• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Parallel Plates
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soups
    • Sides
    • Desserts
  • Resources
×
Home » Recipe Collections

You Only Need a Cutting Board for These 15 No-Cook Meals

Published: Jun 10, 2025 by Shruthi · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

You don’t need a stove, oven, or even much patience for these no cook meals—just grab a cutting board and maybe a sharp knife. These are the kinds of meals you throw together when it’s too hot to deal with heat or you’re just not in the mood to cook. There’s no prepping pans or standing over anything. Just fresh ingredients, a little chopping, and you’re done. It’s the easiest way to eat great food without making a mess or breaking a sweat.

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad in a white bowl being drizzled with cilantro lime dressing.

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Spinach Avocado Salad

An overhead image of spinach avocado salad in a wooden bowl with lemon in the background.
Spinach Avocado Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Spinach, avocado, and raw veggies get a bright citrus finish with zero cooking involved. A great pick when you just need a cutting board and a few minutes.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad

Vegan Niçoise Salad

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

Chickpeas and crisp vegetables make this Niçoise-style salad an easy, no-heat option. It’s a good choice when all you need is a cutting board and a few pantry staples.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Niçoise Salad

Daikon Salad

Overhead image of daikon salad served in a plate.
Daikon Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This daikon and carrot salad is quick to throw together with a tangy-sweet dressing you don’t have to cook. It’s great when you want something simple but different and heat-free.
Get the Recipe: Daikon Salad

Heirloom Caprese Salad

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

Peak-season tomatoes and mozzarella make this six-ingredient salad a quick win. A solid choice for hot days when the only thing you want to use is a cutting board.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Caprese Salad

Chickpea Tuna Salad

An image of chickpea tuna salad in a bowl.
Chickpea Tuna Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Chickpeas stand in for tuna in this quick salad that works in a bowl or stuffed into bread. It’s ready in minutes and keeps the kitchen cool.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Tuna Salad

Italian Chopped Salad

Italian chopped salad in a bowl next to dressing.
Italian Chopped Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Crisp vegetables and a light dressing make this Italian chopped salad come together fast. It’s perfect when you want something fresh without cooking or cleanup.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad

Kale Salad With Cranberries

A horizontal image of kale salad with cranberries.
Kale Salad With Cranberries. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Kale, cranberries, lemon, and nuts make this salad crunchy and quick. A strong pick for hot days when turning on the oven isn’t happening.
Get the Recipe: Kale Salad With Cranberries

Mexican Corn Salad

An overhead image of Mexican corn salad with the ingredients fully mixed together.
Mexican Corn Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This Mexican corn salad brings bold flavor with no need for heat. It’s quick to prep and works well when all you’ve got is a cutting board and a few minutes.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Corn Salad

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad in a white bowl being drizzled with cilantro lime dressing.
Mediterranean Black Bean Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Black beans and a quick cilantro-lime dressing come together fast with nothing more than a knife and a bowl. This one works well when you want fresh food without turning on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean 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.

Chopped vegetables come together in minutes with barely any prep or cleanup. This one’s great when you need something cold, fast, and no-cook.
Get the Recipe: Simple Chopped Salad

Veggie Pinwheels

An image of veggie pinwheels on a serving plate.
Veggie Pinwheels. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

These veggie pinwheels are quick to roll and don’t need a single appliance. Great when you want a lunch or snack that’s easy and cool.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Pinwheels

Veggie Taco Salad

An overhead image of veggie taco salad in a bowl with a fork.
Veggie Taco Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This taco salad skips the stove and uses all fresh ingredients. It’s a smart pick when the heat’s high and you want your meal fast and cold.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Taco Salad

Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

A bowl of kale salad on a wooden table.
Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Crisp apples and kale get tossed in a creamy dressing for a fast mix of crunch and flavor. A good option for when cooking is off the table.
Get the Recipe: Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Fattoush Salad

Overhead image of a Fattoush Salad in a white bowl.
Fattoush Salad. Photo credit: The Honour System.

Fresh vegetables and a lemon-mint dressing make this Fattoush salad quick and easy. It’s one to reach for when your knife does all the work.
Get the Recipe: Fattoush Salad

Tofu Spring Rolls With Apple

Tofu Spring Rolls With Apple. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

These tofu spring rolls are packed with raw veggies and don’t need any stove time. They’re a solid way to pull together a light meal with just a cutting board.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Spring Rolls With Apple

More Recipe Collections

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Close up headshot

Hi, I'm Shruthi! I am the owner and blogger at Parallel Plates. I love everything about food, and I hope that you can find the best recipe inspiration, trends, hacks, and more here.

More about me →

Popular

  • Overhead image of cozy bowl of potato and sausage chowder with breads on the side.
    Potato And Sausage Chowder
  • Close-up of a bowl of Stuffed Pepper Soup, garnished with parsley, ready to serve.
    Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • A slice of Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars on a white plate in the foreground, with another slice on a pile of plates in the background.
    Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars
  • A serving of Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells on a plate.
    Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Shells

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure & Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up!

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2024 Black Bicycle LLC