16 Cool And Refreshing Recipes To Make When It's Too Hot Outside
Because hot food + hot weather is a bad combo.
When it's 100°F outside, the last thing you want to do is eat hot food. But sometimes go-tos like salads aren't always enough.
Sometimes you're craving something more — or sometimes you just really don't want to eat another bowl of lettuce. (I don't blame you!) So here are 16 cool and refreshing ways to switch things up.
1. Chicken Salad Wraps
The perfect make-ahead dinner to stock your fridge with — just wait to roll them so the tortillas don't get soggy. Get the recipe.
2. Fiery Cold Sichuan Sesame Noodles
These noodles, made with sichuan peppercorns and chili flakes, are proof that cold foods don't have to be bland. Get the recipe.
3. Veggie-Packed Buddha Bowl
A colorful (and cool) way to eat your veggies. Get the recipe.
4. BLTA Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
OK, so maybe this could technically be considered a salad — but with chicken, bacon, and avocado, I'll let it slide. Get the recipe.
5. Spring Roll Bowls With Sweet Garlic Lime Sauce
This spring roll bowl is totally customizable. Don't like avocado? Leave it out. Vegetarian? Use tofu instead of chicken. Get the recipe.
6. Shrimp Spring Rolls With Peanut Dipping Sauce
Rice paper can be a bit tricky to work with. To make things easier, soften the sheets in room temperature water (not hot) and work quickly. Get the recipe.
7. Philly Style Italian Hoagies
Meats + cheese + spicy vegetables — what could be better? Get the recipe.
8. Spicy White Bean and Sweet Corn Gazpacho
A sweet and summery soup that'll fill you up and cool you down. Get the recipe.
9. Avocado Bisque With Shrimp
Avocado gives this chilled soup a creamy texture without using any dairy. Get the recipe.
10. Pesto and Prosciutto Zucchini Linguine
If veggie noodles aren't your thing, feel free to use cooked linguine for a chilled noodle version. Get the recipe.
11. Thai Peanut Sesame Noodles
A takeout classic made with just eight ingredients and in 20 minutes — delicious hot or cold! Get the recipe.
12. Greek Chickpea Wraps
Roasted chickpeas add a pop of texture, but you could totally use chickpeas straight out of the can to make it easier. Get the recipe.
13. Salmon Poke Bowl
Make sure to use sushi-grade salmon — if you're unfamiliar, ask your fish monger to help you pick something out. Get the recipe.
14. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
These lettuce wraps take less than 20 minutes to make and pack a ton of bright flavor. Get the recipe.
15. Lemon Garlic Orzo With Roasted Vegetables
Think of this recipe as a fancier pasta salad — just loaded with veggies and way tastier. Get the recipe.
16. Smoked Turkey Cobb Wraps
When it's 100°F outside, these simple wraps make the perfect meal. Get the recipe.
Let's get cooking!
Looking for more summer recipe inspiration? Check out these posts:
• 21 Easy Summer Recipes Without Any Meat
• 25 Feel-Good Recipes You Should Absolutely Make Before Summer Ends