Cold Side Dishes, Soups, Entrees And Desserts For Hot Days

While summer is the quintessential time to fire up the grill, sometimes the only way to beat the heat is with a cold dish. From salads to gazpachos, these are the best entrees, sides, desserts and more to have on a hot summer day.

Not only is this breakfast salad the perfect refreshing summer dish, but it's also loaded with foods that are great for your gut health, such as apples and raspberries. If you don't want to turn on your oven for the cheese crisps, buying some from the grocery store is just fine.

For the Breakfast Salad recipe, click here

This creamsicle Jell-O mold is a great option if you're trying to keep things simple — it only requires orange Jell-O, water, sherbet and Cool Whip. This dish is a king among the desserts that use fewer than five ingredients.

For the Orange Creamsicle Jell-O Mold recipe, click here.

If you're been craving crab but haven't made it to your favorite seafood joint yet, don't worry. This Alaskan King Crab Gougere Sandwich is packed with flavor. To avoid unnecessarily heating up the house, stick to store-bought bread instead of baking it yourself.

For the Alaskan King Crab Gougere Sandwich recipe, click here.

This side can be served either warm or cold, but no matter which way you choose to eat this German potato salad, there's no denying that it's delicious and comforting.

For the German Potato Salad recipe, click here.

All you need to do to make these tart cherry cheesecake pops is to mix cherry pie filling with Greek yogurt, crushed graham crackers and vanilla extract. This dessert only requires 15 minutes of your time, so try making it with your kids.

For the Tart Cherry Cheesecake Popsicles recipe, click here.

This keto-friendly barbecue side dish is made with cauliflower, bacon, eggs and mayonnaise. But, if you're skeptical of this dish, check-out the low down on what exactly the keto diet is all about.

For the Keto Cauliflower Salad recipe, click here.

In this berry semifreddo, chocolate is paired with egg whites, sugar, cream and your choice of berries. The mouselike mixture can last in the freezer for up to two weeks.

For the Berry Semifreddo with Chocolate recipe, click here.

There are more than 100 ways to cook eggs, and egg salad is one of the classics. Serve the cold dish as a side at your summer cookout or in a sandwich for a quick lunch.

For the Healthy Egg Salad recipe, click here.

You don't have to just get a good Caesar salad out at a restaurant, you can make it from home. This dish is ready in just 10 minutes and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser served alongside a burger or pasta. And if your romaine lettuce looks a little lackluster, put it in an ice bath to make it last longer.

For the Garlic Caesar Salad recipe, click here.

This copycat restaurant recipe comes straight from The Cheesecake Factory's dessert kitchen. To make the Summer Strawberry Cheesecake Treats, fill ripe strawberries with cheesecake and top with sprinkles, toasted nuts or coconut flakes.

For the Summer Strawberry Cheesecake Treats recipe, click here.

Dessert doesn't have to be loaded with additives and sugar, and this recipe for homemade healthy popsicles proves just that. Made with greek yogurt, your choice of fruit and honey, these popsicles are sure to cool you down on a hot day.

For the Easy Homemade Healthy Popsicles recipe, click here.

Not only is this flavor-packed salad refreshing, it's also crazy colorful. Loaded with watermelon, cucumbers, avocado and feta cheese, this amazing side dish takes less than an hour to make.

For the Watermelon and Cucumber Salad recipe, click here.

Tuna salad might feel like a vintage recipe no one makes anymore, but you'd be surprised at just how much it can hit the spot on a warm day.

For the Healthy Tuna Salad recipe, click here.

This peach and Champagne granita dish is like a cocktail that you can eat. With the consistency of a slushy, the dessert is made with fresh peaches, sugar, amaretto and Champagne.

For the Peach and Champagne Granita recipe, click here.

Show your vegetarian friends some love this summer with this recipe for marinated tomato basil salad. Just chop up some grape and cherry tomatoes and mix them with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and basil. It's one of those recipes that prove you don't need meat to make a satisfying meal.

For the Marinated Tomato Basil Salad recipe, click here.

If you're looking for a fun new hobby to tackle this summer, try making pistachio ice cream. After soaking the pistachios in boiling water for five minutes, drain and rub off the skin with a paper towel then grind the pistachios into paste. It might sound tedious, but the results will be worth it.

For the Pistachio Ice Cream recipe, click here.

You could make this dish entirely from easy-to-grow garden veggies if you wanted to. Ready in just 15 minutes, this spring green salad is made with asparagus, peas, radishes, avocado and feta cheese.

For the Spring Green Salad with Asparagus recipe, click here.

If it's a hot day from the second you wake up, start the morning with this cold coconut chia seed pudding. This mixture of coconut creamer, milk, chia seeds and fruit can be stored in the fridge for an entire week. It's the perfect dish if you're looking for a solid meal prep plan.

For the Coconut Chia Seed Pudding recipe, click here.

While yogurt is most certainly an iconic breakfast food, it can be a bummer for lactose-intolerant people. However, this tropical smoothie bowl can be enjoyed by anyone thanks to its use of dairy-free yogurt. Just toss it in there with bananas, mango and pineapple, and bled.

For the Tropical Smoothie Bowl with Dairy-Free Yogurt recipe, click here.

If you're in a rush to put a home-cooked meal on the dinner table without heating up the house, try this zucchini salad recipe. It's ready in just 10 minutes and requires just a handful of ingredients.

For the Summer Zucchini Salad recipe, click here.

Give one of America's favorite vegetables a face-lift with this hearty creamy broccoli salad recipe, made with mayo, sugar, red wine vinegar, raisins and red onion.

For the Creamy Broccoli Salad recipe, click here.

This frozen yogurt treat can cool you down night or day. Serve the snack after dinner or even for breakfast alongside one of these refreshing homemade coffee recipes.

For the Frozen Yogurt with Whipped Honey recipe, click here.

This recipe for cucumber salad uses some of the summer's best ingredients. Cucumbers, black olives and onions are tossed in a homemade dressing that's mixed with avocado oil, rice vinegar, sugar and fresh dill.

For the Cucumber Salad recipe, click here.

Waldorf salad is a retro snack primed for a comeback, and summer is the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the curve. Made with apples, grapes and celery, this is a great side dish for any barbecue or homemade dinner.

For the Waldorf Salad recipe, click here.

Not only is this blueberry banana smoothie an ideal way to cool down this summer, but it also features protein powder, making it a filling breakfast.

For the Creamy Blueberry Banana Smoothie recipe, click here.

This Cucumber Bites recipe is the ideal light summer appetizer or afternoon snack. Cucumbers are sliced and topped with cottage cheese, bacon and hot sauce. Pack it alongside more of our picnic recipes perfect for your blanket and basket.

For the Cucumber Bites recipe, click here.

There is truly no summer dish that compares to this cucumber and dill pasta salad. It can be prepared in just 15 minutes with pasta from last night's leftovers.

For the Cucumber and Dill Pasta Salad recipe, click here.

Inspired by some of our favorite Mexican dishes, this summer black bean soup won't heat you up. Just mix together refried beans, tomato sauce, water and cumin in a large bowl and top it with some avocado.

For the Summer Black Bean Soup recipe, click here.

Serving protein during the summer doesn't have to heat up the house. This zesty chicken salad sandwich can be made using leftover chicken. Just make sure you shred the meat up completely, then mix it with cheese and mayo.

For the Zesty Chicken Salad Sandwiches recipes, click here.

This gluten-free cherry cheesecake smoothie bowl is one of many delicious desserts you can make with cherries. Satisfy your sweet tooth while getting in some healthy fruits this summer.

For the Cherry Cheesecake Smoothie Bowl recipe, click here.

Filled with the best flavors of summer, this summer tomato vegetable soup is packed with some heart-healthy foods. Just mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl and serve at room temperature.

For the Summer Tomato Vegetable Soup recipe, click here.

Not only is this recipe for farro and chickpea salad delicious, it's also aesthetically pleasing. Served in mason jars with layered ingredients, this salad dish is packed with foods you should eat every day.

For the Layered Mason Jar Farro and Chickpea Salad recipe, click here.

Sliders are a top food trend of 2020, but don't go through the trouble of grilling if you're trying to cool down this summer. These spicy avocado sliders can be made with jalapeno hummus, avocados, lime juice, onion and cheddar cheese.

For the Spicy Avocado Sliders recipe, click here.

If you're looking for something filling to eat, try this salmon and shrimp poke bowl. Not only is this dish delicious, but it's also a food packed with vitamin D.

For the Salmon and Shrimp Poke Bowl recipe, click here.

To avoid the pain of firing up the grill or stove, this burrito recipe is meat-free. You'll need the usual suspects like tomatoes, avocado, black beans and tortillas. Top it with the recommended dressing or try making it with this Chipotle copycat recipe for honey vinaigrette dressing.

For the Avocado and Black Bean Burrito recipe, click here.

Trying to avoid heat in the kitchen is a necessity during warmer months, but sometimes it's hard to resist a perfectly cooked steak. To offset the heat, pair your steak with this refreshing zesty corn and cucumber salad made with fresh cilantro and red onion.

For the Zesty Corn and Cucumber Salad recipe, click here.

It's time to turn dinner at home into a restaurant experience with this cool and easy gazpacho recipe. Just place tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumbers, onion, vinegar, oil and cilantro into a blender and refrigerate the mixture for about one hour.

For the Cool and Easy Gazpacho recipe, click here.

What better way to cool down than with dessert? These strawberry coconut ice cream sandwiches are made with dairy-free ice cream and fruit-flavored crispy rice cereal. Try that and more of our best frozen fruit dessert recipes.

For the Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream Sandwiches recipe, click here.

Whole grains like quinoa are great for your thyroid and gut health. For this particular recipe, quinoa is mixed with mozzarella, fresh basil, chopped tomatoes and red onion.

For the Summer Quinoa Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing recipe, click here.

This Chilled Lemongrass Beef and Noodles dish is inspired by Southeast Asian cuisine. Try it and more of our favorite recipes from around the world.

For the Chilled Lemongrass Beef and Noodles recipe, click here.

Did you ever think it would be possible to make a dessert this incredible from home? Believe it or not, this recipe can be made with ingredients found in your pantry like peanut butter, sugar and chocolate chips. And no baking is required, so you're guaranteed to stay cool.

For the No-Bake Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwich recipe, click here.

This pickled mango radish slaw can be prepared in just 20 minutes and requires only seven ingredients. Serve it as a side dish or pair it with some chips for a delicious summer salsa.

For the Pickled Mango Radish Slaw recipe, click here.

Next time you make a trip to the grocery store, pick up ingredients for this refreshing tomato and cucumber salad. It is topped with a homemade dressing made with pepper, garlic powder, olive oil, honey and lime juice.

For the Fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salad recipe, click here.

Getting pasta from your favorite Italian restaurant is exciting, but sometimes homemade pasta salad just hits the spot. This recipe is seasoned to perfection, tossed with an assortment of vegetables and your choice of pasta.

For the Supreme Pasta Salad recipe, click here.

This kimchi slaw is made with cabbage, red bell peppers and carrots. Serve the dish as a side or on top of a burger.

For the Easy Kimchi Slaw recipe, click here.

This fun salad is tossed with apples, cheddar cheese and salad greens. The homemade dressing is easy to mix up and provides a nice sweet flavor. Serve it with one of these easy chicken recipes for summer.

For the Mixed Green Salad with Apple Pie Vinaigrette recipe, click here.

No cookout is complete without potato salad, and this recipe combines the dish with cauliflower to make it healthier. It's also tossed with bacon, celery and hard-boiled eggs. The light dish is perfect when served as an appetizer or as a side dish to one of our best-ever grilling recipes.

For the Ranch Potato and Cauliflower Salad recipe, click here.

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