whir up the 5-ingredient sauce in your food processor or blender, toss and serve!

11 of 11

Classic Dill Chicken Salad

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We lightened up the creamy dressing in this healthy chicken salad recipe with a combo of mayonnaise and plain Greek yogurt. Dill, grapes, celery and walnuts make up this classic chicken salad but feel free to experiment with your favorite fruit, vegetables and herbs. Serve it open-face on toasted bread or scoop it on top of fresh salad greens.

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