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These cold summer meals are ideal for backyard parties and lazy weekday lunches. From pasta salads to wraps and sandwiches, we’ve got you covered.
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Most of these meals can be prepped ahead of time with ingredients you already have. This list can make hosting a lot easier!
And as always, you can switch things up and include your favorite meats, veggies, sauces, and dressings.
Prosciutto Arugula Bruschetta
This elegant last-minute appetizer will stand out in your summer spread.
It’s like something you’d order at a wine bar, made with mascarpone cheese, arugula, prosciutto, and a drizzle of honey.
Get The Recipe: Prosciutto Arugula Bruschetta
Asian Cucumber Salad
This salad is packed with bold, tangy flavors.
Sprinkle it with extra sesame seeds for a finishing touch, then pair it with steamed rice and pan-fried tofu.
Get The Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad
Chicken Lettuce Wraps With Peanut Sauce
Restaurant-quality weeknight dinner ideas? You have to try these filling wraps.
They’re made with brown rice, ground chicken, cucumbers, and sesame oil. You’ll love the special peanut sauce included in this recipe.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Lettuce Wraps With Peanut Sauce
Orange Quinoa Salad
If you’re after something vibrant and citrusy for a hot day, this salad is the way to go.
It offers a refreshing blend of flavors, thanks to red cabbage, quinoa, orange, and cucumbers.
Get The Recipe: Orange Quinoa Salad
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Hot Girl Summer Salad
You’ll love the tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors of this TikTok-famous salad.
Main ingredients include hard-boiled eggs, bell peppers, cucumbers, red wine vinegar, and honey. It’s ready in 15 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad
Peruvian Shrimp Ceviche
Seafood lovers, don’t forget to add this ceviche to your summer menu.
Aside from shrimp, you’ll need cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, jalapeños, orange juice, and cilantro.
Get The Recipe: Peruvian Shrimp Ceviche
Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
Gone are the days of boring and bland plant-based dishes.
This recipe is something you’ll want to explore even beyond summer. It features dill pickles, tofu, and pure maple syrup.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
Cold Green Bean Salad
This salad is perfect when you need something quick and refreshing.
Just be careful not to overcook the green beans. You can also add tomatoes before serving to make it even more flavorful.
Get The Recipe: Cold Green Bean Salad
Chickpea Kale Salad
This summer salad is ready in just 12 minutes with basic pantry ingredients.
Don’t skip the dressing that comes with this recipe! It’s made with cashew butter, lemon juice, garlic, liquid aminos, and olive oil.
Get The Recipe: Chickpea Kale Salad
Sushi Spring Rolls
You’ll have fun assembling these sushi rolls! The good news?
They’re 100% vegan and come together in less than 30 minutes. Go ahead and include your favorite veggies.
Get The Recipe: Sushi Spring Rolls
Broccoli Salad with Bacon
This cold summer meal features the irresistible combo of bacon and broccoli.
The sunflower kernels and red onions, of course, add a fun crunch you’ll want to have again and again.
Get The Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Bacon
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Vegan Lettuce Wraps with Grilled Avocado
These wraps are made with all things delicious.
They’re made with ramen noodles, curry powder, coconut milk, cucumbers, and natural peanut butter.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Lettuce Wraps with Grilled Avocado
Cucumber and Avocado Gazpacho
Tired of all the salads and sandwiches?
This gazpacho is a must-try this summer, with cucumbers, avocado, onions, garlic, cilantro, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Get The Recipe: Cucumber and Avocado Gazpacho
Summer Peach Panzanella Salad
There really is no need to bake complicated desserts to enjoy peaches.
Enjoy them on their own or in this salad. It pairs nicely with tomatoes, arugula, red onions, and apple cider vinegar.
Get The Recipe: Summer Peach Panzanella Salad
Creamy Cucumber Gazpacho
This gazpacho is made with cucumbers, jalapeños, apples, avocados, white wine vinegar, and other ingredients.
Top with fresh chopped dill, then pair it with a chilled mint lemonade.
Get The Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Gazpacho
Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing
If you love spring rolls but don’t feel like rolling, check out this salad recipe.
It’s so hearty and colorful, with a fun dressing made with peanut butter, low-sodium soy sauce, and maple syrup.
Get The Recipe: Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing
Tuna Poke Bowl
This bowl is made for long, lazy summer days. It combines tuna with a lot of wholesome ingredients.
If you want, you can customize the recipe and use a different protein like shrimp or tofu.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Poke Bowl
Cottage Cheese Greek Chicken Bowls
You’ll never go wrong with high-protein lunches. This bowl is one of the easiest meals you can prepare this summer!
It has cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and cucumbers.
Get The Recipe: Cottage Cheese Greek Chicken Bowls
Summer Apple and Strawberry Salad
This fruity salad is fast, fresh, and so easy to customize. Definitely an amazing option for picnics or light dinners on hot evenings.
You can also make it heartier by adding hard-boiled eggs or nuts.
Get The Recipe: Summer Apple and Strawberry Salad
Chopped Italian Sub Sandwiches
This sandwich is an amazing choice for your next picnic.
Feel free to use your favorite seasonings and cheeses! Also, why not challenge yourself and make homemade sourdough?
Get The Recipe: Chopped Italian Sub Sandwiches
Fig, Prosciutto and Brie Open-Faced Sandwich
Preparing for a sophisticated summer get-together? You have to try these savory treats.
They look so elegant, but you’ll be surprised at how easy they are to make. They have fresh figs, arugula, and Brie.
Get The Recipe: Fig, Prosciutto and Brie Open-Faced Sandwich
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Lithuanian Cold Beetroot Soup (Pink Soup)
Looking for something refreshingly different?
This soup is creamy, tangy, and eye-catching with its signature pink hue. The vibrant color comes naturally from beetroot!
Get The Recipe: Lithuanian Cold Beetroot Soup (Pink Soup)
Mango Avocado Cucumber Salad
Not all cucumber salads are created equal, so be sure to try the best ones.
This fruity salad pairs well with a tangy and savory homemade sauce. And don’t forget to add red chili powder for that spicy kick!
Get The Recipe: Mango Avocado Cucumber Salad
Summer Chicken and Rice Bowls
Whether you’re cooking for yourself or the whole family, this rice bowl is a great choice.
It features rotisserie chicken and berries. Remember to use fresh berries for this recipe—frozen ones can become too watery when thawed.
Get The Recipe: Summer Chicken and Rice Bowls
Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
This salad is bursting with summer flavors.
It comes together in just 10 minutes and pairs nicely with many summer main dishes. Try it with balsamic glazed steak or shrimp skewers.
Get The Recipe: Caprese Salad with Cherry Tomatoes
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Find new delicious summer favorites! Pasta salads and sliders are hearty, customizable, and beginner-friendly.
You can also explore wraps or rice bowls using store-bought rotisserie chicken or any leftover meats you have on hand.
25 Summer Side Dishes for BBQs That Could Be Your New Signature Dish
These summer side dishes for BBQs include sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that complement any grilled main. Try new tasty salads, wraps, slaws, and more.
Read it here: 25 Summer Side Dishes for BBQs That Could Be Your New Signature Dish
25 Fresh Summer Recipes That’ll Keep You Cool and Satisfied
From refreshing drinks to dishes using summer fruits and flavors, these fresh summer recipes bring in the best of what we love about the warm summer season.
Read it here: 25 Fresh Summer Recipes That’ll Keep You Cool and Satisfied
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Looking for more summer recipes? You won’t believe how easy and delicious these meals are:
- 25 Summer Beef Recipes That’ll Make You Forget About Chicken
- 25 Summer Breakfast Ideas to Start Your Day Fresh
- 25 Summer Dessert Ideas That Might Just Break Your Diet (and You Won’t Care)
- 25 Summer Snack Ideas That Disappear Faster Than You Can Blink
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