Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Seasonal Meals 60 Cold Dinner Ideas That Are Perfect for Hot Summer Nights Chill out with these cool meal ideas that pack plenty of flavor. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 19, 2024 Close Photo: Greg DuPree The last thing you want to do on a scorching summer day is turn on the oven and cook dinner. Fortunately, you can chill out with these cold dinner ideas that require minimal (or no!) cooking yet are hearty enough to keep you feeling satisfied after you're finished. Check out these cold dinner ideas that'll make your summer meals a whole lot cooler. 01 of 60 Lemony Chopped Salad With Pita Victor Protasio There is little more refreshing on a hot day than a filling, nutritious salad. Can't stand to turn on the oven to crisp the pitas for this tasty dinner salad? Pop them in the toaster or use pita chips instead. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 60 Coconut-Marinated Shrimp With Cucumber and Jicama Jen Causey For this cold dinner dish, use pre-cooked shrimp and let it sit in your fridge. The shrimp marinates in coconut milk and chilis for a ceviche-like salad that's filling and refreshing. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 60 Cornbread Panzanella Greg DuPree This chopped salad is a classic hot weather staple. Cornbread soaks up the delicious flavors of all our summer favorites—tomato, cucumber, avocado—in this easy no-cook dinner recipe. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 60 Cold Peanut Noodles Greg DuPree In this quick dinner recipe, noodles boil in just six minutes and taste divine mixed with nut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. To make it a little more substantial, include shredded rotisserie chicken or tofu and a few chopped veggies (think peppers, snow peas, or carrots). GET THE RECIPE 05 of 60 Watermelon Poke Bowl Victor Protasio What's more refreshing than watermelon on a summer evening? Giving the fruit a quick marinade makes it a perfect stand-in for ahi tuna in this flavorful plant-based take on the Hawaiian dish. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 60 Peach Arugula Salad With Burrata Greg DuPree Salad is the perfect cold dinner standby—and this hearty version features a nice balance of sweet (in-season peaches) and savory (tasty prosciutto). GET THE RECIPE 07 of 60 Nicoise-Inspired Summer Salad Caitlin Bensel Summer salads are all about finding the freshest, tastiest summer produce and mixing it with savory additions like hard-boiled eggs and kalamata olives. This easy, protein-packed variation on the French favorite salad makes a hearty cold dinner. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 60 Chicken Satay Lettuce Wraps Caitlin Bensel Satay lettuce wraps come together in a flash and are full of flavor. To avoid heating up your kitchen, grill the chicken thighs outdoors or use rotisserie chicken as a stand-in. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 60 Spicy Street Corn Salad Jen Causey This tasty corn salad is filling enough to be a light main course for dinner—but you can add a little grilled chicken or a hard-boiled egg if you need a bit more protein. Serve with a side of pita or wrap the salad in tortillas. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 60 Salmon Nigiri Daniel Agee Making sushi at home is easier than you think—and a rice cooker can make quick work of the rice making without heating up your kitchen. Pick the best quality salmon you can afford for restaurant-worthy results. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 60 Chicken and Dill Souvlaki Anna Williams Fresh herbs add tons of flavor to this light yet ultra-satisfying summer dinner recipe. Swap the cucumbers for garden-fresh tomatoes if that's what you have on hand. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 60 No-Bake Summer Veggie Lasagna Fred Hardy. This dinner recipe requires a tiny bit of cooking—a quick saute of the zucchini and tomatoes and boiling the lasagna noodles. But it's a super fast and incredibly flavorful meal that's delicious at room temp. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 60 Salmorejo With Prosciutto and Hard-Boiled Egg Jen Causey All you need is a blender for a quick chilled soup that packs in the flavor. Prosciutto and hard-boiled egg make it more substantial for dinner. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 60 Tapas-Style Pasta Salad Greg DuPree Boiling the pasta and a quick cook of the almonds are all the cooking you need for this super-flavorful cold pasta salad. Make it early in the day so the flavors have time to meld together. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 60 Fish-Free Ceviche Greg DuPree Get the flavors of ceviche—without worrying about the raw fish—in this tasty vegan cold dinner that subs hearts of palm for the seafood. Shallots, red bell pepper, and a coconut lime dressing pull the dish together. Serve with plantain chips or tostones. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 60 Tortellini Basil Salad Jennifer Causey A big pot of boiling water blanches a few different ingredients (basil, asparagus, and pasta) to make this flavorful and delicious dinner pasta salad. Prepare for dinner or serve it as a side at your next summer barbecue. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 60 Eggplant Dip With Feta and Crudites Victor Protasio Sometimes when it's hot out, the last thing you want is big full meal. So eat something snacky instead, like this fresh take on the classic baba ghanoush dip, served with veggies and pita. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 60 Smashed Cucumber Salad With Spicy Feta and Olives Jennifer Causey Like a Greek salad without the lettuce, this salad is packed with flavor and is a perfect dinner for hot summer nights. Crushed cucumbers, feta, and olives are the stars and need little more than vinegar, olive oil, and some seasoning to enhance the dish. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 60 Chickpea and Chorizo Salad Victor Protasio The only cooking required for this sophisticated dinner salad? Two minutes to crisp up the chorizo. The rest of your time will be spent prepping and then tossing chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and roasted red pepper with oil and a sherry vinegar vinaigrette. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 60 Smoked Salmon Flatbread Victor Protasio Consider this the breakfast-for-dinner, chilled version of pizza. Just crisp the naan under the broiler (or in your air fryer!) a few minutes, then stack each naan with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and a few key veggies. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 60 Lemony Pasta Salad With Cucumber Greg DuPree Looking for the next cold salad to bring to all your get-togethers? Lemon, feta, red pepper, and cilantro pack this pasta salad with plenty of flavor for a hot summer night. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 60 Japanese-Style Shrimp Salad Greg DuPree Precooked shrimp makes this hearty salad an assembly-only easy dinner idea. Pair them with simple fixings like cucumbers, avocado, romaine lettuce, and a creamy soy-mayo dressing. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 60 Torn Pita and Eggplant Salad With Parsley and Green Tahini Jennifer Causey Put the broiler to work for this quick and easy dinner idea—it'll cook up the pita and eggplant for this tasty salad in no time flat. Serve cold and garnish with parsley and a drizzle of fresh lemon juice and olive oil. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 60 Edamame Pasta Salad Greg DuPree It takes just 15 minutes of work to pull together this tasty pasta salad for a substantial summer dinner. The hardest part will be boiling the edamame and roasting the lemon wedges. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 60 Vegetarian Tacos With Goat Cheese Con Poulos Just a couple of minutes on the stove is all you need for a fast-and-easy (and plant-based!) cold dinner. For the meat-eaters of the family, serve with shredded rotisserie chicken. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 60 Spaghetti Pasta Salad With Avocado-Basil Dressing Victor Protasio Avocado, basil, and tomatoes combine for a cold dinner dish everyone will love. The dressing, which is a combination of yogurt, vinegar, honey, and avocado, sets this dish apart from similar spaghetti dishes. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 60 Grilled Asparagus Flatbread Greg DuPree Keep your kitchen cool by grilling this veggie-focused flatbread outside for the perfect cold dinner idea. The flatbread is topped with arugula and asparagus and finished off with crushed pistachios, oil, and hot honey. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 60 Southwestern Pasta Salad Greg DuPree Pasta salad packed with summer veggies makes a perfect summer dinner dish. Even better: it can be prepared in advance. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 60 Chickpea Salad Sandwich Sandwiches make great cold dinner meals—and this plant-based alternative to tuna salad will be a delicious recipe to try. We recommend serving on sourdough or seven-grain bread, but any hearty loaf will do. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 60 Grilled Lamb Flatbread With Feta Caitlin Bensel Use the grill to make this tasty flatbread for a perfect summer cold dinner. For a vegetarian version, swap the lamb for tofu. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 60 Grilled Halloumi Salad Greg DuPree Halloumi is a popular meat substitute that is high in protein. And it takes just a minute of grilling to make this delicious salad for summer dinner—no need to turn on the oven and heat up your house! GET THE RECIPE 32 of 60 Farro Bowl With Pomegranate Vinaigrette CAITLIN BENSEL This dish takes a little more cooking than some of the other cold dinners on the list, but it's a healthy, flavorful combo for a summer meal. Swap farro with your favorite grain for a bowl that can be added to your weekly rotation. GET THE RECIPE 33 of 60 Green Gazpacho With Grapes, Honeydew, and Cucumber Greg DuPree You'll be surprised how well grapes, melon, and cucumber work in this modern take on gazpacho. Grab the blender for this pretty, veggie-packed cold soup. GET THE RECIPE 34 of 60 Ham and Leek Quiche Jennifer Causey Yes, you do have to bake this—but quiche is just as wonderful served cold (or room temperature) as it is piping hot. Prep it early in the day when the temps are cool, then enjoy for summer dinner. GET THE RECIPE 35 of 60 Peanut Noodles With Edamame Marcus Nilsson Peanut noodles taste great served cold, and the flavors in this noodle dish are perfect for summer. Make this cold noodle dish on repeat without getting bored by swapping out the produce with whatever is featured at the farmers market. GET THE RECIPE 36 of 60 Zesty Chicken Salad Greg DuPree Consider this a cold dinner staple. You can serve it over greens, in a wrap, on a sandwich, or mixed in with cold pasta for a perfect summer dinner. Use rotisserie chicken if you don't feel like cooking up your own chicken for the dish. GET THE RECIPE 37 of 60 White Bean and Farro Salad Jennifer Causey White beans blend with arugula and feta in this light summer salad. Cooking the farro is the only time you need to turn on the stove for this easy, flavorful dinner recipe. GET THE RECIPE 38 of 60 Tuna Nicoise Baguette Jen Causey The classic French salad becomes a hearty French sandwich for an easy summer dinner. Baguettes work best here, but any firm loaf will do. GET THE RECIPE 39 of 60 End-of-Summer Salad Victor Protasio This easy cold dinner features all the best produce from summer in one amazing salad. Use precooked shrimp to help reduce your cooking time. GET THE RECIPE 40 of 60 Crunchy Salad With Chicken and Ginger Fred Hardy This vibrant salad is brought to life with a spicy ginger, soy, and citrus-based dressing. If you're not into grilling the chicken yourself, you can substitute a rotisserie chicken. GET THE RECIPE 41 of 60 Grilled Mediterranean Pasta Salad Jennifer Causey Keep your kitchen cool, and throw your veggies on the grill for this pasta dish. Bonus: It can be made with whatever produce you have on hand. GET THE RECIPE 42 of 60 Egg Salad Toast with Fresh Herbs and Capers Greg DuPree A lunchtime favorite becomes a dinnertime staple with this bright, open-faced sandwich. Serve with an in-season fruit salad for a complete meal. GET THE RECIPE 43 of 60 Crab Rolls Marcus Nilsson Cold seafood salad is always a big hit, and this shrimp and lobster alternative will be sure to have everyone cheering. Don't forget the pickle slice! GET THE RECIPE 44 of 60 Herby Chicken Salad Tartines Victor Protasio This open-faced sandwich can be made with rotisserie chicken if you're pressed for time. If not, grilling your chicken in advance will keep your kitchen cool. GET THE RECIPE 45 of 60 Vegetarian BLT With Shiitake Bacon Caitlin Bensel Who said you need pork bacon for a BLT? Roast the shiitake mushrooms ahead of time, then throw together this vegetarian BLT in minutes when it's time for dinner. GET THE RECIPE 46 of 60 Moroccan Couscous Salad Greg DuPree Israeli couscous is the star of this dish, but you can substitute orzo, ditalini, or another small pasta. Put it together in advance and store it in the fridge for nights when you need to beat the heat. GET THE RECIPE 47 of 60 Avocado Grain Bowl With Beet Ginger Dressing Greg Dupree This beautiful vegetarian bowl combines rice, quinoa, and lentils for a hearty and cool summer dinner. Swap the avocado and bulb fennel for whatever produce you have on hand. GET THE RECIPE 48 of 60 Miso Caesar Salad Caitlin Bensel You can make this Caesar salad vegetarian by skipping the anchovy fillets or beef it up by adding some rotisserie chicken. Either way, this classic salad is hard to mess up. GET THE RECIPE 49 of 60 Steak and Blackberry Salad Andrew Purcell Blackberries, goat cheese, and pistachios add flavor and crunch to this restaurant-worthy salad. Grill the steak outdoors to keep the kitchen cool. GET THE RECIPE 50 of 60 Fancy Tomato Sandwiches Greg DuPree Juicy tomatoes layered with chive butter and crunchy fried onions make this standout sandwich the perfect summer dinner. Make sure to pick the freshest tomatoes and use them before they get mealy. GET THE RECIPE 51 of 60 Chickpea-Tuna Salad Victor Protasio Tired of the typical tuna salad sandwich? Here, traditional tuna salad gets twisted with this vinegar-based salad featuring crispy radicchio, flavorful red onion, and salty capers. GET THE RECIPE 52 of 60 Nectarine and Burrata Salad Greg DuPree Creamy burrata and sweet nectarines are the stars here, but the quick-pickled onions and a drizzle of olive oil bring a savory edge. Any stone fruit will work if you can't find quality nectarines. GET THE RECIPE 53 of 60 Baby Kale and Chicken Caesar Caitlin Bensel Baby kale adds welcomed texture and nutrition to this Caesar salad. Skip making your own croutons (we won't tell!) and pile on the rotisserie chicken for a quick, satisfying meal. GET THE RECIPE 54 of 60 Zucchini and Bean Salad With Bulgur Marcus Nilsson Grain bowls are popular cold dishes to serve on warm days. An oft-overlooked grain, bulgur has tons of fiber and very little fat, but you can substitute any grain you prefer. GET THE RECIPE 55 of 60 Tex-Mex Gazpacho Romulo Yanes Fresh tomatoes, poblano pepper, and red onions bring a depth of flavor to this cold soup. Pair with a crusty baguette and sprinkle with pepitas for a complete meal. GET THE RECIPE 56 of 60 Pickled Tuna-Salad Sandwiches Mark Lund Sandwiches for dinner are ideal when you're looking for something light yet filling. Add a sprinkle of hard-boiled egg to this take on a classic tuna salad and elevate it to the next level. GET THE RECIPE 57 of 60 Summer Squash With Scallions, Chile, and Parsley Greg DuPree Squash isn't reserved for warm, comforting fall dishes. The raw squash in this salad is tossed with salt to add softness, and vinegar and serrano chile round out the flavor of this unique dinner option. GET THE RECIPE 58 of 60 Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad Victor Protasio Cantaloupe and cucumber blend with olives and feta for a twist on a classic Greek salad. Savory, sweet, cheesy, fruity—there are so many ways to describe this salad, but one word sums it up the best—delicious! GET THE RECIPE 59 of 60 Toasted Israeli Couscous with Corn and Herbs Greg DuPree Dill, chives, and basil top toasted couscous (which you can make in advance) in this play on pasta salad. Serve with pita and a protein of choice for a complete meal. GET THE RECIPE 60 of 60 Spring Green Salad Greg DuPree No cold dinner list would be complete without a traditional green salad. This unique take pairs romaine and cucumber with edamame, pistachios, and mint for a one-of-a-kind flavor. GET THE RECIPE Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit