Beat the Heat With These 20 Recipes That will Keep You Cool All Summer

The weather is getting warmer and that means it’s important to stay hydrated. Of course, we should drink lots of water but there are other ways to refresh our bodies as well. There are many fruits and veggies that contain mostly water and eating lots of these delicious foods that are naturally cooling is a great way to stay hydrated.

Foods that contain a lot of water are alkaline, low in calories, contain lots of nutrients and are easier on our digestive systems. These foods include cucumbers, zucchini, celery, tomatoes, bell peppers, radishes, pumpkin, iceberg lettuce and of course, watermelon.

The best news is that all these foods are delicious and can offer us colorful, healthy and mouthwatering dishes all summer long. Check out Eat Your Water: Stay Hydrated This Summer by Eating These Foods and then try these 15 recipes made with foods that are over 90% water. They’re delicious and will keep you hydrated and refreshed all summer long.

1. Chilled Cucumber Soup with Pico de Gallo

Nothing is quite as refreshing on a summer day as chilled soup. Well, ice cream, but you can’t have ice cream for lunch … every day. This Chilled Cucumber Soup is light, seasoned artfully with cilantro, and given a bit of spice with pico de gallo. The silken tofu also gives this purée a smooth and velvety texture.

2. Zucchini Ribbons and Lentils

This dish of Zucchini Ribbons and Lentils is light and delicious. Raw zucchini ribbons and tender lentils are tossed with a creamy, garlicky avocado dressing. The zucchini is light and refreshing, the lentils ensure that you won’t be hungry one hour later, and the cherry tomatoes add a pop of flavor. Serve this meal on a bed of dark, leafy greens, with extra dressing on the side.

3. Savory Pumpkin Quiche with an Earl Gray Tea-Infused Crust

It doesn’t need to be fall to enjoy pumpkin in your recipes. This Savory Pumpkin Quiche with an Early Grey Tea-Infused Crust makes a beautiful presentation all year round. You get the wonderful flavor of pumpkin with the smokiness of the Earl Grey tea-infused crust. Topped with cherry tomatoes, it’s rustic, flavorful, and filling!

4. Iceberg Wedge Salad with Shiitake Bacon

Go retro with these Iceberg Wedge Salads with Shiitake Bacon. To give you fair warning, once you try these tiny wedge salads, you may have a tough time going back to the traditional kind. Shiitake mushroom “bacon” and cashew-based blue cheese dressing is propped on a crunchy wedge of iceberg lettuce for the yummiest (and tiniest) salad bites you’ve ever seen! Enjoy a bunch on your own, or serve them as a unique appetizer.

5. Cucumber Hummus Canapes

Did you know hummus just happens to be heaven on some cucumber? Everyone will love these Cucumber Hummus Canapes. Bring these to your pot luck, picnics and parties and your friends will show you just how much they love them.

6. Spring Pea Toasts with Radish and Lavender

These Spring Pea Toasts with Radish and Lavender are the perfect accompaniment to your afternoon tea. A hefty portion of peas acts as a nourishing and filling spread, the radishes and lavender add a nice finishing touch, and the toast is the kind of crunchy and comforting bread you need in the afternoon. Enjoy this snack with a calming cup of tea, or paired with cauliflower soup.

7. UnTuna Wraps

Say goodbye to your classic tuna salad. These UnTuna Wraps are made with an incredible vegan tuna salad. The ingredients include celery, olives, and walnuts. It’s actually uncanny how much this dish indeed tastes like tuna … and that’s a promise.

8. Ten-Minute Gazpacho with Fresh Herbs

Easy to make and delicious to boot, this Ten-Minute Gazpacho with Fresh Herbs is the perfect lunch or starter! It only takes a blender and 10 minutes of your time, from start to finish! Garnish this soup with fresh herbs and a side of warm, crispy bread.

9. Chive Mustard Roasted Radishes

You probably eat radishes raw in salads but these Chive Mustard Roasted Radishes will have you heading for the oven. Red radishes are caramelized in a buttery sauce until they are tender and delicious. This makes a savory side that pairs well with anything.

10. Sweet and Sour Cucumber Carrot Noodles

This vibrant bowl of Sweet and Sour Cucumber Carrot Noodles looks gorgeous and tastes even better. The noodle base is filling and crunchy while the chickpeas add a meaty texture. A drizzle of homemade sweet and sour dressing adds another layer of flavor. This refreshing dish is perfect for those warm days when you just don’t want to cook.

11. Lentil Taco Lettuce Wraps

When it’s taco night, make these Lentil Taco Lettuce Wraps. Iceberg lettuce makes the perfect refreshing taco shells. They hold a mixture of lentils and sweet potatoes made spicy and bold. Top with chopped nuts for the crunch factor.

12. Cream of Celery Soup

Creamy potatoes, celery, onion, and an array of spices come together to create this vegan Cream of Celery Soup. Potatoes give this soup a rich and grainy texture while the celery gives the dish a sharp, fresh flavor. Keep it chunky, or blend for a puréed soup — either way, it’s delicious!

13. Spicy Tomato Tahini Spiralized Salad

This Spicy Tomato Tahini Spiralized Salad is the perfect dish when you want something tasty, pretty and easy to make. In this vegetable noodle salad, zucchini, carrots, and cucumbers are julienned and topped with a dollop of lentils and a zesty tomato tahini dressing. Top this dish with pumpkin seeds for an added crunch!

14. Sichuan Sesame Shirataki Noodles and Cucumber Salad

This Sichuan Sesame Shirataki Noodles and Cucumber Salad is a lovely light lunch or dinner option. They feature shirataki noodles, the chewy, clear noodles made from konjac yams. Sliced cucumber is added along with a dressing that doesn’t skimp on the savory umami flavor. This salad is refreshingly tasty and super easy to make – perfect for summer.

15. Raw Cannelloni in Marinara Sauce

For a satisfying meal that’s super easy to make, try these Raw Cannelloni in Marinara Sauce. Thin zucchini slices hug creamy cashew cheese to make scrumptious raw rolls. Serve these on a bed of marinara sauce with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a truly unique Italian dinner, snack, or appetizer.

16. Watermelon Banana Ice Cream

There’s no better way to beat the heat than by slurping on some ice cold ice cream. This Watermelon Banana Ice Cream is filled with healthy ingredients like acai berries, grapes, and of course, bananas and watermelon. Pretty and refreshing, this is your new favorite summer treat.

17. Peppers and Peaches Pizza

Who doesn’t love a delicious savory and sweet combo? On this Peppers and Peaches Pizza, the sweet tangy peppers are complemented by the creamy avocado and mild green onion, while the peach purée brings an exotic flavor to an otherwise pretty classic pizza. Yum!

18. Watermelon Kiwi Popsicles

These Watermelon Kiwi Popsicles are bright, delicious and a cinch to make. Simply purée the watermelon, cut up the kiwi slices, freeze them in molds, and voila! These are some seriously refreshing and fruity pops that will keep you cool and happy.

19. Cauliflower Steaks with Sweet Pea Puree

For a unique dinner entrée, give these Cauliflower Steaks with Sweet Pea Puree a try. Baked to crispy perfection and seasoned with paprika, coriander, and black pepper, they are zesty and flavorful. Sweet pea purée adds a delicious freshness to the dish as well.

20. Raw Romesco Soup

Romesco sauce is a Spanish sauce made from red peppers and almonds. While this sauce was originally created to be served with fish or pasta, it can easily be converted into this Raw Romesco Soup. Since it all comes together in a blender, this dish can be made in literally seconds and is completely raw. Serve yourself a big bowl of this tomato-y soup or try it over some zucchini noodles.

When the weather gets hot, it’s important to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. But you can also keep your cool by enjoying dishes filled with foods that contain mostly water. Your body will be refreshed and your tummy will be happy. That’s a win-win.

Lead Image Photo: Chilled Cucumber Soup with Pico de Gallo