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If you can't stand the heat, read these tips.
Just like microwaves, slow cookers don't heat up your kitchen, making them perfect for those hot summer months. In winter, you may have cooked hearty stews in them, but in summer why not try something lighter like a citrusy chicken recipe, stuffed peppers, or even salmon?
Meal prepping is not only a great way to save time during the week and promote healthy eating. It's also an easy way to keep your kitchen cool. Instead of cooking a small amount of something every day, why not cook your entire week's worth of rice all at once on Sunday? That way, you'll save yourself a few trips to the hot stove.
Large pots carry more heat and take longer to cool down, thus making your kitchen hotter. So instead of reaching for a giant stock pot to cook rice in, grab the smallest pot that can do the job. That way, you can also use the smallest burner on your cooktop instead of blasting the large one — it's a win-win.
Another obvious one, but assuming it's not a billion degrees out, cooking outside will allow the heat to escape instead of being trapped inside. If you have a grill, utilize it for the next few months whenever it's too hot to cook inside.
No-bake desserts (like these Nutter Butter Rice Krispies) are the perfect way to satisfy a summer sweet tooth.They're quick, cool, and don't require you to turn on your oven.
More: 23 No-Bake Desserts You Absolutely Have To Eat This Summer
Stick to simple one-pot simple recipes that don't take forever to make. Not only will it save time, but it'll prevent you from using multiple pots and pans that radiate heat into your kitchen.
Listen, I know that salads can sometimes be a bit sad, but they don't have to be!
If you jazz them up with flavorful fruits, veggies, and grains, you can turn them into dinners you'll actually want to eat — like this strawberry and spinach one. You can cook a big batch of grains or protein early in the week, then have it ready to go in the fridge whenever you need it.
As soon as you start cooking, draw the shades and turn on your hood vent if you have one. This way the sun isn't heating everything up, and all the heat from the stove is sucked out. If your oven doesn't have a fan, you can always place a regular circulating fan in your kitchen to get the air moving.
Before the sun has time to heat everything up (or after it has gone down) is the best time to do your cooking. Your kitchen will naturally be a few degrees cooler, and you might even be able to crack open a window to get a cool breeze. Sure, it'll require you to wake up early or go to bed a bit later, but it's so worth it.
The best way to prevent your kitchen from heating up is by not cooking at all — and freezer meals help you do just that! Prepare a large batch of a freezer-friendly recipe (such as rice, breakfast sandwiches, or chili) and thaw them in the fridge as needed. That way, all you have to do is heat them up in the microwave for an instant dinner that won't heat up your kitchen.
More: 27 Make-Ahead Recipes That Freeze Well And Make Great Leftovers