Summer heatwaves are rolling in and the last thing you want is to be stuck in a hot kitchen. Keep your kitchen cool with these simple and refreshing recipes that require minimal prep time and no kitchen heat at all. We've compiled our favorite no-cook recipes that work perfectly for lunch or dinner, using fresh produce and pre-cooked proteins.

Cold Soups 🥣

If you haven't tried gazpacho before, you're seriously missing out. By simply blending a few raw ingredients together, you can create a deliciously savory soup or drink - serve with bread and salad for the perfect summer meal.

Simple Gazpacho

  1. Chop up 5 tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 1/2 onion, 1 bell pepper
  2. Add to a blender with 1-2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons vinegar (e.g. apple cider, sherry), 3 tablespoons olive oil. Blend until smooth.
  3. Season with salt and pepper, add water for a thinner consistency
  4. Chill in the fridge and serve cold!

New York based author Ricardo takes this soup up a notch by salting and freezing his vegetables first to draw out more liquid, but you can always skip these steps to save time:

Gazpacho (Cold Tomato Soup) Recipe by Ricardo
This ingenious method published by Kenji López-Alt extracts more liquid from the vegetables than just processing in the blender.
CookpadRicardo

Try this avocado variation for a boost of healthy fats and a wonderfully creamy texture:

Green watercress and Avocado Gazpacho 🌱 Recipe by Rachel
I love gazpacho and I decided to make a green version as part of my green cooking project. Chilled soup is so refreshing and delicious. This was perfect on a sunny day, enjoyed al fresco in the garden. This is packed full of healthy green veggies - I’ve been getting creative on the kitchen and this …
CookpadRachel
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Bean Salads 🫘

Get a kick of plant based protein with these no-cook salads. Eat them on their own, in a wrap, or even as a dip with some tortilla chips.

Healthy Summer 3 Bean Salad Recipe by Stacey Jones
This salad is jam packed with flavor and full of crunchy veggies. It’s perfect served on pita chips, in a wrap with some chicken or on top of a salad.
CookpadStacey Jones

Sydney-based author Adrian packs a punch with this refreshingly easy salad, containing three types of canned protein (beans, lentils, and fish!) all found in your pantry.

Mixed Beans and Lentil Salad Recipe by Adrian T
What’s for dinner when you’re not in the mood to cook? This recipe requires no heat, very minimal chopping, and the hardest part is opening cans of your pantry staples!
CookpadAdrian T
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Got leftovers?

Use pre-cooked chicken or shrimp to create crunchy salads with fresh chopped produce like cabbage, tomatoes, and cucumber.

LOW CARB | Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad Recipe by Kerrie Snider Owen
Great recipe for LOW CARB | Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad.
CookpadKerrie Snider Owen
Fresh & Easy Shrimp Salad with Lemon, Red Wine Vinegar, & Dill Dressing Recipe by x
Brunch on the patio with the family is one of my favorite things to do on a Sunday. I threw this together today with ingredients I had on hand, and it was perfect for gorgeous al fresco dining. :)
Cookpadx
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Summer Rolls ⛱️

With slightly more prep and a little bit of dexterity, you can also use cooked chicken or prawns to create Vietnamese summer rolls, the uncooked cousin of spring rolls. You might need some hot water to soften your rice noodles, but these rolls will be worth it.  Yui Miles' recipe will show you how to use rice paper sheets to make beautifully presented rolls.

Vietnamese summer rolls 🌈 Recipe by Yui Miles
Here is my Vietnamese summer rolls that me and Emily cooked live on IG. We used ingredients that we have in our fridge and store cupboard even picked up our homegrown pansies in our garden too! It’s so easy and tasty to make. Give it a go and eat your rainbow 🌈😋👍🏻 #summerrolls #vietnameserolls #…
CookpadYui Miles
Mango, Chicken and Veggie Summer Rolls Recipe by Izzy@ditching_the_apron
Sunny lunch breaks at home mean summery lunches like these healthy and light Mango, Chicken and Veggie Summer Rolls. Great to use any fridge leftovers you have; meat, veg, fruit, noodles, salad, herbs - everything works! So can easily be veggie/vegan friendly with some tofu or more veggies. I’ve inc…
CookpadIzzyditching_the_apron
This recipe includes 3 delicious dipping sauces to go with your rolls!
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What are your go-to meals when it gets too hot? Share them with us on Cookpad! 🍳

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