Easy Healthy Summer Dinner Ideas For Hot Days

When it comes to steamy summer weather, the last thing you want to do is turn on the stove. Here are 7 easy summer dinner ideas for hot days that you can make without heating up the kitchen. Perfect for hot summer nights when it's too hot to cook!

Shrimp, pulled pork, grilled chicken, antipasti salad

Whether it's the dog days of summer or an early heat wave, some days it's too hot and humid to use the stove or the oven. So I've got a few tricks up my sleeve for making healthy dinners that will keep your kitchen cool.

These healthy summer recipes will make getting dinner on the table easier on a hot day.

Top tips for getting dinner on the table without heating up the kitchen

Here are my top meal prep tips for quick and easy dinners without using the stove or the oven.

Slow cooker - the slow cooker is perfect for this weather. You can load it up in the morning while it's still cool outside and come home to a fully cooked dinner. Since it cooks low and slow, it won't heat up your kitchen.
Instant Pot - the Instant Pot is another self-contained option. This electric pressure cooker keeps the heat inside the cooker so your kitchen stays cool. Bonus: it cooks faster so you can get dinner on the table quickly.
Grill - if it's too hot to cook inside, take it outside! Summertime is perfect for grilling and all the heat stays out of the kitchen. Bonus: you can make everything from the appetizer to the main dish to sides and even desserts on the grill.
No-cook - of course, not cooking is the coolest option of all. Build a delicious summer salad with fresh produce and leftover chicken, turkey or steak. Anytime you can throw dinner together with minimal effort is a win in my book!

Easy dinners you can make without turning on the stove

Here's a whole week's worth of easy summer dinner recipes to make when it's too hot to cook.

Crock Pot Whole Chicken

This family favorite is so simple and delicious. And you can use the leftovers for dinner later in the week! Try this easy recipe for chicken salad with grapes and walnuts to change up the leftovers. Or serve it in jicama wraps for low carb tacos. It's a versatile protein to meal prep for last-minute no-cook meals.

Antipasto Salad with Italian Dressing

If you love hearty summer salads, this easy salad is for you! It has all the flavors of your favorite pasta salads - peppers, olives, Italian meats - but it's low carb, paleo, keto, and Whole30-friendly. You can even swap the lettuce for zucchini noodles.

The easy homemade dressing with olive oil, garlic, fresh basil and herbs gives it extra flavor. It's a real crowd pleaser and perfect for a hot summer day.

Grilled Chicken with Chimichurri Sauce

A tasty summer dinner recipe that's one of my favorites for grilling. It's quick, easy and so flavorful! And you can grill some seasonal vegetables like zucchini or yellow summer squash, cherry tomatoes and red onions on veggie skewers alongside the chicken---they're great with chimichurri sauce as well. The sauce combines parsley, cilantro, dill or whatever fresh herbs you prefer with garlic, lemon juice, spices, vinegar and olive oil for a flavor kick.

Easy Smoked Shrimp

Smoking shrimp is so quick and you can even do it on a grill if you don't have a smoker. Serve it with the garlic sauce or your favorite dipping sauce. Try it with pineapple or mango salsa for a tropical flavor.

The Easiest Instant Pot Pulled Pork

This is one of my family's favorite summer dinner ideas. Serve it on a gluten-free roll with a simple coleslaw. Or serve it over cilantro lime cauliflower rice for a pulled pork bowl. So easy and it's paleo, keto, and Whole30 with the sugar-free BBQ sauce.

Easy Italian Dressing Grilled Chicken

This classic recipe couldn't be easier! Just add a fresh green salad with tomato and cucumber tossed with the Italian dressing as a side dish and you've got all the ingredients for a quick and easy meal.