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Easy no-cook recipes perfect for hot weather
Easy recipes to make when time is tight
By Lottie Woodrow · July 11, 2026
Originally published on loveFOOD
Keep it simple in the kitchen
You'll be surprised how easy it is to eat well without turning on the oven or hob. With some savvy shopping and a few tips and tricks, you can have a tasty meal on the table in mere minutes. From filling salads and wraps to no-churn ice cream and fuss-free cheesecakes, these are our favorite no-cook meals – all of which you can make without using any form of heat.
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover our tastiest no-cook recipes, counting down to the simplest of all.
38. Condensed milk ice cream
You don’t need an ice cream machine to make this smooth and rich dessert. Just four ingredients are required, including condensed milk and evaporated milk. Whisk a 12oz can of chilled evaporated milk and 21.1fl oz heavy cream, then whisk in two cans of 14oz condensed milk and 2 tsp vanilla extract. Once incorporated, place the mixture in a freezer-proof box and freeze it for around six hours. Experiment with add-ins such as passion fruit pulp, caramel sauce, honeycomb, and raspberry purée.
37. Coronation chicken
We love delicately spiced coronation chicken with a peppery salad and crusty bread. This classic British dish is a great low-effort meal – and if you buy a whole rotisserie or ready-cooked chicken and chop it into pieces, it requires no cooking at all. Just let it marinate in 1.8oz mango chutney, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, eight chopped anchovies, 0.5oz curry powder, and 8.8oz mayonnaise for 30 minutes before serving.
36. Tiramisù
This Italian dessert is super simple to make. Give the sponge fingers a really good dunking in the coffee mix; ideally, you want them to absorb all the flavor and add moisture to the dish. You can build the tiramisù in individual glasses or a single serving dish.
35. Shrimp and pomelo salad
Having a bag of cooked frozen shrimp in the freezer is a lifesaver. Defrost them in the fridge overnight and use them in this Vietnamese-inspired salad with mint, cilantro, Thai basil, pomelo, carrot, cucumber, and scallions. A spicy, sweet, and sour dressing, plus a sprinkling of peanuts, brings everything together beautifully.
34. Rosewater and pistachio cheesecake
This aromatic cheesecake has a crumbly base made from crushed pistachios and digestive biscuits. It's topped with a pillowy, perfumed mix of cream cheese, clotted cream, and rosewater. In short, it's heaven in a dessert (and it doesn't require any cooking at all).
33. Chocolate and peanut butter fridge bars
These rich chocolate and peanut butter fridge bars are made from chickpeas, dates, peanut butter, and cacao nibs, meaning they're a great healthy dessert option. You can finish them off with a drizzle of melted dark chocolate, if you like.
Get the recipe for chocolate and peanut butter fridge bars here
32. Watermelon granita
A granita is a bit like a crunchy, icy sorbet – and no churning is required to make it. Add a ripe watermelon, the seeds from a pomegranate, the zest and juice of two limes, and a handful of fresh mint leaves to a blender, then blend until smooth. You can pass it through a sieve to get rid of all of the seeds and excess residue. Place the mixture in the freezer for around two to three hours, then scrape it with a fork to ensure it’s well mixed and icy.
31. Shrimp ceviche
For an easy twist on popular Peruvian dish shrimp ceviche, marinate 7oz raw shrimp in 8.1fl oz Tabasco, 8.1fl oz lemon juice, and 1 tbsp salt, then allow them to sit for 20 minutes. Combine the marinated shrimp with avocado, red onion, and tomato, and use the mixture to top tostadas or fill tacos. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and lime wedges on the side.
30. Summer rolls
This one requires a small amount of prep – mainly just prepping the veggies and rice noodles – but it’s definitely worth the extra effort. The beauty is in the fillings, which you can mix and match; use a combination of shredded veggies, cold rice noodles and a protein of your choice (like pre-cooked shrimp or tofu). Pair with a dipping sauce to serve.
Get the recipe for summer rolls here
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29. Crab, fennel, and orange salad
This gorgeous crab, fennel, and orange salad is so easy that it can be thrown together in mere minutes. You can find white crab meat ready-picked in supermarkets or at your local fishmonger's shop. Sweet orange, crunchy radish, peppery watercress, and fennel are the perfect match.
28. Smoked mackerel, orange, and beetroot salad
Citrus pairs brilliantly with oily fish like smoked mackerel, as it helps cut through the richness. If you have leftover cooked potatoes, they'd make a great addition to the salad (and make it more filling) – or you could use a can of peeled, cooked potatoes instead. You could also add some pickled or pre-cooked beetroot and a few green leaves, such as watercress.
Get the recipe for smoked mackerel, orange, and beetroot salad here
27. Beetroot, orange, and fennel salad
A couple of savvy shop-bought shortcuts mean you won't have to turn on the oven to make this sunshine salad. Buy unsalted roasted pistachios and use pre-cooked beetroot (purple is fine if you can't find the golden variety), then add zesty orange segments and bitter shaved fennel. An orange juice and ginger dressing rounds out the dish.
26. Zucchini carpaccio salad
Looking for a gorgeous no-cook vegetarian dish? Look no further. Carpaccio means something that's raw – in this case, zucchini. Slice the summer vegetable into thin ribbons and let it sit in a pistachio vinaigrette to soften (you can skip the griddling in our recipe). Top with a salsa made from tinned chickpeas, lemon juice, cumin, tomato and red onion. Finish by crumbling over some feta and garnishing with chopped cilantro.
25. Pea and radish salad
For a sweet, crunchy salad, try this dish. Put 12oz peas in a salad bowl and scatter over 10 thinly sliced radishes, a chopped scallion and a crumble of feta or cottage cheese. Loosen 3 tbsp crème fraîche by mixing it with a little milk, drizzle it over the salad, then add your favorite pre-cooked grains to make it more filling.
24. Mango and chili coleslaw
Coleslaw tastes best when it's homemade, and this simple mango and chili version is well worth trying. You'll need crunchy shredded vegetables such as half a red cabbage, half a white cabbage, three carrots and half a purple onion, as well as a flavorful dressing (try mixing 3 tsp French mustard, 3.5fl oz cider vinegar, 8 tbsp light brown sugar, 3.5fl oz olive oil, and a teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce). Toss through some cubed fresh mango to add a layer of sweetness.
23. Zucchini tostadas
In need of a fresh, zingy, and tasty snack or light lunch? These easy zucchini tostadas are your new go-to. Finely diced zucchini is briefly marinated in lime juice, maple syrup, oil, and salt, then mixed with basil, scallions, and avocado. The mix is then piled onto tostadas (buy them ready made to avoid baking circles of tortilla wraps) and finished with a sprinkle of chili flakes.
22. Ice cream meringue cake
Keep a couple of ready-made meringues in the pantry, and this dessert can be assembled in no time. Meringue is layered with vanilla ice cream, raspberry sorbet, and whipped cream to give a stunning ombre effect.
21. Mango salad with peanuts and pomegranate
Candied peanuts, sweet mango, sharp pomegranate seeds, sour molasses, creamy avocado, and a dressing of lime juice, cumin, and chili flakes – this punchy salad hits all the right flavor notes. Layered on a bed of chopped lettuce, sliced red onion and fresh herbs, it's a light, bright and filling main meal. Skip the need for the oven by buying sweet caramelized peanuts or honey-roasted peanuts.
20. Grapefruit and sea bass ceviche
Citrussy and delicious, grapefruit and sea bass work brilliantly together in a zingy ceviche. To make it, cure 16.9oz fresh sea bass filets in the juice of a lime, then dress up the dish with grapefruit segments and chopped cilantro, chili, and red onion. What better way to eat it than scooped into crunchy taco shells or piled high onto tostadas?
19. Cucumber and yogurt gazpacho soup
Typically made with tomatoes, gazpacho is a refreshing soup that can be prepared in minutes and served cold. This creamy yogurt version, complete with cucumber and avocado, is a tasty take on the classic. It comes together in as little as 15 minutes – or you can prep ahead, refrigerate and enjoy it nice and cold.
18. Chicken gyros
This is just the meal to feed the family when you don't want to turn on the oven. Use ready-marinated, cooked rotisserie chicken or pep up plain cooked chicken with a dressing made from garlic, chili, herbs, lemon zest, olive oil, and vinegar. Make a fresh tomato salsa, cooling tzatziki, and salad. Toast some flatbreads (or leave them soft), and you’re done.
17. Salmon and quinoa
When you're in no-cook recipe mode, hot smoked salmon is definitely worth having on hand. We love it in this crunchy salad with quinoa and a coconut and horseradish dressing. Find quinoa pre-cooked in packets or prepare a batch at the start of the week, then use it to bulk out lunches and evening meals alike.
16. Carrot and apple salad
Ready in five minutes, this zippy, crunchy salad is just wonderful. Add eight carrots and an apple to a food processor using the grater attachment (if you don't have one, use a box grater instead). To make a sweet dressing, whisk the juice of four lemons, a pinch of sea salt, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 3 tbsp olive oil. Toss it over the carrot and apple, then finish with chopped scallions and toasted walnuts. Make a big batch – it'll keep for a couple of days in the fridge.
15. Banana and chocolate mousse
You won’t believe how easy it is to make vegan chocolate mousse at home. Blend three ripe bananas with 5.3fl oz oat cream, 0.2 tsp ground cinnamon and 2.6fl oz maple syrup until smooth, then add 5.3oz cocoa powder and blitz again. Transfer to serving bowls and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until thickened. It all comes together in just 10 minutes.
14. Cheese, ham, and fig crêpe
Crêpes make for a lovely light meal at any time of day. Pick up ready-made buckwheat crêpes in your local supermarket, then fill them with your favorite ingredients, from a fried egg to salmon and spinach. We love ours with a filling of ham, Comté cheese, fig jam, and cornichons.
13. Lime cracker ice box cake
This cheat's version of Key lime pie can be put together in just 10 minutes. Alternate layers of salty Ritz crackers with a lime filling made from heavy cream, condensed milk, and citrus. Leave it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to set before dishing up.
12. Smoked mackerel and lentils
Smoked mackerel comes ready to eat in a vacuum pack or can, so it's a great one to have on hand for days when you can't be bothered to cook. This fresh, filling, super-healthy salad combines the oily fish with lentils (you can buy them pre-cooked), crunchy vegetables, herbs, and a mustard dressing to delicious, nutritious effect.
11. Potato salad
Canned cooked potatoes are perfect for potato salad. You'll barely taste the difference once you've added the soft cheese, lemon juice, capers, and fresh herbs in this recipe. Chopped celery and red onion will give the dish some much-needed crunch. Serve it with a filet of smoked mackerel or slices of smoked salmon.
10. Tinned sardines on toast
Canned fish is a store cupboard savior when it comes to quick, healthy, and tasty meals. For a Mediterranean-inspired dish that would make a satisfying lunch or dinner, spread hummus over crusty bread and lay sardines on top. Serve with a juicy tomato salad on the side.
9. Classic guacamole
Full of healthy fats, avocados are super filling and make a great guacamole. Smash two ripe avocados and combine them with chopped cilantro, a chopped chili, salt and pepper, the juice of a lime, half a small red onion, and two chopped, deseeded tomatoes. Be sure to salt the chopped tomatoes and drain off any watery juice before mixing them in – and add the avocado stone back into the finished dish to help prevent it from turning brown.
8. Spanish cheese salad
A hearty dish that doesn’t require cooking, a cheese salad is always a good idea. Arrange your favorite ripe cheese on a bed of radicchio, chicory, or arugula, then drizzle over a roasted walnut and quince dressing. To make the dressing, whisk 5 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, a pinch of salt and pepper, 1.4oz toasted walnuts and 1.8oz membrillo (quince paste). A scattering of scallions or a few slices of pear wouldn’t go amiss, either.
7. Hummus and pitta
It's well worth having a few hummus recipes in your no-cook repertoire. Start with a standard can of chickpeas (usually around 9oz/250g when drained), 1 tbsp tahini, two chopped garlic cloves, 1 tbsp olive oil and the juice of a lemon for a classic dip. Then experiment by adding pesto, roasted red pepper, cumin, or chili. You could even try blending in carrots, cooked beetroot, or fava beans. When ready, serve your hummus with flatbreads.
6. Fennel, arugula, and pear salad with prosciutto
Fresh, fierce, and extremely delicious, this fennel, arugula, and pear salad is sure to keep you satisfied. To create your own, wash two ripe pears, cut them into quarters and remove the cores. Thinly slice or cube the quarters. Cut one medium fennel bulb in half, then slice it thinly. In a salad bowl, combine the pear, fennel and a bag of fresh arugula leaves with 1 tsp poppy seeds and the zest of a lemon. Whisk a simple dressing of 3 tbsp olive oil and the juice of a lemon, then toss it through the salad. Layer in thin slices of prosciutto to add a touch of saltiness.
5. Smoked salmon salad
A little goes a long way with smoked salmon, so it's worth having a pack in the refrigerator for everyday use. It makes a great salad with sliced red onions, olives, capers, arugula, and a simple lemon juice and olive oil dressing. Pair it with a hunk of crusty bread, and you've got a delicious, filling meal in minutes.
4. Green olive gazpacho soup
Classic tomato gazpacho is given a salty makeover with the addition of green pitted olives in this tasty recipe. It can be made ahead of time, allowing you to chill the cold soup in the refrigerator before serving it to guests at a dinner party – or you can pop in a few ice cubes to bring the temperature down. Serve it with ready-made croutons, sliced olives, and a drizzle of olive oil.
3. Sardine salad
Canned sardines are incredibly versatile and work brilliantly in a number of different no-cook salads. Keep it classic with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, scallions, and feta, or mix it up with a Spanish-style combination of pitted olives, artichoke hearts, and chicory. Whatever you choose, dinner will be a simple assembly job.
2. Classic Caesar salad
A homemade Caesar dressing knocks the socks off anything you might buy at the shops – and it's incredibly easy to make. For the dressing, place two large hard-boiled eggs, five anchovies, a garlic clove, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 5.3fl oz olive oil, and 0.7oz grated Parmesan into a food processor. Cover two heads of chopped romaine lettuce in the dressing, then finish with ready-made croutons (and add cooked chicken too, if you like). The dressing will keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to three days.
1. Banana and chocolate ice cream
The secret to healthy ice cream in five minutes is frozen bananas. For an easy dessert, try whizzing three bananas with 3 tbsp cocoa powder and 1 tbsp chocolate almond milk – and, just like that, it's ready! Pair with a sprinkle of chopped nuts and a wafer biscuit for a seriously delicious dish. A word of warning: this dessert melts quickly, so be sure to serve and eat it immediately.
Now discover our favourite no-recipe breakfast ideas
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