20 Cold Dinners That Are Light, Easy, and Delicious

These no-cook dinners are perfect for when you want a fresh and tasty meal without having to use your stove or oven. They are packed with crisp vegetables, tasty proteins, and lots of bold flavors that are great for a busy weeknight or a relaxed evening at home. You can find everything from zesty salads to cool seafood dishes that come together very quickly for a light but still satisfying lunch or dinner. The best part is that most of them can be made ahead of time.

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Harvest Niçoise Salad

A platter of Niçoise salad with green beans, halved boiled eggs, potatoes, tuna, cherry tomatoes, olives, and cucumber slices, surrounded by two wooden serving spoons, two eggs, and a patterned napkin. — Harvest Niçoise Salad. Photo credit: Art of Natural Living

Butter lettuce, tender tuna, and crisp green beans are the stars of this Niçoise Salad that is drizzled with a lemony dressing for a light but totally satisfying dinner that requires no cooking at all.
Get the recipe: Harvest Niçoise Salad

Ensalada de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Salad)

Plump shrimp and crunchy veggies are mixed with a creamy dressing in this Ensalada de Camarón for a refreshing meal that you can serve on tostadas or with saltine crackers.
Get Recipe: Ensalada de Camaron

Soba Noodle Salad

A bowl of colorful noodle salad featuring soba noodles, sliced carrots, red cabbage, edamame, and green onions. The dish is garnished with sesame seeds and accompanied by chopsticks, set on a white surface. — Soba Noodle Salad. Photo By Vegan Huggs

Chewy soba noodles and crisp veggies are tossed together with a sesame dressing in this Soba Noodle Salad for a light but filling meal that is perfect for when you want something cool and tasty.
Get the recipe: Soba Noodle Salad

Coctel de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail)

A large glass goblet is filled with a shrimp cocktail garnished with cilantro. The dish includes shrimp, onions, and herbs in a tomato-based sauce. A bowl with more of the cocktail is in the background, along with lime wedges and a jalapeño on the table. — Coctel de Camaron. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Plump shrimp swim in a spicy tomato-lime sauce with avocado and onions in this Coctel de Camaron that you serve cold with saltine crackers for a refreshing appetizer or light meal.
Get Recipe: Coctel de Camaron

Homemade Avocado Maki Roll (Sushi Roll)

A neatly arranged platter of sushi rolls with various fillings, drizzled with sauce, beside chopsticks, a small bowl of orange dipping sauce, a bowl of seasonings, and a dish of pickled ginger on a white surface. — Avocado Maki Roll. Photo Credit: Health My Lifestyle

Creamy avocado and seasoned rice roll up easily in these Avocado Maki Rolls for a simple sushi night at home where you can dip them in soy sauce for extra flavor.
Get the recipe: Homemade Avocado Maki Roll (Sushi Roll)

Salpicon de Res (Cold Beef Salad)

Salpicon de res served on a tostada and topped with avocado slices. — Salpicon de Res. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Thinly sliced beef gets tossed with lime, avocado, and onions in this Salpicón de Res for a cool and zesty dinner that is perfect for serving on crunchy tostadas.
Get the recipe: Salpicon de Res

Salmon Stacks

A close-up of a sushi stack with layers of white rice, avocado, and spicy orange salmon, topped with black sesame seeds. A small portion of seaweed is visible on the side. — Salmon Stacks. Photo credit: Simple and Fraiche

These Salmon Stacks layer sushi rice, spicy salmon, and creamy avocado for a deconstructed sushi bowl that requires no rolling, so you can just pile it high and start eating.
Get the recipe: Salmon Stacks

Tuna Molletes (Open-Faced Tuna Sandwich)

Tuna Molletes served on a wooden cutting board and surrounded by green spinach leaves. — Tuna Molletes. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Crusty bread gets topped with seasoned tuna, melted cheese, and roasted tomatoes in these Tuna Molletes for a warm and crispy meal that is a step up from a basic sandwich.
Get the recipe: Tuna Molletes

Seafood Pasta Salad

A bowl of shell pasta salad with shrimp, peas, celery, and diced tomatoes, seasoned with black pepper, on a wooden table with a blue napkin nearby. — Seafood Pasta Salad. Photo credit: XoxoBella

Tender pasta is mixed with shrimp and crab in this salad that feels fancy but is super simple, and the lemon dressing keeps it light and fresh with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers for crunch.
Get the recipe: Seafood Pasta Salad

Shrimp Ceviche

Plump shrimp are mixed with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro in this Shrimp Ceviche after being soaked in lime juice, and you can scoop it onto chips for a refreshing and cool bite.
Get the recipe: Shrimp Ceviche

Loaded Italian Antipasti Deli Pasta Salad

A large bowl of pasta salad with diced pasta, black and green olives, chopped herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and chives, served with a gold fork. A plate of chopped chives and white flowers are nearby on a striped tablecloth. — Loaded Italian Antipasti Deli Pasta Salad. Photo by Dished by Kate

Salami, cheese, olives, and pasta all come together in this Italian Antipasti Pasta Salad where the bold flavors make it a hit at potlucks or as a make-ahead dinner for home.
Get the recipe: Loaded Italian Antipasti Deli Pasta Salad

Salpicon de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad)

Two tostadas of Salpicon de Pollo topped with avocado slices and surrounded by cilantro leaves and jalapenos. — Salpicon de Pollo. Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Shredded chicken, avocado, and lime juice give this Salpicón de Pollo a bright and fresh taste that is great served on tostadas or over greens for a big flavored no-cook meal.
Get Recipe: Salpicon de Pollo

Simple Ancient Grains Salad with Tahini Dressing

A white oval platter filled with a colorful salad of grains, cherry tomatoes, arugula, olives, and feta cheese, with a wooden serving spoon resting on top. Lemon wedges and a napkin are nearby. — Simple Ancient Grains Salad with Tahini Dressing. Photo credit: Health My Lifestyle

The Ancient Grains Salad is packed with healthy stuff like fiber and plant-based protein, and it has cherry tomatoes, olives, and a tangy tahini dressing for a very satisfying meal.
Get the recipe: Simple Ancient Grains Salad with Tahini Dressing

Ensalada de Atún (Mexican Tuna Salad)

A wooden bowl filled with a creamy tuna salad, garnished with a sprig of cilantro, is placed on a wooden platter alongside square and triangular crackers. The tuna salad has visible chunks of tuna, diced tomatoes, onions, and green herbs. — Ensalada de Atun. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

This Ensalada de Atún mixes tuna with tomatoes, jalapeños, and lime for a zesty twist on tuna salad that you can scoop up with chips for a fun and no-fork-needed meal.
Get Recipe: Ensalada de Atún

Salmon Escabeche

Glass dish with cooked salmon fillets topped with sliced pickled red onions and jalapeños, with a fork in the upper right corner. The bright toppings contrast with the salmon’s orange color. — Salmon Escabeche. Photo credit: Kitchen Serf

Tender salmon soaks up a tangy marinade with onions and jalapeños in this Salmon Escabeche that you serve cold with crusty bread to soak up all of the delicious flavor.
Get the recipe: Salmon Escabeche

Tostadas de Pollo (Chicken Tostadas)

Chicken Tostada topped with lettuce and other ingredients. — Tostadas de Pollo. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Crispy tostadas get loaded with shredded chicken, refried beans, and fresh toppings for these Tostadas de Pollo that are crunchy, a little messy, and totally delicious for dinner.
Get the recipe: Tostadas de Pollo

Cold Udon Noodles with Summer Vegetables

A bowl of udon noodles topped with sliced okra, fresh tomato wedges, green herbs, tofu slices, and shredded seaweed, with a cup of dipping sauce on the side. Another similar bowl is partially visible. — Cold Udon Noodles with Summer Vegetables. Photo credit: Chef Ja Cooks

Chewy udon noodles and crisp veggies soak up a savory broth in this Cold Udon Noodle dish that you should chill for a bit before eating to let all the flavors soak in.
Get the recipe: Cold Udon Noodles with Summer Vegetables

Ensalada de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad)

A plate of shredded chicken in creamy sauce, inspired by Mexican chicken recipes, surrounded by tortilla chips. Garnished with a pickle and a slice of carrot on the side, all served on a rustic wooden surface. — Ensalada de Pollo. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

This creamy Mexican-style chicken salad is packed with flavor from mayo and veggies, making it perfect for scooping up with chips, especially if you use leftover rotisserie chicken.
Get Recipe: Ensalada de Pollo

Spicy Salmon Salad

A bowl filled with sliced cucumbers, radishes, avocado, shredded carrots, leafy greens, and flaked salmon, topped with seaweed and black sesame seeds. Black chopsticks rest beside the bowl on a gray surface. — Spicy Salmon Salad. Photo credit: Mandi of the Mountains

Flaky salmon and crisp veggies are mixed with a kick of heat in this Spicy Salmon Salad that is anything but boring, and you can eat it straight or pile it onto toast.
Get the recipe: Spicy Salmon Salad

Salmon Salad with Grapes and Pecans

A croissant sandwich filled with a creamy chicken salad and grapes is on a white plate, served with a side of broccoli salad and two grapes. A fork and a green-striped napkin are next to the plate. — Salmon Salad with Grapes and Pecans. Photo credit: Art of Natural Living

Flaky salmon, sweet grapes, and crunchy pecans are mixed together in this Salmon Salad that is creamy and fresh, great on bread, crackers, or just eaten by the forkful.
Get the recipe: Salmon Salad with Grapes and Pecans