Meals That Don T Require Cooking

Crab Rolls

Credit: Marcus Nilsson

The last thing you want to do on a hot summer day is add to the misery by lighting up a burner to cook. Enter these refreshingly easy no-cook dinners and lunch ideas. They're super-simple to pull together, often using rotisserie chicken, precooked shrimp, deli meat, or meatless proteins to make it more hearty. And since they're no-cook, they're refreshing on the hottest days.

Work your way through a whole month's worth of healthy no-cook meals to get you through the summer.

RELATED: 17 Simple Ways to Beat the Heat

Nicoise-Inspired Summer Salad

Nicoise Inspired Summer Salad

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Buy pre-cooked hard-boiled eggs to make this colorful take on the classic French salad super-easy to assemble.

Fancy Tomato Sandwiches

Credit: Greg DuPree

Optimize your use of summer produce by putting tomatoes front and center on these sandwiches. A little arugula gives it a peppery bite.

Summer Tacos With Scallion-Peanut Relish

Credit: Jen Causey

Quick pickles and a fresh spicy peanut relish dress up rotisserie chicken to create this flavorful recipe perfect for a summer night.

Japanese-Style Shrimp Salad

Japanese-Style Shrimp Salad Recipe

Credit: Greg DuPree

A soy sauce and sesame oil dressing freshens up this tasty Asian-inspired salad.

Peach, Basil, and Almond Panzanella

Credit: Joyce Lee

This tweak on the classic bread salad makes a hearty no-cook lunch or dinner.

(Or try the classic recipe using a stale crusty loaf instead of toasting the bread.)

Nectarine and Burrata Salad

Nectarine Burrata Salad

Credit: Greg DuPree

Quick-pickling onions technically requires 30 seconds of microwaving—but it's worth it for this fresh and healthy no-cook recipe.

(P.S. If you don't love nectarines, try it with peaches, cherries, apricots—or a combo of what's best from the farmer's market.)

Tangy Shrimp Salad

Tangy Shrimp Salad With Summer Vegetables

Credit: Con Poulos

Use precooked shrimp instead of boiling them and this no-cook recipe comes together in minutes.

Pesto Chicken Salad

Credit: Annie Schlecter

Rotisserie chicken, some pre-made pesto, and a dash of mayo are all you need for this flavorful salad, which could be served over greens or on crusty bread for a light lunch.

Chilled Sweet Pea and Watercress Soup

Credit: Marcus Nilsson

Blend together a few key ingredients to create this creamy, peppery soup.

Rotisserie BBQ Chicken Salad

Rotisserie BBQ Chicken Salad Recipe

Credit: Victor Protasio

Chopping vegetables is the toughest part of creating this flavorful salad. (It's also a healthier way to get that BBQ flavor.)

Hazelnut Bushwacker Cake

Hazelnut Bushwacker Cake Recipe

Need a sweet dessert to finish off your no-cook meal? Layers of cookies and Nutella-infused whipped cream make a super-easy (and super-impressive) treat.

Poke Lettuce Cups With Wasabi-Lime Mayo

Credit: Jen Causey

Looking for a healthy no-cook recipe? Try this twist on traditional Hawaiian poke, which puts the fresh veggies and raw tuna into a lettuce wrap in lieu of putting it over rice.

Spicy Street Corn Salad

Credit: Jen Causey

This fresh take on the classic Mexican street food elote features a hint of spice—and makes a perfect no-cook dinner.

Coconut-Marinated Shrimp With Cucumber and Jicama

Credit: Jen Causey

This super-easy, Asian-inspired no-cook meal is the perfect take-along for a summer picnic.

Crab Rolls

Credit: Marcus Nilsson

Crisp radishes, celery, and apples provide a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the creamy mayo in this classic sandwich recipe.

Sesame-Lime Chicken Salad

Credit: Marcus Nilsson

A store-bought rotisserie chicken makes this Asian-influenced meal a snap to throw together.

Zucchini and Bean Salad with Bulgur

Zucchini and Bean Salad With Bulgur

Credit: Marcus Nilsson

Nutritious bulgur makes a hearty base for this delicious meatless salad.

Cucumber-Avocado Soup with Prosciutto Toasts

Cucumber-Avocado Soup With Prosciutto Toasts

Credit: Marcus Nilsson

Puree cucumbers, avocado, yogurt, tarragon, and lemon zest together to create a cool, creamy soup.

Marinated Shrimp with Mediterranean Salad

Marinated Shrimp With Mediterranean Salad

Credit: Anna Williams

Use this easy mixture of lemon juice, fresh basil, and olive oil to infuse shrimp with flavor.

Gazpacho with Goat Cheese

Gazpacho With Goat Cheese

Credit: Anna Williams

Pulse tomatoes, garlic, onion, bell peppers, and cucumbers in your food processor to create this healthy summer soup. (Serve it in small shot glasses as a fun, upscale no-cook appetizer!)

Roast Beef Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Roast Beef Salad With Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Credit: Anna Williams

A dressing made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon mustard pulls together this simple salad that's a perfect no-cook lunch idea.

Creamy Shrimp Rolls

Credit: Anna Williams

Chopped celery and crisp butter lettuce add a nice crunch to this summertime classic dish.

Cool Southwestern Salad with Corn and Avocado

Cool Southwestern Salad With Corn and Avocado

Credit: Con Poulos

Serve this salad with tortilla chips or turn it into a portable meal by wrapping the salad in a large burrito.

Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Shrimp

Mediterranean Chopped Salad With Shrimp

Credit: Con Poulos

Sweet onions, crumbled feta, and briny Kalamata olives punch up this healthy no-cook recipe.

Beef, Watercress, and Peach Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Beef, Watercress, and Peach Salad With Lime Vinaigrette

Credit: Anna Williams

Fresh peaches add a surprising sweet, summery note to this no-cook meal.

Chilled Cucumber Soup with Salami, Feta, and Olives

Chilled Cucumber Soup With Salami, Feta, and Olives

Credit: Alex Farnum

This tasty cold soup gets an unexpected kick of heat from pureed jalapeño peppers.

Smashed White Bean and Avocado Club

Credit: John Kernick

Create an easy sandwich spread (for a no-cook, meatless lunch) by mashing white beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Chicken Salad with Grapes and Blue Cheese

Chicken Salad With Grapes and Blue Cheese

Credit: Anna Williams

Tangy blue cheese and sweet grapes give chicken salad a delicious spin.

Chicken and Dill Souvlaki

Credit: Anna Williams

Sliced cucumbers and onions add a refreshing crispness that brightens up the rotisserie chicken and creamy yogurt.

Minty Chickpea Salad with Couscous

Minty Chickpea Salad With Couscous

Credit: Anna Williams

To turn this into a crowd-pleasing picnic salad, toss the chickpea and tomato mixtures with cooked pasta instead of couscous.

Chicken Salad with Herbs and Radicchio

Chicken Salad With Herbs and Radicchio

Credit: Anna Williams

Toss in carrots, scallions, and chopped tarragon to jazz up shredded chicken.

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