There’s no need to heat up your kitchen on a hot day to turn out healthy, delicious plant-based meals! Check out this collection of 10 Beat the Heat Plant-Based Recipes in all categories to inspire cool meals.
The hot weather is here, and it’s tempting to just say “no” to cooking. However, you can beat the heat and eat delicious, easy, wholesome plant-powered meals without turning on the stove or oven. It’s all about turning to cool, seasonal foods and your slow cooker or instant pot. I put together this plant-powered menu of delicious recipes that will keep you and your kitchen cool on the hottest day of the year.
10 Beat the Heat Plant-Based Recipes
Iced Green Tea with Lemon and Cucumbers
Start off your summer meal with cool, refreshing herbal tea blends, such as this thirst quencher.
Mississippi Caviar
I love this fresh and delicious dip. My mother shared her old recipe with me, and I healthified it a few years ago. Packed with the power of beans, corn, tomatoes, herbs, and spices, this dip is great with chips or even as a relish with veggie-burgers, tacos or tostadas.
Classic Bruschetta
This Classic Bruschetta is so easy to make at home, and it’s the perfect summertime dish to make the most of those rich, juicy tomatoes.
Olive Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
The rich flavors of the Mediterranean are amplified in this Olive Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus, featuring kalamata olives, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and verdant basil, along with the classic hummus ingredients, chickpeas and tahini.
Black Bean Corn Chili
Keep your kitchen cool by turning to a slow cooker to make this hearty, savory chili. Just soak the beans overnight, and then add all of the ingredients—black beans, corn, onions, tomato paste, and seasonings—to a slow cooker and cook on for high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours. Voila, dinner is on the table!
Greek Salad
Turn to a cool, breezy Greek Salad, the traditional cucumber and tomato based salad served all over the sunny region of Greece. Based on tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, cucumbers, capers, olive oil, and lemon juice, you can whip up this crispy fresh salad without turning on an appliance.
Cantaloupe Salad with Radishes and Pumpkin Seeds
The naturally sweet crunch of cantaloupe shines in this cool, crisp summery salad tossed with an herbal lemon vinaigrette. No heating up a stove or oven necessary!
Arugula Salad with Radishes and Avocado and Truffle Lemon Vinaigrette
Turn to the summer seasonal offerings of your farmers market, supermarket, or backyard to create this icy-cool, colorful, and crunchy salad with nary a pot or pan.
Roasted Corn and Potato Succotash Salad
Roast up fresh ears of corn and potatoes on the outdoor grill to avoid heating up your kitchen. Then use these ingredients to create this flavorful succotash salad, which adds the nutrient-rich crunch of edamame, the earthiness of tomatoes, and the herbal bite of fresh basil to the mix.
Super Berry Soy Chia Pudding
Chia is an ancient seed packed with nutrients, including omega-3s, fiber, and protein. Plus, it has the unique ability to create a gel consistency, thus simply stirring it into vanilla-flavored soymilk, with a drizzle of maple syrup for a bit of a sweet touch, can create the most delicious, nutrition pudding! Top it with fresh berries for a dessert that’s healthy enough to enjoy for breakfast. No cooking necessary! Check out my video on how to make this recipe here.
For other no-heat plant-based recipes, check out my favorites:
Greek Chickpea and Vegetable Filled Pitas
Watermelon Chia Ginger Smoothie Bowl
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats