Summer heat can make the idea of cooking indoors unbearable, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice delicious home-cooked meals. Here are five meal ideas that keep the heat outside, so you can stay cool while enjoying mouthwatering dishes.
1. Taco Salad with Pre-Cooked Ground Beef
Start your day by cooking up a batch of ground beef—enough for two meals. For dinner, reheat the beef in the microwave and toss it onto a crisp, refreshing taco salad. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require turning on the stove. Here is the recipe we used: Beef Taco Salad | The Recipe Critic
2. Grilled Tri-Tip and Steak with Pasta Salad
On the second night, fire up the grill and cook a tri-tip along with a few steaks. Pair the perfectly grilled meat with a pasta salad you made earlier in the day before the temperature rises. The grill does the heavy lifting, keeping your kitchen cool. Cook the tri-tip with whatever spices and rubs your family loves, we won't judge ;)!
3. Loaded Traeger Nachos
Use the leftover ground beef from the first night to create loaded nachos. Instead of using the oven, try cooking them on a Traeger grill for that smoky flavor, or even on a regular grill. You can also microwave them in a pinch, but grilling gives the nachos an amazing taste that’s worth the effort. Here is a delicious recipe from Traeger themselves: Ultimate Loaded Nachos Recipe | Traeger Grills
4. Shredded Beef Tacos from the Crockpot
The fourth night calls for a chuck roast slow-cooked in the crockpot. Throw it in during the morning, and by dinner, you’ll have tender, shredded beef tacos that are incredibly easy to make. The meat shreds beautifully and is packed with flavor—without heating up your kitchen. Here is the recipe we used: Crockpot Chipotle Pot Roast Tacos. - Half Baked Harvest
5. Grilled Steak Sandwiches on Ciabatta Bread
For the final meal, take the leftover tri-tip or steak and make delicious sandwiches on ciabatta bread. Preheat the meat on the grill at a low temperature or in the microwave, then toast the buns to perfection. This makes for a satisfying, easy-to-prepare dinner that everyone will love. Here is the recipe we used: Tri-Tip Sandwich (Smoked Tri Tip Sandwich) - A License To Grill
By planning ahead and using outdoor cooking methods like grilling or using the crockpot, you can enjoy a variety of delicious meals without heating up your house. Stay cool and keep eating well all summer long!