Yoga & Exercise

15 30-Minute High-Protein Summer Dinner Recipes

15 30-Minute High-Protein Summer Dinner Recipes


If you’re wanting an easy summer dinner, look no further than this collection of delicious recipes. These meals are packed with seasonal produce, including tomatoes, corn and zucchini. Plus, each dinner has at least 15 grams of protein per serving to help you feel full and satisfied for longer after eating it. Flavorful recipes like our No-Cook Black Bean Taco Bowls and Sheet-Pan Salmon with Bok Choy and Rice are on the table in just 30 minutes or less.

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No-Cook Black Bean Taco Bowls

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.


These black bean taco bowls with lime crema are a refreshing no-cook meal perfect for busy days. They feature hearty black beans, veggies and zesty toppings layered over crispy cabbage and lettuce. The lime crema adds a tangy, creamy finish that brings all the flavors together. Enjoy these effortless bowls with the suggested toppings below, or customize them with your own favorites.

Sheet-Pan Salmon with Bok Choy & Rice

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.


This five-ingredient salmon dinner comes together with minimal prep and maximum flavor. Tender salmon fillets roast alongside crisp-tender bok choy, soaking up the savory miso glaze as they cook. A bed of rice catches all the delicious flavors, turning into the perfect base for this fuss-free dinner.

Spaghetti with Mushrooms, Spinach & Ricotta

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.


This five-ingredient spaghetti is a cozy dish that is both comforting and effortless. Earthy mushrooms, spinach and garlic flavor the pasta alongside whole-milk ricotta that creates a creamy sauce. You can elevate the flavor even more by using wild mushrooms for a deeper savory flavor and finishing with a squeeze of lemon to brighten everything up.

Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Enjoy these shrimp lettuce wraps, filled with crisp veggies and juicy shrimp sautéed with garlic and soy sauce. This light and flavorful dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or weekend gathering. Sambal oelek, a spicy chile paste known for its vibrant red color and intense heat, adds an extra kick. Reduce or omit it to adjust the heat to your liking.

Creamy Feta & Tomato Pasta

Photographer: Greg DuPree, Prop stylist: Shell Royster, Food stylist: Emily Hall


This creamy feta-and-tomato pasta puts a satisfying vegetarian dinner on the table using only 5 simple ingredients. Cherry tomatoes are a go-to when tomato season is not at its peak. Grape tomatoes provide a sweet and juicy alternative, ensuring a satisfying and flavorful meal.

Mozzarella, Basil & Zucchini Frittata

This vegetable-studded frittata recipe is one of the quickest meals you can make. Have it for breakfast, or serve it for lunch or dinner with a tossed salad and a slice of olive oil–drizzled crusty baguette.

Spicy Chicken & Cabbage Stir-Fry

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.


This stir-fry is a quick, bold dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Tender strips of chicken are cooked then tossed with crisp cabbage and spicy chili-garlic sauce that brings just the right amount of heat. With just five ingredients, it’s proof that simple can still mean flavorful.

High-Protein Cheeseburger Salad

Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams , Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee


This cheeseburger salad is a fun twist on a classic burger. It features a crisp base of chopped iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, pickles and juicy cherry tomatoes. A melty cheeseburger patty is served warm on top, along with a tangy ketchup-mayo-pickle sauce that ties all the flavors together. Optional sesame seeds add a hint of crunch and nod to the traditional burger bun.

Garlic-Thyme Chicken with Green Beans & Rice

Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.


This garlic-thyme chicken with green beans and rice is a quick meal perfect for busy weeknights. With just five simple ingredients, (not counting oil, salt and pepper), this dish delivers big flavor without hassle. Look for packaged green beans that have already been trimmed to keep the prep moving along.

High-Protein Pasta Salad

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle


This high-protein pasta salad is a satisfying dish packed with plant-based protein from chickpea pasta and chickpeas, with an extra boost coming from fresh mozzarella cheese pearls. Tossed with fresh veggies and flavored with zingy za’atar seasoning, this salad is perfect for meal prep or a satisfying dinner.

Sticky Orange Tofu Bites

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer


These sticky orange tofu bites are the perfect balance between sweet and savory, thanks to the flavorful orange glaze made from fresh orange juice and zest. Cooking the tofu with a bit of cornstarch on the outside helps the glaze cling to the pieces. Serve them over brown rice for a hearty main dish.

Skillet Bruschetta Chicken

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster


This flavorful skillet chicken bruschetta puts a tasty spin on a traditional dish. Drawing inspiration from the Italian appetizer, we replace the usual toasted bread with protein-packed chicken cutlets. The vibrant and juicy chopped tomato topping remains a constant, complemented by a drizzle of sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. For an added layer of flavor, serve topped with shaved Parmesan cheese or add some chopped olives to the tomato mixture for a briny kick.

Burrata Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes & Spinach

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle


This luscious weeknight pasta dish features burrata cheese—a soft cow’s-milk cheese that looks similar to fresh mozzarella but features a creamy center that melts beautifully. You can substitute chopped fresh summer-ripe tomatoes for the cherry tomatoes. If they are plump and juicy they will moisten and flavor the pasta well so you can hold back on adding the full amount of pasta water. Serve with crusty garlic bread and a green salad on the side.

Fish Taco Bowls with Green Cabbage Slaw

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Fresh salsa verde, green cabbage and avocado all contribute to the vibrant green color of this light and bright fish taco bowl. We love the mild flavor and firm, meaty texture of halibut but any firm white fish like mahi mahi or tilapia will work well in its place. We garnish this flavorful taco bowl with cilantro, but if you want to take it a step further, try toppings like sprouts or watermelon radishes for even more bright green color.

Loaded Chicken & Broccoli Salad

Photographer: Hannah Hufham, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley


This loaded chicken and broccoli salad is a protein-packed powerhouse that doesn’t skimp on the classic “loaded” flavors you love. With tender, juicy chicken and crisp, fresh broccoli as the base, this salad delivers a satisfying bite in every forkful. A creamy dressing ties everything together, while mix-ins like crispy bacon, shredded cheese and scallions add layers of flavor. It’s the perfect salad for a high-protein lunch or dinner that keeps you full and energized.

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