10 Make-Ahead Cold Lunches for Hot August Days

This collection of 10 Make-Ahead Cold Lunches for Hot August Days is perfect for warm afternoons when a hot meal feels like too much. It brings together Turkish pasta salad, cig kofte, stuffed vine leaves and borlotti beans, all dishes you can prepare ahead and keep chilled, ideal for packed lunches, garden tables and days out. Don't forget to save this list before the next warm spell.

Makarna Salatasi - Healthy Turkish Pasta Salad

makarna salatasi served in a bowl — Ayla Clulee

This creamy, colourful pasta salad combines yoghurt, a little mayo, fresh vegetables and herbs. It's a favourite at family gatherings and tea time in Turkey and keeps well in the fridge.

To learn more: Makarna Salatasi - Healthy Turkish Pasta Salad

Çiğ Köfte

cig kofte is portioned and served with lettuce and lemon — Ayla Clulee

Fine bulgur is kneaded with tomato and pepper paste, warm spices and pomegranate molasses for a meat-free take on the Turkish street food classic. Serve it in lettuce leaves with a squeeze of lemon.

To learn more: Çiğ Köfte

Barbunya (Turkish Style Borlotti Beans)

barbunya garnished with fresh parsley — Ayla Clulee

Borlotti beans are braised in olive oil with onions, garlic and tomato, then served at room temperature. They're a staple of Turkish mezze tables and taste even better the next day.

To learn more: Barbunya (Turkish Style Borlotti Beans)

Yaprak Sarma - Stuffed Vine Leaves

yaprak dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaves) — Ayla Clulee

Vine leaves are rolled around aromatic rice with fresh Mediterranean herbs and spices, then gently simmered. They're just as much at home in a lunchbox as on a mezze platter.

To learn more: Yaprak Sarma - Stuffed Grape Leaves

Turkish Bean Salad (Fasulye Piyaz)

Piyaz is garnished with boiled eggs, and being served in small individual bowls. — Ayla Clulee

White beans, red onion, parsley, tomatoes and boiled eggs are tossed in a creamy tahini dressing, Antalya style. It's quick to put together with canned beans and holds up well made ahead.

To learn more: Turkish Bean Salad (Fasulye Piyaz)

Cucumber Tomato Feta Cheese Salad

Cucumber, tomatoes and feta come together in minutes with ingredients you can find all year round. Pack it chilled for a fresh, light lunch on a hot day.

To learn more: Cucumber Tomato Feta Cheese Salad

Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower Bites

A plate of air fried cauliflower with dipping sauce. — Ayla Clulee

Cauliflower florets are breaded and air fried until crisp outside and tender inside, all in under half an hour. Pack them with a little pot of dip to round out a cold lunch.

To learn more: Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower Bites

Traditional Kisir Recipe (Spicy Turkish Bulgur Salad)

This spicy Turkish bulgur salad is brightened with plenty of fresh parsley, spring onions and a tangy dressing. Make it a day ahead, the flavour only improves overnight in the fridge.

To learn more: Traditional Kisir Recipe (Spicy Turkish Bulgur Salad)

Authentic Homemade Lebanese Falafel Recipe

pita bread stuffed with falafel, salad, and tahini dressing — Ayla Clulee

Crisp, herby chickpea falafel are just as good cold as they are warm from the pan. Tuck them into pita with salad, or pack them with a little pot of hummus for dipping.

To learn more: Authentic Homemade Lebanese Falafel Recipe

Taboule (Lebanese Tabouli Salad)

Plenty of fresh parsley, mint and tomatoes are tossed with a little fine bulgur and a lemony olive oil dressing. It packs well and stays fresh in a lunchbox for hours.

To learn more: Taboule (Lebanese Tabouli Salad)