Delicious Ways to Beat the Heat in the Kitchen

With August’s heat, the last thing any home cook wants is to spend hours sweating over a hot stove. That’s why we’ve gathered quick-cook meals that get you in and out of the kitchen fast, plus refreshing dishes that require minimal heat and offer maximum flavor. These recipes prove that staying cool doesn’t mean sacrificing satisfying meals.

Move the cooking outdoors with these flavorful skewers that let the grill do all the work while keeping your kitchen blissfully cool. Beef Kebabs with bell pepper, onions, and mushrooms from Simply Recipes will become a favorite go-to meal. Once the meat has marinated in a flavorful mix of ingredients and you have skewered the beef and veggies, this meal is ready to eat after just 8 to 10 minutes on the grill.

Garlic Butter Cod with Lemon Asparagus Skillet from Eatwell101 is a nutritious and delicious meal that cooks up fast, so you won’t be standing at the stove for long. And this elegant dish delivers restaurant-quality flavors. Cod is a low-fat source of protein, and it’s an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Asparagus is low in calories and an excellent source of fiber and vitamins A, C, E, and K. Eat up!

A summer staple that can be served as a side dish or enjoyed on its own is pasta salad. From classic Italian Pasta Salad to Grilled Chicken Cajun Pasta Salad, you’ll find new favorites to make with Delish’s 57 Pasta Salad Recipes That Will Crush At Your Next Cookout. These make-ahead marvels can be prepped during cooler morning hours and get even better as they chill, making them perfect for hot summer days.

Grab the mayo and apple cider and make cool, creamy Coleslaw, a must-have for backyard barbecues, picnics, and potlucks. Coleslaw is a classic summer side dish that pairs perfectly with pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, hot dogs, and more. Another refreshing side dish is Cucumber Vinegar Salad from Favorite Family Recipes. This refreshing, no-cook side dish delivers maximum crunch and cooling power with minimal effort required.

For snacking and quick-cook meals, it’s always a good idea to keep easy foods and drinks on hand, such as granola bars, macaroni & cheese, and refrigerated fruit drinks. If you’re in the mood for fresh fruits and veggies, whip up a tasty fruit salsa using mandarin orange fruit cups (drained), diced tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped fresh mint leaves, finely chopped jalapeno pepper, and fresh lemon or lime juice. You can also substitute the mandarin oranges with peach fruit cups or pineapple fruit cups. This salsa is perfect for chips and dip or as a topping for quesadillas or grilled chicken.

In addition to must-have, indulgent summer ice cream cones, you will want to make these Healthy Homemade Fruit Popsicles from Jessica Gavin. Choose from Peach Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles, Minty Watermelon Popsicles, Blackberry Lemon Popsicles, or Orange Mango Coconut Popsicles. But you’ll probably want to make all of them while the fruits are in season and while the heat lasts. You can make these popsicles with five ingredients or less, and because they’re healthy, you and your family can enjoy them any time of day.

Here are some great cooking tips for keeping your house cool during August:

• Grab your favorite cold beverage and get your grill on. Grilled foods have come so far that you can cook your entire meal on the grill, from appetizers to dessert.
• Use a crockpot, Instant Pot, and toaster oven for cooking meals since they do not create much heat. If you’re cooking for only 1-2 people, the toaster oven is perfect for cooking frozen foods like French fries and mozzarella sticks, and even cookies. Note: Do not use parchment paper in a toaster oven, as it poses a risk of the parchment paper coming into contact with the heating element.
• Stock up on lunchmeats and sliced cheeses so you can prepare foods that do not require cooking at all, like salads and sandwiches.
• Cook all your meals for the day in the morning before the sun heats your home. When it’s time to eat, reheat!
• Batch cooking a couple of times a week is better than cooking every day. This cooking tip, for batch cooking pancakes, will make breakfast a breeze. The next time you plan on making pancakes from a mix, make extra pancakes for freezing. Cook the pancakes, let them cool completely, then layer them between sheets of waxed paper. Next, slide the stacks inside freezer storage bags and seal. You can freeze the pancakes for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to prepare breakfast, reheat pancakes in the microwave for 1 to 1 ½ minutes, turning once.

August doesn’t have to mean choosing between staying cool and eating well—these recipes prove you can have both. With a bit of creativity and strategic meal planning, you can keep your kitchen (and yourself) comfortable while still enjoying satisfying meals throughout the month.