30 Refreshing No-Cook Summer Recipes for Hot Days

If you start with pre-cooked shrimp, this satisfying salad is ready in about 15 minutes. You can buy already-cooked shrimp at a fish counter, supermarket, or use frozen shrimp that you’ve thawed.

One of the quintessential no-cook summer dishes. Try different tomato varieties — heirloom, yellow, striped — to change the look and flavor. If you have access to a farmers market, pick up a mix of colorful tomatoes for the best results.

Great for picnics and warm-weather lunches. Using precooked shrimp makes this light, colorful pasta salad exceptionally easy to assemble.

This colorful vegetarian salad works as an entrée or side. For a vegan version, omit the feta and replace honey with agave. It also makes a tasty filling for wraps.

Fresh shrimp marinated in lime juice with avocado, bell pepper, onion, and herbs makes a light, bright ceviche. The lime “cooks” the shrimp, so no heat is needed.

A must-make when corn is in season. Using pre-cooked shrimp keeps this salad simple — cook extra corn when you can and save it for salads like this.

A contemporary take on a classic side using canned beans, whole grains, jarred hearts of palm, and lots of fresh herbs to lighten the dish.

Make extra tortellini when cooking dinner and use it to build this pasta salad the next day — a perfect make-ahead option for summer.

This Southwest black bean and corn salad is colorful, easy, affordable, vegetarian, and satisfying. Serve it with tortilla chips for scooping.

The colorful restaurant-style salad at home: cabbage, carrots, noodles and peanuts for crunch, cucumber, and a savory soy-sesame dressing with garlic, ginger, and a touch of heat. Start with rotisserie chicken for a true no-cook main-dish salad.

A 15-minute pantry salad with canned white beans plus cucumber, celery, and onion. Fast, fresh, and satisfying.

Farro or another grain mixed with a variety of colorful vegetables and herbs creates a hearty salad with pleasing texture and chew.

A colorful, high-protein salad that’s flexible and cheerful. Swap ingredients as you like — it adapts well.

Flavored and crunchy add-ins transform ordinary chicken salad into a deli-worthy favorite. Start with rotisserie or leftover cooked chicken.

A crunchy salad with chickpeas tossed in a creamy, lemony tahini dressing with a touch of heat. The dressing is versatile — try it on grilled vegetables or bean salads.

A creamy avocado spread elevates a chicken sandwich — leftover sliced chicken breast is ideal, and bacon is optional but tasty.

Keep a rotisserie chicken or intentionally cook extra chicken earlier in the week to assemble this colorful, flexible salad that highlights texture and freshness.

This marinated BLT pasta salad has crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy lettuce tossed with tender pasta and a tangy dressing. Perfect for make-ahead summer gatherings.

Shredded chicken mixed with herbed mayo turns simple cooked chicken into a flavorful, elevated chicken salad.

One of the best no-cook summer recipes: healthy, flavorful, and incredibly refreshing. Keep a pitcher in the fridge to enjoy any time.

A mayo-free tuna salad that uses oil-packed tuna for a rich, tender result. It’s a sophisticated, flavorful alternative to the usual tuna salad.

The peanut dressing is so good you’ll want to make extra for grilled veggies, chicken, and more. This salad is crunchy, flavorful, and easy to prepare.

This popular grain salad combines brown rice with vegetables and a bright dressing. It’s make-ahead friendly and widely loved.

A flexible salad ideal for using leftover chicken and rice. Mix and match pantry and fridge items for a satisfying meal.

A bold main-course salad with a flavorful dressing of peanut butter, soy, vinegar or citrus, ginger, and a dash of heat. A great choice when you want a robust, no-cook main dish.

Simple and perfect, with dill, lemon, and shallot for deli-quality flavor. Hard-cooked eggs are a quick and versatile ingredient to keep on hand.

The clean, delicate flavor of scallop ceviche is outstanding. Make sure scallops are very fresh — the citrus in the recipe “cooks” them and results in a bright, refreshing dish.

This Mediterranean-inspired salad is beautiful and satisfying — a complete, elegant no-cook meal.

A vibrant main-dish taco salad full of color, texture, and bold flavor — perfect for a hearty no-cook meal.

A great sandwich is an ultimate no-cook meal. This substantial Dagwood-style sub is a family favorite and perfect when you want something hearty without heating the kitchen.