Cool down with these 25 no-bake vegan recipes! Easy, plant-based meals from salads to desserts—no oven or stove needed. Perfect for hot summer days!
25 Refreshing No-Bake Vegan Recipes to Beat the Heat (Plant-Based & Easy)
When the summer heat is blazing, the last thing you want is to turn on the oven. That’s why I’ve rounded up my ultimate list of 25 no-cook vegan recipes that are totally plant-based and totally refreshing. From crisp salads and hydrating beverages to hearty mains and satisfying desserts, these dishes require no stove, no oven, and no sweat. Whether you’re planning a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a cool treat, these easy vegan recipes will help you stay cool, nourished, and energized all summer long. These are the recipe I return to time and time again during the hot summer months, and I hope you love them as much as I do. You really can beat the heat and eat delicious, easy, wholesome plant-powered meals without turning on the stove or oven. It’s all about turning to cool, seasonal foods and your slow cooker, Instant Pot, and outdoor grill. I put together this plant-powered menu of delicious recipes that will keep you and your kitchen cool on the hottest day of the year.
25 No Heat Plant-Based Recipes
Plant-Based Beverage Recipes
Cool down with this easy strawberry agua fresca recipe—a refreshing Mexican fruit drink made with real strawberries, lime, and water. Perfect for summer and naturally sweet!
High Protein Super Green Smoothie
This super wholesome High Protein Super Green Smoothie, with 30 grams of protein per serving, is filled with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients, including ginger, turmeric, fruit, and green powder.
Mint Water with Lime and Lemon
Make your own homemade infused waters with this budget-friendly, easy, healthy recipe for Mint Water with Lime and Lemon. You’ll save money and reduce your carbon footprint by making your own fresh lemon water recipe at home.
Vegan Appetizer Recipes
I love this fresh and delicious dip. My mother shared her old recipe with me, and I healthified it a few years ago. Packed with the power of beans, corn, tomatoes, herbs, and spices, this dip is great with chips or even as a relish with veggie-burgers, tacos or tostadas.
This Classic Bruschetta is so easy to make at home, and it’s the perfect summertime dish to make the most of those rich, juicy tomatoes.
The rich flavors of the Mediterranean are amplified in this vegan, gluten-free Olive Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus, featuring kalamata olives, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and verdant basil, along with the classic hummus ingredients, chickpeas and tahini.
Creamy Artichoke White Bean Dip
Make this creamy artichoke white bean dip for a healthy, flavorful snack or appetizer. This easy, vegan, gluten-free dip is made with canned artichokes, white beans, and roasted red peppers, plus a perfect blend of herbs for a satisfying and nutritious appetizer.
Vegan Main Dish Recipes
Keep your kitchen cool by turning to a slow cooker to make this hearty, savory chili. Just soak the beans overnight, and then add all of the ingredients—black beans, corn, onions, tomato paste, and seasonings—to a slow cooker and cook on for high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours. Voila, dinner is on the table!
Easy Instant Pot Black Tepary Beans
Turn to indigenous, sustainable tepary beans—native to Arizona—to create this simple, wholesome, nutritious, plant-based (vegan), gluten-free simmered bean dish, made easy with an Instant Pot.
Hawaiian Tempeh Barbeque Skewers
Put together these fresh, flavorful vegan Hawaiian Tempeh Barbecue Skewers featuring tempeh, pineapple, bell pepper, and a fabulous Hawaiian Marinade.
Vegan Burrito with Refried Beans and Corn
Get this super easy Vegan Burrito with Refried Beans and Corn on the table in just 10 minutes.
This easy, healthy recipe for Spicy Sesame Grilled Tofu pays homage to traditional flavors, including sesame, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, red chili, and seaweed.
Get these easy, healthy, delicious Spicy Hummus Veggie Tacos on the table in 35 minutes for a vegan, gluten-free meal the whole family will love.
Filled with a colorful, flavorful tofu, papaya, and coconut filling, these Curried Tofu Papaya Wraps are a delicious treat as an appetizer or for lunch.
Easy Instant Pot Veggie Biryani
Make this easy, vegan, gluten-free vegetable chickpea biryani recipe in about 35 minutes, thanks to your trusty Instant Pot.
Tofu Kale Power Bowl with Tahini Dressing
Power up on plant-based protein in this vegan entree salad bowl, featuring savory baked tofu, kale, peas, sweet potatoes and hemp seeds, dressed with a flavorful tahini dressing.
Vegan Salad Recipes
Turn to a cool, breezy Greek Salad, the traditional cucumber and tomato based salad served all over the sunny region of Greece. Based on tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, cucumbers, capers, olive oil, and lemon juice, you can whip up this crispy fresh salad without turning on an appliance.
Radish Salad with Cantaloupe and Pumpkin Seeds
The naturally sweet crunch of cantaloupe shines in this Radish Salad with Cantaloupe and Pumpkin Seeds with an herbal lemon vinaigrette.
Arugula Salad with Radishes and Avocado and Truffle Lemon Vinaigrette
Turn to the summer seasonal offerings of your farmers market, supermarket, or backyard to create this icy-cool, colorful, and crunchy salad with nary a pot or pan.
Roasted Corn and Potato Succotash Salad
This vegan, gluten-free, satisfying salad calls upon the indigenous American food traditions of corn (succotash means “broken corn kernels”) with beans.
Discover how to make this refreshing chickpea tabbouleh recipe! Packed with plant-based protein, whole grains, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon flavor, it’s a quick and easy, healthy vegan and vegetarian salad perfect for meal prep or a light lunch.
Colorful Vegan Confetti Potato Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
This vibrant vegan confetti potato salad is packed with potatoes, red cabbage, carrots, radishes, red onions, and bell peppers, all tossed in a creamy lemon dressing. A healthy, gluten-free side dish full of flavor and color!
Vegan Dessert Recipes
Chia Seed Pudding with Berries
Looking for a delicious, healthy, vegan, gluten-free chia seed pudding recipe? Then you must check out this 4-ingredient recipe for Chia Seed Pudding with Berries for a yummy, nutrition-packed dessert or snack that’s healthy enough to enjoy for breakfast too.
Make these fresh, healthy, plant-based orangesicle pops in just 10 minutes.
Chunky Chocolate and Toasted Walnut Nice Cream
Home-made vegan ice cream has never been so easy—and delicious—as in this ultimate recipe for a chunky dark chocolate and toasted walnut ice cream featuring coconut milk.
Discover more summer recipe collections:
40 Vegan Summer Fruit Recipes with Melon
40 Best Plant-Based Summer Party Food Recipes
11 Favorite Summer Vegan Recipes
25 Best Vegan Taco Recipes That Are Healthy, Easy, and Packed with Flavor
45 Colorful Plant-Based Rainbow Recipes
20 Light & Lovely Plant-Based Appetizer Recipes
Top 50 Fabulous Hummus Recipes
6 Plant-Based Summer Dips
45 Plant-Based Summer Salad Recipes
45 Plant-Powered Summer Picnic Recipes