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43 No-Cook Meals to Make for Dinner

By Rebecca Shapiro

| Jun. 11, 2022

Additional reporting by Taryn Pire

It’s summertime, so the oven is basically off limits. While there are plenty of work-arounds to use instead (like the grill, the stove and the slow cooker), there are some nights when we just can’t bring ourselves to be near any source of additional heat. Besides, when the sun is beating down and we feel like a sticky mess, the last thing we’re craving is a hot meal.

Instead, we like to opt for simple, no-cook dinners that will keep us both satisfied and cool. Read on for 43 recipes you can mix, match or serve on their own to create no-cook meals you'll enjoy all summer, from salads to cold soups. (Bonus: Less time in the kitchen means more time hanging in the yard with a cold one.)

RELATED: 50 Quick Summer Dinner Ideas for Lazy People

Photo: Liz Andrew/ Styling: Erin McDowell

1. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan, one bowl

We spend all year waiting for fresh summer produce, and this cold tomato soup is the best way to showcase it. All you need is a good blender or food processor to put dinner on the table.

Ambitious Kitchen

2. Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, vegetarian, make ahead

This easy dinner has everything we love about a Greek salad, plus canned chickpeas for a boost of protein. Follow Coterie member Monique Volz’s lead and make extra to pack for lunch the next day.

Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Rainbow Collard Wraps with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly

Feel free to use whatever veggies you have in the house. Everything tastes delicious with this savory peanut butter sauce.

the mediterranean dish

4. Summer Berry Salad with Burrata and Arugula

Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, vegetarian, <10 ingredients

Unleash your inner Yankee Doodle with this red, white and blue salad that stars blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. (We’ll assume someone else is bringing the hot dogs.)

Michael Marquand/Styling: Jodi Moreno

5. Kelp and Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, high protein, no cook

We’re always down for takeout. This healthy alternative swaps out wheat-based noodles for kelp noodles (which are gluten-free and only require a quick soak to turn al dente) and zucchini ribbons.

Half Baked Harvest

6. The Lighter Cheese Board

Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes

We love entertaining in the summer, especially when there’s almost no work for the hostess. Throw together some cold meats and cheeses, fresh fruit and pickled veggies and a super Insta-worthy dinner awaits.

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

7. Zucchini Salad with Lemon and Parmesan

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, no cook

Somehow, we always have too many zucchinis come summertime (we blame the neighbor’s overzealous garden). Instead of succumbing to sugary zucchini bread, make this nutritious dinner instead.

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

8. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad Stuffed Peppers

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, make ahead, high protein

Store-bought rotisserie chicken to the rescue. Combine the pre-cooked meat with tangy Greek yogurt and plenty of veggies, then stuff it into hollowed-out bell peppers for the cutest dinner ever.

9. Vegetarian Summer Taco Salad

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, vegetarian, beginner-friendly

If you’re looking for ground beef and tortilla chips, this is not the salad for you. Packed with plant-based protein, this vegetarian take on a taco bowl is everything we want on a scorching hot Taco Tuesday.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

10. Italian Deli Pinwheel Sandwiches

Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, no cook, kid-friendly, <30 minutes

You could slap a few slices of deli meat and cheese on two slices of sandwich bread, but wrapping and slicing them into little wheels is so much more fun. The wraps are packed with Genoa salami, pepperoni and prosciutto.

Amy Neunsinger/Magnolia Table

11. Joanna Gaines’s Peach Caprese Salad

Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, kid-friendly, vegetarian, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients

After trying Joanna Gaines's twist on summer caprese, we might never make it the traditional way again. She uses ripe, in-season peaches instead of tomatoes, and the end result is unbelievably refreshing.

Photo: Liz Andrew/ Styling: Erin McDowell

12. Watermelon Poke Bowls

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegan, kid-friendly, no cook

We love the flavors of a poke bowl, but we admit that we’re still a little bit squeamish about handling raw fish ourselves. Subbing in fresh watermelon gives us the best of both worlds.

13. Avocado Green Goddess Sandwiches with Havarti

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, one bowl, <30 minutes, vegetarian

Kermit says it’s not easy being green, but we beg to differ. These hearty sandwiches are a little bit crunchy, a little bit creamy and a fantastic dish to take on an outdoor picnic.

14. Zucchini and Fresh Corn Salad with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette

Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, no cook

Put the weekend’s farmers market haul to good use in this super summery salad by Coterie member Heidi Larsen. Double the vinaigrette recipe so you can use it on fresh greens all week long.

Photo: Liz Andrew/ Styling: Erin McDowell

15. Prosciutto and Fig Salad Board

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, no cook

Not only does salad on a board feel like an elegant restaurant app (even on the couch), but it also allows you to access all the toppings with ease instead of having to dig to the bottom of a bowl to get them.

The Modern Proper

16. Tuna Salad and Chickpea-Stuffed Avocado

Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, gluten free, <30 minutes, no cook, high protein

This easy dinner has it all: It’s low carb, full of protein and healthy fat and adorable. Plus, the creaminess of the avocado means you can go totally mayo-free, with the help of a little Greek yogurt.

Gimme Some Oven

17. Unforgettable Italian Chopped Salad

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, one bowl, crowd-pleaser

At first glance, this looks like an ordinary chopped salad. But a few extra ingredients (spoiler alert: sunflower seeds, everything bagel seasoning and balsamic glaze) give it the extra flavor we never knew it needed.

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

18. Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Blue Cheese and Celery

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients

There’s nothing we crave more than the combination of spicy Buffalo sauce and funky blue cheese dressing. Here, they’re rolled up in a wrap with pre-cooked chicken and plenty of crunchy celery.

19. Chile Basil Coconut Ceviche

Time Commitment: 3 hours and 45 minutes (includes marinating time)
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, pescatarian, no cook, high protein

Believe it or not, ceviche is beyond easy to make at home. One fancy Friday date night coming right up, thanks to Coterie member Aida Mollenkamp.

20. The Ultimate Party Sub

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, no cook, high protein

It’s too hot to even think about lighting the grill, but that doesn’t mean you have to cancel your plans with friends. Shift the party indoors and keep cool with this super-sized sub sandwich.

Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Erin McDowell

21. Rainbow Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, no cook

Sure, you could put these out as an app at your next party. But we’re pretty happy keeping them all to ourselves for a quick main course. Just make sure to use the freshest tomatoes you can find.

I am a food blog

22. The Best Sesame Soy Broccoli Salad

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegan, one bowl, no cook

This quick salad has a divine balance of flavors and textures—crunchy almonds, sweet dried cranberries, red onion and a tangy, salty-sweet soy dressing. Who knew raw broccoli could be this good?

Laura Edwards/ The Yoga Kitchen Plan

23. Zoodles with Avocado and Mango Sauce

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegan, no cook

Puréed fresh and frozen mango, avocado and coconut milk sound like the start to a pretty tasty smoothie. But add in ginger, tamari and crushed red pepper, and you’ve also got a light and zesty sauce for raw zucchini noodles.

What's Gaby Cooking

24. Ginger Scallion Chicken Wraps

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: high protein, make ahead, beginner-friendly

These handhelds are a great way to use up leftover chicken (or pick up a rotisserie bird, if you don’t have any on hand). The recipe calls for sautéing the mushrooms, but save yourself the effort by using them raw. Consider your weeknights saved.

Minimalist Baker

25. Rainbow “Raw-Maine” Taco Boats

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, no cook, vegan, gluten free

These little lettuce boats are stuffed with all sorts of goodies—veggies, avocados, quick beet hummus—and drizzled with an addictive tahini dressing.

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

26. Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, no cook, special occasion-worthy

This salad is almost too pretty to eat...though we plan on taking one for the team and doing it anyway. Plus, with smoked tofu and sliced avocado in the mix, it’s hearty enough for a full meal.

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

27. Lunch Kebabs with Mortadella, Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, make ahead, no cook

They’re called lunch kebabs, but we’ve been known to eat them for dinner after a long day at the office too. Use your favorite brown bread and store-bought pesto to make them.

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

28. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles

Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: vegan, beginner-friendly, no cook

Swapping the noodles for cucumber zoodles in this takeout favorite makes it a million times more refreshing. And adding store-bought tofu makes the meal satiating while keeping it light.

The simple veganista

29. Sonoma Chickpea Salad

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, no cook, <30 minutes

Whip up this protein-packed vegan dish in 15 minutes flat. Close your eyes, take a bite and you'll be surprised that you don't even miss the chicken.

Lauren V. Allen/Chévre

30. Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Chèvre Ranch

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <30 minutes

OK, so you have to boil the peas for two minutes—but we promise this dish is worth the brief cooking. Full warning: You won't be able to quit the Chèvre ranch dressing once you taste its magic.

PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL

31. Avocado Chicken Salad

Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, no cook, high protein

The only way to improve a classic chicken salad? First, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken so you don't have to cook the poultry yourself. Then, add avocado for extra flavor and creaminess.

32. Chilled Cucumber Salad

Time Commitment: 1 hour and 35 minutes (includes chilling time)
Why We Love It: vegan, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, no cook, <10 ingredients

So damn refreshing. Odds are you already have all the ingredients too, considering there are only five of them. It'll fit right in at any barbecue or cookout.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

33. Fruit and Cheese Board

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, no cook

Isn't she lovely? Swap meat for seasonal produce like cherries, mangos and peaches for a light take on charcuterie (ahem, fruicuterie).

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

34. Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon

Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients

Fancy enough for a backyard dinner with friends, yet so mind-blowingly simple. The only cooking you'll have to do is warm, toast or grill the store-bought flatbread.

PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO/STYLING: SARAH COPELAND

35. Spring Crudités with Romesco Sauce

Time Commitment: 45 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegan

Just like salad, only ten times more fun to eat (and easier on the eyes). Use store-bought roasted peppers to make the sauce no-cook, or just roll with whatever dressing you have in the fridge.

Feasting at Home

36. Moroccan Watermelon Salad with Pistachio

Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, one bowl

Starring summer's favorite melon and lots of salty feta. Pistachios, red onion and cucumber offer just the right dose of crunch to the refreshing dish.

Ambitious Kitchen

37. The Easiest Chopped Greek Chickpea Salad

Time Commitment: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, one bowl, no cook

Canned chickpeas have saved dinner at our house more times than we can count. You'll love them tossed in lemon-garlic dressing.

38. Avocado Caprese Wrap

Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, vegetarian, no cook

Because you can never go wrong with avocado *or* balsamic vinaigrette. Zhuzh them up by adding shredded chicken, prosciutto, salami or grated Parm to each wrap.

Cookie and Kate

39. No-Noodle Pad Thai

Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, make ahead, beginner-friendly, no cook

Come for the raw zucchini, carrot and daikon ribbons. Stay for the lime-honey peanut sauce (or use agave instead of honey to make it vegan).

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

40. Greek Wedge Salad

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, no cook

Contrary to popular belief, wedge salads don't need to be buried in blue cheese and bacon. Here, crisp iceberg lettuce is doused in a zippy homemade vinaigrette instead.

Photo/Styling: Katherine Gillen

41. Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, beginner friendly, no cook

This sammy is endlessly riffable. Use capers, olives or pickles instead of pepperoncini, Greek yogurt instead of mayo or even hot sauce instead (or in addition to) crushed red pepper flakes.

What's Gaby Cooking

42. Melon Caprese Skewers

Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, no cook, kid-friendly

Sweet, juicy honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon are just the pairing for creamy mozz and salty prosciutto. Don't even get us started on the basil vinaigrette.

I Am a Food Blog

43. Miso Tuna Salad

Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, high protein, <10 ingredients, one bowl, no cook

Holy umami. Bring on the miso paste and Japanese mayo for this bold rendition of tuna salad that pairs just as seamlessly with roasted seaweed sheets as it does crackers.

RELATED: 31 Easy Dinners for One That Are Too Delicious to Share

For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.

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