25 No-Cook Dinner Recipes For When It's Just Too Hot - Chatelaine (2024)

Modern tuna-cobb salad

The American cobb salad classic gets an Italian makeover with flaky tuna and thinly sliced prosciutto.Get this tuna cobb salad recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Chive and napa cabbage salad

Want a new coleslaw for your BBQ table? Try this ultra green version. Crunchy cucumber and cabbage are tossed in apple cider vinegar and honey to soften and dress 'slaw just how you like (just a bit lighter, compared to a traditional creamy version). Get this chive and napa cabbage salad recipe.

Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Pear and watercress salad

Sweet pears and figs, peppery watercress, crunchy walnuts and creamy goat cheese can do double duty on the menu: try it as a light lunch or starter salad for dinner, year-round. Get this pear and watercress salad recipe.

Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Tuna panzanella salad

Fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes, crusty bread, refreshing cucumbers ands mini bocconcini pearls round out this tuna salad. Get this tuna panzanella salad recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Pea and smoked salmon open-face sandwich

Avocado on toast? Why not spice it up a bit with some smoked salmon and mashed peas for a hearty snack or light lunch.Get this pea and smoked salmon sandwich recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Peach and chicken couscous salad

Take advantage of rotisserie chicken when the weather is too warm to cook. To make, pour boiling water on couscous and let it sit. Shred the chicken and stir into fluffy couscous along with fresh-chopped peaches and herbs. Voila! An easy summer salad. Get this peach and chicken couscous salad recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Vietnamese shrimp salad with tomato and mango

A lightly spicy vinaigrette (vinegar, oil, sugar, soy and jalapeño) coats the noodles and shrimp, and meets the juicy mango slices in a spicy-sweet finish. Garnish with fresh cilantro and chopped peanuts right before serving. Get this Vietnamese shrimp salad with tomato and mango recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Carrot, halloumi and chickpea salad

Chickpeas are a friendly pantry protein easily added to dinner dishes. Tossed in a zesty vinaigrette with crunchy vegetables and fresh cheese, this salad is perfect for busy, too-hot-to-cook summer days. Bonus: You can parcelthis salad into whole-wheat pita wraps with a dollop of tzatziki for a no-cook meal on the go. Get this carrot, halloumi and chickpea salad recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Chef’s salad with blue cheese and ham

The chef’s salad is making a comeback! We’ve added low-sodium deli ham and avocado to dress up our version. Get this chef’s salad with blue cheese and ham recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Chicken and kimchi lettuce wraps

These healthy wraps are another way to make the most out of a rotisserie chicken. Mix shredded chicken with spicy kimchi, a little vinegar and honey (to make it saucy) and top with toasted sesame seeds to add some nuttiness to this Korean-style dish.Get this chicken and kimchi lettuce wraps recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

No-cook summer spring rolls

Check out our five fresh takes on the traditional summer roll. PS. Don’t forget the dips! Try them withspicy peanut sauce or miso dressing.

Shrimp and cucumber salad rollsLobster, mango and avocado salad rollsGrilled asparagus, edamame and crab salad rollsCanteloupe, honeydew, prosciutto and basil salad rollsCucumber, radish and chicken salad rolls

Photo, Eric Putz.

Cold noodles with shrimp and peaches

Fiery chilies and fresh herbs offset the sweet shrimp and peaches in this cold-noodle dish. Best of all, you don’t even need a stove—just use boiling water from the kettle to soften the noodles.Get this cold noodles with shrimp and peaches recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Miso couscous tofu bowl

Justpour boiling water over the couscous and then whisk up the miso dressing for this super-easy meal. But be warned: the dressing is addictive!Get this miso couscous tofu bowl recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Kale salad with creamy cashew dressing

This one requires a bit of prep—the cashews need to soak overnight—but it’s well worth it. With the addition of chickpeas, this salad makes a worthy main meal or a very satisfying side.Get this kale salad with creamy cashew dressing recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Pesto-burrata salad

With juicy tomatoes, creamy burrata cheese and garden-fresh pesto, this salad is nothing short of summer on a fork.Get this pesto-burrata salad recipe.

Thai chicken salad

Grab a rotisserie chicken on your way home tonight, and whip up this fresh and crispsalad in just 25 minutes.Get this Thai chicken salad recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Vegetarian ’tuna’ bahn mi sandwich

This chickpea spread tastes remarkably like tuna salad and is incredible in a sandwich or on its own.Get this ‘tuna’ bahn mi sandwich recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Tomato-almond summer gazpacho soup

Almonds and bread bring creaminess and body to this chilled soup. Serve with charcuterie for a Spanish-style supper.Get this tomato-almond summer gazpacho soup recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Shrimp avocado and mango salad rolls

Keep a bag of cooked shrimp in the freezer (and rice paper rolls in the cupboard), and a no-cook meal is just minutes away. Get this shrimp, avocado and mango salad rolls recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Couscous pilaf with smoked salmon

Any smoked, cured or tinned fish works well here. Try hot-smoked trout, mackerel or olive-oil-packed tuna.Get this couscous pilaf with smoked salmon recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Shrimp and watermelon tostadas

Crunchy, zesty, fresh and lively, this modern shrimp dish has it all. Simply substitute pre-cooked shrimp, and this fresh Mexican-inspired dish is a completely no-cook recipe.Get this shrimp and watermelon tostadas recipe.

Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Chilled tofu with ginger-sesame spinach

Cold soft tofu and wilted spinach, drizzled with a punchy ginger dressing, is a great refresheron a hot day. (P.S. This recipe is a test-kitchen favourite.) Get this chilled tofu with ginger-sesame spinach recipe.

Photo, Sian Richards.

Jicama, corn and pepper salad

Jicama—a root vegetable that tastes like a cross between turnip and pear—is another favourite in our kitchen. Make it one in yours too, starting with this fresh summer salad!Get this jicama, corn and pepper salad recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Vegetarian taco salad

This hearty salad stars black beans and corn, a vinaigrette with spicy kick (thanks to jalapeños and lime), juicy fresh tomatoes, creamy avocado and crunchy tortilla for extra texture.Get this taco salad recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.

Serrano chili ceviche

Zesty and a little bit spicy—this dish is inspired by some truly delicious Latin American flavours. From fresh fish to creamy avocado and ripe tomato, it’s packed with summer ingredients we love.Get this serrano chili ceviche recipe.

Photo, Erik Putz.