24 Light Summer Recipes That Pack In The Protein

Turkey burgers can have a reputation for being boring, but when done right, they’re anything but. We amped up these burgers by incorporating the flavors of one of our favorite sandwiches: bánh mì. Pickled veggies, spicy mayo, and cilantro all top our seasoned turkey burgers for a cheap and easy dinner that couldn’t be more exciting.

Get the Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers recipe.

This salad is simple and exceptional, thanks to its star ingredient—ribeye steak. You’ll grill it, then combine it with cherry tomatoes, blue cheese, basil, and a drizzle of tangy balsamic dressing, turning it into the kind of impressive-but-secretly-easy dish you’ll be making all the time.

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Love a Vietnamese summer roll but don’t want to fuss with the wrapper? Meet your new favorite summer dinner. Rice noodles, shrimp, avocado, thinly sliced veggies, and a plethora of greens are tossed together in a tangy nước chấm dressing for a refreshing dinner twist.

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Our favorite taco salad got a vegan makeover. Filled with grains and two different types of beans, it's a filling salad worthy of your dinner table. The spicy dressing brings tons of flavor and is our favorite part of the salad. Top it will all of your favorites like cherry tomatoes and tortilla chips for a little crunch!

Get the Vegan Taco Salad recipe.

It wouldn’t be a Mediterranean menu without a Greek salad in some form or another—these cottage cheese bowls fit the bill. Packed with protein, nutrient-rich vegetables, and healthy fats (not to mention a whole lot of flavor), they’re the perfect anytime vegetarian meal.

Get the Greek Salad Cottage Cheese Bowls recipe.

Whenever we're craving a salad, it usually mean we want something super fresh and crisp with lots of flavor. This gorgeous salad is hearty enough to be dinner. While the salmon is cooking, you can get all of your veggie chopping done too, and it'll all come together in less than 30 minutes.

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This versatile chickpea salad is a great side dish (hello, potlucks!) but can easily be a full lunch on its own. Adding a spoonful of Dijon mustard to your red wine vinaigrette makes it creamier in both taste and body—consider it your secret weapon in making a classic dressing just that much better.

Get the Antipasto Chickpea Salad recipe.

Looking to upgrade your meal-prep routine? These steak fajita power bowls are the answer. Brown rice is topped with tender steak, fajita-style peppers and onions, black beans, corn, and sliced avocado in these protein-packed bowls for an easy, quick lunch that will be the envy of all your coworkers.

Get the Steak Fajita Power Bowls recipe.

This recipe is not only a simple, quick dinner (ready in 20 minutes!), but it’s a texture lover’s paradise. Quinoa is the base for our bowl, setting the stage for fresh arugula, thin slices of cucumber, tender, buttery salmon, and a homemade creamy dill and yogurt dressing.

Get the Salmon Quinoa Bowls recipe.

In this vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. With a side of white rice, you’re on your way to a saucy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.

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With BBQ chicken, corn, an easy slaw, rice, and pickles, these grain bowls are a protein-packed dinner that's meal prep gold. Once you prep the rice ahead of time, these bowls will only take 15 minutes to cook and assemble!

Get the BBQ Protein Bowls recipe.

Like most summery salads, this one is ripe for improvisation. Raw, thinly sliced Napa cabbage is exceptionally crunchy and sweet, but sliced romaine is a perfectly good replacement. Chopped toasted peanuts are a crucial final addition, but can be replaced with toasted sunflower or sesame seeds for a similar effect.

Get the Shrimp Mango Salad recipe.

When we’re craving crispy egg rolls but need a more filling lunch option, we turn to these bowls. Whether you’re low-carb, are looking for a creative lunch, or simply want to spice up your weeknight with an easy, budget-friendly dinner, these egg roll bowls are the way to go.

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We think it's due time that halloumi, the brined Cypriot cheese, got its moment in the spotlight. Besides the delightfully squeaky texture (where the cheese curd lovers at?) and the tangy, salty flavor, the high melting point is really what makes this cheese stand out—when heat is applied, it develops a delicious golden crust that is so delightful in this salad.

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With tender spiced meat, crunchy fresh veggies, tzatziki, and chewy pita, it's not hard to see why gyros are so globally beloved. Inspired by this popular sandwich, we created this healthy but hearty bowl that's perfect for a light dinner.

Get the Low-Carb Turkey Gyro Bowls recipe.

This creamy, zingy, crunchy salad will satisfy all your canned fish cravings—trust us, the flavor is SPOT ON—but there's nary a flake of fish in this chickpea-centric dish. We like to keep a can of chickpeas in our pantry at all times, so a easy, lunch sandwich filled with this stuff always only five minutes away.

Get the Chickpea "Tuna" Salad recipe.

A good sauce changes everything, and this green goddess dressing is one of our favorites yet. The veggies here are interchangeable, but in the spirit of goddess dressing, we think green is the way to go. Roasted asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are all good choices.

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This recipe combines well-seasoned shrimp with red bell peppers, broccoli, and onions for a quick and easy dinner ready in a little more than 30 minutes. Not only is it so simple to throw together, it's extremely versatile. This dinner is all about ease—make it work for you.

Get the Sheet-Pan Garlicky Shrimp & Veggies recipe.

Here, hearty salmon fillets are generously seasoned with salt and pan-seared in browned butter, then topped with a flurry of freshly chopped herbs. Pair it with an easy-to-assemble salad or our foolproof mashed cauliflower for a full meal that will rival your favorite restaurant.

Get the Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon recipe.

When you’re craving the flavors and textures of a fish taco, but need some vegetables in your life, this salad is perfect for you. Crispy fish and a creamy, spicy slaw are the base of these veggie-packed takes on everyone’s favorite taco.

Get the Fish Taco Bowls recipe.