Summer meals no oven is the season of sun, fun, and outdoor activities. However, it can also bring sweltering heat and humidity, making it challenging to cook in the kitchen. The last thing anyone wants is to turn on the oven and heat up the house even more. Luckily, there are plenty of tasty summer meals that don’t require any baking or roasting in the oven. In this article, we’ll share some delicious and refreshing recipes that you can make without using an oven.
Quick and Easy Cold Salads
When the temperature rises, there’s nothing like a refreshing cold salad to cool you down. Here are some quick and easy salad recipes that are perfect for hot summer days:
Watermelon and Feta Salad (H3)
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, feta cheese, mint, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately or chilled.
Tuna Pasta Salad (H3)
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. cooked pasta
- 2 cans of tuna, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, tuna, celery, red onion, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately or chilled.
Grilled Meat and Veggies
Grilling is an excellent way to cook food without heating up the kitchen. Here are some delicious and healthy recipes that you can make on the grill:
Grilled Chicken Kabobs (H3)
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 red onion, cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp. honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken, bell peppers, and onion to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers.
- Grill the kabobs for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers (H3)
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 red onion, cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add the shrimp, bell peppers, and onion to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Thread the shrimp and vegetables onto skewers.
- Grill the skewers for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the shrimp is cooked through.
Chilled Soups
Soups may not seem like a summer meal, but chilled soups are a great way to stay cool while still enjoying a savory dish. Here are some delicious chilled soup recipes to try:
Gazpacho (H3)
Ingredients:
- 4 large tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup tomato juice
Instructions:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add the tomato juice and blend again until well combined.
- Chill the gazpacho in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Avocado Soup (H3)
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp. lime juice
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeño, diced tomatoes
Instructions:
- In a blender or food processor, combine the avocados, vegetable broth, red onion, garlic, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Blend until smooth.
- Chill the avocado soup in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Top with optional toppings, if desired.
Conclusion
Summer meals no oven are perfect for hot weather when you want something quick, easy, and refreshing. These recipes are not only delicious but also healthy, making them a great option for any meal of the day. Whether you’re looking for a salad, grilled meat and veggies, or a chilled soup, these recipes will keep you cool and satisfied all summer long.
FAQs
Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
- Yes, all of these recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Can I substitute different ingredients in these recipes?
- Yes, feel free to substitute ingredients based on your preferences or dietary restrictions.
Are these recipes suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
- Most of these recipes are vegetarian or can be easily modified to be vegetarian. Some recipes may also be suitable for vegans with ingredient substitutions.
How long can I store these recipes in the refrigerator?
- Most of these recipes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Can I freeze these recipes?
- Some of these recipes may be suitable for freezing, but it’s best to check each recipe’s instructions to see if freezing is recommended.