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21 cool lunches that will free up your summer days

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By Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju

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When the temperature rises, these lunch recipes are exactly what you need to keep cool and feel refreshed. Instead of slaving away over a hot stove, imagine whipping up quick, no-heat meals that not only save time but also keep your kitchen from turning into a sauna. From vibrant salads to chilled wraps, these recipes are great for enjoying a relaxing lunch at home or packing something special to take to work.

Veggie Taco Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Broccoli Crunch Salad

Broccoli crunch salad in a white bowl.
Broccoli Crunch Salad. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

This broccoli salad combines fresh ingredients with a homemade dressing, ready in just 15 minutes. It’s a quick, easy choice for a cool, crisp addition to your lunch.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Crunch Salad

Easy Chicken Caesar Wrap

Easy Chicken Caesar Wrap. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

Fresh veggies, croutons, tangy parmesan, chicken, and Caesar dressing create a flavorful chicken Caesar wrap, quickly prepared and great served cold for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Caesar Wrap

Veggie Taco Salad

A bowl of salad containing lettuce, cherry tomatoes, black beans, sweet corn, red onion, croutons, and feta cheese, with a fork on the right side.
Veggie Taco Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegetarian taco salad brings vibrant taco flavors in a quick, easy-to-prepare dish, perfect for a chilled lunch option on hot days.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Veggie Taco Salad

Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

A bowl filled with a colorful salad containing cherry tomatoes, avocado, black beans, red onions, cilantro, and bell peppers. A white and red striped cloth and a lime are nearby.
Black Bean Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Black bean salad with cilantro lime dressing, ready in 10 minutes, is a nutritious choice for a quick, chilled lunch or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Black Bean Salad

Pesto Tortellini Salad

A close-up of a pasta salad featuring tortellini, halved cherry tomatoes, spinach, and other greens, all mixed and garnished with herbs and grated cheese.
Tortellini Pasta Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Tortellini pasta salad, a simple and quick summertime dish, ready in 20 minutes, perfect for serving cold at any meal.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Daikon Salad

Daikon salad.
Daikon Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Daikon and carrot salad with a sweet and sour dressing, ready in under 10 minutes, great for a quick, chilled lunch or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Daikon Salad

Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Quick Fried Rice. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Fried rice made from leftover ingredients, ready in 15 minutes, perfect for a quick dinner or a convenient cold lunch.
Get the Recipe: Quick Fried Rice with Leftover Rice

Easy Chopped Salad

Easy Chopped Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan chopped salad, packed with fresh veggies, is a quick and easy option for a weekday lunch, ideal served cold.
Get the Recipe: Easy Vegan Chopped Salad

Mango Avocado Salad

A bowl of colorful avocado salad with diced mango, tomatoes, red onions, and herbs sits on a white table next to a striped cloth, avocados, and lemon wedges.
Mango Avocado Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Mango avocado salad dressed with a lemony vinaigrette makes a vibrant, refreshing side dish, ready in 15 minutes, perfect for summer cookouts.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Roasted Vegetable Salad

A colorful serving of roasted vegetables including Brussels sprouts, red onions, zucchini, and carrots, garnished with chopped parsley, placed on a rectangular white plate.
Roasted Veg Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Enjoy a roasted vegetable salad, featuring a light vinaigrette and flexible serving options, hot or cold. Ready quickly, it’s great for easy school lunches or meals.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Salad

Spring Pasta with Peas and Oyster Mushrooms

A bowl of pasta with green sauce topped with sautéed mushrooms and sprouts, placed on a striped cloth. There is a small dish with additional mushrooms next to the bowl.
Spring Pasta. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan spring pasta with pea shoot pesto and roasted oyster mushrooms is bursting with flavors, ready in 30 minutes, for a cool and refreshing summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Spring Pasta with Peas and Oyster Mushrooms

Raw Carrot Salad

Raw Carrot Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

This raw carrot salad with a tangy dressing is ready in 10 minutes, making it a refreshing, quick lunch choice for those warm summer days.
Get the Recipe: Raw Carrot Salad

3 Ingredient Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e pepe in a white plate.
Cacio e Pepe. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Classic bucatini cacio e pepe offers a simple, flavorful meal with just three ingredients, perfect for a light, cool lunch.
Get the Recipe: Authentic Bucatini Cacio e Pepe (3 Ingredients Only!)

Anchovy-Free Caesar Salad

A plate of leafy green salad topped with chickpeas, croutons, and a creamy dressing sits next to a fork.
Caesar Salad Without Anchovies. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegan Caesar salad, featuring crisp lettuce and creamy dressing, is ready in 15 minutes, ideal for a satisfying, cool lunch or side on warm days.
Get the Recipe: The Best Vegan Caesar Salad

Heirloom Caprese Salad

A plate of Caprese salad featuring sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, olive oil, and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Heirloom Caprese Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Authentic Caprese salad with fresh garden tomatoes, ready to serve cold for a refreshing summer meal, bursting with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Caprese Salad (Heirloom & Cherry Tomatoes)

Spinach Avocado Salad

A wooden bowl filled with a fresh spinach salad featuring cherry tomatoes, radish slices, avocado, and a sprinkle of cheese. A jar of dressing, a lemon, and wooden utensils are on the side.
Spinach Avocado Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Spinach and avocado summer salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, perfect for a refreshing side dish at cookouts, best served cold.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad

Summer Gazpacho

Two bowls of gazpacho garnished with chopped vegetables and halved cherry tomatoes, placed on a light-colored surface with a red cloth nearby.
Summer Gazpacho. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Summer gazpacho, made with fresh ingredients, serves as a chilled soup, excellent for keeping cool at summer BBQs.
Get the Recipe: The Best Vegan, Gluten-Free Summer Gazpacho

Panzanella Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

A plate of panzanella vegetable salad with bread croutons, including tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and basil, served with a fork and knife on a white background.
Panzanella Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Quick panzanella salad, featuring crusty bread and fresh vegetables, is ready in 10 minutes, ideal for a cool, refreshing lunch or main dish.
Get the Recipe: Panzanella Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette

Italian Chopped Salad

Italian Chopped Salad. Photo Credit: Urban Farmie.

Italian chopped salad with fresh veggies and light dressing, perfect for a healthy, cold lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chopped Salad

BLT Pasta Salad

BLT Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

BLT pasta salad with creamy buttermilk ranch, romaine, tomatoes, and bacon, ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for a quick, cold lunch or side at gatherings.
Get the Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad

5 Ingredient Chicken Salad Recipe

5 Ingredient Chicken Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Everyday Family Cooking.

5 Ingredient Chicken Salad, customizable and quick to prepare, is ideal for a hassle-free lunch or a quick meal anytime.
Get the Recipe: 5 Ingredient Chicken Salad Recipe

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