Sizzlin' Summer Nights Call For Cold Dinners! Give These 50 Recipes a Try

On muggy and sticky summer nights, sometimes a cold dish sounds tastier than something hot off the stovetop or from the oven. If you've been in this position, we have the dinner ideas for you. From poke bowls to summer salads, cold wraps, and more, there's no shortage of flavorful and delicious chilled recipes that'll cool you down and pack a punch. While a few ingredients may call for cooked shrimp or chicken, keep in mind that they can always be substituted with pre-cooked meat and fish from the store.

Get ready to incorporate these dinners into your recipe book; you'll be surprised by how often you crave them!

01
Grilled Chicken Salad
Fit Foodie Finds

Grilled Chicken Salad

The homemade creamy honey mustard dressing in itself will have you craving this fresh blueberry chicken salad every night of the week.

Get the recipe: grilled chicken salad

02
Macaroni Salad
Shugary Sweets

Macaroni Salad

Whether you choose to have it as a side dish or a full meal, this macaroni salad made with pickle brine dressing and tuna won't disappoint.

Get the recipe: macaroni salad

03
Shrimp Ceviche
Delightful Mom Food

Shrimp Ceviche

Not only is this summer salad fresh and delicious, but it's healthy to boot. All it requires is shrimp, vegetables, and zesty citrus flavors!

Get the recipe: shrimp ceviche

04
Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl
foodfaithfitness.com

Spicy Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl

Packed with protein and good-for-you veggies, this poke bowl will take your taste buds to a beachside paradise. Top off your fresh fish with a spicy mayo sauce if you really want to give it a kick.

Get the recipe: spicy ahi tuna poke bowl

05
Shrimp-Stuffed Avocados
averiecooks.com

Shrimp-Stuffed Avocados

Believe it or not, these stuffed avocados can be whipped up in less than 15 minutes! With a mixture of shrimp, tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, and more, you'll be noshing on these every night of the week.

Get the recipe: shrimp-stuffed avocados

06
Spiced Chickpea Yogurt Bowls With Spiralized Cucumbers
inspiralized.com

Spiced Chickpea Yogurt Bowls With Spiralized Cucumbers

Fresh, crunchy, and absolutely delightful, these yogurt bowls feature chickpeas that are spiced with simple seasonings that make them pop when roasted. They're complemented by a tangy Greek yogurt that's seasoned with fresh dill.

Get the recipe: spiced chickpea yogurt bowls with spiralized cucumbers

07
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Quinoa Bowl
lemonsforlulu.com

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Quinoa Bowl

This quinoa bowl is loaded with flavorful Jamaican jerk chicken and colorful fruits and veggies. Each flavor balances out one another while still giving the spiced-up chicken room to shine.

Get the recipe: Jamaican jerk chicken quinoa bowl

08
Classic Potato Salad
themodernproper.com

Classic Potato Salad

Made with Yukon gold potatoes, chives, parsley, Persian cucumbers, pickles, and hard boiled eggs, this potato salad will be your go-to side dish.

Get the recipe: classic potato salad

09
Lemon Orzo Salad
simply-delicious-food.com

Lemon Orzo Salad

This easy lemon orzo salad features cucumbers, radishes, and crumbled feta cheese along with fresh basil and parsley. Make it as a side dish or enjoy it as a full meal.

Get the recipe: lemon orzo salad

10
Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad
Delightful E Made

Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

Sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, avocados, and pickled red onions make this salad a dream. Serve it with freshly grilled chicken or fish to make it a dinner that everyone will enjoy.

Get the recipe: cucumber, tomato, and avocado salad

11
Radish Salad With Yogurt Dill Dressing
themodernproper.com

Radish Salad With Yogurt Dill Dressing

Imagine: tender butter lettuce, blushing radishes, fresh cucumber, creamy avocados, and roasted chickpeas all mixed into one dreamy salad. That's what you get when you indulge in this hearty dish.

Get the recipe: radish salad with yogurt dill dressing

12
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
Well Plated

Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad

Watch out! The best summer veggies of all teamed up to make this colorful and healthy salad. With crumbled feta cheese and chopped cilantro, you'll be scraping your bowl for more.

Get the recipe:: cucumber tomato avocado salad

13
Cucumber Quinoa Salad
Running to the Kitchen

Cucumber Quinoa Salad

This refreshing cucumber quinoa salad is a little like a heartier version of tabbouleh; packed with fiber, protein, and vitamin C, it's an ideal light lunch for a hot day.

Get the recipe: cucumber quinoa salad

14
Rainbow Quinoa Salad With Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette
Little Ferraro Kitchen

Rainbow Quinoa Salad With Honey-Citrus Vinaigrette

Colorful, healthy, and packed with flavor, this rainbow salad will make anyone fall in love with just one bite. Did we mention how good the honey-citrus vinaigrette is?

Get the recipe: rainbow quinoa salad with honey-citrus vinaigrette

15
Shrimp Salad With Jicama, Strawberries, and Avocado
Cookin Canuck

Shrimp Salad With Jicama, Strawberries, and Avocado

Juicy shrimp and sweet strawberries marry together to make this mouthwatering salad. Top it off with sliced nuts or even a hint of basil.

Get the recipe: shrimp salad with jicama, strawberries, and avocado

16
Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad
Averie Cooks

Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad

The perfect barbecue side, this grilled chicken and corn salad will make hot dogs take the back seat. Top it off with crumbled feta, if you so please.

Get the recipe: grilled chicken and corn salad

17
Greek Chickpea, Cucumber, Tomato, and Farro Salad
Cookie + Kate

Greek Chickpea, Cucumber, Tomato, and Farro Salad

This ravishing salad is about as gorgeous as they come. With light cucumbers, hearty chickpeas, and juicy tomatoes, you'll want to eat this for every meal of the day.

Get the recipe: Greek chickpea, cucumber, tomato, and farro salad

18
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
Well Plated

Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad

Watch out! The best summer veggies of all teamed up to make this colorful and healthy salad. With crumbled feta cheese and chopped cilantro, you'll be scraping your bowl for more.

Get the recipe: cucumber tomato avocado salad

19
Grilled Corn and Barley Salad With Blueberries and Goat Cheese
Sweet Peas and Saffron

Grilled Corn and Barley Salad With Blueberries and Goat Cheese

With a nod to one of summer's favorite ingredients, this grilled corn salad is even better than it looks. Dig in!

Get the recipe: grilled corn and barley salad with blueberries and goat cheese

20
Arugula Salad With Grapes, Farro, and Black Pepper Vinaigrette
Pinch of Yum

Arugula Salad With Grapes, Farro, and Black Pepper Vinaigrette

Imagine: juicy grapes, tangy arugula, and a black pepper vinaigrette with a bite. Top it off with grilled chicken if you're looking to add extra protein.

Get the recipe: arugula salad with grapes, farro, and black pepper vinaigrette

21
Mexican Grilled Street Corn Quinoa Salad
Half Baked Harvest

Mexican Grilled Street Corn Quinoa Salad

Having a barbecue? Not without this salad, you aren't! With lime juice, cilantro, and chili powder, it's the side dish of everyone's dreams.

Get the recipe: Mexican grilled street corn quinoa salad

22
Chopped Brussels Sprouts, Kale, and Chard Salad
Cooking For Keeps

Chopped Brussels Sprouts, Kale, and Chard Salad

If Brussels sprouts are on your list of favorite veggies, you need to make this salad ASAP! It features candied pancetta, pears, and blue cheese, so you already know it's going to be a hit.

Get the recipe: chopped Brussels sprouts, kale, and chard salad with candied pancetta, pears, and blue cheese

23
Tropical Quinoa Salad
Get Inspired Everyday

Tropical Quinoa Salad

Take your taste buds to the tropics when you whip up this delightful salad. It has a lovely coconut-lime dressing that will make you forget about every other kind.

Get the recipe: tropical quinoa salad with jicama and coconut-lime dressing

24
Arugula, Dried Cherry, and Wild Rice Salad With Lemony Dressing
Cookie + Kate

Arugula, Dried Cherry, and Wild Rice Salad With Lemony Dressing

The tangy arugula mixed with the sweet dried cherries makes this salad a treat for your taste buds. The lemon dressing really gives it a kick!

Get the recipe: arugula, dried cherry, and wild rice salad with lemony dressing

25
Black Bean Quinoa Salad With Orange Vinaigrette
Damn Delicious

Black Bean Quinoa Salad With Orange Vinaigrette

The ideal summertime dinner side, this black bean salad is filling, hearty, and oh so good. Topped with an orange vinaigrette, it's got just the kick you need.

Get the recipe: black bean quinoa salad with orange vinaigrette

26
Green Goddess Quinoa Summer Salad
Pinch of Yum

Green Goddess Quinoa Summer Salad

This delicious salad features a homemade green goddess dressing, and talk about healthy. See how many veggies you can top it off with. The more the merrier!

Get the recipe: green goddess quinoa summer salad

27
Quinoa, Black Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Quinoa, Black Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad

You can treat this as a standalone lunch or use it as the base for DIY burrito bowls. The choice is yours!

Get the recipe: quinoa, black bean, and corn salad

28
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
Half Baked Harvest

Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad

Need something both healthy and filling? Throw together this pasta salad, which features a hint of cheddar cheese to give it an extra kick.

Get the recipe: corn, tomato, and avocado pasta salad

29
Avocado, Blue Cheese, and Strawberry Salad
Simply Delicious Food

Avocado, Blue Cheese, and Strawberry Salad

The unexpected flavors found in this good-for-you salad come together to create a delicious dish. Serve it with a dressing made of balsamic vinegar, oil, and a touch of orange juice.

Get the recipe: avocado, blue cheese, and strawberry salad

30
Summer Tomato Salad with Avocado and Pecans
Tales of a Kitchen

Summer Tomato Salad with Avocado and Pecans

Both crunchy and creamy, this summer salad will wow everyone you serve. Bursting with flavor and an array of herbs such as basil, parsley, and thyme, this creative salad will definitely be a memorable one.

Get the recipe: summer tomato salad with avocado and pecans

31
BLT Pasta Salad
The Cookie Rookie

BLT Pasta Salad

Chilled pasta salad, swimming with juicy tomatoes and crispy bacon, practically begs to be eaten next to the pool. You can add extra greens for the lettuce lovers or serve as is for the pickier eaters.

Get the recipe: BLT pasta salad

32
BBQ Chicken Salad Sliders
Whitney Bond

BBQ Chicken Salad Sliders

Classic chicken salad gets a summery update with barbecue sauce, corn, cheddar cheese, and bacon bits. These sliders are perfect served poolside — with a cold beer for you and lemonade for the little ones.

Get the recipe: barbecue chicken salad sliders

33
15-Minute Lo Mein
Pinch of Yum

15-Minute Lo Mein

Red peppers? Spinach? Carrots? Whatever veggies you have in the fridge, you can clean them out quick with this lo mein, complete with a sweet and salty sauce.

Get the recipe: 15-minute lo mein

34
Chicken Orzo Salad
Averie Cooks

Chicken Orzo Salad

Cool down with this refreshing pasta salad, bursting with cherry tomatoes, tender chicken, and fresh sprigs of basil and mint.

Get the recipe: chicken orzo salad

35
Caprese Chicken Pasta
Well Plated

Caprese Chicken Pasta

Whole-grain pasta, juicy chicken breast, and fresh tomatoes and cheese make a lean, mean, 30-minute dream team.

Get the recipe: caprese chicken pasta

36
Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad

Full of tomato flavor thanks to slivers of sun-dried tomatoes, a dressing made from the candy-sweet dried fruit, and halved cherry tomatoes, this pasta salad is destined to become a potluck and backyard BBQ staple.

Get the recipe: sun-dried tomato pasta salad

37
Grilled Corn Salad With Cornbread Croutons
Nosh With Tash

Grilled Corn Salad With Cornbread Croutons

Thanks to ingredients like lime juice, red pepper flakes, and rosemary, this grilled corn salad with cornbread croutons packs a huge flavor punch.

Get the recipe: grilled corn salad with cornbread croutons

38
Zucchini Ratatouille With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and White Beans
Avocado Pesto

Zucchini Ratatouille With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and White Beans

On a night when you're craving a hearty meal that's simple and healthy, whip up a batch of zucchini ratatouille. This vegan recipe combines robust tomatoes and garlic with milder flavors like zucchini and cannellini beans.

Get the recipe: zucchini ratatouille with sun-dried tomatoes and white beans

39
Greek Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Host the Toast

Greek Tzatziki Chicken Salad

For a lighter dinner, assemble a Greek tzatziki chicken salad. Layered with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients, this sandwich tastes amazing inside toasted pita instead of bread.

Get the recipe: Greek tzatziki chicken salad

40
Pesto Pasta Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Pesto Pasta Salad

This stunning dish includes both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes, laying the groundwork to win the heart (and stomach) of any tomato-lover. Plus, it's durable enough to pack in the fridge for lunches throughout the week!

Get the recipe: pesto pasta salad

41
Cucumber Mint Noodles With Ginger Dressing
Tales of a Kitchen

Cucumber Mint Noodles With Ginger Dressing

These crunchy "noodles" are just as tasty as they are pretty. They pack in flavorful mint, lemon, and ginger, plus health benefits aplenty.

Get the recipe: cucumber mint noodles with ginger dressing

43
No-Lettuce Lobster Cobb Salad With Zucchini Noodles
Inspiralized

No-Lettuce Lobster Cobb Salad With Zucchini Noodles

This lobster Cobb salad swaps lettuce for zucchini noodles to create a dish that packs more fiber and vitamins than your typical leafy salad.

Get the recipe: no-lettuce lobster Cobb salad with zucchini noodles

44
Bang Bang Shrimp With Napa Cabbage Slaw
How Sweet Eats

Bang Bang Shrimp With Napa Cabbage Slaw

Lightly pan-fried instead of deep-fried and served with a honey mustard napa cabbage slaw, bang bang shrimp is less indulgent and far less messy to prepare.

Get the recipe: bang bang shrimp with napa cabbage slaw

45
Chopped Thai Shrimp Salad With Garlic Lime Dressing
Pinch of Yum

Chopped Thai Shrimp Salad With Garlic Lime Dressing

This chopped Thai shrimp salad looks like a bowl of edible confetti.

Get the recipe: chopped Thai shrimp salad with garlic lime dressing

46
Mini Shrimp Rolls With Dill
Cooking for Keeps

Mini Shrimp Rolls With Dill

Like lobster rolls, but a bit more budget-friendly, these mini shrimp rolls will bring back happy memories of the seashore.

Get the recipe: mini shrimp rolls with dill

47
Shrimp Ceviche
Averie Cooks

Shrimp Ceviche

If ceviche is your go-to seafood order, try making this naturally low-carb meal in the comfort of your own home. Simply adjust the amount of jalapeño to make it more or less spicy.

Get the recipe: shrimp ceviche

48
Shrimp Avocado Salad With Watermelon
Food Faith Fitness

Shrimp Avocado Salad With Watermelon

You don't often see shrimp and watermelon together, but this is one combination that works. Even with the fruit and spicy honey dressing, this dish has just 22 grams of carbs per serving, and only takes 15 minutes (with prep time) to make.

Get the recipe: shrimp avocado salad with watermelon

49
Pesto Zucchini Noodles
Inspiralized

Pesto Zucchini Noodles

Use your favorite store-bought pesto, or whip up some oil-free walnut pesto as this recipe suggests, and toss into spiralized zucchini noodles for a healthier lunch option your kids will devour.

50
Cold Sesame Noodle Salad
Inspiralized

Cold Sesame Noodle Salad

Bring the cold sesame noodles from your favorite Chinese takeout to life using spiralized cucumber, zucchini, and carrot noodles. Pair them with a delicious sesame sauce, and you've got a yummy cold lunch sorted.