15 Cool Summer Meals for Hot Summer Days

The Badlands- Drumheller, Alberta 2014

Every year, around this time, I remember that turning on the oven and/or stove is a bad idea, even with air conditioning, but I don't want to order in or eat out, either. Most of these require little-to-no time on the stove, one uses the slow cooker, and a few use the barbecue.

I know it's summer vacation, but it's still a good time to meal plan. For me, somehow summer is more expensive than I expect it to be, and I find if I don't plan for our meals I spend too much on impulsive buys at the grocery store.

With a little bit of advanced planning, most of these meals can be prepared just by packaging your leftover cooked meats when you cook them in the spring. For example, the last time I cooked a pork loin, I sliced what we didn't eat and packaged it separately in zipper freezer bags in my freezer. The same goes for chicken and turkey. Cooking ahead can be a godsend when it's way too hot to cook, and will always be better for you than eating out.

I've compiled a list of meals I turn to when the weather is hot. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, and shakes consumed in our house this time of year!

1. Thai Salad Rolls- rice paper wrap stuffed with rice noodles, julienned vegetables, fresh herbs, a sweet and mildly spicy sauce, and pre-cooked shrimp.
2. Chicken Caesar Salad (use leftover chicken, or buy a deli chicken)
3. Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps
4. Greek Chicken and Vegetable Pitas
5. Thai Sweet Chili Pork Wraps
6. Spinach and Strawberry Pork Pitas
7. Fish Tacos
8. Barbecued Salmon, Corn on the Cob, and Coleslaw
9. Barbecued Homemade Burgers
10. Barbecued Souvlaki- Beef, Chicken, Pork, or Lamb
11. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Coleslaw
12. Fruit Salad, Cheese Platter, and Homemade Yogurt Dip
13. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Vegetable Tray
14. Sushi (but we buy it, not make it)
15. Charcuterie

What sorts of meals do you turn to when it's hot outside? Do you have a go-to recipe you can share? Enjoy your weekend, friends.
Stacy