Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What do you do for tea during heatwaves ?

79 replies

downloadtoad · 21/06/2026 06:49

I really don’t want to put the range cooker on during a heatwave, the thought of it fills me with dread ! Got me thinking, what dinners do you do when it’s so hot? I need ideas other than just salad.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
BettyTheGreat · 22/06/2026 08:16

Bjorkdidit · 22/06/2026 04:55

I think a lot of Mumsnetters think hot food is something that needs to be limited to once a day at most, or even avoided entirely where possible, otherwise it's a bit greedy or indulgent.

So people are using the hot weather as justification to not have it.

Show quote history

It's absolutely nothing to do with that. Op has stated, and so have many others, that the heating elements in their kitchens heat up the room too much to use them in extreme heat. If you live in Stornoway and/or you have a magical oven and kitchen which defy the laws of thermodynamics when obviously this isn't an issue, but there is no need to project about people's attitudes to food 🙄

Ilovemsrachel · 22/06/2026 05:37

I try to avoid turning the oven on in hot weather and use it as little as possible in the summer, so I feel you. One thing I haven’t seen mentioned here is rice bowls. I buy that chilli marinated salmon (already cooked) and have it with microwave jasmine rice, steamed greens, cucumbers in a nice soy and rice vinegar dressing, avocados. You can add dumplings (always have some in the freezer from the Chinese supermarket). I’m addicted and there and endless possibilities.Great with peanut rayu!

Other than that we have a lot of cold mezzi/deli food with salad and grilled meat or fish, and super quick pasta dishes such as puttanesca or chill prawn linguine. Huge Greek salad with Turkish bread. I also swear by paella from the fishmonger which just needs heating on hob or in microwave.

Bjorkdidit · 22/06/2026 04:55

Shoopshawady · 21/06/2026 20:52

Just normal meals but not a roast as that would just feel a bit weird!
some people make a bit of drama about the heat!

I think a lot of Mumsnetters think hot food is something that needs to be limited to once a day at most, or even avoided entirely where possible, otherwise it's a bit greedy or indulgent.

So people are using the hot weather as justification to not have it.

mylifeisexams · 21/06/2026 22:06

This evening we had crosta mollina wraps with cubes of halloumi and peppers roasted in air fryer, Greek yoghurt with olive oil and mint, with lots of salad and some corn on the cob. It was delicious.

Lentilcakes · 21/06/2026 21:03

Stir fry
salads
fish
I made a quiche tonight - oven was on but it’s a light meal
husband did gazpacho in the blender
My appetite is def less what it’s hot so light meals are the way to go.

Popdropper · 21/06/2026 21:03

None of us ever want to eat much when it's hot so lots of salads with deli meat or marinated chicken or fish done in the air fryer, sandwiches, wraps and buffet type food like quiche, sausage rolls etc.

TheHateIsNotGood · 21/06/2026 21:00

Steak with a jus made with frozen spinach and any additional herbs/seasoning easy to hand. Mopped up with a doorstep of bread slathered with butter.

hahabahbag · 21/06/2026 20:56

Curry! Perfect for hot weather (or any weather) though i would opt for fish curry as it cooks for less time, i have a great 20 minute recipe. Alternatively fajitas, I think chilli is the key to a hot weather meal.

Lemonyyy · 21/06/2026 20:54

I like a cold soba noodles salad or rice noodles salad with lots of veggies. Or a big houmous bowl with veggies and salad and falafels

Cooshawn · 21/06/2026 20:52

YourShyLion · 21/06/2026 15:42

Whatever we'd normally have. Why wouldn't you cook as normal? 🤨

The heat affects my appetite so I'm unlikely to want the same food I'd otherwise have.

PaperTyger · 21/06/2026 20:52

@Ophy83 that sounds delicious any more ?

Shoopshawady · 21/06/2026 20:52

Just normal meals but not a roast as that would just feel a bit weird!
some people make a bit of drama about the heat!

weareallcats · 21/06/2026 20:51

When it’s cold we leave the (very modern and fairly fancy) oven open after we’ve finished cooking to warm the room up…it definitely sends heat into the room.

Cooshawn · 21/06/2026 20:50

I just cook on the BBQ. Lots of seafood with BBQd veggies, salads and DH will have steak, lamb etc with the same sides.

ConverselyAttired · 21/06/2026 20:50

Pasta with a sauce made from creme fraiche and some salmon and peas stirred in. Jacket potatoes with cottage cheese. Pizza. Fishcakes with some rice. Normal stuff! Salad is a side, not a dinner.

weareallcats · 21/06/2026 20:47

I try to cook more mediterranean dishes when it’s hot, but it is surprising how many of them still use the oven! It does feel more natural to eat like that during hot weather though.

Unusualsuspects · 21/06/2026 20:47

A nice well seasoned plate of ice.

plsbekinddelicate · 21/06/2026 20:46

Picky bits - quiche, pork pie, finger sandwiches etc… - jacket potatoes done in the microwave, air fryer meat in wraps/pittas

Jk987 · 21/06/2026 20:40

Air Fryer.

MoonlightMemories · 21/06/2026 20:18

Pacificwave · 21/06/2026 17:21

Even if an oven doesn’t leak, the heat has to slowly dissipate. It will make the kitchen hotter. It’s just thermodynamics. However brilliant your range.

Yes, I love how some people have apparently no understanding of physics 🤣

Any leftovers on the side whilst cooling down are also going to give off heat into the kitchen as a well, even after the oven is off. And in hot weather, that process is going to take even longer because of the hotter ambient temperature/possible lack of a cooling breeze/ventilation etc.

Loub1987 · 21/06/2026 17:27

Even without the heat from the oven, I can’t face any type of hot food in heat!

Pacificwave · 21/06/2026 17:21

Even if an oven doesn’t leak, the heat has to slowly dissipate. It will make the kitchen hotter. It’s just thermodynamics. However brilliant your range.

concertinacornflake · 21/06/2026 17:18

Gettingaggy · 21/06/2026 07:19

Well we don’t have a range cooker, and our oven doesn’t really leak heat so that isn’t an issue for us, so we just cook as usual.

Edited

The heat gets out, otherwise it would stay hot in there forever!

Malasana · 21/06/2026 17:16

Tonight we’re having some Greek style chicken on flatbread with corn cobettes and salad.

I know how much you all despise “picky bits” so I’ll say we sometimes have bits (cold meat, cheese, baguette, dips etc).

Stir fry with noodles is good when it’s warm because it’s made quickly.

CinnamonBuns67 · 21/06/2026 16:43

Whatever is quick and easy

Swipe left for the next trending thread