You’re Going to Want to Cool Down With These 29 Recipes

When the heat is dragging you down, cool down with these recipes that are easy to throw together and don’t ask much from you. These are the kinds of meals that let you skip the stove, skip the sweat, and still eat something that feels fresh and put-together. Whether you're dealing with sticky weather or just want something lighter, this is the kind of list that makes dinner feel less like a chore and more like a smart move.

Citrus Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Mexican Fruit Cup

Watermelon, mango, and Tajín make this fruit cup fast, cold, and easy to throw together. It’s a go-to when it’s hot out and you don’t feel like cooking.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Fruit Cup

Heirloom Caprese Salad

An overhead photo of caprese salad served in a white bowl. — Heirloom Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

With just six ingredients, this Caprese salad comes together in minutes and skips the stove. It’s great for days when fresh and easy is the goal.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Caprese Salad

Strawberry Fields Salad

This strawberry salad is light and fast, built for when it’s too hot to do much. It’s a simple way to use fresh fruit without needing to cook.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Fields Salad

Chickpea Chopped Salad

Chickpeas and crunchy vegetables come together in this chopped salad with barely any prep. It’s a smart move when you want something cool, filling, and no-cook.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Chopped Salad

Chopped Italian Sandwich

Italian meats, cheese, and pepperoncini stack into a sandwich that doesn’t need heat. Great for days when the stove stays off but lunch still needs to get made.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sandwich

Citrus Salad

Grapefruit, oranges, and mandarins make this citrus salad bright and crisp. It’s a fresh option for hot weather when you want something that perks you up.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Salad

Melon Prosciutto Salad

Melon and prosciutto bring a salty-sweet combo that comes together in minutes. This one’s perfect when you're keeping things light and cold.
Get the Recipe: Melon Prosciutto Salad

Chickpea Tuna Salad

Chickpeas stand in for tuna in this plant-based salad that works in bowls or sandwiches. It’s a strong pick for lunch when you’re not turning on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Tuna Salad

Mexican Corn Salad

This Mexican corn salad is packed with flavor and only takes a few minutes to mix. It’s a great side when it’s too hot to deal with the oven.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Salad

Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans

An image of cranberry salad with pecans served in a white salad bowl with a fork on the side. — Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Goat cheese, cranberries, and pecans come together with almost no prep. It’s quick, cold, and makes a strong case for skipping hot meals.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cranberry Salad with Pecans

Beet Salad with Feta

Beets, feta, and pistachios make this salad feel put together without much effort. It works well as a light meal or side when it’s too hot to cook.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad with Feta

Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono

A black bowl of Japanese cucumber salad garnished with sesame seeds. — Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Japanese cucumber salad is crisp, cold, and comes together fast. A smart pick when you want something cooling and clean.
Get the Recipe: Japanese Cucumber Salad or Sunomono

Daikon Salad

Daikon and carrots with a quick dressing make this salad light and crunchy. It’s an easy option for when the weather calls for something cold and simple.
Get the Recipe: Daikon Salad

Kale Salad With Cranberries

This kale salad gets texture from cranberries and nuts, plus a citrusy dressing that’s fast to throw on. It’s a great cold option when you don’t want extra prep.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad With Cranberries

Vegan Niçoise Salad

An image of vegan nicoise salad served on a big bowl. — Vegan Niçoise Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Chickpeas, crunchy vegetables, and vinaigrette make this Niçoise-style salad fast and filling. It’s a smart way to cool off while still eating something solid.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Niçoise Salad

Veggie Pinwheels

Veggie pinwheels with hummus are easy to prep and pack in minutes. A solid pick for lunch when the kitchen’s off-limits.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pinwheels

Tofu Spring Rolls With Apple

Tofu, apples, herbs, and crunchy veggies wrap into quick spring rolls. They’re a cool meal that doesn’t ask you to cook anything.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Spring Rolls With Apple

Zesty Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Chickpeas, pickles, and spices mix into a sandwich filling in minutes. A good no-cook lunch when time and heat are both working against you.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Russian Korean-Style Kohlrabi Salad

This kohlrabi salad is crunchy, bright, and loaded with flavor from a tangy garlic marinade. It’s fast and cold, great when you’re avoiding anything heavy.
Get the Recipe: Russian Korean-Style Kohlrabi Salad

Lemony Asparagus Salad

Asparagus, lemon, and sharp cheese make this salad feel fresh and easy. It’s a clean option that works when you want to keep heat out of the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Lemony Asparagus Salad

Italian Chopped Salad

Crisp vegetables and a simple vinaigrette make this chopped salad quick and refreshing. It’s one of those meals that makes skipping the stove feel like a win.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad

Tomato Burrata Salad

Tomatoes and burrata come together fast with herbs and bread on the side. This one’s great when you want something that feels like a meal without needing to cook.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Burrata Salad

Mango Avocado Salad

An overhead image of avocado salad in a serving bowl. — Mango Avocado Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie

Mango and avocado tossed in lemon vinaigrette make this salad fresh and quick. It’s built for hot days when you don’t want to overthink dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Spinach Avocado Salad

Spinach, avocado, radishes, and cotija come together fast with citrus dressing. It’s a cold, crisp meal that skips the stove.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad

Simple Chopped Salad

An overhead image of vegan chopped salad in a bowl with a serving spoon in the middle. — Simple Chopped Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This vegan chopped salad is loaded with veggies and ready in minutes. It’s a smart move when you want something different but don’t want to cook.
Get the Recipe: Simple Chopped Salad

Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich

Rotisserie chicken, almonds, and dressing mix into a quick salad that works cold. It’s great when lunch needs to happen without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich

Veggie Taco Salad

This vegetarian taco salad is layered and fresh, with no need for heat. It’s a strong lunch option for hot days.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Taco Salad

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Black beans and tangy dressing mix together fast for a no-cook salad. A good pick when you’re tired of the usual and want something cold.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Easy Caprese Salad

Tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic glaze make this Caprese salad fast and fresh. Great for parties or any night when you need something easy and cool.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad