Summer Cooking Hacks to Step Out of the Kitchen and Enjoy the Outdoors

There’s so much to love about summer – the long days, the warm weather and the laid-back vibe. But spending it all in the kitchen cooking, prepping and cleaning up for the next round of guests? Not so much.   

The good news is you don’t have to choose between great food and a good time. From easy meal planning to quick clean-up tricks, here are our top tips to help you spend more time with your family and make the most of summer.  

Embrace One-Pan Meals 

Skip the mountain of dishes by cooking everything in one pan. One-pan meals are not only easy to prepare, they also minimise clean-up time. Whether it’s a tray bake, a stir-fry,  or a big salad, these meals can be loaded with fresh summer ingredients that require little effort but deliver big flavour.  

Try it: In this delicious oven baked veg fried rice with crispy tofu by Sneh Roy of @cookrepublic   

Invest in Time-Saving Appliances 

Let modern kitchen gadgets work their magic to speed up meal prep and cooking times. An air fryer, slow cooker or pressure cooker can help you whip up meals with minimal effort, all while keeping your kitchen cooler over those hot summer days. Plus, these gadgets are portable, so you can easily pack them up and take them with you if you’re going away.   

• Air fryer: Quickly cooks crispy meals without the oil and mess of frying.  

• Slow cooker: Set it and forget it – let your meal cook while you enjoy the sunshine.  

• Pressure cooker: Reduces cooking time significantly, making it ideal for everything from soups to stews and rice dishes.  

 Quick Clean-Up with Minimal Effort  

The last thing you want after a delicious, relaxed summer meal is to spend hours cleaning up.   

Pro tips:   

• Use baking paper when baking or roasting to avoid scrubbing trays and pans.   

• Clean as you go by wiping down surfaces or washing utensils while your food is cooking to avoid a post dinner dish pile up.  

Spray greasy surfaces with a cleaning spray before you eat. A quick spritz on stovetops, counters or dishes helps break down grease, making clean up easier later.  

Make Use of the BBQ 

Summer is the perfect time to fire up the BBQ and enjoy cooking outdoors. It’s a great way to keep the heat out of the kitchen and you can even whip up delicious desserts.   

BBQing lets you change up the scenery and cook in the fresh air. Whether you’re cooking a quick dinner or hosting a BBQ, it’s an easy way to enjoy food and sunshine while keeping everyone outside together, instead of being stuck indoors.    

Try it:  

• Chicken-style burger with quick pickles 

• Charred corn on the cob

• Summer lovin’ hot dog  

• Black bean burgers with fresh salsa

• Grilled fruit kebabs 

Keep it Cool with No-Cook Dishes 

When it’s hot outside, the last thing you want to do is stand over a hot stove—enter no-cook dishes. These meals require little more than assembly, yet still deliver big flavour and can keep you satisfied. They’re perfect for those lazy afternoons when you want something quick, refreshing, and filling, without heating up the kitchen.  

Try it:   

• Pasta salad

• Protein-packed salads

• Substantial grazing platters  with veggie packed dips   

 Make Ahead Snacks and Desserts

Whether you need snacks on hand for when you and the kids are craving sustenance between activities or want to avoid spending all your time in the kitchen when guests come over, prep some delicious snacks and desserts ahead of time so you can simply reach for something you prepared earlier.  

Snack ideas:   

• A platter of assorted veggies, fruits, nuts, cheeses, dips and wholegrain crackers   

• Fresh veggies sticks with homemade dips

• Frittatas or rice paper rolls 

Dessert ideas:   

• Choc coconut mousse

• Truffles or bliss balls

• Apple blueberry friands

If you are looking for more easy healthy recipes that can be made in 30 minutes or less, perfect for summer days, check out Sanitarium’s latest cookbook Easy Eats.