Cold Side Dishes, Soups, Entrees And Desserts For Hot Days
While summer is the quintessential time to fire up the grill, sometimes the only way to beat the heat is with a cold dish. From salads to gazpachos, these are the best entrees, sides, desserts and more to have on a hot summer day.
Breakfast Salad
Not only is this breakfast salad the perfect refreshing summer dish, but it's also loaded with foods that are great for your gut health, such as apples and raspberries. If you don't want to turn on your oven for the cheese crisps, buying some from the grocery store is just fine.
Orange Creamsicle Jell-O Mold
This creamsicle Jell-O mold is a great option if you're trying to keep things simple — it only requires orange Jell-O, water, sherbet and Cool Whip. This dish is a king among the desserts that use fewer than five ingredients.
Alaskan King Crab Gougere Sandwich
If you're been craving crab but haven't made it to your favorite seafood joint yet, don't worry. This Alaskan King Crab Gougere Sandwich is packed with flavor. To avoid unnecessarily heating up the house, stick to store-bought bread instead of baking it yourself.
For the Alaskan King Crab Gougere Sandwich recipe, click here.
German Potato Salad
This side can be served either warm or cold, but no matter which way you choose to eat this German potato salad, there's no denying that it's delicious and comforting.
Tart Cherry Cheesecake Popsicles
All you need to do to make these tart cherry cheesecake pops is to mix cherry pie filling with Greek yogurt, crushed graham crackers and vanilla extract. This dessert only requires 15 minutes of your time, so try making it with your kids.
For the Tart Cherry Cheesecake Popsicles recipe, click here.
Keto Cauliflower Salad
This keto-friendly barbecue side dish is made with cauliflower, bacon, eggs and mayonnaise. But, if you're skeptical of this dish, check-out the low down on what exactly the keto diet is all about.
Berry Semifreddo with Chocolate
In this berry semifreddo, chocolate is paired with egg whites, sugar, cream and your choice of berries. The mouselike mixture can last in the freezer for up to two weeks.
Healthy Egg Salad
There are more than 100 ways to cook eggs, and egg salad is one of the classics. Serve the cold dish as a side at your summer cookout or in a sandwich for a quick lunch.
Garlic Caesar Salad
You don't have to just get a good Caesar salad out at a restaurant, you can make it from home. This dish is ready in just 10 minutes and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser served alongside a burger or pasta. And if your romaine lettuce looks a little lackluster, put it in an ice bath to make it last longer.
Summer Strawberry Cheesecake Treats
This copycat restaurant recipe comes straight from The Cheesecake Factory's dessert kitchen. To make the Summer Strawberry Cheesecake Treats, fill ripe strawberries with cheesecake and top with sprinkles, toasted nuts or coconut flakes.
For the Summer Strawberry Cheesecake Treats recipe, click here.
Homemade Healthy Popsicles
Dessert doesn't have to be loaded with additives and sugar, and this recipe for homemade healthy popsicles proves just that. Made with greek yogurt, your choice of fruit and honey, these popsicles are sure to cool you down on a hot day.
Watermelon and Cucumber Salad
Not only is this flavor-packed salad refreshing, it's also crazy colorful. Loaded with watermelon, cucumbers, avocado and feta cheese, this amazing side dish takes less than an hour to make.
Healthy Tuna Salad
Tuna salad might feel like a vintage recipe no one makes anymore, but you'd be surprised at just how much it can hit the spot on a warm day.
Peach and Champagne Granita
This peach and Champagne granita dish is like a cocktail that you can eat. With the consistency of a slushy, the dessert is made with fresh peaches, sugar, amaretto and Champagne.
Marinated Tomato Basil Salad
Show your vegetarian friends some love this summer with this recipe for marinated tomato basil salad. Just chop up some grape and cherry tomatoes and mix them with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and basil. It's one of those recipes that prove you don't need meat to make a satisfying meal.
Pistachio Ice Cream
If you're looking for a fun new hobby to tackle this summer, try making pistachio ice cream. After soaking the pistachios in boiling water for five minutes, drain and rub off the skin with a paper towel then grind the pistachios into paste. It might sound tedious, but the results will be worth it.
Spring Green Salad with Asparagus
You could make this dish entirely from easy-to-grow garden veggies if you wanted to. Ready in just 15 minutes, this spring green salad is made with asparagus, peas, radishes, avocado and feta cheese.
For the Spring Green Salad with Asparagus recipe, click here.
Coconut Chia Seed Pudding
If it's a hot day from the second you wake up, start the morning with this cold coconut chia seed pudding. This mixture of coconut creamer, milk, chia seeds and fruit can be stored in the fridge for an entire week. It's the perfect dish if you're looking for a solid meal prep plan.
Tropical Smoothie Bowl with Dairy-Free Yogurt
While yogurt is most certainly an iconic breakfast food, it can be a bummer for lactose-intolerant people. However, this tropical smoothie bowl can be enjoyed by anyone thanks to its use of dairy-free yogurt. Just toss it in there with bananas, mango and pineapple, and bled.
For the Tropical Smoothie Bowl with Dairy-Free Yogurt recipe, click here.
Summer Zucchini Salad
If you're in a rush to put a home-cooked meal on the dinner table without heating up the house, try this zucchini salad recipe. It's ready in just 10 minutes and requires just a handful of ingredients.
Creamy Broccoli Salad
Give one of America's favorite vegetables a face-lift with this hearty creamy broccoli salad recipe, made with mayo, sugar, red wine vinegar, raisins and red onion.
Frozen Yogurt with Whipped Honey
This frozen yogurt treat can cool you down night or day. Serve the snack after dinner or even for breakfast alongside one of these refreshing homemade coffee recipes.
For the Frozen Yogurt with Whipped Honey recipe, click here.
Cucumber Salad
This recipe for cucumber salad uses some of the summer's best ingredients. Cucumbers, black olives and onions are tossed in a homemade dressing that's mixed with avocado oil, rice vinegar, sugar and fresh dill.
Waldorf Salad
Waldorf salad is a retro snack primed for a comeback, and summer is the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the curve. Made with apples, grapes and celery, this is a great side dish for any barbecue or homemade dinner.
Creamy Blueberry Banana Smoothie
Not only is this blueberry banana smoothie an ideal way to cool down this summer, but it also features protein powder, making it a filling breakfast.
For the Creamy Blueberry Banana Smoothie recipe, click here.
Cucumber Bites
This Cucumber Bites recipe is the ideal light summer appetizer or afternoon snack. Cucumbers are sliced and topped with cottage cheese, bacon and hot sauce. Pack it alongside more of our picnic recipes perfect for your blanket and basket.
Cucumber and Dill Pasta Salad
There is truly no summer dish that compares to this cucumber and dill pasta salad. It can be prepared in just 15 minutes with pasta from last night's leftovers.
Summer Black Bean Soup
Inspired by some of our favorite Mexican dishes, this summer black bean soup won't heat you up. Just mix together refried beans, tomato sauce, water and cumin in a large bowl and top it with some avocado.
Zesty Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Serving protein during the summer doesn't have to heat up the house. This zesty chicken salad sandwich can be made using leftover chicken. Just make sure you shred the meat up completely, then mix it with cheese and mayo.
Cherry Cheesecake Smoothie Bowl
This gluten-free cherry cheesecake smoothie bowl is one of many delicious desserts you can make with cherries. Satisfy your sweet tooth while getting in some healthy fruits this summer.
Summer Tomato Vegetable Soup
Filled with the best flavors of summer, this summer tomato vegetable soup is packed with some heart-healthy foods. Just mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl and serve at room temperature.
Layered Mason Jar Farro and Chickpea Salad
Not only is this recipe for farro and chickpea salad delicious, it's also aesthetically pleasing. Served in mason jars with layered ingredients, this salad dish is packed with foods you should eat every day.
For the Layered Mason Jar Farro and Chickpea Salad recipe, click here.
Spicy Avocado Sliders
Sliders are a top food trend of 2020, but don't go through the trouble of grilling if you're trying to cool down this summer. These spicy avocado sliders can be made with jalapeno hummus, avocados, lime juice, onion and cheddar cheese.
Salmon and Shrimp Poke Bowl
If you're looking for something filling to eat, try this salmon and shrimp poke bowl. Not only is this dish delicious, but it's also a food packed with vitamin D.
Avocado and Black Bean Burrito
To avoid the pain of firing up the grill or stove, this burrito recipe is meat-free. You'll need the usual suspects like tomatoes, avocado, black beans and tortillas. Top it with the recommended dressing or try making it with this Chipotle copycat recipe for honey vinaigrette dressing.
Zesty Corn and Cucumber Salad
Trying to avoid heat in the kitchen is a necessity during warmer months, but sometimes it's hard to resist a perfectly cooked steak. To offset the heat, pair your steak with this refreshing zesty corn and cucumber salad made with fresh cilantro and red onion.
Cool and Easy Gazpacho
It's time to turn dinner at home into a restaurant experience with this cool and easy gazpacho recipe. Just place tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumbers, onion, vinegar, oil and cilantro into a blender and refrigerate the mixture for about one hour.
Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream Sandwiches
What better way to cool down than with dessert? These strawberry coconut ice cream sandwiches are made with dairy-free ice cream and fruit-flavored crispy rice cereal. Try that and more of our best frozen fruit dessert recipes.
For the Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe, click here.
Summer Quinoa Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
Whole grains like quinoa are great for your thyroid and gut health. For this particular recipe, quinoa is mixed with mozzarella, fresh basil, chopped tomatoes and red onion.
For the Summer Quinoa Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing recipe, click here.
Chilled Lemongrass Beef and Noodles
This Chilled Lemongrass Beef and Noodles dish is inspired by Southeast Asian cuisine. Try it and more of our favorite recipes from around the world.
For the Chilled Lemongrass Beef and Noodles recipe, click here.
No-Bake Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwich
Did you ever think it would be possible to make a dessert this incredible from home? Believe it or not, this recipe can be made with ingredients found in your pantry like peanut butter, sugar and chocolate chips. And no baking is required, so you're guaranteed to stay cool.
For the No-Bake Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwich recipe, click here.
Pickled Mango Radish Slaw
This pickled mango radish slaw can be prepared in just 20 minutes and requires only seven ingredients. Serve it as a side dish or pair it with some chips for a delicious summer salsa.
Fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Next time you make a trip to the grocery store, pick up ingredients for this refreshing tomato and cucumber salad. It is topped with a homemade dressing made with pepper, garlic powder, olive oil, honey and lime juice.
Supreme Pasta Salad
Getting pasta from your favorite Italian restaurant is exciting, but sometimes homemade pasta salad just hits the spot. This recipe is seasoned to perfection, tossed with an assortment of vegetables and your choice of pasta.
Easy Kimchi Slaw
This kimchi slaw is made with cabbage, red bell peppers and carrots. Serve the dish as a side or on top of a burger.
Mixed Green Salad With Apple Pie Vinaigrette
This fun salad is tossed with apples, cheddar cheese and salad greens. The homemade dressing is easy to mix up and provides a nice sweet flavor. Serve it with one of these easy chicken recipes for summer.
For the Mixed Green Salad with Apple Pie Vinaigrette recipe, click here.
Ranch Potato and Cauliflower Salad
No cookout is complete without potato salad, and this recipe combines the dish with cauliflower to make it healthier. It's also tossed with bacon, celery and hard-boiled eggs. The light dish is perfect when served as an appetizer or as a side dish to one of our best-ever grilling recipes.
For the Ranch Potato and Cauliflower Salad recipe, click here.
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