15+ 20-Minute Cold Dinner Recipes For A Hot Day

15+ 20-Minute Cold Dinner Recipes For A Hot Day

Cold Dinners to Beat the Heat

Summer is here, and the heat is on! When the sun beats down, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen cooking up a storm. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor for convenience. These 15+ cold dinner recipes are quick, easy, and perfect for a hot summer day.

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Vegan Superfood Grain Bowls

In just 15 minutes, you can whip up this nutrient-packed grain bowl recipe with prewashed baby kale, microwavable quinoa, and precooked beets. Pack it ahead for easy meal-prep lunches or dinners on busy nights.

Raw Vegan Zoodles with Romesco

Say goodbye to cooking and hello to this refreshing spiralized zucchini noodle dinner with red pepper sauce. Simply whirl up the 5-ingredient sauce in your food processor or blender, toss, and serve!

Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl

Keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado, and loads of veggies in this grain bowl recipe. It’s the perfect solution for a quick and easy dinner.

Meal-Prep Curried Chicken Bowls

Curry doesn’t have to take hours to prepare. With the help of our sheet-pan meal-prep chicken and some cooked whole grains, you can make these meal-prep bowls in just a few minutes. Keep them in the fridge for an easy dinner on a busy weeknight or for healthy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

Quinoa Avocado Salad

Protein-packed quinoa pairs with creamy avocado in this refreshing grain salad. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish to bring on a picnic or take to a potluck. Or pack it for lunch or enjoy it as a light dinner.

Roasted Veggie & Hummus Pita Pockets

These satisfying and tasty pita-pocket sandwiches are packed with roasted veggies and greens. A spread of hummus adds creaminess and keeps everything from falling out.

Loaded Chicken-Quinoa Salad

Turn simple precooked ingredients into a delicious one-dish meal, high in fiber and with plenty of protein to keep you feeling satisfied.

Cucumber, Tomato, Swiss Cheese, and Chickpea Salad

In this salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk, and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables.

Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dressing

This high-fiber vegetarian grain bowl is packed with colorful veggies and plant-based protein to keep you feeling energized and satisfied.

Salmon & Avocado Poke Bowl

Poke (pronounced poh-kay), the bite-size marinated fish salad famous in Hawaii, is so popular that it’s sold by the pound in supermarkets. Now it has crossed the Pacific to become the meal-in-a-bowl du jour, served in eateries from Los Angeles to New York. But it’s easy to make at home with this quick recipe.

Chickpea & Veggie Grain Bowl

This high-fiber vegetarian grain bowl is packed with colorful veggies and plant-based protein to keep you feeling energized and satisfied.

Vegetarian Italian Hoagies

Traditional Italian subs feature meat but this delightfully easy sandwich packs a punch with artichoke hearts, red onion, and zesty pepperoncini instead. We love it for dinner as well as lunch.

Chicken, Quinoa & Veggie Bowl

With a whopping 19 grams of protein, this one-dish meal will keep you feeling full and satisfied for hours.

Turkey, Corn, & Sun-Dried Tomato Wraps

Fresh corn kernels, tomatoes, and lettuce fill these hearty turkey wraps. This wrap is great for picnics or when you need to have dinner on the run.

Salmon Salad Sandwich

Salmon salad served on tangy pumpernickel bread makes for an easy dinner—a double batch will give you lunch the next day.

Conclusion

These cold dinner recipes are perfect for hot summer days when the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. With minimal cooking and prep time, you can whip up a delicious and satisfying meal in no time. Whether you’re a vegan, gluten-free, or just looking for some inspiration, there’s something for everyone on this list.

FAQs

Q: What are some quick and easy dinner ideas for hot summer days?
A: These 15+ cold dinner recipes are perfect for hot summer days when you want a quick and easy meal.

Q: Can I make these recipes vegan?
A: Many of these recipes are already vegan, and some can be easily adapted to be vegan-friendly by substituting ingredients.

Q: Are these recipes gluten-free?
A: Some of these recipes are gluten-free, but please check the ingredients to confirm.

Q: Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
A: Yes, many of these recipes can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later use.

Q: Are these recipes healthy?
A: These recipes are designed to be healthy and packed with nutrients, but please check the ingredients and nutritional information to confirm.