It’s that time of year again when the windows are wide open, and the fans are blowing—anything to keep the heat out of the house. So, it’s challenging to find meals that involve little to no cooking when it’s this hot. To make it easy for you, we have come up with the top five dinners to make when it’s just too hot.
No Cook Taco Salad
This fantastic salad mixes all that taco goodness you love but within a no-cook salad. Mix romaine lettuce, corn, black beans, onions, tomatoes, shredded cheese, avocados, tortilla chips, salsa, and ranch dressing.
Mix everything into a large bowl and serve. This is a great vegetarian dish because the black beans provide amazing protein, keeping you full and satisfied on a hot summer evening.
Turkey and Avocado Sandwiches
These turkey and avocado sandwiches are perfect for hot summer dinners because you don’t have to fire up the stovetop! Better yet, they are quick to assemble after a long day in the heat.
All you need to whip up this delicious dinner are ciabatta rolls, freshly sliced turkey breast or turkey deli meat, Swiss cheese, avocado, mayo, red leaf lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Assemble the mayo on both slices of ciabatta and layer the goodness between. Pair with some watermelon or your favorite chips!
Cold Pasta Salad
This Italian pasta salad always hits the spot on a warm summer’s evening. You can even prepare it in the morning and serve it right from the fridge at dinner time.
Begin by cooking bowtie pasta per the box instructions. While cooking the pasta, dice up Roma tomatoes, red onion, black olives, pepperoncini peppers, and Romaine lettuce. For a protein boost, dice up some hard salami, pepperoni, or both, as well as some fresh mozzarella cheese. Toss everything together with zesty Italian dressing and enjoy!
Shrimp and Mango Lettuce Wraps
These fresh and delicious mango shrimp lettuce wraps are the best dinner after a day spent outside in the heat.
Cook your shrimp in a pan with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes for heat. While the shrimp cook, take Boston bibb lettuce and fill it with mango slices, shredded carrots, fresh cilantro, and a side of lime wedges. Simple yet tasty, serve with a cold quinoa salad for a complete meal.
Cucumber and Hummus Pita Pockets
Cold and refreshing, this vegetarian dinner packs a protein punch while remaining chilled and coming together in minutes.
Start with whole wheat pita pockets and spread a helping of roasted red pepper hummus inside. Slice cucumbers, red onion, tomatoes, and lettuce. Fill the pockets and enjoy with a side of fruit or your favorite potato chips!
Wrapping Up The Top Five Dinners For Hot Summer Days
Summer is all about light dishes that keep you satisfied and cool. These easy recipes are perfect for hot days when you want something delicious without the kitchen’s heat. Try out these casual dinner ideas to enjoy the best summer flavors with minimal effort.