Sometimes the thought of turning on the stove is just too much to handle. For those nights when you can’t even, no-cook dinners are the way to go. Forget about slaving over a hot oven and get ready to enjoy delicious meals without breaking a sweat. From refreshing salads to hearty bowls, these no-cook recipes are perfect for keeping things cool and easy.
Tuna Sushi Bowl
Get your sushi fix at home with this quick and easy tuna sushi bowl. Packed with radishes, carrots, cucumber, seaweed, and avocado, and drizzled in a spicy avocado wasabi dressing, it’s perfect for those nights when cooking feels like too much effort.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Sushi Bowl
Blueberry White Bean Salad
A creamy tahini turmeric dressing coats this refreshing white bean salad. Blueberries, basil, mint, and pickled red onions add bursts of flavor, while broccoli sprouts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds provide a nutritious boost and a satisfying crunch. This salad is perfect for a quick, no-cook dinner when you need something light yet fulfilling.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry White Bean Salad
Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Cream Sauce
Zucchini noodles with avocado cream sauce make a great side dish or light meal for summer. Add some grilled shrimp or chicken for a heartier dinner. Simple, fresh, and ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Cream Sauce
Spicy Salmon Salad
This spicy salmon salad bowl is quick, nutritious, and perfect for a weeknight meal. Using canned salmon and pre-washed salad greens, it delivers Japanese-inspired flavors with serious sushi vibes, minus the hassle.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Salmon Salad
Simple Vegetarian Red Summer Salad
This vegetarian red summer salad is all about simplicity and freshness. It’s ready in just 5 minutes, making it a healthy and quick option for busy nights when you can’t deal with cooking.
Get the Recipe: Simple Vegetarian Red Summer Salad
Simply Delicious 5-Minute Plateau
This 5-minute plateau includes an easy guacamole recipe that will make you love avocado even more. Fresh, healthy, and ready in 5 minutes, it’s perfect for those nights when you need a no-cook dinner.
Get the Recipe: Simply Delicious 5-Minute Plateau
Summer Charcuterie Board
Easy to assemble and no cooking required, this Summer Charcuterie Board is perfect for entertaining or a casual night in. Customize with your favorite fruits, veggies, and cheeses for a variety of delicious options.
Get the Recipe: Summer Charcuterie Board
Italian Chopped Salad
This practically perfect Italian chopped salad is packed with classic Italian ingredients and a flavorful dressing. Great as a full meal or a light side dish, it’s colorful, vibrant, and oh-so-easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad
La Scala Salad
The La Scala Salad, famous for its balance of flavors, is packed with garbanzo beans, cheese, and salami in a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Easy to recreate at home with simple ingredients, it’s a quick and satisfying option.
Get the Recipe: La Scala Salad
Chopped Italian Sandwich
Need a quick, casual dinner idea? This chopped Italian sandwich is always a hit. Perfect for potlucks, tailgates, or a no-fuss dinner, it’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Italian Sandwich
Mediterranean Tuna Stuffed Peppers
Cool, crisp tuna stuffed peppers are a fast and easy recipe for lunch or a light dinner. With brown rice and Mediterranean flavors from hummus, Greek olives, and feta cheese, they’re both hearty and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tuna Stuffed Peppers
Fresh Tuna Cucumber and Ricotta Cheese Salad
Enjoy this healthy Ricotta salad with fresh greens, cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and creamy herbed tuna-infused ricotta cheese. Perfect for a light lunch or side dish, it’s easy to make and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Tuna Cucumber and Ricotta Cheese Salad
California Roll Bowl
Enjoy all the flavors of a classic California Roll with this easy-to-make California Roll Bowl. Featuring avocado, cucumbers, and imitation crab with a sriracha drizzle, it’s a great dinner or meal-planning option for the week.
Get the Recipe: California Roll Bowl
Mango Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
This Mango Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado is perfect for a summer day. Filled with shrimp, mango, avocado, and crunchy veggies, it’s dressed with tangy lime juice and a touch of Brianna’s Mango vinaigrette for a refreshing bite.
Get the Recipe: Mango Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado
Mediterranean Bowls with Trader Joe’s Greek Chickpeas
Trader Joe’s Greek chickpeas shine in this all-in-one bowl dinner. With orzo, hummus, a simple Greek salad, and homemade tzatziki, it’s a build-your-own adventure meal the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Bowls with Trader Joe’s Greek Chickpeas
Arugula and Spinach Salad
This arugula and spinach salad is bursting with bright flavors from fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, feta, and pecans. Tossed in a honey dijon vinaigrette, it’s easy to make and complements any meal.
Get the Recipe: Arugula and Spinach Salad
Burrata Caprese
Burrata Caprese is fresh and full of flavor, made with creamy burrata instead of mozzarella. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for an appetizer or snack that feels special.
Get the Recipe: Burrata Caprese
15-Minute Beetroot Tartare
This no-cook beetroot tartare is a healthy twist on the classic steak tartare. Quick, flavorful, and made with wholesome ingredients, it’s a perfect plant-based option.
Get the Recipe: 15-Minute Beetroot Tartare
Tuna Peaches
Tuna peaches, or Pêches au thon, are a popular summer dish in Belgium. This surprising combination of canned peaches and tuna salad is perfect for a refreshing and unique summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Tuna Peaches
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.