7 Cool Recipes for Hot Weather

At HexClad, we’re all about heat. (Conducting it so well is where our pans shine, after all.) But come summer, there’s another kind of heat with which to contend. The kind where the thought of a steamy meal feels like a personal attack. Sure, you could pack away your skillets and grill pans until fall, but we propose something better: Cook during the cooler parts of the day, then enjoy the chilled fruits of your labor later.

While plenty of hot-weather roundups hinge on no-cook recipes, that often means trading away flavor and texture. Not here: These dishes are built with the endgame in mind. Many of them travel well, so go ahead and pack that cooler for your dream picnic. 

1. Smashed Cucumber & Melon Salad With Spicy Sesame Crunch

It's easy enough to toss cucumber and peak-summer melon with olive oil, lime juice and sea salt and call it a day. But why stop there? This savory-sweet salad layers in more flavor, more texture and a bit of bite. You’ll make a spicy sesame crouton (do this before the heat outside peaks) to top crushed cucumber and juicy cantaloupe. A gingery soy dressing ties it all together, while a handful of herbs brightens every bite.

2. Tomato, Peach and Burrata Salad With Chile-Lime Vinaigrette

Bye, basic caprese; we’re ditching you for this extra-summery upgrade. In addition to tomatoes and burrata, the salad includes segments of juicy peach and a spicy vinaigrette that’s spiked with fish sauce for a hit of umami. We’re extra grateful for this deeply delicious no-cook recipe all tomato season long. It'll be a strong contender for best summer salad on the potluck table.

3. Grilled Sour Cream & Onion Potato Salad

You could certainly serve this potato salad straight off the grill, but we're into cooking it ahead to let the flavors chill and mingle in the fridge. This particular version combines charred, golden potatoes with all the tangy, savory magic of sour cream and onion dip. And like any good potato salad, it only gets better as it sits. Make it in the morning, then pull it out when the sun departs and the drinks come out.

4. Grilled Chicken & Orzo Salad

You might be sensing a theme here. We’re big fans of getting the cooking done before the day is steamier than a sauna. Pasta salads are especially good for this, since they only improve after a few hours in the fridge. This one combines juicy grilled chicken with a confetti of flavor thanks to kalamata olives, chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta and plenty of dill and parsley. It’s bold and refreshing, with just enough going on to keep every bite interesting.

5. Snap Pea & Radish Salad With Creamy Lemon Poppyseed Vinaigrette

This salad is all about contrast with crunchy veg, citrusy brightness and a creamy, tangy dressing. You’ll toss baby kale with thinly sliced snap peas, orange segments and paper-thin radishes for a bowl that’s as colorful as it is crisp. A lemon poppyseed vinaigrette adds richness, while pomegranate seeds lend a touch of sweetness.

6. Hex Hoagie

Cold-cut sandwiches don’t get enough credit when it comes to hot-weather meals. We’re here to make the case for leaning into the hoagie all summer long. This one’s stacked with mortadella, salami, capicola, provolone and a tangy artichoke-pepper spread. What you might not realize is that a hoagie actually benefits from a little rest—the vinaigrette soaks into the bread, the flavors settle in and everything tastes better. Chill it before serving or wrap it up for your next park hang.

7. Trio of Rice Paper Summer Rolls

Summer rolls are an ideal summer cooking project and a fun one to do with the kids. There’s barely any actual cooking involved. Just soften the rice papers in warm water, then fill with a mix of herbs, crisp veggies and whatever protein you’ve got prepped. It’s hands-on, endlessly customizable and, like revenge, best served cold.