25 Cold Lunch Ideas for a Hot Afternoon
Sandwiches, pasta salads, and toasts included.
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On scorching hot summer days, the last thing you want to do is devour a hot, heavy meal midday. Skip chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes, and reach for something a little more light and refreshing. With a fridge full of make-ahead pasta salad recipes, piled-high sandwiches, and yummy wraps, a cold lunch has never tasted better.
These cold lunch ideas make a delicious summer lunch at home, but many of them are also perfect for packing in a big ol' cooler for a meal on the go. If you're on a seaside vacation (or just want to pretend you are), whip up lobster rolls, shrimp salad rolls, or shrimp pasta salad for a little something special. Or, fill your ice chest full of Italian sandwiches and beach snacks to fuel a day by the water. Of course, if you're simply searching for a quick lunch idea any day of the week, there's plenty of options here too. Make a sandwich with the season's best tomatoes and herby aioli, assemble chickpea salad for a protein boost, or scoop up egg salad with crackers and summer veggies. Craving something completely different? The shrimp spring rolls dipped in peanut sauce are vibrant and refreshing. These summer salads, sandwiches, and bites prove cold lunches don't have to boring!
Tomato Sandwich
This simple sandwich is one of the best things you can eat for lunch during the height of tomato season. The herby aioli takes it over the top.
Get the Tomato Sandwich recipe.
Ramen Noodle Salad
This salad holds up exceptionally well in the fridge. That means it's perfect for making ahead! Just keep some of the noodles and the cashews separate and sprinkle them on right before diving in.
Get the Ramen Noodle Salad recipe.
Shrimp Pasta Salad
Inspired by everyone's favorite seaside sandwich—the lobster roll—this pasta salad stars Old Bay-seasoned shrimp and a creamy, zesty dressing.
Get the Shrimp Pasta Salad recipe.
Southwestern Salad
This hearty cold lunch stars black beans, corn, tomato, avocado, and a creamy avocado dressing. Top it with crushed tortilla chips for crunch!
Get the Southwestern Salad recipe.
Lobster Rolls
This may not be an everyday-type lunch, but for special occasions, a lobster roll simply can't be beat! Don't forget the potato chips.
Get the Lobster Rolls recipe.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
The perfect cold, veggie-packed lunch, this orzo salad has chickpeas for a protein boost, along with juicy tomatoes, feta, and kalamata olives.
Get Ree's Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe.
Spring Rolls
Pack these refreshing spring rolls full of cooked shrimp, juicy mango, rice noodles, and a medley of delicious veggies and herbs. This lunch is so light and fresh!
Get the Spring Rolls recipe.
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Make a bowl of this pasta salad and have it for lunch all week long! It's filled with crunchy bell pepper, peas, cheddar, and ham.
Get the Bow Tie Pasta Salad recipe.
Shrimp Salad Rolls
This isn't your average sandwich! This recipe features buttery rolls stuffed with creamy, dreamy shrimp salad. Potato chips on the side are an absolute must!
Get Ree's Shrimp Salad Rolls recipe.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
This salad is chock full of all kinds of goodies: crispy chicken peas, smoked mozzarella, and giardiniera.
Get Ree's Mediterranean Pasta Salad recipe.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
It's everything you love about classic Caesar salad, but a little more hearty! Packed with chicken, parmesan, crunchy croutons and shell pasta, it's good to the last bite.
Get the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe.
Avocado Toast
Breakfast, brunch, or lunch, there's never a bad time for avocado toast! Whip some up for a tasty midday meal. This recipe shows you how to make it three different ways.
Get the Avocado Toast recipe.
Couscous Salad
Taste the rainbow with this Mediterranean-inspired salad. Cucumber and toasted walnuts add delightful crunch, and the lemony dressing combined with a duo of herbs gives this salad so much freshness!
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
Italian Sandwich
Piled high with four types of meat, provolone, and crunchy veggies, and drizzled with a zippy Italian dressing, this sandwich is the ultimate lunchbox treat. Assemble it the day before you devour it so all of the flavors have a chance to marinate!
Get the Italian Sandwich recipe.
Chicken Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is a sweet and savory, filled with red grapes, tender chicken, sliced almonds, and lots of herbs. The dressing has mayo for creaminess and a little Greek yogurt and Dijon mustard for tang. Fresh lemon juice and zest brighten the whole dish up!
Get the Chicken Pasta Salad recipe.
Tea Sandwiches
A spread of these pretty, petite sandwiches is the perfect lunch for a hot summer day. Make one variety for yourself or try all three for a lovely lunch for guests!
Get the Tea Sandwiches recipe.
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Crisp bacon, ripe tomatoes, creamy ranch dressing—what's not to love?! This salad is perfect for a Saturday potluck, but it's equally wonderful to serve for a delicious lunch any day of the week.
Get the Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad recipe.
Chickpea Salad
Make this chickpea salad at the beginning of the week and munch on it all week long! Because there's lemon juice in the dressing, the avocado doesn't brown too much, so it's perfect to make ahead.
Get the Chickpea Salad recipe.
Tuna Pasta Salad
Transform canned tuna into a fresh, flavorful salad that everyone will want seconds of. Think of this recipe as tuna noodle casserole, but for lunch. There's green peas, noodles, and even a sprinkling of crushed potato chips overtop, but the lemony, herby dressing adds a burst of bright flavor.
Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe.
Green Goddess Chicken Salad Dip
This vibrant salad dip is loaded with chicken, so it's plenty filling for lunch. There's also crunchy cucumber, cabbage, and who can forget the bright green dressing? The best part is that it's ready to scoop up in just 20 minutes!
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