30 Cold Dinner Ideas Made for Scorching Hot Nights
There’s a time and a place for hearty, warming meals. It just doesn’t happen to be when the sun is shining and we’ve got the air conditioning on. During that time, we turn to simple, cold dinners that are light but totally satisfying (and some are even no-cook). Here, 30 cold dinner ideas that won’t burn your tongue—or leave you sweating in the kitchen.
1. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, vegetarian, no cook
2. Chicken Orzo Salad
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, make ahead
3. Quinoa and Shaved Carrot Salad with Chickpeas, Currants and Cashews
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, vegan, gluten free
4. Watermelon Poke Bowls
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, no cook, vegetarian
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5. Clean Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegan
6. Honey-Miso Summer Salad Bowls
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, no cook
7. Charred Corn and Goat Cheese Avocado Toast
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <15 minutes, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
8. Grilled Peach, Prosciutto and Mozzarella Sandwich
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly
9. Aglio Olio Zoodles with Summer Vegetables and Shrimp
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: low carb, <10 ingredients
10. Spiralized Sushi Bowl with Salmon Sashimi and Ginger Miso Dressing
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <30 minutes, low carb
11. Mediterranean Tuna Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: paleo, no cook, under 500 calories
12. Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, high protein, beginner-friendly
13. Cheesy Raw Vegan Zucchini Lasagna
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, no cook, high protein
14. The Ultimate Quinoa-Avocado Bowl
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, dairy free
15. Pineapple Mango Salsa Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, gluten free, paleo, Whole30, under 500 calories
16. Beet Noodle, Pea and Arugula Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, gluten free, vegan, ready in <30 minutes
17. Aran Goyoaga’s Niçoise Salad
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, make ahead, high protein, under 500 calories
18. Kelp and Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, gluten free, paleo
19. Summer Corn and Heirloom Salad with Spicy Breadcrumbs, Goat Cheese and Tomatillo Salsa Verde
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: gluten free, vegetarian
20. 15-Minute Cucumber-Avocado Blender Soup
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, high protein, beginner-friendly
21. Cold Lemon Zoodles
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, no cook, gluten free
22. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, ready in <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
23. Buddha Bowl with Kale, Avocado, Orange and Wild Rice
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: high protein, gluten free, dairy free
24. Rainbow Collard Wraps with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, kid-friendly, under 500 calories, gluten free
25. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, make ahead, kid-friendly
26. Summer Abundance Salad
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly
27. BLT Pasta Salad
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
28. Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Strawberries
- Time Commitment: 21 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian, make ahead
29. Panzanella
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: ready in <30 minutes, vegetarian
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30. Yellow Tomato Gazpacho
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: under 500 calories, special occasion–worthy, vegetarian