8 Delicious dinner recipes that don’t require the stove or oven
As the summer heat rolls in, it’s time for backyard barbecues and al fresco happy hours. Slaving over the stove for hours won’t just take away from your outdoor time, it’ll also heat up your apartment—which is the last thing you want when it’s 90 degrees outside. Keep dinner quick and cool by retiring the oven for the summer and opting for these no-cook and microwavable meals instead.
- Picnic in a Glass. ‘Tis the season to eat your veggies—since most of them are actually in season—which means it’s also time to step up your salad game. The Picnic in a Glass puts a fun spin on salad by putting it on display in a mason jar. Layers of parsley-tossed chickpeas, red onion, tomato, radishes, and shredded chicken (cooked at your deli, not in your kitchen) create a beautiful Mediterranean-style feast.
- Tuscan-style tuna salad. Summer is also the perfect time to bring seafood back into your dinner rotation, perhaps with a light and refreshing dish like this Tuscan-style tuna salad. The blend of white beans, canned tuna, scallions, and cherry tomatoes pairs perfectly with pita bread or lettuce wraps.
- Crab rolls. If you prefer crab to tuna, try this New England-inspired crab roll recipe instead. Again, you’ll make use of canned seafood—thus eliminating any cooking—mixed with traditional ingredients like mayo plus radishes, apples, and celery for some crunch.
- 5-minute vegetarian burrito bowl. Okay, so this dinner technically requires some cooking, but does microwaving really count? As the recipe name suggests, it’ll only take five minutes to whip up this mix of frozen brown rice, black beans, salsa, plain Greek yogurt, and shredded cheese. Add a few slices of avocado for some extra pizazz.
- Loaded baked potato soup in a mug. You might be surprised to learn that baking potatoes doesn’t necessarily have to involve the oven. This recipe shows you how to dice up potatoes and nuke them to tender, then add everything you need for a decadent loaded baked potato soup, including bacon, cheese, and onions, plus cornflour as a thickener.
- Caprese avocado toast. Avocado toast may be currently starring in mostly brunch menus, but the filling and versatile meal works for dinner, too. This caprese avocado toast adds a dose of protein with fresh mozzarella, plus a powerhouse of antioxidants with cherry tomatoes. The sea salt and basil on top bring the flavor.
- Corn-stuffed tomatoes. Consider this post a friendly PSA that tomatoes are in season, and you should take full advantage. These corn-stuffed tomatoes also make use of summer-fresh sweet corn, mixed with jasmine rice, cumin, and a blend of other herbs and spices. It’s all nestled inside of a sweet hollowed-out tomato.
- Southwestern chopped salad. To cap off the round-up of no-cook dinner ideas, here’s another summer-ready salad. It’s a blend of black beans, sweet corn, plump cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and romaine lettuce. Drizzle everything in a homemade vinaigrette made with cilantro, garlic, lime, and sugar, or keep it simple and pick up a bottle of vinaigrette on your way home from work.