I don’t know about you, but once it gets up to like 80 degrees during the summer, my ability to cook goes on the fritz. I don’t know if it’s because I just can’t stand the idea of turning on my oven or if it’s actually too hot for my brain to function, but I too often find myself standing in front of the open refrigerator without a thought in my head as to what to make for dinner. You too? You need this list I threw together from the comfort of the overly-air conditioned Delish offices. 😉
I did some research on the best cooling foods, then gathered up some of the most popular Delish recipes to make with them. Some, like our cucumber salad or our watermelon gazpacho, are obvious contenders because those ingredients are full of water and the dishes are served cold, but others surprised me. Who knew that spicy foods could help cool you off from the inside out! Turns out that spicy foods like chicken tikka masala and Szechuan beef can make you sweat, which in turn helps lower your internal body temperature in a process called thermoregulation. I see a stock up on hot sauce in our future!
Want even more no-cook summer ideas? Check out our top list of no-bake desserts too.
Gazpacho
When late summer rolls around and the tomatoes turn juicy and sweet, we can't get enough of them. When we're not busy scarfing them down in Caprese salad form, we love them in this classic summer soup. Our version also uses red bell peppers and cucumbers to really up that summer cornucopia flavor too.
Get the Gazpacho recipe.
Homemade Pickles
If you're pickle obsessed, then you'll be pleasantly surprised to learn just how easy they are to make at home. Not only can you pickle almost every fruit and vegetable, but it's a very simple process that uses ingredients you almost definitely have in your house right now.
Get the Homemade Pickles recipe.
Love a Vietnamese summer roll but don’t want to fuss with the wrapper? Meet your new favorite summer dinner. Rice noodles, shrimp, avocado, thinly sliced veggies, and a plethora of greens are tossed together in a tangy nước chấm dressing for a refreshing dinner twist.
Get the Summer Roll Bowls recipe.
Szechuan Beef
To really bring the heat in our take on this Chinese recipe, we are using four spicy agents: numbing Szechuan peppercorns, both ground and whole; a pour of red chili oil; a big tablespooon of fresh chili paste, like sambal oelek; and 6 to 12 dried red chilis, which you can adjust according to your liking. This one's guaranteed to make you SWEAT.
Get the Szechuan Beef recipe.
Cold Brew Popsicles
We all love a cold brew, so why not make one even more refreshing by turning it into a popsicle? The two distinct layers of cold brew and the sweetened cream make it feel like a sweet cream cold foam sitting on top of a drink from your favorite coffee shop.
Get the Cold Brew Popsicles recipe.
Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups
Sweet, sour, and salty, these lettuce wraps are ripe for improvisation and can be served with all sorts of accompaniments. Crunchy raw vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots can add heft, and a drizzle of chili oil is a must for spice lovers. And if lettuce isn’t cutting it, a heaping spoonful of rice is a perfect pairing.
Get the Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups recipe.
Melon Prosciutto Skewers
An iconic summer appetizer, these melon prosciutto skewers get a flavorful upgrade with the addition of creamy mozzarella, basil, and rich balsamic. It's the ultimate combination of sweet and salty flavors.
Get the Melon Prosciutto Skewers recipe.
Classic Potato Salad
A classic chilled potato salad is a must-have at every picnic and BBQ, and ours is the best—it's creamy and tangy, with a little bit of crunch from the onion and pickles. If you’re looking for a classic, no-fuss potato salad that won’t disappoint, this is it.
Get the Classic Potato Salad recipe.
Crab-Stuffed Avocado
Craving crab cakes, but not vibing the fry? Make these stuffed avocados. Fresh jumbo lump crab gets tossed with tomato, jalapeño, mango, and cilantro, then dressed with a combo of lime and sour cream before being stuffed into a halved avocado and served with plantain chips.
Get the Crab-Stuffed Avocado recipe.
Brazilian Lemonade
If you’ve never had a glass of Brazilian lemonade, it almost tastes like a blended lemon Italian ice but not sour—and just so much better. It gives Key lime pie vibes in the very best way.
Get the Brazilian Lemonade recipe.
Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad is a spring and summer picnic staple, and for good reason: When tossed in a bright vinegar-based dressing and packed with thinly sliced onions, cukes can withstand warm temperatures and sit out at a sunny outdoor gathering for hours.
Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.
Green & Red Grape Sorbet
If you’re looking for something sweet and light during the hot summer, look no further. This easy sorbet is the perfect treat when grapes are at the peak of their season. We also love this recipe because it’s so simple to make. You only need a few ingredients and a food processor to make this super refreshing dessert.
Get the Green & Red Grape Sorbet recipe.
Chicken Tikka Masala
This classic Indian dish is our go-to when we order takeout, but it's actually so easy to make at home. Make it as spicy as you like, then serve this with homemade naan and basmati rice for the perfect meal.
Get the Chicken Tikka Masala recipe.
Watermelon-Feta Salad
One of the most refreshing summer salads ever, this recipe aces the sweet and salty combo with the addition of mint, cucumbers, and red onion to sweet and juicy watermelon.
Get the Watermelon-Feta Salad recipe.
Strawberry Chicken Cobb Salad
The gang's all here in this Cobb salad, except with some big-time summery upgrades: Strawberries stand in for the standard tomatoes, while feta takes the place of blue cheese. Fear not, there's still an extra-creamy buttermilk-based dressing that coats every bite.
Get the Strawberry Chicken Cobb Salad recipe.
Greek Salad Cottage Cheese Bowls
Both cottage cheese and hard-boiled eggs provide the protein for these bowls that work for breakfast, lunch, or even as a satisfying anytime snack. Simply spoon a serving of cottage cheese into a bowl and top with all of those quintessential Mediterranean vegetables—we went for a Greek salad, but anything goes.
Spicy Mango Whipped Goat Cheese
We love our cranberry whipped feta in the fall, but for summer we're whipping up this spicy mango whipped goat cheese. If you love the OG version, then you’ll be obsessed with this variation that has fluffy garlic and basil-studded whipped goat cheese, spicy mango chutney, and salty chopped cashews.
Cottage Cheese Bark
By blending cottage cheese until it’s smooth, drizzling it with peanut butter, jelly, granola, and freezing it, we’ve created a healthy snack that will fill you up, cool you down and satisfy your sweet tooth all at the same time. Packed with protein, this cottage cheese bark is like a bowl of yogurt that you can hold in your hand.
Get the Cottage Cheese Bark recipe.
Watermelon Gazpacho
If summer had a flavor, it might taste a lot like this soup. Though we love our classic tomato-based gazpacho, the addition of watermelon gives the classic soup a welcome subtle sweetness we can't get enough of. Full of bright fruits and veggies, this no-cook soup is equal parts satisfying and refreshing.
Get the Watermelon Gazpacho recipe.
Fruit Popsicles
In the heat of summer, nothing satisfies quite like a fruit popsicle. This classic strawberry version is big on fruit flavor and not too sweet. Looking for ways to jazz these up? Add a pinch of chili powder for some kick, stir some heavy cream to add richness, or include whole pieces of chopped fruit for some texture.
Get the Fruit Popsicles recipe.
