12 Summer Meal Ideas That Will Not Heat Up Your Kitchen

• Slow Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes – Whip up the American classic of sloppy joes in no time using your stovetop and the slow cooker. The tangy dressing kicks up the flavor of these sandwiches using all-natural ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Feel free to use ground beef instead of turkey if you prefer. Serve these beauties with chips, fresh fruit, or pasta salad for the perfect summer meal outside in the backyard.
  
  
• Asian Lettuce Wraps – These Asian lettuce wraps are a light alternative to most heavy slow cooker recipes, making them deserving of a spot in your summer meal rotation. Ground chicken or ground turkey works the best with these wraps. Butter lettuce is in season during the summer, providing the perfect conduit for all the goodness of the wrap filling. In addition to the meat, the wraps are stuffed with carrots, mushrooms, and water chestnuts.
  
  
• Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler – Harness the best taste of summer with this slow cooker peach cobbler recipe. Fresh peaches are the star of this perfect summer dessert. This seasonal fruit is baked under a brown and buttery crust for just a few hours in your slow cooker. Be sure to have plenty of vanilla ice cream on hand to elevate the tastiness of this dish.
  

Stove Top Recipes: If you are fine with using your stovetop but do not want to heat up the kitchen by turning on the oven, there are plenty of interesting meal options available to you.

• Chilled Peanut Chicken Noodle Salad – This chilled peanut chicken salad is a fabulous one-dish meal. The light dressing combines peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, Sriracha, and scallions for a burst of flavor. The chicken is poached on the stove and then added to the cooked noodles and dressing. This is a good recipe to double and keep in the refrigerator for family members to eat as quick meals for the rest of the week.
  
  
• Tomato, Corn, and Goat Cheese Spiralized Zucchini Pasta – This healthy tomato, corn, and goat cheese spiralized zucchini pasta dish just screams summer. You will use the stovetop to saute the garlic, corn, grape tomatoes, and basil. This mouth-watering mixture is then tossed with spiralized zucchini noodles and goat cheese. If you want to make this dish a bit heartier, you can easily add grilled chicken or shrimp to the finished product.
  
  
• Simple Stove Top Chicken and Rice – Sometimes you just need a simple meal that will appeal to everyone in the family. This stovetop chicken and rice recipe fits the bill. With just six primary ingredients, it is easy to pull together this meal on a busy weeknight without having to turn on the oven. For some extra heft, throw in a handful of frozen peas or carrots.
  

Grill Recipes: Summer and grilling go hand in hand. Here are a few ideas to get you started on your grilling adventure this summer.

• Grilled Chipotle Lime Cauliflower Steaks – These smoky and spicy grilled chipotle lime cauliflower steaks make a great side vegetable dish or the starring entre for the vegetarians in your group. The cauliflower slabs are grilled using a dressing and seasoning mix that includes olive oil, lime juice, garlic, honey, lime zest, paprika, chipotle powder, and salt. You will not believe that vegetables can taste this good.
  
  
• Grilled Shrimp with Oregano and Lemon – Bring home the taste of Italy with this grilled shrimp with oregano and lemon recipe. Along with the lemon and fresh oregano, the shrimp are tossed with capers and garlic to give them their distinctive taste. Serve these shrimp along with a side of pasta or as a salad topping for a light summer dish.
  
  
• Grilled Red Curry Chicken and Bell Peppers – It could not be easier to achieve the flavors of India using a jarred red curry paste for this grilled red curry chicken and bell peppers recipe. If you do not like the heat, you can simply omit the sambal oelek. Use a variety of peppers to add more color to the dish. Serve this chicken on top of brown rice or with grilled naan bread.
  

No-Cook Recipes: To avoid having to use any type of cooking device, be sure to check out these recipes that require no heating at all.

• Mozzacado Sandwich – Cold sandwiches are a staple of summer cuisine. You do not have to settle for boring sandwiches during this time of the year. This delicious mozzacado sandwich is unique and refreshing, making a light dinner or a fun lunch. The sandwich layers smashed avocado with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato, and pesto for a hearty vegetarian delight. You can use any type of bread that you prefer, however, sourdough pairs exceptionally well with the sandwich ingredients. Serve this sandwich with a fruit salad for a complete meal.
  
  
• 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil – Soup is not just for winter. This 15-minute gazpacho with cucumber, red pepper, and basil will soon become your favorite chilled soup recipe. All you need to prepare this cold soup is the ingredients and a blender or food processor. This soup is also low in calories and fat, making it a good choice for those watching their waistlines. Best of all, the soup comes together in just minutes.
  
  
• Greek Salad – There is nothing better than digging into a huge salad on a hot day. This classic Greek salad is bursting with flavor and texture thanks to the Mediterranean veggies, kalamata olives, sharp feta cheese, and tangy dressing. You can also choose to add avocado for a creamy addition. Serve this salad with a loaf of French bread and a side of fruit.
  

You do not have to rely on takeout to eat well if you do not want to turn on your oven. These meal ideas are all great ideas for the summer months because they do not require that you heat up your kitchen in the meal prep process.