40+ of the Best No-Cook Recipes for Lunch and Dinner
No Cook Meals are definitely an important staple to have in your back pocket. Whether you are crazy busy, it’s the heat of the summer and the last thing you want to do is turn on the stove or oven, or you are just plain tired of cooking, these are the dishes you need! In an effort to help you feed the family without heating up the kitchen we’ve rounded up over 30 of the best No-Cook Recipes for easy dinners and fast lunches!
About these No Cook Recipes
When it comes to no cook meals, the first thing you might think about is basic sandwiches, but there’s more than just peanut butter and jelly or lunchmeat. You can make chicken salad, chickpea salad, and even veggies with yummy spreads like hummus.
Salads also come to mind, but besides lettuce, you can make zoodle salads, tomato salads, seafood salads, and quinoa salads.
Wraps are another option, but don’t limit yourself to the basic tortillas. Wrap those filling in lettuce for lettuce wraps or rice paper for spring rolls.
And then of course you can really think outside the box with things like stuffed avocados, ceviche, and cold soups like gazpacho.
Of course, I mentioned things like chicken and quinoa and you’re thinking to yourself, “Wait, I thought these were supposed to be no-cook meals!” Soooo…
Here are some no-cook recipe tips
- For chicken, you can cook extra when you are making grilled chicken breasts, throw a few chicken breasts in your Instant Pot or slow cooker, and keep chopped or shredded chicken in your freezer. Or pick up a roasted chicken from the grocery store because there are tons of leftover rotisserie chicken recipes, and some don’t require cooking.
- You can buy pre-cooked frozen shrimp that you just have to thaw to toss on top of a salad or other recipes.
- It takes the same amount of time to grill steak for one night as it does to grill steak for two. When we make a flank steak or flat iron steak, I usually buy a really big one or I buy two so we can make salads or wraps another night.
- For quinoa or rice salads, just cook a big batch on a day that isn’t too hot and you can keep it in the fridge or freezer. Or use that Instant Pot again.
- Don’t want to cook any meat at all? You can always get your protein from beans and lentils and chickpeas! Try swapping the chicken in some of these salads with a lovely legume!
Now that you haven’t cooked dinner, you might also want to no bake your sweets or snacks. So check out these Healthy No-Bake Snacks and No-Bake Dessert Recipes.
Here are my favorite no-cook meals…
Fast and Easy No-Cook Meals
Recipes for sandwiches, salads, wraps, and more. No cooking required for these simple lunch and dinner ideas.
With juicy tomatoes, briny olives, crumbly feta cheese, all brought together with bright and zesty lemon and oregano dressing, this makes a fresh and healthy light meal.
Stuffed with a flavorful southwest mixture of tuna, bell pepper, jalapeno, and cilantro, no mayo necessary for this healthy meal.
A fresh and healthy Greek-inspired twist on the classic chicken salad recipe with the bright flavors of lemon and dill, salty feta, and it’s lightened up with Greek yogurt instead of mayo.
Loaded with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and feta cheese, it is easy to make and comes together fast.
Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Marinated Garbanzo Beans, Feta, and Herbs
I hope you love these no cook meals. Make sure to share a photo on this pin on Pinterest.
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Sue | the view from great island says
I have a firm rule, nobody goes near the oven when it’s over 90F…so we need ALL these ideas to keep us fed ~ thanks for including my Summer Rolls!
Mari says
Wow you made the rest of my summer thank you!!! Great share 🙂
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Oh great! Thanks!
Becky (The Cookie Rookie) says
Thanks so much for including our Skinny Chicken Salad Sliders in your awesome roundup! I can’t wait to try some of these recipes!!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I am kinda obsessed with chicken salad, so I LOVE yours!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
This is a great list! I can always use meals like this in August. Thanks for including my Club sandwich too!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I know! We all need these kinds of meals this time of year! That is a fabulous sammie!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
With all the Florida heat, I NEED THESE! Thanks for including my ceviche lady! Pinned!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Yes, I am sure you could use come cool meals!