Too hot to cook? 39 no-sweat summer recipes

Tuna and Potato Salad with Lemon-Caper Dressing

Who says potato salad needs to be heavy?

Swiss Pesto Panini

This panini turns leftover roast chicken (or turkey) into a quick lunch or light dinner.

MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE ORZO SALAD

We love summer salad season, with its fresh ingredients ready to be tossed with a tangy vinaigrette and enjoyed alfresco. It only follows, then, that this full-flavoured orzo recipe has us giddy at the thought of digging in.

Get the recipe here.

Marinated Chickpea Salad

Canned chickpeas are a convenient shortcut used in this marinated salad.

Watermelon Salad

Fresh, juicy watermelon tossed with crisp fennel makes a wonderful sweet and savoury salad. Try it as a side dish with your favourite grilled meat.

MIXED GREEN SALAD WITH STRAWBERRY SALSA

This pretty, colourful, ultra-fresh salad makes a great side dish or light lunch. When choosing strawberries, let your nose be your guide—the sweetest strawberries always smell lovely and fragrant.

Get the recipe here.

Herbed Edamame Salad with Pancetta

Crispy bits of pancetta take this herb-packed salad a notch over the top.

QUINOA TABBOULEH

Middle Eastern tabbouleh is usually made with cracked bulgur wheat. By using quinoa (actually a seed that is an excellent source of iron), this salad becomes gluten-free.

Get the recipe here.

Creamy Cucumber Salad

This Scandinavian-style salad is easy to prepare and full of lively accents. Salting and draining the cucumber is essential to prevent a watery salad.

Wheat Berry, Corn and Red Pepper Salad

A wheat berry is the intact version of a whole grain of wheat.

Mixed Bean and Feta Salad

This hearty salad is made with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry or fridge.

COLD SOBA NOODLE SALAD

A simple cold pasta salad makes a great lunch or light dinner. Pair with grilled chicken or fish, like our Miso Salmon, for an easy summer meal.

Black and White Bean and Quinoa Salad

This salad packs not only a protein punch but also good amounts of fibre and iron.

SLOW COOKER KOREAN PORK LETTUCE WRAPS

Traditionally called Bo Ssam, these ginger-packed lettuce wraps make a light, satisfying meal. Serve with Korean-style pickled vegetables or kimchi, the intensely flavourful Ginger Green Onions Sauce and a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds for an authentic flair.

Get the recipe here.

Fresh Rolls With Spicy Almond Dipping Sauce

This Vietnamese favourite is easy to make and is just as suitable for a main course as it is for an appetizer.

Cold Chicken Noodle Salad

If you're making this fresh and flavourful salad ahead of time, store it in a large shallow airtight container for easy tossing.

Fruity Tuna Salad Pitas

The typical tuna salad sandwich has kids and adults begging for a change.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Let guests build their own sandwiches.

CHILLED DILL AND CUCUMBER SOUP WITH SALMON CROSTINI

Blend this super-easy chilled soup in the morning, and leave it in the fridge until dinnertime. The chilling process develops the cool, subtle flavours of the soup while getting the prep work out of your way early.

Get the recipe here.

Middle Eastern Couscous Bowl

When you have leftover roast chicken from Sunday dinner, this is an easy and utterly tasty way to make it shine.

Red Pepper Soup

Equally delicious hot or cold, this fresh soup makes the most of your sweet pepper bumper crop!

AVOCADO LOBSTER ROLLS

Yogurt, fresh herbs and a little lemon make these no-cook lobster rolls super creamy and flavourful. Serve with coleslaw and a fresh summer salad.

Get the recipe here.
 

GOLDEN GAZPACHO SHOOTERS

This refreshing hot-weather soup is popular across Portugal and Spain, where tomatoes and peppers are abundant. It's important to give this soup the full 24 hours of rest in the fridge to mellow the onion and garlic. The soup will separate, but a gentle stir brings it back together.

Get the recipe here.

Thai Crab Cake Salad with Red Curry Mayo

In this perfect-for-company supper, red curry paste delivers spicy, herbaceous flavour to the crab cakes as well as the accompanying creamy mayo.

Tea Sangria

Lightly sweetened iced tea replaces the wine in this alcohol-free twist on fruity sangria. Frozen grapes keep the drink cold without watering down the flavour.

CLASSIC LEMONADE

Tart and tangy, this is the essential summertime drink. For a sparkling version, use soda water instead of water.

Get the recipe here.

PORTUGUESE SUMMER DAISY COCKTAIL

We took a cocktail traditionally made with ruby Port and brandy and lightened it up with white Port and effervescent white wine. Champagne flutes are the prettiest choice for this refreshing aperitif.

Get the recipe here.

Watermelon Fizz

This pretty reddish-pink drink is utterly refreshing, and it's a hit with adults and kids alike. Try it at your next barbecue.

Strawberry Peach Smoothie

This fruit smoothie has a hint of almond, which adds richness and protein to an everyday treat.

Strawberry Peach Smoothie

This ultrahealthy smoothie helps you start your day off right.

No-Bake Pink Lemonade Cheesecake Squares

Junior chefs will love this delectable treat because they can make it on their own (though an adult should lend a hand when cooking the raspberry purée).

STRAWBERRY VANILLA YOGURT SWIRL POPS

This lightened-up version of strawberries and cream is a pop worthy of any hot summer day. The berries are the star of this frozen treat, so use ripe, in-season strawberries for optimum flavour.

Get the recipe here.

Strawberry Snow Cones

Beat the heat with this three-ingredient icy treat that appeals to the kid in all of us.

CRISPY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SQUARES

Rice cereal gives the classic combo of chocolate and peanut butter a satisfying crunch. The trick to making these easy squares is working quickly—otherwise, the sugar may harden before you press the mixture into the pan.

Sponge Toffee

It takes just five simple ingredients to create this crunchy confection.

Get the recipe here.

Watermelon Granita

This cool, icy treat is dead simple to make, and it's a healthy alternative to ice cream.

BERRY GREEK YOGURT POPS

These sweet-tart pops are a slam dunk with kids. A bit of seedless berry jam (you choose the flavour) adds sweetness and a rich berry colour.

Get the recipe here.

Mini No-Bake Cheesecakes

In season, try substituting chopped fresh fruit or whole berries for the preserves.

Grilled Peaches with Ricotta

Impress guests with this stunning dessert that comes together in only 15 minutes.