When it comes to weeknight cooking, Summer days are both good and bad; on the one hand, pristine produce abound at the market, but on the other, balmier evenings demand lighter, oven- and stove-free meals that come together in a heartbeat. Keep reading to see all the delectable ways to get dinner on the table without cranking up the heat in your kitchen.
Tomato Salad With Chickpeas, Avocado, and Cucumber
Rainbow-bright and plenty filling, a tomato salad with chickpeas, avocado, and cucumber [1] is an ideal Summer meal.
Ahi Tuna Avocado Toast
For a Hawaiian spin on classic avocado toast [2] (also a great no-cook option), toss cubed sushi-grade tuna and avocado [3] with a miso-ginger dressing.
Acai Bowl
When temperatures are truly scorching, a fruit-packed acai bowl [4] is a fabulous breakfast-for-dinner meal.
Greek Salad
Fast, easy, and refreshing thanks to ample quantities of cool, crisp produce like cucumbers and tomatoes, classic Greek salad [5] is practically tailor-made for hot Summer nights.
Ham, Cheese, and Avocado Sandwich
Cooking for a crowd? Try an easy-to-eat ham, cheese, and avocado sandwich [6] that's a snap to scale up or down depending on how many mouths you have to feed.
Cucumber-Avocado Tuna Hand Rolls
Contrary to what you may believe, hand rolls [7] are a cinch to make at home. Here, cucumber, avocado, tuna, sriracha Greek-yogurt "fayo," and sprouts combine for a satiating bite.
Cucumber Avocado Caprese Salad
The classic caprese salad goes from side dish to satisfying meal with the addition of crisp cucumber chunks and rich and creamy avocado [8].
Turkey Club Sandwiches
This isn't any old club sandwich; it's the best darn club sandwich in the world [9], thanks to the additions of avocado, honey mustard, and cheddar cheese.
Lemony Lentil and Chickpea Salad
This hearty salad [10] becomes no-cook when made with canned chickpeas and packaged steamed lentils. All told, it'll only take about 20 minutes to prepare.
Cheese, Bread, and Fruit
Less a recipe and more a suggestion for a soul-satisfying solo meal, this is your guide to making a delightful meal of bread, cheese, fruit, and veggies [11].
Southwestern Chopped Salad With Cilantro-Lime Dressing
A Greek-yogurt-based dressing [12] adds plenty of flavor and richness to corn, black beans, tomatoes, avocado, and lettuce.
Spicy Tuna Salad With Cucumber Noodles
If you love spicy tuna rolls, this cucumber-noodle-based salad [13] is for you.
Italian Deli Sandwich
Treat yourself to a three-meat Italian deli sandwich [14].
Watermelon, Radish, and Avocado Tacos
Whether you call them tacos or lettuce wraps, these refreshing nibbles [15] let bright Summer produce shine and are an ideal light meal.
Chickpea, Tomato, and Feta Salad With Pomegranate-Molasses Dressing
Celebrate peak tomato season with this simple chickpea, tomato, herb, and feta salad [16].
Vegan Veggie and Hummus Sandwich
Tuck hummus, sliced cucumber, avocado, sprouts, and tomatoes between two slices of bread for a hearty vegan sandwich [17].
Cowboy Caviar
Whether you serve it with corn chips as a salsa or eat it plain, do try this Texan bean salad [18].
Avocado-Tuna Salad With Cucumber Noodles
Crisp cucumber and creamy avocado freshen up classic tuna salad [19].
No-Noodle Pad Thai
Get your pad thai fix without dialing in for takeout with this lighter shredded-vegetable salad [20] that's inspired by the popular noodle dish.
Black Bean, Bell Pepper, and Corn Salad
Part salsa, part salad, and all fabulous, this bright combination of black beans [21], bell peppers, corn, and radishes is finished off with a zesty orange dressing.
Marinated Chickpea Salad
This crave-worthy marinated chickpea salad [22] is more than worth the extra time spent dicing and mincing, as it's even tastier the next day. Take leftovers to work for a satisfying brown-bag lunch.
Spiralized Sushi Bowl With Salmon and Avocado
Nope, that's not rice; the base is spiralized daikon "rice," making this salmon chirashi bowl [23] a fully no-cook affair.
Vegetarian Taco Salad
No stove is required to brown beef in this meatless taco salad [24]. Rather, it's chock-full of different textures and flavors, from crunchy jicama to salty queso fresco.
Salmon Wasabi Cream Cheese Sandwich
Inspired by a sushi roll, this bold smoked salmon sandwich [25] is a cinch to make.