There comes a point every summer when you can *feel* it drawing to a close: there’s a chill on the breeze, the nights come more quickly, and… are those leaves crunching on the ground already?! But the heat is still lingering – and if summer can hold on, we can, too. So if you’re not *quite* ready to greet cooler temperatures and the heavier comfort food that comes along with them, we suggest leaning in hard to late summer produce and the ease in which it can be prepared and enjoyed. Best of all? You can make the most of the shorter days with most recipes taking no more than 15 minutes to put together.

(via home chef)

1. Apple & Chicken Spinach Salad

This Apple & Chicken Salad from Home Chef is the perfect summer to fall lunch recipe. Using fully cooked chicken breasts, this salad is assembly-only with great fall-ish flavors like apples and almonds. Chef Nigel Palmer knocked it out of the park with this. Make it for a highly packable lunch or enjoy al desko between zoom meetings, right at home.

(via the wanderlust kitchen)

2. End of Summer Panzanella

We love panzanella as a way to use up slightly stale bread. Plus, it’s basically a salad that’s equal parts veggies and giant croutons – who can resist that? Since this recipe requires toasting, it’s not completely no-cook but it’s still a great recipe to enjoy the late summer tomato bounty. Whip up an End of Summer Panzanella for weekend brunch or dinner and use tomatoes of different colors for a show stopping dish. 

(via sarah gold RD)

3. Summer Cucumber and Heirloom Tomato Salad

Zucchini gets a lot of attention for growing like crazy but cucumbers are the same way! Use up summer veggies with a simple, healthy Summer Cucumber & Heirloom Tomato Salad where veggies are truly the star. Pair this with a perfect grilled steak for a savory taste of late summer.

(via cafe delites)

4. Chicken Cucumber Avocado Salad

Using a perfectly browned store-bought Rotisserie Chicken for a no-cook Chicken Cucumber Avocado Salad always feels like the biggest life hack to us. This tasty and refreshing recipe makes for delicious leftovers as well. Make a big batch for the whole family or prepare a week’s worth of lunches or dinners for yourself.

(via la creme de la crumb)

5. Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad

For another great summer to fall recipe, try this Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad. Something about the combo of apples and cranberries with creamy Feta gives us serious Thanksgiving vibes. Not to mention that light and tangy apple cider vinaigrette. This is the perfect dinner idea for when you’re feeling all the fall vibes but the weather is still sporting blazing temps. 

(via minimalist baker)

6. Raw Rainbow Veggie Noodle Salad

Bring lots of color to the dinner table with a Raw Rainbow Veggie Noodle Salad. This is a great everything-but-the-kitchen-sink kind of dinner that looks as impressive as it tastes. There’s quite a bit of chopping up front involved but it’s completely worth it for a nutritious, Pinterest-worthy summer stunner.

(via a couple cooks)

7. Classic Tuna Salad

Taking it back to the classics, for an original no-cook dinner, whip up this classic Tuna Salad. This practically perfect recipe from A Couple Cooks uses ingredients you could probably find in your fridge or pantry and works well as a sandwich, wrap, or spooned into an avocado.

(via foodie crush)

8. Tuscan Tuna and White Bean Salad

Giving tuna a little more love, we couldn’t help but share this recipe for Tuscan Tuna and White Bean Salad. Filled with fresh, bright flavors, the creaminess of the beans contrasts perfectly with briny feta and olives for another dish that’s super pantry-friendly. Pair with a good chunk of crusty bread and a little extra olive oil for dipping and we’re in heaven.

(via lattes life and luggage)

9. Southwestern Chicken Pita Pockets

Sticking with the sandwich theme, serve up Southwestern Chicken Pita Pockets for dinner one night. Heat up some pita for a toasty sandwich or serve alongside the salad instead. Make it a competition and see who can stuff the post chicken salad in their pita pocket!

(via foodness gracious)

10. Mango and Jalapeño Ceviche

It’s a make your own takeout night with Mango & Jalapeño Ceviche. Thinly slicing the fish and marinating it with acidic ingredients cooks the fish which makes this the ultimate no-cook method. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and dig in! Make sure you reserve some time for this recipe. Although there’s no cooking involved, the fish needs to marinate for at least three hours to reach the right doneness.

(via miss allies kitchen)

11. Late Summer Salad with Tomatoes, Corn and Peaches

Tomatoes and corn are about to reach their full abundance in September. If you’ve been stashing away any gorgeous tomatoes waiting for the perfect recipe to use them in, this salad is it. It’s loaded with seasonal ingredients with a simple basil dressing that really lets the ingredients shine. It’s also a no-cook meal making it perfect for hot nights.

Craving more no-cook meal inspiration? Check out our dozens of other delicious no-cook salad recipes perfect for any time of year.