45 Cold Foods for Hot Weather Days

45 Cold Foods for Hot Weather Days

Read Time: 20 mins

45 Cold Foods for Hot Weather Days2/45 Mint-Cucumber Tomato Sandwiches 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 sandwiches Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I jazzed up the quintessential teatime cucumber sandwich to suit my family’s tastes. This was my absolute go-to sandwich last summer when I was pregnant. It hit all the right spots! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 286 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 631mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. 3/45 Tropical Layered Chicken Salad Test Kitchen Approved Total

Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a fresh and delicious recipe that is a big hit whenever I take it to a potluck—it’s always the first to go! —Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 483 calories, 26g fat (4g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 644mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 7g fiber), 33g protein. 4/45 Cobb Salad Sub 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cobb Salad Sub Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When we need

a quick meal to share, we turn Cobb salad into a sandwich masterpiece

a quick meal to share, we turn Cobb salad into a sandwich masterpiece. Sometimes I substitute tortillas for the bread and make wraps instead. —Kimberly Grusendorf, Medina, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 233 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 982mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein. 5/45 Antipasto Marinated Vegetables Test Kitchen Approved Antipasto Marinated Vegetables Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The colorful vegetables and the tart dressing make this a lively addition to a holiday table. Serve it as

a side dish or condiment—it’s great either way

a side dish or condiment—it’s great either way. Refrigerate for three hours before serving to give the flavors time to blend. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 156 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 312mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. 6/45 Chicken Salad with Grapes 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken salad with grapes is ready in a snap when using rotisserie chicken and a few quick chops of pecans, sweet onion and

celery. —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup chicken salad: 311 calories, 22g fat (4g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein. 7/45 Spicy Asian Ham Sandwiches Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Asian Ham Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 sandwiches Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love these sandwiches with ham, but you can use leftover cooked pork instead of the ham if desired. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 271 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 962mg

sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein

sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein. 8/45 Lemon Orzo Salad 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Heading to a potluck and need something to share? Tangy lemon dressing over cool orzo and vegetables is everything you want in a light side dish. —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 259 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 460mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. 9/45 Root Beer

And you don’t even need to use an oven!

Float Pie 99 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Root Beer Float Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is the kind of recipe your kids will look back on and always remember. And you don’t even need to use an oven! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 184 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 268mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat. 10/45 Edamame Corn Carrot Salad 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Edamame Corn

My vegetarian and vegan friends are especially big fans

Carrot Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this easy salad while brainstorming light, protein-filled recipes. My vegetarian and vegan friends are especially big fans. —Maiah Miller, Monterey, California Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 111 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 135mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 11/45 Hasselback Tomato Clubs 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hasselback Tomato Clubs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2

Make it for lunch or pair it with pasta salad for a light dinner

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This no-fuss, no-bread riff on a classic is perfect during tomato season. Make it for lunch or pair it with pasta salad for a light dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 2 stuffed tomatoes: 272 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 803mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein. 12/45 Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 1 serving Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had a

Everyone at work wants to know how to make it

vegan wrap that was similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it. —Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 235 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 415mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat. 13/45 Grape Salad 169 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy Grape Salad Recipe photo

For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans

by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 24 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone raves when I bring this refreshing, creamy grape salad to potlucks. For a special finishing touch, sprinkle it with brown sugar and pecans. —Marge Elling, Jenison, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 131 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 14/45 Loaded Avocado BLT 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Loaded Avocado BLT Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Creator: My husband invented this twist on a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. I like to make it with extra slices of bacon; if you want, you can leave the Gorgonzola cheese out of the avocado spread. —Lori Grant, Kingsport, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 420 calories, 29g fat (7g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 921mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein. 15/45 Raspberry Pecan Chicken Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 6 sandwiches Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I gave this sweet-savory chicken salad a little zip with Chinese five-spice

powder, which tastes a bit like pumpkin pie spice

powder, which tastes a bit like pumpkin pie spice. Sprinkle some on roasted carrots for an awesome meal. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 463 calories, 24g fat (4g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 371mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 6g fiber), 29g protein. 16/45 Lemony Garbanzo Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lemony Garbanzo Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everybody goes for this super fresh salad with the cumin-coriander dressing, especially on warm days. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California Nutrition Facts:

The sweet pickle relish gives it that signature taste

1 serving: 363 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 478mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 10g fiber), 11g protein. 17/45 Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Inspired by Chick-fil-A chicken salad, this recipe is incredibly easy to make, and your family will love it. The sweet pickle relish gives it that signature taste. I like to use a thick crusty oat bread. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Nutrition Facts:

Now I serve it often as an appetizer

1 sandwich: 651 calories, 29g fat (5g saturated fat), 222mg cholesterol, 1386mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 4g fiber), 51g protein. 18/45 Easy Gazpacho 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved NICOLE PERRY FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings 5 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My daughter got this gazpacho recipe from a college friend and shared it with me. Now I serve it often as an appetizer. It certainly is the talk of any party. —Lorna Sirtoli, Cortland, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 146 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 387mg sodium,

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Lemon Orzo Salad 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe photo by Eric Kleinberg for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Heading to a potluck and need something to share?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad 131 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community

Want more inspiration like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly dinner ideas and cooking tips!

Subscribe Now

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *