Cooking in the heat is a terrible experience – you’re flustered, sweating from the heat of the oven, and the rangehood fan seems to do nothing. In some cases, cooking outside on the barbie isn’t worth the trouble.
No-cook dinners are every Aussie family’s saviour during the summer. Whether you’re a barbecue chicken family, or a big fan of a ‘picky bits/hot girl dinner’, it’s a foolproof way to stay cool, calm and collected on a 35°C evening. We’ve compiled all of our recipes that require absolutely no cooking at all, only simple prep. The most you’ll have to do is boil the kettle and chop some vegies!
Right down the bottom, we’ve got a separate list of cold dinners that need a little bit of extra time. If you think you can manage boiling a pot of water for pasta or cooking a chicken breast, skip to cold dinners here.
No-cook dinners when it’s too hot to turn on the oven
Fill hungry tummies with a salad that will completely clear out your fridge. With every vegetable under the sun, along with black beans and feta, this salad is hearty enough to satisfy all on its own. Make early in the morning so you don’t have to sweat in the kitchen doing prep for dinner!
Get your protein in with pre-made falafel and lots of hummus, and skip any heavy meats! This salad will brighten up a summer evening with a vinegary dressing, pine nuts and pickly onions.
This Caesar salad is as Aussie as it gets for summer dinners. Throw together prawns, mango and a tangy, creamy Caesar dressing for a meal that’s light enough for hot weather. This recipe includes instructions for cooking prawns on the barbecue, but, if you can’t be bothered, just buy pre-cooked prawns and throw them in at the end!
Jammy eggs, tuna and chickpeas will give you the ultimate protein-packed dish. If you’re trying to hit your macros without cooking up a storm, then this recipe is for you.
Wrap up some rockmelon in your favourite charcuterie meat (prosciutto!) for a dinner to remember. This dish is perfect for diners who only feel a little peckish when it’s a hot evening. If you need extra sustenance, add in some crusty bread to soak up the lemony vinaigrette.
This is for families that love getting a barbecue chook on a weeknight. Pair your shredded chicken with Asian herbs, pickled cucumbers and a chili, peanut dressing for a zingy dinner that’s made in a flash!
If you can’t handle any meat or carbs during the heat, then a slaw is the way to go. With seed mix, nuts, brussels sprouts, cabbage and lots of herbs, you can’t go wrong with a rainbow-filled bowl of this.
For those who do need some extra protein, pair it with a tin of tuna or everyone’s favourite, a barbecue chook.
Use up leftover chicken by making these ciabatta rolls for dinner. You’ll love the creamy, chicken filling with celery and watercress. Our advice? For hot weather, skip the fried onions and serve with a simple green salad instead!
Rice paper rolls are a classic choice for summer dinners – they’re bright, fresh and easy to make, all you have to do is boil the kettle. Use pre-cooked prawns, fresh vegies and a sweet chilli sauce for a dinner you could eat at any temp!
Smoked salmon will become a staple in your fridge once you realise all the different meals you can make with it. This no-cook option involves pickly onions, cucumber and creme fraiche. We’ve included instructions to make your own flatbread, but if you’re on the no-cook train, then just use a store-bought alternative.
Sandwiches for dinner are always acceptable in summer. Use up your summer fruit stash (this one has peaches!) and pair it with prosciutto and pesto for deliciousness in every bite.
Cold dinners for hot summer evenings
If you’re happy to put a pot on to boil, but still want a dinner that’s cold and fresh, then we’ve got a few options for you. Cook your pasta and fry up a bit of chicken breast for a cold, summer dish!
Cook quinoa for 15 mins on the stove before prepping this Greek-inspired salad filled with fresh goodness. Baby spinach adds a protein boost, while cucumber and sweet capsicums add that crunch!
Boil some pasta and quickly fry off a few slices of pancetta for a pasta salad that’s worth the extra time in a hot kitchen. It’s zesty, nutty and has the perfect amount of bocconcini in it.
Fry up chicken tenderloins to make a salad that’s full of summer flavours. Strips of mango, a spicy sauce and oodles of noodles make for a satisfying cold dinner.
This salad is one of the easiest cold dinners to pull off! Simply poach a couple of chicken breasts, chop your vegies and make that addictive, oh so good, green goddess dressing.
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