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31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

Take a break from the hot weather and chill out with these 31 cool lunch ideas you can make in a cinch. From salads to sushi rolls, we've got you covered!

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Take a break from the hot weather and chill out with these 31 cool lunch ideas you can make in a cinch!

On sweltering days, a bowl of hot, steamy soup or a meal that you have to slave over the stove for does not appeal. On those days, reach for one of these quick, cool, and refreshing recipes. You’ll find plenty of salads – like a chicken Cobb or chilled pesto zoodle salad – as well as bowls, bites, and even wraps.

Try a cool and crunchy Kohlrabi noodle veggie bowl or a seared tuna bowl complete with tons of cool and crisp veggies. There’s plenty of refreshing options that include ribbons of carrots, spiralized cucumber, and thinly sliced Brussel sprouts.

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If you need something bite-sized, try smoked salmon pinwheels with a dairy-free cream cheese-like filling or keto-friendly cucumber bites stuffed with spicy pepper filling.

Craving something a little different? Try a vibrant green gazpacho with savory shrimp on top. There’s even a tomato bun BLT that recreates all the magic of your favorite sandwich. On a hot day, any of these recipes will do – it’s up to you!

Cool and Crunchy Kohlrabi Noodle Veggie Bowl

This refreshing lunch is filled with nourishing veggies and contrasts between crisp and crunchy ingredients. Not to mention, it has a fair share of creamy avocado.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Cool and Crunchy Kohlrabi Noodle Veggie Bowl

Paleo Chicken Salad Wraps

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

Sometimes you crave a quick and simple wrap. In those moments, use a coconut flour wrap to encase this quick and easy chicken salad.

Recipe: Bravo for Paleo | Paleo Chicken Salad Wraps

Winter Cinnamon Apple Fruit Salad

This Paleo fruit salad is chock-full of crisp, juicy apples, sweet cranberries and crunchy walnuts. Ready in just 10 minutes!

This salad may be dubbed “winter”, but cool and crunchy apples in a creamy dressing taste just as good when the weather is warm.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Winter Cinnamon Apple Fruit Salad

Paleo Tuna Salad

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

This isn’t the creamy tuna salad you may be imagining. This version includes a burst of zingy flavor with fresh veggies, protein, and a quick white wine vinaigrette.

Recipe: Tastes of Lizzy T. | Paleo Tuna Salad

Smoked Salmon Pinwheels with Creamy Cashew

Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, these smoked salmon pinwheels make the perfect dairy-free appetizer or light snack.

This simple recipe channels the classic combination of cool lox and cream cheese, but with a creamy dairy-free twist.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Smoked Salmon Pinwheels with Creamy Cashew Chive Filling

Bacon, Chicken, and Tomato Stuffed Avocado

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

This satiating lunch couldn’t be easier to throw together – especially if you have some pre-cooked chicken on hand.

Recipe: Paleo Newbie | Bacon, Chicken, and Tomato Stuffed Avocado

Healthy Cauliflower “Potato” Salad

Reduce starches and whip up this Cauliflower Potato Salad as a healthier alternative to the creamy classic you crave. Is there anything cauliflower can't do?

When you’re craving potato salad, give this low-carb Paleo version a try.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Healthy Cauliflower “Potato” Salad

Paleo Whole30 Chicken Salad Boats

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

These cool and creamy chicken salad boats are a medley of textures. It includes tender pieces of chicken with crisp apples and soft avocado.

Recipe: The Movement Menu | Paleo Whole30 Chicken Salad Boats

Stuffed Keto Cucumber Bites

Fill these Stuffed Keto Cucumber Bites with creamy Paleo mayonnaise, peppers, and nutritional yeast. They're simple, nutritious, and oh-so delicious!

A creamy pepper-based filling rests inside these crisp and cool cucumber bites.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Stuffed Keto Cucumber Bites

Dairy-Free Curry Chicken Salad

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

Curry powder adds tons of flavor to this chicken salad. There’s also added crunch from cashews and celery!

Recipe: Food Faith Fitness | Dairy-Free Curry Chicken Salad

Green Gazpacho with Savory Shrimp

Serve this Green Gazpacho with Shrimp whenever it's too hot outside for soup. It's the perfect combination of hearty and refreshing!

The contrast of chilled green gazpacho with slightly warmed shrimp is a refreshing combination that can’t be beat.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Green Gazpacho with Savory Shrimp

BLT Salmon Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

From the omega-3 fatty acids in the salmon to the monounsaturated fats in the avocado, this refreshing dish is packed with healthy fats.

Recipe: Joyful Healthy Eats | BLT Salmon Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Creamy Labneh-Stuffed Avocados

Escape to the Mediterranean and spoon into these creamy Labneh-Stuffed Avocados. This Mediterranean-inspired dish is giving us wanderlust.

Escape to the Mediterranean with these dairy-free labneh-stuffed avocados.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Creamy Labneh-Stuffed Avocados

Pesto Zoodle Salad

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

This pesto zoodle salad is packed with green goodness from zucchini and pesto.

Recipe: Every Last Bite | Pesto Zoodle Salad

The Tomato-Bun BLT

Ditch the bread and swap your buns with juicy tomatoes in this fresh take on a BLT. Same great taste, way more nutrients.

Part salad, part sandwich, these tomato bun BLTs fuse all the best parts of a sandwich (minus the bread).

Recipe: PaleoHacks | The Tomato-Bun BLT

Mexican Watermelon Salad

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

Zesty, spicy, and uber-refreshing, this is the exact dish we crave on sweltering days.

Recipe: Nom Nom Paleo | Mexican Watermelon Salad

Salmon & Avocado Nori Rolls

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

If you’re missing sushi, never fear! These salmon and avocado rolls are completely soy-free and grain-free.

Recipe: Eat Drink Paleo | Salmon & Avocado Nori Rolls

Carrot and Raisin Pineapple Salad

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

Carrots join a fruity medley of raisins and pineapples in this sweet, creamy salad.

Recipe: Noshtastic | Carrot and Raisin Pineapple Salad

Kale BLT Salad

Who said Kale had to be boring? Upgrade to a Kale BLT Salad with crispy bacon, lemon juice, and fresh grape tomatoes.

Tangy coconut yogurt dressing gets paired with crisp kale leaves and bacon for a BLT salad that’s both hearty and nutritious.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Kale BLT Salad

Paleo Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

These crisp, refreshing lettuce leaves tuck in a savory chicken and shrimp filling – yum!

Recipe: I Heart Umami | Paleo Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Paleo Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

This filling Cobb salad has all the fixins, including hard-boiled eggs, avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and more.

Recipe: Paleo Gluten Free Eats | Paleo Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

Switch up your Caesar salad with Brussels sprouts, cashew parmesan, and crispy bacon! Cheesy, zesty, and bursting with bits of savory bacon in every bite.

Thinly sliced Brussels sprouts turn out tender yet crisp in this Caesar salad, complete with cashew parmesan and tangy Paleo Caesar dressing.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

Cool-as-a-Cucumber Caprese Salad

This cool cucumber caprese salad is filled with juicy cherry tomatoes and creamy avocado, and takes only a few minutes to toss together.

You won’t even miss the mozzarella cheese when you try this Paleo caprese salad. Bonus points for the creamy avocado included!

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Cool-as-a-Cucumber Caprese Salad

Asian Chicken Chopped Salad

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

Crunchy, cold, sweet and savory, this chicken chopped salad hits all the satisfying notes.

Recipe: Tasty Thin | Asian Chicken Chopped Salad

The Best, Easiest Cucumber Salad

Dig into this refreshing and crunchy cucumber salad tossed in probiotic-rich apple cider vinegar and immune-boosting honey.

Nothing could be simpler to throw together than this crisp, refreshing cucumber salad. It’s perfect for those days where you’re craving something light.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | The Best, Easiest Cucumber Salad

Paleo Mediterranean Pasta Salad

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

Zesty and AIP-friendly, this zoodle-based salad contains a mixture of veggies, herbs, and oils.

Recipe: Empowered Sustenance | Paleo Mediterranean Pasta Salad

No-Mayo Avocado Egg Salad

Swap the mayo for creamy avocado in this keto egg salad bursting with essential antioxidants. It makes for a satisfying lunch or post-workout snack.

Skip the mayo for some healthy fat-laden avocado and eggs in this filling dish.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | No-Mayo Avocado Egg Salad

Easy Paleo Salmon Bowls

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

These Paleo salmon bowls are keto-friendly and a great way to use up any extra veggies you have lying around.

Recipe: Real Simple Good | Easy Paleo Salmon Bowls

Easy Seared Tuna Bowl

Swap your ho-hum salad for this vibrant bowl filled with fresh veggies and seared sesame tuna. It’s a refreshing, vitamin-packed bowl that satisfies.

This quick-seared tuna rests atop a bed of cool crunchy veggies like cauliflower rice, carrot ribbons, jicama noodles, spiralized cucumber, and pickled ginger. Throw in some creamy avocado and crunchy macadamia nuts, and you have yourself a satisfying mish-mash of textures and flavors.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Easy Seared Tuna Bowl

Blackened Chicken Avocado Berry Salad

31 Cool Lunches To Eat When It’s Hot Outside

Sweet berries mingle with crunchy veggies in a honey-raspberry dressing – it’s summertime in a bowl!

Recipe: Unbound Wellness | Blackened Chicken Avocado Berry Salad

Easy Buffalo Chicken Salad

Shredded chicken replaces wings and gets covered in a homemade buffalo sauce for a low carb, high-protein lunch that satisfies.

This creamy, spicy chicken salad is high in protein and keto-friendly.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | Easy Buffalo Chicken Salad

Take a break from the hot weather and chill out with these 31 cool lunch ideas you can make in a cinch. From salads to sushi rolls, we've got you covered!

(You’ll Also Love: 23 Paleo Ice Cream Recipes to Get You Through Summer)

About Courtney Hamilton

Courtney Hamilton is a writer and editor who has covered everything from food to politics. When she’s not dreaming up Paleo-friendly eats and conversations, you can find her trying to get her preschooler to eat his veggies.

For more posts by Courtney, click here.

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