7 No-Cook Healthy Summer Meals

Oh baby it’s hot outside. When the temperatures soar, it’s too hot to turn on the oven, or even to lean over bubbling pots. so, why not make some cool refreshing no-cook meals instead?

These seven healthy dishes that range from soup to dessert and everything in between are perfect for summer meals. From picnics to potlucks, there is something for everyone. So check them out and keep the heat out of the kitchen.

Fresh Gazpacho

This cold no-cook soup hits the spot when it is hot outside. The best part about this recipe from Veggiecurean is that you probably already have all the ingredients in your garden or kitchen. All you have to do is blend plum or Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, mint, chives, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and black pepper. It only takes 10 minutes to make this healthy salad.. After all, who wants to waste time in the kitchen when summer fun beckons.

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Antipasto Salad

A no-cook summer salad with a lemony, garlicky dressing, and salami from bon appetit is a summer favorite. Long sweet peppers are the highlight of this Italian style salad. Look for yellow, sweet banana, Hungarian, or cubanelle peppers in your farmer’s market or use colorful bell peppers instead.

Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps

Wraps are the perfect healthy summer food to eat outdoors. You can use burrito sized tortillas or lettuce to make these colorful wraps from Ambitious Kitchen. Shred the veggies in a food processor and use leftover chicken breast or tofu for a veggie option. You can make the peanut sauce ahead of time but wait to put it on just before serving. This makes a great outdoor meal.

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Watermelon Fire and Ice Salsa

Here’s a summer take on traditional tortilla chips and salsa. This recipe from allrecipes replaces tomatoes with watermelon. Jalapeno peppers give it the kick. All you have to do is chop, mix and serve with chips or use it as a topping for grilled meats.

Ultimate Caprese Salad

This seasonal salad from bon appetit can only be made when tomatoes are at their peak. It uses cherry tomatoes and mixed medium and large tomatoes – heirloom ones are best – so check at a local farm stand or farmer’s market. The rest of the ingredients are buffalo mozzarella, olive oil, sea salt, coarse black pepper, and basil leaves. It’s so simple, it almost makes itself.

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Summer Tuna Salad

This gluten free, low carb, paleo summer tuna salad from I’d Rather Be A Chef is great for picnic meals because you can eat it on top of lettuce and tomatoes or on a sandwich. The herbs, artichokes, and peppers give it a distinctly Mediterranean  twist and it only takes 10 minutes to make.

Easy No-Bake Cheesecake

Desserts do not have to go in the oven. Cookies & Cups has a simple no-bake recipe that is easy to make. You can make or buy a commercially prepared graham cracker crust and fill it with the creamy mousse-like filling and topped the cheesecake with fresh seasonal fruit like blueberries or strawberries

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