12 no-cook dinners for summer nights

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

published 27 June 2020

When it's hot outside the last thing you want is to switch the oven on.

Try our no-cook dinners instead! Choose from filling salads, easy couscous and chilled soups...

When it's hot outside the last thing you want is to switch the cooker on or fire up the hob. Not only will it make your whole house warm, but you'll no doubt spend more time in the kitchen cooking if it's an elaborate home-cooked delight.

And while that might be exactly what's needed in the winter, there's no need for it in the summer. Opt for a no-cook meal for a light summery lunch (opens in new tab) instead, or serve it at a dinner party alongside a summer soup like gazpacho (opens in new tab). Your guests will love the creativity behind some of these dishes, packed with nutrients as well as being flavoursome and (although you don't have to tell them this) really easy to dish up.

So whether you opt for a light potato salad recipe for a cheap way to do a BBQ (opens in new tab) or go for something more adventurous like a Greek salad, these no-cook dinner ideas are sure to go a long way this summer.

Put down the apron, grab the wine out of the fridge and head out into the garden to eat with the family.

First on the list is this delicious and easy cauliflower and radish salad. There's no oven required to make this hearty salad. It's made with crisp raw cauliflower and radishes, red pepper and chickpeas which are all tossed together with a creamy dressing.

Get the recipe: Cauliflower and radish salad (opens in new tab)

Now looking for something sweet? Try our summer desserts with things like ice cream and seasonal cupcakes (opens in new tab) on the list. You might have spend some time in the kitchen but we promise it will be well worth it.

Click through all our quick no-cook dinners for summer nights...

Chicken fusion salad

(Image credit: TI Media Limited)

Put leftover or pre-cooked chicken to delicious use in this peppy Asian-style salad. Instead of cooking the rice noodles, you just need to pour boiling water over them then wait 15 minutes.

Get the recipe: Chicken fusion salad (opens in new tab)

Slimming World's Ploughmans Lunch

If it comes to dinner time and you're not feeling too hungry, then consider this de-constructed ploughmans lunch from Slimming World! It's got all our fridge-ready favourites like cheese, ham and gerkins, without the bread. Spread the ingredients onto your favourite platter and enjoy!

Get the recipe: Slimming World's Ploughman's lunch (opens in new tab)

Couscous salad

Couscous is a brilliant ingredient to keep on hand for hot or busy nights. Instead of simmering it on the hob like rice, you simply need to pour boiling water over it, cover and leave for five minutes. Make double the amount of this salad and you'll have enough for lunchboxes too.

Get the recipe: Couscous salad (opens in new tab)

Strawberry gazpacho

The Spanish know a thing or two about hot-weather eating. We're addicted to classic tomato gazpacho during the summer months, but when you've got friends over give the Spanish classic an English twist by adding in-season strawbs. Sounds weird but it works!

Get the recipe: Strawberry gazpacho (opens in new tab)

Gok Wan's Vietnamese-style leftover chicken salad

This Vietnamese-style salad from Gok is an ingenious way of using up leftover roast chicken without switching the cooker on again. You simply soak some vermicelli noodles and then toss them with the other ingredients and dressing for a zesty noodle dish.

Get the recipe: Gok Wan's Vietnamese-style leftover chicken salad (opens in new tab)

Tabbouleh

Classic Middle-Eastern tabbouleh is the perfect filling salad for balmy evenings. The Bulgar wheat doesn't need cooking - just soak it in boiling water like couscous. Serve with ready-cooked chicken drumsticks to turn it into a family-size meal.

Get the recipe: Tabbouleh (opens in new tab)

Chickpea pesto salad

Chickpeas are packed full of protein and fibre so they make a filling alternative to pasta or potatoes on those nights when it's just too hot to cook. Stir them together with olives, tomatoes and pesto for a delicious dinner.

Get the recipe: Chickpea pesto salad (opens in new tab)

Prosciutto and fig open sandwich

This posh sarnie is ideal for those busy summer nights when turning on the oven is just a step too far! Spread soft goat's cheese onto granary or wholegrain bread and top with salty Prosciutto and slices of ripe fig. Perfection.

Get the recipe: Prosciutto and fig open sandwich (opens in new tab)

Crab mango and watercress salad

We can't believe there's no cooking involved to make this fancy salad. Just use two cartons of fresh crab meat, some juicy mango, radishes and watercress and you've got a salad worthy of a posh restaurant!

Get the recipe: Crab mango and watercress salad (opens in new tab)

Courgette salad

Use a Y-shaped vegetable peeler to cut a courgette into ribbons - it makes a healthy and low-carb alternative to pasta. Toss them together with Parma ham and Parmesan for a fancy salad to eat in the garden with a cold glass of wine.

Get the recipe: Courgette and Parma ham salad (opens in new tab)