When temperatures rise, the last thing you want to do is heat up your kitchen by turning on the oven. If you’re armed with a well-stocked pantry and summer’s abundant seasonal produce, though, you might just get away with keeping the oven off until after Labor Day.

These items can be the cornerstone for much of your summer cooking.

1. Tuna

Seafood and summer go hand-in-hand, and while a can of tuna is no replacement for some grilled shrimp or fresh lobster, it does satisfy that craving in a pinch. Use a can to make not only sandwiches for lunch, but also a quick Nicoise salad with fresh summer green beans.

2. Chickpeas

Chickpeas are a pantry staple for me all year long, but I feel like I go through more cans in the summer when I find myself reaching for cold dishes more often. They are perfect for adding to cucumbers, feta, tomatoes, and olives for a bit more protein in your Greek salad (or any salad, for that matter!). In fact, 1/2 cup of cooked chickpeas delivers around 7 grams of satisfying protein.

3. Anchovies

When I'm craving a seafood pasta, but it’s a Tuesday night, and I haven’t even thought about grocery shopping, a can of anchovies adds flavor to a quick and simple aglio e olio. Plus, these protein-packed flavor bombs are great on toast and key to a simple Caesar salad.

4. Chile peppers

Eating spicy foods in the summer may seem counterintuitive, but doing so can actually trick your brain into cooling you down by causing you to sweat and making you flush. Stocking up on cans of diced green chiles, chipotle peppers in adobo, or hatch chiles will make it easy to add some more heat to your summer dishes.

5. Coconut milk

When the weather warms up, I always seek out tropical flavors—especially in my drinks. Keeping a few cans of coconut milk on hand means I can easily add an island vibe to fruit smoothies or whipped lemonade. Other frozen treats, like coconut margaritas, are also simple to whip up at home when you have a few cans around.

6. Corn

Yes, fresh corn is in peak season over the summer, but I do think canned kernels work great in corn salads. So when you’re looking for a quick corn salad to serve as a weeknight side dish with grilled chicken or pork chops, or combining corn with butter beans, summer squash, and tomatoes for an easy succotash, you’ll be glad you have a few cans on hand.

7. Black beans

Black beans make an ideal side or plant-based protein in Mexican-inspired and Tex-Mex dishes. Stir some up with canned chiles, then use them to top rice and sautéed veggies for an easy burrito bowl. Canned black beans are also key for making some black bean burger patties — perfect for grilling and topping with slices of fresh summer tomatoes.

8. Olives

A charcuterie or snack board will save you on summer nights when you’re looking to keep dinner light, not to mention make for an ideal meal on your patio or picnic blanket. Keep cans or jars of Kalamatas or Castelvetranos on hand, and you’ll have a great accompaniment for aged cheeses, cured meats, and summer fruits like peaches or plums.

(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)

©2026 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.