So much has changed since last summer. We're working from home, trying to stay fit from home and eating more meals at home than ever.
But one thing that remains the same is the summer heat! As the temperatures continue to rise, you might find yourself wondering, "Is a cold smoothie sufficient for dinner?" because few things sound worse than turning on the oven or stove on a scorching hot summer day. If you've found yourself pondering what to prepare for dinner while you're avoiding using heat-producing appliances on those hotter than hot days, you're not alone!
From creative cold sandwiches and wraps to flavor and nutrient-packed salads and zoodle recipes to outdoor grill ideas, we've rounded up 20 dinner recipes that will fill you up on hot summer evenings without overheating your kitchen.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Sandwiches and wraps have typically been categorized as a lunch food, but we don't see why they don't deserve a spot at the dinner table. Filling, healthy, and oh so tasty- these wraps and sandwiches can be assembled relatively quickly, which means more summertime family fun.
Zoodles
Zucchini noodles, also known as zoodles, are more than a fun word to say. They are perfect for people watching their carbs and calories, and an excellent replacement for pasta when you don't want to stand over a hot stove… did we mention that they're also incredibly easy to make? There are so many different ways to use zucchini noodles, here are a few of our favorites.
Salads
With these vibrant, flavorful, and nutrient-dense salad recipes, the days of boring and unsatisfying summer salads are over. With an abundance of summer produce at our fingertips, salads are a great way to eat seasonally while staying cool.
Take the Cooking Outside
Most summer days, it is too hot to cook indoors, but don't forget that you can take the cooking outside (your air conditioner will thank you) by firing up the grill to prepare a number of tasty summer meals.