10 no-bake, no-cook lunch ideas for summer

Time of India

20 hours ago

When the heat is high and stepping into the kitchen feels like a workout, cooking is the last thing on your mind. That's when no-cook lunches come to the rescue. These easy, breezy meals are quick to put together, taste fresh, and help you stay cool, full, and well-fed without turning on the gas.
Here's some to try when you want lunch without the heat.
Curd rice with a twist
Just mix leftover rice with chilled curd, grated cucumber, and crushed mint. Top it with a spoon of pickle or some chopped grapes. It's cooling, hydrating, and kind to the stomach, making it perfect for sweaty afternoons when appetite is low but cravings are real.
Hummus roti rolls
Spread hummus over a soft roti or khakra, add sliced tomatoes, onions, olives, and roll it up tight. It's light but filling, full of protein from the chickpeas, and works well as a packed lunch too.
A dash of lemon lifts the flavours and keeps things zesty.
Stuffed lettuce cups
Use big lettuce leaves as wraps and fill them with a mix of hung curd, chopped nuts, raisins, and grated carrot. Crunchy, slightly sweet, and packed with cooling ingredients, these cups are easy to prep and give you that satisfying bite without any heaviness.
Sprouted moong salad
Moong sprouts with chopped onions, tomatoes, raw mango, and coriander make a crunchy, tangy meal. Add a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of chaat masala, and you get a protein-rich lunch that feels light.
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It's good for digestion and helps keep your energy steady.
Paneer mango bites
Dice paneer and mix it with ripe mango chunks, a pinch of black salt, and crushed mint. It's a sweet-salty combo that feels indulgent but is packed with calcium and protein. Works well as a mini meal or side and helps curb hunger between meals.
Cold poha bowl
Rinse poha and let it soften slightly. Mix it with grated coconut, soaked raisins, curd, and chopped banana. It's like a light summer version of breakfast-for-lunch that cools you down and adds a gentle boost of iron, potassium, and good carbs.
Chickpea chaat jar
Soaked and boiled chickpeas mixed with raw onions, tomatoes, cucumber, curd, and lemon juice makes for a tangy, high-fibre lunch. Serve it in a jar or bowl and sprinkle with roasted cumin powder for extra flavour. It keeps you full and energised without making you feel heavy.
Fruit chaat
with seeds
Watermelon, papaya, musk melon, apple, and pomegranate tossed with rock salt, pepper, lemon juice, and a handful of roasted seeds. It's refreshing, hydrating, and gives you the right mix of sweetness and crunch.
The seeds also add healthy fats and protein.
Hung curd sandwich
Spread thick curd on bread or crackers, add sliced cucumber, grated beetroot, and a pinch of chaat masala. It's cool, fresh, and works as a light but balanced summer lunch that's easy to carry too.
Raw veggie wrap
Use cabbage or spinach leaves to wrap shredded carrot, sliced capsicum, peanuts, and lemon juice. It's crunchy, raw, and packed with natural enzymes and fibre that help you stay full without feeling heavy.