30 cold dinner ideas | Good Food

Looking for cold dinners for summer? Whether it’s too hot to cook or you want to keep your energy bill as low as possible, you can still provide your family with a nourishing meal with lots of flavour. Our recipes contain plenty of ideas for keeping cooking to a minimum, from using shop-bought items such as ready-cooked chicken fillets and canned fish, to choosing easy to prepare ingredients, like couscous, sandwiches and grains. We’ve not only got a vibrant range of salads but also no-cook wraps, grain bowls, noodle dishes and chilled soups.

Try more family-friendly no-cook recipes and cold dinner ideas, and if you’d like to get the little ones involved, try our no-cook kids’ recipes, or for something sweet, try our no-bake dessert recipes.

1. Chilled green soup with feta

This nutrient-packed soup is an excellent addition to any summer menu. Put the feta in a bowl and pour over the olive oil, coriander seeds, chilli and lemon zest. Set aside. Tip the remaining ingredients (except the seeds) into a food processor and blitz until smooth. Season. Add 50-100ml cold water and blitz to loosen before chilling for an hour.

Discover more cold soup recipes.

2. Pesto chicken salad

Serve this pesto chicken and couscous salad in lettuce leaves for a healthy supper. Add sundried tomatoes and pine nuts for additional texture and nutrients for a fuss-free meal.

Discover more pesto recipes.

3. Chipotle & lime prawn burrito bowls

Serve up a big bowl of colour with this easy prawn burrito bowl, with zingy chipotle and lime flavours. Full of nutrients, this nourishing bowl provides four of your 5-a-day.

Discover more prawn recipes.

4. Lentil & tuna salad

Throw together this easy lentil and tuna salad for a speedy and healthy lunch or supper. It takes just 15 minutes to make, making it ideal for busy weekdays.

Discover more lentil recipes.

5. Quick chicken hummus bowl

Make our healthy chicken and hummus salad bowl for a delicious budget lunch option. It can be thrown together in just 10 minutes and delivers three of your 5-a-day.

Discover more hummus recipes.

6. Chicken caesar sub rolls

These chicken caesar sub rolls are super easy to put together. Any leftovers can be packed for an office lunch or saved for a weekend picnic.

Discover our caesar salad recipes.

7. Roasted new potato, kale & feta salad with avocado

Serve this filling salad as a healthy veggie supper during the week. It’s packed with nutrient-rich kale, new potatoes, avocado, feta and pumpkin seeds.

Discover more new potato recipes.

8. Easy beetroot soup

This easy beetroot soup can be served hot, but it’s just as good cold. Blitz this vibrant vegetarian soup to a smooth consistency, then top with raw radishes and toasted sourdough for added crunch.

Discover more beetroot recipes.

9. Summer courgette ribbon salad

Thin strips of courgette and baby kale are the base for this light lunch or dinner, finished with creamy goat’s cheese and crunchy croutons.

Discover more courgette recipes.

10. Smoked salmon & avocado sushi

Fancy making sushi at home? This simple recipe makes 32 healthy little bites for evenings when you want something quick but fun to put together.

Discover more Japanese-inspired recipes.

11. Veggie olive wraps with mustard vinaigrette

Eat the rainbow with our simple, healthy, veggie wrap. This olive and veg sandwich makes an easy vegan, low-calorie dinner option for lighter days.

Discover more vegetarian recipes.

12. Green chicken salad

Serve this chicken salad as an accompaniment to a summer feast, or as a standalone dinner with toasted sourdough.

Discover more chicken salad recipes.

13. Brussels sprouts winter salad with clementine dressing

Sprouts aren’t just for Christmas! Combined with zesty flavours, they bring freshness and a satisfying bite to this winter veggie salad.

Discover more brussels sprout recipes.

14. Cold chicken noodle salad

Make this noodle salad using leftover or shop-bought chicken to whip up a quick, fragrant dinner in 30 minutes.

Discover more noodle salad recipes.

15. Leftover turkey grain bowls with za’atar, rainbow slaw & harissa yogurt

Make the most of leftover turkey with these grain bowls with rainbow slaw and a tahini dressing. They’re easy to put together and full of flavour.

Discover more leftover turkey recipes.

16. Help-yourself grain fridge salad

This healthy vegetarian salad will keep for a few days in the fridge – perfect for busy families in need of quick suppers or packed lunches.

Discover more vegetarian salad recipes.

17. Smoked mackerel on toasted crumpets

Make the most out of this budget-friendly and storecupboard ingredient. This smoked mackerel filling can be made well in advance and chilled for a rainy day.

Discover more smoked mackerel recipes.

18. Sardines on toast

A good balance of protein and carbohydrates, this sardine and tomato-topped sourdough is the perfect choice for a midweek breakfast-for-dinner meal.

Discover more sardine recipes.

19. Prawn, black bean & avocado salad with hot sauce & lime dressing

Toss together king prawns, black beans, chopped avocado, cucumber and cherry tomatoes in a hot sauce and lime dressing to make this zingy summer salad.

20. Ponzu tofu poke bowl

Make an easy, plant-packed bowl in just 20 minutes. Brimming with refreshing seasonal flavours and crunchy textures, it’s sure to become a firm favourite.

Discover more grain bowl ideas.

21. Avocado panzanella

This tasty avocado panzanella takes only 20 minutes to prepare and is healthy, vegan and low in calories. Why not challenge yourself and make a homemade ciabatta to use in the recipe?

Discover more colourful panzanella recipes.

22. Chipotle gazpacho

Liven up your lunch with this easy chipotle gazpacho soup. It’s not only delicious but healthy too, delivering three of your 5-a-day and packed with vitamin C. Being gluten-free and vegetarian, everyone can enjoy it.

Discover more Mexican-inspired recipes.

23. Chicken, mango & noodle salad

Make clever use of leftover cooked chicken from your Sunday roast by combining the shredded white meat with ripe mangos and a sweet-and-sour dressing made with lime juice, honey, fish sauce and sesame oil. Top with coriander leaves and thinly sliced red chillies for a quick and delicious summer salad.

Discover more uses for leftover chicken.

24. Mozzarella & pesto chickpeas on toast

Mash up chickpeas and add pesto, sundried tomatoes and mozzarella to make a tasty topping for sourdough toast. It takes just 10 minutes to complete. Take this dish to the next level by using your own homemade classic pesto. You could even try to bake your own white sourdough for even more kudos.

Discover more ways to use chickpeas.

25. Salmon & smacked cucumber noodles

Make this tasty salmon and cucumber rice noodle salad for an easy midweek supper when you’re short on time. You can replace the salmon with your favourite ready-poached fish, if you like.

Discover more noodle salad recipes.

26. No-cook veggie fajitas

Load soft tortillas with chargrilled veg, beans, tomato salsa and smashed avocado for an easy supper. For a more authentic Mexican feel, whip up a homemade salsa instead of the shop-bought stuff.

Discover more fajita recipes.

27. Mango chutney & chicken sliders

Top these chicken sliders with mango chutney, red onion, chilli and cucumber salad, and a mint and yogurt dressing. Try making your own homemade mango chutney; it’s straightforward and, once completed, can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 2 years.

Discover more chutney recipes.

28. Loaded open sandwiches

These open sandwiches will be a winner with the kids with four delicious flavour variations; egg mayonnaise, mayonnaise and cucumber relish, prawn mayonnaise and ham and radish. Garnish with cress and dill to make them look professionally built.

Discover more sandwich recipes.

29. Vegan rainbow spring rolls

Try these colourful vegan spring rolls for a light dinner. They are vibrant with fresh vegetables and juicy mango and best served with a sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Discover more easy vegan recipes.

30. Marinated feta & broad bean crush flatbreads

Marinate feta to make the most of it if you’re not using up the whole block. This lasts for a week in the fridge and the flavour only gets better!

Discover more feta recipes.

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