Britain’s dinner tables have undergone a Mediterranean makeover, with millions of Brits ditching ovens and traditional hot dinners in favour of lighter, holiday-inspired meals, finds a new research.
According to HelloFresh, the UK’s largest meal kit provider, while almost two-thirds of Brits (64%) still want home-cooked meals during periods of extreme heat, more than half (56%) actively avoid using the oven during a heatwave.
This replicates behaviour in traditionally warmer Mediterranean countries, such as Spain, Greece and Italy, where oven-use in the summer typically plummets. Instead, diets focus on salads, cold soups such as gazpacho and light pasta dishes that can be cooked on a stove.
This summer, HelloFresh has seen demand for salads, sandwiches and cold soup recipes surge by 244% during the lead-up to and peak of the heatwave, as consumers seek lighter, cooler meals without relying on takeaways.
Among the most popular dishes include Thai Style Peanut & Sweet Potato Salad, Mango-Jerk Chicken Sandwich & Summer Pesto Orzo & Herby Chicken Thighs. HelloFresh’s research shows that salads are now Britain’s go-to heatwave meal (59%), followed by sandwiches (37%), wraps (30%) and cold pasta dishes (25%).
Meanwhile, traditional hot dinners struggle to make the cut, with just 11% of Brits opting for one when the mercury rises.In response to warmer summers, HelloFresh has launched a dedicated Heatwave menu, making it easier for customers to find recipes designed for hotter days.
Among the most popular dishes are Quick Greek Style Oregano Chicken Pasta Salad, Central American Style Ranch Chicken Salad and Tropical Passion Fruit & Spiced Chicken Salad, as Brits increasingly seek out fresh flavours, lighter proteins and holiday-inspired meals.But it seems staying cool comes at a cost.
Almost half of Brits (49%) say they spend more on food during heatwaves, whether that’s through supermarket shops, takeaways or eating out. Among those spending more, the average increase comes to £30 a week.
The findings suggest that when temperatures climb, Britain’s eating habits shift beyond what’s on the plate, with households also feeling the financial impact as they adapt their routines to beat the heat.
Alix McCaffrey, senior director of product at HelloFresh UK, said: “Brits aren’t giving up home cooking when the sun comes out, but they are completely changing what’s on the menu.
"When temperatures rise, people swap comforting oven dinners for lighter, fresher meals inspired by the kinds of dishes you’d expect to see across southern Europe.
"We’re seeing more customers choose salads, lighter proteins and recipes that can be prepared quickly without heating up the kitchen. That’s why we’ve introduced our Heatwave Menu this summer, making it easier than ever to find meals that help people stay cool while still enjoying fresh, home-cooked food.”