Step away from the oven! There’s no reason to slave away over a hot stove when these simple and delicious recipes are here to help you escape the heat. Try chop-and-drop salads, easy-to-assemble sandwiches, chilled soups, creamy dips, and other cool ideas. Some rely on staples you’ve might already have in the pantry or fridge, others come together in minutes with the flick of a switch on the blender or toaster.
Check out these no-sweat summer recipes, featuring top healthy food bloggers from around the web.
Photo courtesy of Foodie Crush
Classic Gazpacho
Find the full recipe on Foodie Crush
Rev your blenders: Sweet summer tomatoes make the best gazpacho, no simmering required. Serve with crusty bread and Spanish cheese or chilled prawns.
Photo courtesy of Linda Wagner
Creamy Corn Gazpacho
Find the full recipe on Linda Wagner
Cold soups go way beyond the classic. Try this creamy corn chowder, or a more modern cucumber and avocado. Either would be delicious with a pile of fresh crab meat.
Photo courtesy of Damn Delicious
Southwestern Chopped Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Find the full recipe on Damn Delicious
Chop-and-drop salads are a lifesaver for lazy cooks everywhere. Try this rib-sticking southwestern combo with black beans and sweet corn. Leftover grilled steak would kick up the protein.
Photo courtesy of Simply Whisked
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Find the full recipe on Simply Whisked
Chickpeas are practically the other protein. Left whole or in hummus form, they make any salad a little more satisfying.
Photo courtesy of Feasting at Home
Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad with Pickled Vegetables
Find the full recipe on Feasting at Home
This is not your mama’s ramen noodle salad. You can soak rice noodles in warm water, so no boiling. Throw in generous handfuls of veggies and herbs, and some shrimp, if you’re feeling fancy.
Photo courtesy of Foodie Crush
Zucchini & Corn Salad with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
Find the full recipe on Foodie Crush
Zucchini ribbons are super pretty, but you also don’t have to cook them. Score. Toss with a zippy vinaigrette, and throw in some tuna to call it dinner.
Photo courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Caprese Toast with Burrata Cheese & Avocados
Find the full recipe on Half Baked Harvest
Take the toast trend into summer with juicy heirloom tomatoes. You could grill your bread, but you really don’t have to. That’s what toasters are for.
Photo courtesy of Jelly Toast
Smoked Salmon Toast
Find the full recipe on Jelly Toast
If you’ve got a packet of smoked salmon and a hardboiled egg, that totally counts as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Smoked salmon is high in sodium, but a few slices won’t put you over, and those omega 3 fatty acids are a redeeming feature. Make your sammy toast Scandinavian cool with pumpernickel, capers, and dill. But whole-wheat, cucumber, and sprouts are equally refreshing.
Photo courtesy of The Garlic Diaries
BLT Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocados
Find the full recipe on The Garlic Diaries
Make a light salad featuring crab, shrimp, or shredded rotisserie chicken, and mound it on avocado halves. The healthy fats will make your heart sing.
Photo courtesy of Sally’s Baking Addiction
Fresh Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Find the full recipe on Sally’s Baking Addiction
Fresh rolls are the coolest wrap around. Stuff them with your favorite shellfish, fresh veggies, and a cooling touch of mint. Then get serious with some spicy peanut sauce.
Photo courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Greek-Inspired Antipasto Platter
Find the full recipe on Half Baked Harvest
Just put out some snacks and call it dinner. A dollop of hummus, some marinated feta, tart green olives, and lots of fresh veggies make a platter so pretty, you can’t resist digging in.
Hungry for more? Get inspired with recipe roundups for 10 Beautiful Smoothie Bowls and 10 Sweet & Simple Fruit Desserts.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.
Becky Duffett
Becky Duffett is a contributing nutrition editor for Fitbit and a lifestyle writer with a passion for eating well. A former Williams-Sonoma cookbook editor and graduate of San Francisco Cooking School, she’s edited dozens of cookbooks and countless recipes. City living has turned her into a spin addict—but she’d still rather be riding a horse. She lives in the cutest neighborhood in San Francisco, spending weekends at the farmers’ market, trying to read at the bakery, and roasting big dinners for friends.
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