Top 10 no-cook summer recipes
Summer days are made for relaxed outdoor dining. Take the stress out of cooking with our no-cook summer recipes, from melon salads to fully-loaded fajitas
As the balmy days of summer commence, the last thing you want to be doing is getting hot and bothered in the kitchen. These simple starters, lunches and suppers require absolutely no cooking, other than the use of your kettle or toaster. Rustle up a fresh salad, make use of pre-cooked chicken pieces and grains, or load up shop-bought flatbread with spreads and toppings. Our no-fuss meal ideas will make al fresco dining a breeze.
Check out our top 10 no-cook dinner ideas below and pair them with our easy no-cook summer desserts.
For more dinner inspiration, see our summer dinner recipes and healthy summer dinners.
Find more no-cook ideas in our no-cook recipes, no-cook picnic ideas and no-bake recipes for kids.
1. No-cook veggie fajitas
Make the most of storecupboard ingredients with these nutritious, veg-packed wraps. Soft flour tortillas are loaded with a mouthwatering medley of marinated chargrilled veg, pinto beans, tomato salsa, soured cream and smashed avocado. Who needs sizzling fajitas when you have such a vibrant combination of flavours and textures! If you want to add in meat, shredded pre-cooked chicken or pork would work well.
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2. Ham & piccalilli salad
On days when it's just too hot to turn the oven on, simplify your supper plans by throwing together a fresh salad. More than just a collection of leaves, this hearty dish boasts a satisfying assemblage of ingredients such as pulled ham hock, cheddar cheese, fresh peas and crunchy cucumber. Serve with a homemade piccalilli to add a punchy, tangy flavour and texture.
Celebrate seasonal ingredients with more of our summer salads.
3. Salmon & smacked cucumber noodles
A pack of poached salmon fillets is put to great use in this light, textured noodle dish. Combine them with vermicelli rice noodles, smacked cucumbers and grated carrots in a zingy soy dressing, topped with crunchy chopped peanuts. Ready in under half an hour, this makes a quick summer supper and the only heat source required is a kettle of boiled water to cook the noodles.
Try more summer salmon recipes, including burgers, tacos and BBQ dishes.
4. Black bean & pineapple salad bowl
A feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds, this colourful, tropical-tasting salad is as healthy as it is delicious. It's full of fresh, zingy flavours, layering pineapple chunks with fibre-rich black beans and avocado. Throw it together in just 10 minutes and divide between bowls or lunchboxes for a vibrant lunch. This vegetarian salad is dairy-free as well as being low in calories and high in fibre.
Find more easy salad bowl recipes.
5. Mango chutney & chicken sliders
Ready-cooked rotisserie chicken is full of flavour and makes a quick and easy filling for these simple sliders. Serve it shredded with mango chutney, chopped cucumber salad, lettuce and a homemade yogurt sauce. This family-friendly recipe is perfect for a picnic-style feast in your garden. Everyone can get stuck in and help themselves by loading up the ingredients on fluffy wholemeal rolls.
Check out more summer chicken recipes.
6. Chilled green soup with feta
Soups aren't just for winter. This vibrant veggie gazpacho makes a refreshing al fresco starter or main. It's easy to make - simply blitz up spinach, avocados and cucumbers with yogurt and herbs, then chill for an hour. Topped with mixed seeds and crumbly feta in a zesty marinade, this nutritious blend oozes sophistication.
Cool down with more of our gazpacho recipes.
7. Prawn & grain poke bowls
Give your summer salads a tropical twist with our flavour-packed poke bowls. A speedy summer lunch or supper for two, they can be whipped up in just 15 minutes. Marinate the prawns in a lime and chilli dressing, then assemble with a pouch of pre-cooked mixed grains, radish, avocado and spring onions. The beauty of these bowls is that you can mix and match them with whatever ingredients you have to hand - the more creative the better!
Get more inspiration for bowl food recipes.
8. Mozzarella & pesto chickpeas on toast
Bored of beans on toast? Try mixing things up with our invention idea for a sourdough topper. Partially mash up some chickpeas and combine with pesto, lemon zest, sun-dried tomatoes and torn mozzarella chunks. This mouthwatering mixture can then be liberally piled onto toasted garlic sourdough bread for a satisfying summer lunch.
Enjoy more light summer lunches.
9. Tuna salad sandwich
Looking for a simple no-cook recipe to make for your lunch? This classic tuna sandwich may be just the ticket. A fresh and crunchy combination of tuna, celery, red onion and mayonnaise makes up the tuna salad, which is then layered between cucumber slices and Little Gem lettuce leaves and stuffed between slices of granary bread. To turn it into a tuna melt, simply toast the bread, then top one with cheese and grill until bubbling.
Check out more easy tinned tuna recipes.
10. Flatbread pizzas
Shop-bought flatbreads form a convenient base for a range of ingredients and can easily be frozen until you need them. These Middle Eastern-inspired pizzas are topped with a healthy spread of homemade hummus, feta, pomegranates and rocket salad. Ready in just 15 minutes, they are a speedy family supper and can easily be customised to your preference.
Try more quick and easy flatbread recipes.
Want more speedy no-cook meals?
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No-cook recipes - 10 easy ideas
