10 Easy Recipes When it is too Hot to Cook

Summer is my favorite time of year. Just being able to do anything outside in the warm sunshine after being cooped up inside the house during the harsh winter feels almost decadent.

Until the high heat and humidity kick in and make it too hot to move.

And cook.

10 Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas When it is too Hot to Cook

Basically, I take my hot weather dinner ideas from my travels to the sunny south and southwestern United States because while I have to deal with scorching temperatures for a few months, those folks are living in it year round.

Like they say, travel broadens the mind – and food palette!

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Disclosure: I have included links to some products I rely on, use myself, and recommend so strongly I am using my affiliate links to do it!


1. Muffaletta - Muffaletta is a HUGE sandwich that eats like a meal and originated in New Orleans – foodie heaven. You can tailor muffaletta ingredients to your taste but the thing that makes the sandwich is the spicy Creole olive salad (I buy muffalata olive salad by the jar here because it really needs time to marinade to bring out the flavors.)   These 7 Amazing Muffalata Recipes will not disappoint!

2. Spaghetti with No-Cook Heirloom Tomato Sauce from Good Housekeeping – This recipe looks super fancy but it’s really just a matter of slicing and arranging. If you garden, keep this idea in the back of your mind when you’re overrun with garden tomatoes. Or is that just me?

3  Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps from Frugal Family Home – This is a simple stove top meal that is packed with protein and not too heavy on the stomach.

Photo courtesy of Frugal Family Home

4. Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice from Organized 31 – This is a variation on another New Orleans hot weather food staple that won’t heat up the kitchen simmering all day until it is done


5. Vietnamese Summer Rolls Recipe from Rae Gun Ramblings – She gives you several ideas to build your own springs – no deep fat frying required!

Photo courtesy of Rae Gun Ramblings 

6. Grilled Salmon Veggie Pasta Salad from Tatertots and Jello – This dish is one stop shopping because it has your protein, vegetables, and starch all in recipe. If you don’t have room for an outdoor grill, you can do what I do when it is too sweltering to stand in front of a hot gas grill and use an electric George Foreman grill to make this recipe.


 7. Instant Pot Ribs from The Country Chic Cottage – For when you want to enjoy some summer Bar B Que but don’t want to (or can’t) sweat over a grill to do it. Last summer my Instant Pot reach Kitchen MVP status when it comes to making quick dinners that don’t heat up the kitchen. I pink puffy heart you Instant Pot!


8. Quick and Easy Grilled Red Pepper Pasta Salad Recipe from Lazy Budget Chef (ME!) – I originally created this recipe to be a side dish. You can easily add your favorite cooked protein to make it a meal. I’m pretty partial to adding cooked and cube chicken to this cold salad dish.

Proof of my torrid love affair with my indoor grill (learn more about it here)

9. Stir Fry – This is my go to quick and healthy dinner idea no matter what the season. Sauté your favorite protein, vegetables, and spices in the cooking oil of your choice and serve over rice or pasta.


10.  Gazpacho soup – This cold soup is a hot weather favorite and another way to use all of those garden tomatoes that seem to ripen all at once!


Looking for more quick, healthy, and cheap recipe ideas? Check out the following - and more! - below!

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