Cool lunches are perfect for those hot summer days when you just can’t bear to turn on the stove. These recipes are great for keeping you refreshed and satisfied without the hassle of cooking in the heat. They’re quick, easy, and use fresh ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Whether you’re packing lunch for work, planning a picnic, or just need a simple meal at home, these cool lunches will hit the spot. Get ready to chill out and enjoy your summer meals with minimal effort.
Broccoli Crunch Salad
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
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
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
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
Tortellini pasta salad, a simple and quick summertime dish, ready in 20 minutes, perfect for serving cold at any meal. A must try healthy meal!
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad
Roasted Vegetable Salad
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
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
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
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
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
Daikon Salad
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
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
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
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
Heirloom Caprese Salad
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
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
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
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 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 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, 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