What should you cook on hot days? Easy summer recipes
As the temperatures rise, you’re bound to ask yourself: “What should you cook on hot days?” As the mercury keeps rising, so too does the need for refreshing meals. On summer days, our body needs plenty of fluids and nutrient-rich ingredients that will give us energy. Cold dishes are not just quick to prepare, but also add a delightful boost of freshness. But which foods are particularly suitable for warm days? Read our refreshing tips here.
The key points
- Light and refreshing dishes are ideal for hot days – choose fresh ingredients containing plenty of water such as vegetables, fruit and yoghurt.
- Cold dishes and quick recipes like salads, gazpacho or zucchini noodles don’t take long to prepare and give you a very pleasant meal.
- Proper food storage helps to keep food fresh even at high temperatures – cooling tips and clever storage are crucial.
- Refreshing drinks and snacks like infused water, smoothies or homemade sorbet offer a delicious way to cool down in between times.
What should you cook on hot days? – list of contents
What should you consider when you’re cooking on hot days?
Our eating habits also change in summer. Heavy, fatty dishes put extra strain on the body, while light, water-rich foods are refreshing and provide energy. These basic principles will help:
choose fresh, water-rich ingredients: Cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers along with watermelon or berries have a high water content and support fluid intake.
Choose easy preparation methods: raw food, cold dishes or gentle cooking (steaming or blanching) will deliver freshness and preserve valuable nutrients.
Less fat and heavy sauces: instead of opting for creamy sauces or fried foods, yoghurt dressings, lemon marinades or fresh herbs are a lighter alternative.
Store chilled dishes correctly: when temperatures are high, safe storage is particularly critical – a reliable fridge will keep food fresh for longer and prevent any germs from forming.
What to eat and drink on warm days – in a nutshell!
1. Light cuisine: water-rich foods like salads, vegetables and fresh fruit
2. Cold dishes: yoghurt bowls or wraps to reduce the heat in the kitchen
3. Refreshing drinks: homemade lemonade or smoothies
4. Cool snacks: homemade sorbet or frozen yoghurt bites from the freezer to give you some healthy refreshment
Recipe ideas: what should you eat and drink when it’s hot?
With the right ingredients, any meal can be a real summer delight. Below we’ll give you a few simple, delicious ideas for recipes to enjoy on hot days.
Classic gazpacho (for two people)
Ingredients:
- 500 g ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 small onion
- 1 clove of garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 100 ml cold water
- Salt, pepper, optionally a little chilli
- Fresh herbs (e.g. basil or parsley)
Preparation:
- Roughly dice the tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, onion and garlic.
- Place everything in a blender with olive oil, vinegar and water and blend into a fine purée.
- Season to taste with salt, pepper and chilli. Chill the mixture for at least one hour.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve nicely chilled.
Tip: serve with toasted bread with garlic or a dash of lemon juice for extra freshness!
Watermelon and feta salad with mint (for two people)
Ingredients:
- 400 g watermelon
- 100 g feta
- 1 handful of fresh mint leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optionally: a few walnuts or pine nuts
Preparation:
- Chop the watermelon into cubes, crumble on rough chunks of feta.
- Finely chop the mint leaves and mix with olive oil and lime juice.
- Carefully mix together all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Season with salt, pepper and optionally a few nuts – enjoy straight away!
Tip: The salad will be particularly refreshing if the watermelon has been well chilled in a fridge first.
Summery smoothies with no added sugar (for two glasses)
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana (for natural sweetness)
- 200 g berries (e.g. strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- 150 ml unsweetened almond or oat milk (alternatively water)
- 1 tsp lemon or lime juice
- 1 handful of ice cubes
- Optional: fresh mint or a piece of ginger for extra freshness
Preparation:
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend into a fine purée.
- Add a little more liquid if necessary until you get the consistency you want.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with some mint or berries, if you wish.
- Enjoy straight away – fabulously refreshing and with no added sugar!
Tip: to make the drink extra creamy, you can add half an avocado or a spoonful of yoghurt.
FAQ: what should you cook on hot days?
Easily digestible sources of protein like yoghurt, cottage cheese, legumes, fish or lean poultry are ideal for summer. Plant-based alternatives such as tofu, tempeh or quinoa also provide valuable protein without being heavy on the stomach.
If you’re planning to enjoy a picnic or excursion on a hot day, cool bags or cool boxes are a great option for keeping food and drinks cool. Alternatively, you can take frozen smoothie packs or chilled pieces of fruit with you, which will then slowly defrost and give you some pleasant refreshment while you’re on the go.
Yes, some herbs do have a cooling effect on the body. They include mint, coriander, cardamom and fennel. They can be used in drinks, smoothies or light summer dishes to help the body cool down naturally.
