Who wants to turn on the stove, or worse, the oven, when the summer temperatures start rising? Summer can get very steamy, especially when those August dog days roll around. Cooking definitely heats up the house, and when the temps are up there, appetites aren’t necessarily that big either. Many times, parents opt for takeout or a local restaurant. The problem with that is eating out is expensive and it’s not very healthy. Thankfully, there are plenty of super-tasty and easy no-cook summer meals.
No-cook summer meals don’t have to mean just salads. Salads are a perfect pick for summer, but they aren’t always the dish of choice for the kiddos. So, if you’re looking for dinner ideas that don’t involve cooking, try these no-cook meals the entire family will enjoy.
No-cook meals for summer
Heat waves are a part of summer. Of course, they’re not as much fun as playing in the waves at the beach, especially when you have to make dinner. After a long, hot day at camp and work, the last thing busy parents want to do is turn on the oven or stove. Next time you’re faced with the option of heating up the house or ordering takeout, try one of these simple and delicious no-cook meals that aren’t just for summer.
Tuna avocado wraps
Tuna is a household staple. It’s also a super simple and quick meal. Add in avocado and you have an amazingly healthy meal. There are a couple of different ways to whip up a tuna avocado wrap. One is to mix up the tuna fish the way you like it. Add in a squirt of lemon juice and toss in some sliced avocado. You can enjoy the tuna and avocado on lettuce slices or a tortilla. If you need some inspiration or want to change up your usual tuna, Good Housekeeping has a delish recipe. For some crunch, try Tasty’s recipe.
Roast beef and tomato sandwich pizza
When the temps are in the red, a traditional pizza can be too heavy. Instead, try this easy and yummy sandwich pizza recipe from Taste of Home. The wonderful thing about this recipe is you can change it to suit your kiddos. It works with turkey, too, instead of roast beef. You can even do cheese.
Tomato and avocado sandwiches
If your kiddos love avocados and hummus, these tomato and avocado sandwiches from Taste of Home are a definite do for lunch or dinner. All you need is your favorite bread, tomatoes, hummus, and avocados.
Chicken and apple salad with greens
If you have leftover chicken and your kids don’t dive under the table at the thought of salad for dinner, serve up this ridiculously easy and fabulous chicken apple salad. The recipe calls for mixed greens, but you can substitute the greens of your choice.
Arugula and hummus mini pizzas
Naan bread is the ideal choice when it comes to making a no-cook pizza. Allrecipes has a great no-cook recipe for arugula and hummus mini pizzas. You can also substitute any greens your kids will eat.
Sandwiches
The best no-cook meal on a super-hot summer night is sandwiches. Whether you use leftovers, rotisserie chicken, or your favorite lunch meats, sandwiches are always a no-cook meal everyone can get on board with.
Yogurt parfaits
Cool off by making a yogurt parfait for dinner. All you need is Greek yogurt, fruit, and granola. Just alternate layers of yogurts and summertime fruit staples like blueberries, strawberries, and peaches. Top off with granola. Greek yogurt works best because of the protein, but if the kiddos are picky, use their favorite one.
Salads are always a healthy and easy option for a no-cook summer meal. A traditional tossed salad, though, can be boring and not always a kid fav. If you want to mix things up this summer when the temperatures are skyrocketing, try these no-cook meals. They are simple to make, healthy, always delicious, and won’t heat up the house.
