Looking for a few great no-cook recipes to cook during a heatwave? By now you’ve probably heard about the dangerously hot weather descending on the East Coast and Midwest with temperatures set to soar well into triple digits (gulp). In addition to taking cover indoors with face pancaked flat against the AC unit and bags of frozen peas stuffed in places bags of frozen peas should never be, you might be wondering what and how am I supposed to eat in a moment like this?
We can safely say turning on the oven is an absolute no-go. Venturing outside in the heat to find food is also an extremely high-risk maneuver, and you’d have to be devoid of human compassion to make a delivery bike boy or girl peddle through the dense humidity and searing sun just so you can have sushi.
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That really just leaves only one option and that’s cooking at home—or should we say “cooking” at home? From snacks to apps, main courses, desserts, and even a refreshing frozen drinks we’ve got some no-bake, no-cook, no-HEAT recipes to get you through any sweltering summer streak.
Pro tip: A Vitamix may just be your best friend to make cold foods like gazpacho, salsa, and smoothies in a snap and if you own an Instant Pot you already know it contains all the heat inside and won’t warm your kitchen so that’s a great option. Otherwise, here are a few great recipes to cook in any extreme heat. And don’t forget to get to the grocery store and stock up before the wave hits.
Snacks & Apps
Mango Salsa
Chowhound
The beauty in this home-made mango salsa is three-fold. It’s got bright fresh refreshing ingredients like mango, it’s fully no-bake/cook, and it’s not very spicy which could exacerbate a heatwave in ways you don’t want. Add this to a salad or just eat with chips (and margaritas) and use the leftover to top a salmon burger or chicken sandwich once the mercury settles. get our Mango Salsa recipe.
Related Reading: 12 Great Instant Pot Recipes for Summer
Avocado Yogurt Dip
Chowhound
Guacamole is kind of a no-brainer and we’re not saying you shouldn’t make a batch but maybe mix things up with this avocado and yogurt dip. Greek yogurt adds a tang that works nicely with avocado’s more tame and creamy flavor profile. Serve this with chips, crackers or cut vegetables for a healthier option. Get our Avocado Yogurt Dip recipe.
Red Pepper and Feta Dip
Chowhound
Yes I see that this recipe calls for roasting the peppers yourself (don’t you dare @ me) and in normal times we’d say “go for it!” but these are not normal times, ok? You can find pre-roasted red peppers in any grocery store or deli and they’ll work perfectly. Serve this fun dip chilled with pita chips, celery or carrot sticks. Get our Red Pepper & Feta Dip recipe.
Ninja Professional Countertop Blender, $99 on Amazon
Perfect for making quick cold soups, dressings and smoothies on a hot day.
Soups & Salads
Herbed Heirloom Tomato Salad
Chowhound
We’re in the heart of tomato season and so a heatwave would be the perfect time to put them to use. A nice herbed tomato salad like this one, if you’ve got good tomatoes at hand will definitely keep your internal temp down. Add some fresh mozzarella or some no-bake proteins like beans or tuna salad to turn this from side to main. Get our Herbed Heirloom Tomato Salad recipe.
Fancy Simple Crab Salad
Chowhound
Serve yourself a little elegance to take your mind off the obliterating heat trying to invade your home like some noxious gas. Crab salad couldn’t be simpler to make and is delightful served with good crackers, with avocado slices or over a bed of greens and I might add, pairs well with Champagne which you should also have on hand during a heatwave or any event, really. Get our Fancy but Simple Crab Salad recipe.
Basic Tomato Gazpacho
Chowhound
This no-cook soup is a full no brainer during any heatwave. You can do everything you need in a blender making it not only perfect for hot summer moments but easy and fast, leaving you more time to sit and fan yourself back to life. Get our Basic Tomato Gazpacho recipe.
Related Reading: The Best Low-Calorie, Low-Carb Beers for Summer
Main Courses
Classic Steak Tartare
Chowhound
This is one of our best-rated recipes. A classic tartare seems custom made for any carnivore going through a heatwave and if you’ve never tried it, this may be the time. Use good organic eggs for this. Worcestershire sauce and mustard provide the base flavors and it’s best served over greens or with toasted bread. Get our Classic Steak Tartare recipe.
Halibut Ceviche with Watermelon
Chowhound
The best thing about ceviche is the no-cooking part. Just prep the ingredients, toss it all in a bowl, and let it cure. Serve over greens or with chips or crackers with sliced avocado for a nice light no-cook lunch. Get our Halibut Ceviche with Watermelon recipe.
Staub Ceramic Prep Bowls (set of 4), $19.95 on Sur la Table
Prep your ceviche and other cold mains in these sharp ceramic bowls.
Curry Chicken Salad
Technically someone has to cook this chicken at some point but one of my hottest tip for good and easy chicken salad is to prebuy a roasted chicken from the market or a good rotisserie spot if you have one and use that meat. Saves you the hassle and also the heat of doing it yourself. Curry chicken salad goes swell over crunchy greens and feel free to add or subtract any ingredients as you see fit. Get our Curry Chicken Salad recipe.
Cold Asian Peanut Noodles
Shutterstock
Ok, real talk. This is technically not 100 percent no-cook as you will have to boil some water but that’s a small price to pay for a delicious cold noodle main dish the whole fam will be pumped for. Add protein like shrimp or chicken or keep it vegan. Soba or udon noodles can be found in nearly any grocery store. Get our Cold Asian Peanut Noodles recipe.
Desserts
Our pal Jessie Sheehan wrote the book on Icebox Cakes and we covered some of her favorite no-bake desserts here including a divine strawberry vanilla icebox cake.
No-Bake S’mores Icebox Cake
Matt Armendari
Again, for a more detailed rundown of how to best pull off an icebox cake, check out our piece featuring no-bake guru Jessie Sheehan. This S’mores inspired icebox cake will keep the whole family happy no matter how hot things get! Get our No-Bake S’ mores Icebox Cake recipe.
Icebox Cakes by Jessie Sheehan, $14.82 on Amazon
The queen of cold cakes shares her favorite no-bake recipes.
Summer Berry Salad
This is a crowd-pleaser and versatile too. You can add some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and blend any leftover into a decadent smoothie for breakfast the next day. I mean who doesn’t love berries? Get our Summer Berry Salad recipe.
Slushy Cherry Old Fashioned
Chowhound
For a hot day such as this, you’re going to want (need) a cold fruity, slushy cocktail. Bust out the blender and a bottle of bourbon (nothing too expensive) and spin your way to a cooler state of mind. Get our Slushy Cherry Old Fashioned recipes.
Cheers, and stay cool my people!
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