When the summer heat wave strikes, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven. Even the idea of standing over a hot outdoor grill sounds unbearable. In times like these, it's best to toss a fresh meal together that won't weigh you down in the heat.
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No-cook recipes are your answer. They're fresh, tasty, and best of all, they keep you cool. Leave the grill and oven for another day, and whip up these 11 fresh no-cook recipes for the summer meal you've been craving.
1. Watermelon Mint Aged Goat Cheese
The summer would not be complete without a juicy watermelon recipe. If you're looking for something on the light side, then try this Watermelon Mint Aged Goat Cheese recipe. Creamy, fresh, and incredibly juicy, you'll be eating it all season.
Don't have mint? Try basil instead. It's just as refreshing.
2. Summer Kale Salad
With berries ripe for the picking, this Summer Kale Salad is at its peak freshness. Simply and refreshing, this will be your go-to for a leafy summer salad.
3. Fresh Caprese Salad with a Twist
Caprese salads are good, but this one is grand. Using a variety of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, a few radishes, basil micro-herb, and a light apple cider vinegar dressing, the twist on this recipe changes how you think of caprese.
Get the recipe here.
4. Classic Gazpacho
When it's too hot to eat, then you need Real Spanish Gazpacho. Gazpacho is a summertime staple that never gets old. Slightly acid, and insanely fresh, all you have to do is chop your veggies, blend, then cool. Now your ready for the meal of the season.
5. White Fish Ceviche
Ok, so this is kind of cheating because technically the acid from the lime cooks the fish. But you didn't have to turn on that oven right? So it counts.
The trick to White Fish Ceviche is choosing a semi-firm white fish, and then letting it marinate in the juices for at least 15 minutes. The longer it sits, the longer the juices cook the fish, so don't let it rest too long. Once it's done, add your fresh ingredients and it's ready to serve.
6. Salmon Poké Bowl
So like ceviche, poké involves the fish to marinade in an acid base. If you're looking for a good base, try this Salmon Poké Bowl recipe. A take on the original tuna based poké, the salmon rests in a sesame oil, rice vinegar, and coconut aminos marinade. It's then paired with crisp cucumber, nori, and creamy avocados, for a poké bowl fit for summer.
Also, when choosing your salmon, be sure to select a sustainable, sushi-grade fish. The better the quality, the better the bowl.
7. Smoked Salmon and Avocado Summer Rolls
When it's blazing hot outside, nothing sounds better than Smoked Salmon and Avocado Summer Rolls. With store bought smoked salmon and fresh ingredients like avocado, cucumber, and sprouts, there's no need to turn on an oven.
Pro tip: If you've never made these before, make sure the rice paper is completely sticky and flimsy before rolling. If there are hard parts on the paper, it won't roll well.
8. Avocado Tuna Salad
The hardest part about this delicious salad is opening a can of tuna. If you can manage not to break too much of a sweat, then you're in for a real treat.
Creamy avocado replaces the need for mayo while the canned tuna means there's no need for heat. Add in crisp cucumber, sliced red onion, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lemon, and you have a real simple no-cook meal ready in a heartbeat.
Get the recipe here.
9. Vegan Black Bean Salad with Avocado
Sometimes, the best no-cook recipes just so happen to also be vegan. This Vegan Black Bean Salad with Avocado has all the fresh ingredients you want with the protein you need.
Corn, tomatoes, avocados, and black beans with a hint of citrus tastes like summer.
10. 15-Minute Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Following the Mediterranean diet is easy with a quick recipe like this. The protein packed chickpeas are loaded with tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta, then topped with a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a tasty summer treat.
If you find that you need something a little extra, toss it into a pita pocket for a quick dinner.
Get the recipe here.
11. No-Cook Zucchini Noodles
Craving pasta, but dreading turning on the stove? Try these No-Cook Zucchini Noodles.
It's incredibly fresh and the zucchini noodles won't weigh you down like carb-loaded pasta.
