When it’s so hot outside, the last thing you want to do is cook in a warm kitchen. That’s why it’s a good idea to have some easy dinner ideas ready for those super-hot days. The best part? These meals use great-tasting foods from all the MyPlate food groups!
No-Cook Dinners:
- Black-Eyed Pea Salad on a bed of crisp lettuce
- Lemony Chicken and White Bean Salad enjoyed with whole grain crackers and a side of fruit
- Green Salad with Peas paired with Turkey Sandwich Wraps
- Have some fun building Charcuterie Boards, Salads, or Grain Bowls for dinner.
10 Minutes or Less:
- Veggie Stuffed Pitas with a side of canned, fresh or frozen fruit
- Cranberry Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and fruit salad or raw veggie sticks
- Vegetable Quesadillas served with canned black beans on the side
Other tips:
- Use small appliances that don’t heat up the kitchen, like the microwave, slow cooker, air fryer, toaster oven, or rice cooker. A waffle iron can double as a panini press, quesadilla maker, or electric griddle.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time on cooler days or at times of the day when it’s not so hot (another great reason to plan out your meals ahead of time!). Think chopping vegetables, cooking and freezing whole grains, grilling and chilling meats.
- Rely on quick-to-prepare, heat-and-serve items like canned and frozen vegetables, instant whole grains, and canned proteins like chicken, fish, and beans.
- Try ingredients that can be enjoyed without heating or cooking, like canned or frozen beans, raw veggies, deli meats, and cooked and chilled chicken and fish, pasta and grains.
- Look to convenience foods that can save some energy, like shredded cheese, rotisserie chicken, salad kits, and pre-cut and pre-washed fresh veggies.
- Keep a fan in the kitchen to keep air flowing.
- Remember to drink enough fluids throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
Don’t let hot weather keep you from making delicious meals this summer. With these ideas, you’ll keep your kitchen (and yourself!) cool and comfortable all summer long. Use the Quick Eats filter on the Eat.Move.Save. recipes page for even more dishes that’ll be ready in no time!
July 4, 2025