10 No-Cook Vegetarian Dinners for Summer

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer at The Kitchn
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer (and The Kitchn's Dinner Therapist), with more than 10 years professional experience. Since graduating from The French Culinary Institute, I've authored 3 cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.
updated Nov 30, 2023
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Step away from the stove. Don’t even think about turning on the oven right now. And, while you’re at it, leave your slow cooker where it is, too. Hot summer days call for simple dinners that skip the heat, come together with no fuss, and put your farmers market haul or CSA delivery to work. From salads and sandwiches to chilled soups and summer rolls, these 10 no-cook vegetarian dinners are no sweat!

No-Cook Vegetarian Dinners 

1 / 10
Mediterranean Chickpea and Feta Wraps

Here’s your chance to use up any leftovers from your farmers market haul. Stick with spinach or swap it out for whatever greens and herbs you have handy. You can also swap the cucumber for zucchini or summer squash.

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2 / 10
Vegetarian Taco Salad

When it’s just too hot to cook, this is the most delicious way to tackle Taco Tuesday — a no-lettuce salad packed with vibrant, crisp veggies, and finished off with a tangy cumin-lime dressing.

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3 / 10
Greek Panzanella

Fashioned from day-old bread and a slew of the freshest seasonal vegetables, panzanella is a quintessential summer salad. This version is stuffed with briny Kalamata olives, feta, and a bright lemon vinaigrette to give it a Greek-inspired twist.

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4 / 10
Tomato Chickpea Salad
Tomatoes and chickpeas are tossed in a simple vinaigrette for a light dinner or easy lunch.
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5 / 10
Summer Rolls

Summer rolls are always a good idea on hot nights because they require more prep and assembly than actual cooking. Swap out the shrimp for strips of tofu, sliced avocado, or more veggies.

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6 / 10
Pesto and Egg Baguette Sandwich

When you’re craving something simple and fresh, this summery spin on egg salad will do the trick. Sliced hard-boiled egg is partnered with herby pesto and layered on a crusty baguette. Mix up a small side salad and dinner is ready.

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7 / 10
Anna Jones' Raw Thai Citrus Crunch Salad

This no-cook dinner is inspired by pad Thai, and is certain to bring a bevy of vibrant and refreshing flavors to the table. It’s mixed with a combination of carrot, zucchini, cabbage, and tangy citrus, then finished off with a cashew dressing reminiscent of peanut sauce.

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8 / 10
Zucchini Noodles with Tomatoes and Corn

Consider this your go-to solution for a no-cook pasta night, and a way to use up all that zucchini you have hanging around.

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9 / 10
Easy Gazpacho
Here's our most basic, simple gazpacho recipe to get you started — plus plenty of ideas for how to amp it up.
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10 / 10
Caprese Sandwich for a Crowd

Here’s how to turn your love for caprese into dinner for the whole family. It has all the usual suspects — creamy mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and sweet basil — plus a thick spread of pesto sauce.

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