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30 Minutes or Less

High Protein Snack Boxes (4 ways!)

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Back to basics high protein snack box with fresh strawberries, boiled eggs, cheese, and almonds.

I’ve been itching to develop more high protein snack recipes. So when I set out to create these snack boxes, I knew just who to call! My friend Natalia (find her on Instagram as @nutritionbynarlie) is the protein QUEEN. She’s also the most knowledgable person I know when it comes to nutrition. She helped me build the most well-rounded, nutrient dense, and high protein snack boxes possible. Each of these boxes contain a whopping 25 grams of protein! And don’t worry, we personally taste-tested every single box, and can vouch for their deliciousness. I really think you’re going to LOVE these high protein snack boxes that we put together!

overhead image of all four high protein snack boxes, each containing 25 grams of protein.

I purchased these meal prep glass containers on Amazon, linked HERE!

Which High Protein Snack Box is Right For You?

Back to Basics: This classic combination is simple yet effective. Boiled eggs provide a substantial protein boost, while almonds and cheddar cheese add extra protein and healthy fats. The berries offer a refreshing burst of antioxidants and natural sweetness.

Greek: Inspired by Greek cuisine, this box features salami and feta cheese for a savory protein punch. Greek yogurt pairs perfectly with cucumber and dill for a refreshing snack, while pistachios and figs add a delightful mix of crunch and sweetness.

American: This American-themed box combines turkey, Swiss cheese, and a pickle for a flavorful and protein-packed roll-up. The kettle corn popcorn and peanuts bring a nostalgic Crackerjack vibe, while the orange slices add a citrusy zing!

Dairy-Free: For those avoiding dairy, this box offers a delicious mix of hummus with gluten-free crackers, salami, turkey, almonds, and apple slices. It’s a well-rounded option that doesn’t compromise on flavor or nutrition!

back to basics high protein snack box
greek themed high protein snack box
american themed high protein snack box
dairy-free high protein snack box

Tips and Tricks

  • Save time during the week by preparing your high-protein snacks in advance. Boil eggs, slice veggies, and portion out nuts and cheese on the weekend so you can easily assemble your snack boxes each morning.
  • Keep things interesting by rotating different protein sources and accompaniments. This prevents snack fatigue and ensures you’re getting a range of nutrients.
  • Use small containers or silicone muffin cups to portion out your snacks. This helps you keep track of serving sizes and prevents overeating.
hand holding up Greek themed high protein snack box

Additional High Protein Snack Ideas

Looking to switch things up? Here are some other high-protein snacks that can be swapped into your boxes:

Cottage Cheese: A ½ cup serving contains about 14 grams of protein.
Protein Bars: Choose bars with at least 10 grams of protein and minimal added sugars.
Jerky: Beef, turkey, or chicken jerky provides a portable protein punch, with about 10 grams of protein per ounce.
Edamame: One cup of edamame contains about 17 grams of protein, making it a fantastic plant-based option.
Tuna Packs: A single serving tuna pack can offer up to 20 grams of protein, perfect for a quick and easy addition.

High Protein Snack Boxes (4 ways!)
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High Protein Snack Boxes (4 ways!)

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

300

kcal
Total time

0

minutes

These high-protein snack boxes are perfectly balanced with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs, making them an ideal choice for anyone on the go. Each box contains a whopping 25 grams of protein, ensuring you stay fuller and more satisfied for longer. Whether you’re heading to work, school, or the gym, these snack boxes will keep you energized and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.

Ingredients

  • Back to Basics Snack Box

  • 2 boiled eggs

  • 1 ounce almonds

  • 1 ounce cheddar cheese, cubed

  • small handful fresh berries

  • Greek Snack Box

  • 3 slices salami, or Loza

  • 1 ounce feta cheese, cubed

  • 3 ounces Greek yogurt

  • 1/4 cup sliced cucumber

  • 1 ounce shelled pistachios

  • 2 figs, sliced in half

  • American Snack Box

  • 1 pickle

  • 1 ounce sliced turkey

  • 1 slice Swiss cheese

  • 1 ounce kettle corn popcorn

  • 1 ounce shelled peanuts

  • 1/2 orange, sliced

  • Dairy-Free Snack Box

  • 3 ounces hummus

  • 6-8 gluten-free crackers

  • 3 slices salami

  • 1 ounce sliced turkey

  • 1 ounce almonds

  • 1/2 apple, sliced

Directions

  • Choose which snack box you’d like to make and prepare all ingredients.
  • Then, place ingredients into snack containers.
  • Seal the containers and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

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summer rolls on a serving platter with peanut dipping sauce and a fresh lime on the side.

These summer rolls are loaded with fresh, crunchy vegetables and served with a savory peanut sauce! In just 20 minutes you’ll have a fun and healthy lunch or snack.

overhead image of peanut dipping sauce on a serving platter with sesame seeds on the side.

What are Summer Rolls?

Summer rolls are a traditional Vietnamese side dish. They’re an assortment of vegetables wrapped in rice paper. Think of them like a sushi roll, but instead of rice and seaweed, you just wrap everything up in a thin sheet of rice paper.

Summer rolls are most commonly served (and best served) with a side of savory peanut dipping sauce. The peanut sauce is honestly my favorite part. I could drink that stuff straight up. Creamy peanut putter, soy sauce, and fresh ginger come together in the most incredible, flavorful way possible! Dipping these summer rolls loaded with crisp, fresh veggies into luscious peanut sauce is nothing short of a dream come true. Guys, you gotta give this recipe a try. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free!

summer rolls being dipped into peanut sauce.

What You Need To Make Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Rice Wrappers – You’d be surprised by how easy rice wrappers are to find! I often locate them in the ethnic/asian aisle of my grocery store. And if all else fails, I can always find them at my local asian markets. If you’re not familiar with rice wrappers, they look sort of like a thinner tortilla. When you remove them from their packaging you’ll find that they’re dry and stiff. Though they simply need a bit of water to help rehydrate them for this recipe. Try not to overthink the process, follow the steps in the recipe below to prepare your rice wrappers.

Tofu – Tofu is an incredible source of protein and contains all nine essential amino acids! It also just sort of takes on the taste of whatever else you’re eating it with. In this case, the tofu soaks up the peanut sauce, which is DELICIOUS. Not only is tofu super easy to come by these days, but it’s super cheap too.

Peanut Butter – To me, peanut butter is typically only ever associated with sweet recipes. Though we turn the tables here by adding savory ingredients such as soy sauce and rice vinegar to create this peanut butter-based sauce. I prefer creamy peanut butter for a smoother sauce, though chunky works too. Just please, whatever you do, make sure the peanut butter you use has NO added sugar! Any sugar in the peanut butter would completely throw off the balance of flavors in this delicious sauce.

summer roll sliced in half on a plate, with cucumber, carrots, and tofu inside.

Adjust This Recipe

  • Make it Nut-Free: For a nut-free sauce, replace the peanut butter with tahini.
  • Add Shrimp: Make my shrimp spring rolls recipe instead!
  • The types and amounts of vegetables and herbs are simply suggestions – you can swap or remove anything you like!
Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
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Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainDifficulty: Medium
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

These summer rolls are loaded with fresh, crunchy vegetables and served with a savory peanut sauce! In just 20 minutes you’ll have a fun and healthy lunch or snack.

Ingredients

  • 12 spring roll rice wrappers

  • 14 ounces extra firm tofu, sliced into about 12 sticks

  • 1 cup julienned carrots

  • 2 cups julienned cucumber

  • 1 cup napa cabbage, thinly sliced

  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  • 1/4 cup green onion, sliced

  • For the peanut sauce:

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, optional

  • 1 garlic clove, grated

  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

  • 2-3 tablespoons warm water

Directions

  • Fill a shallow bowl with warm water, submerge one sheet of rice wrapper in water for about 5 seconds then transfer to a clean, damp dish towel.
  • Place filling in the center of wrapper and fold the end closest to you over the filling, then tuck sides in and towards the center, finish rolling to create a sealed summer roll. Repeat with remaining rice wrappers.
  • Make the sauce by adding all ingredients to a bowl and whisking until completely smooth.
  • Serve summer rolls with peanut dipping sauce and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Change up the filling ingredients however you’d like, use up whatever leftover fresh veggies you have on-hand!

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More Healthy Vegan Recipes You’ll Love

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30 Minutes or Less

Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime

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overhead image of watermelon salad in a bowl.

Fresh and delicious watermelon salad! This easy summer side dish is finished off with a tangy 3-ingredient lime dressing. Make this watermelon salad with feta, mint, and lime for your next summer party or barbecue!

close-up image of watermelon salad with mint, feta, and lime

What You’ll Need to Make Watermelon Salad

Watermelon – Fresh watermelon is in peak season from May through September, so get your watermelon fix in while you can! Need help with how to cut a watermelon? Follow my step-by-step how to cut a watermelon post here. Or, save some time and buy pre-cut watermelon from the store.

Cucumber – Half an English cucumber adds to the freshness of this delicious summer salad. Dice or slice your cucumber however you’d like for this recipe.

Red Onion – Thinly sliced red onion adds a nice, tangy bite to this sweet and savory salad. However, if you’re not a fan of raw onion, you can totally leave this out.

Feta – Add as much or as little crumbled feta to your salad as you’d like! Feta is deliciously creamy and salty, and tastes incredible in this watermelon salad recipe.

Mint – Fresh mint takes this salad over the top! Not sure mint in a salad will taste good? Just give it a try, trust me.

Lime Juice – The acidity in fresh lime juice brings out the freshness of all ingredients in this dish. A 3-ingredient lime dressing may sound simple, but it does a lot for this salad!

lime dressing being poured over watermelon salad.

Tips and Tricks

  • Feel free to prep this salad ahead of time! Make the salad, then whisk together the dressing, and store them separately. When ready to serve, pour lime dressing over the salad and enjoy.
  • Have fun with this watermelon salad, and customize it however you’d like. Add or remove any ingredients you prefer. I’ll sometimes add a small handful of chopped pistachios to this salad, and it’s delicious!

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Dairy-Free/Vegan: Either leave out the feta, or use your favorite vegan feta (I recommend VioLife Vegan Feta) for a vegan watermelon salad!

Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime
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Watermelon Salad with Feta, Mint, and Lime

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

3

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

10

minutes

Fresh and delicious watermelon salad! This easy summer side dish is finished off with a tangy 3-ingredient lime dressing. Make this watermelon salad with feta, mint, and lime for your next summer party or barbecue!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups watermelon, cubed

  • 1/2 English cucumber, diced

  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1 cup feta, crumbled

  • 1/2 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped

  • For the lime dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons lime juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  • Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl and gently toss to combine.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients.
  • Dress this watermelon salad right before serving.

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30 Minutes or Less

Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

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close-up overhead image of shrimp spring rolls on a plate with peanut sauce.

Fun and delicious shrimp spring rolls with an irresistibly good peanut dipping sauce! These spring rolls are an easy and exciting way to pack veggies into your diet – they’re super healthy and tasty.

overhead image of shrimp spring rolls on a plate with peanut sauce on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Spring Rolls Rice Wrappers – These light little rice-based wraps are what hold these spring rolls together! I’ve had lots of luck finding these at my local grocery store, in the ethnic food aisle. However, if you can’t seem to track these thin rice sheets down, I recommend ordering these on Amazon. Leftover rice wrappers? Try making my summer rolls recipe next!

Cooked Shrimp – Buy pre-cooked shrimp, or quickly boil it yourself before adding to your shrimp spring rolls. The only thing to note here is that you must remove the tails from your shrimp for this recipe! Removing the tails can happen either before or after cooking – it makes no difference.

Fresh Mint and Cilantro – These Asian-inspired rolls taste extra fresh thanks to a few sprigs of fresh mint and cilantro! I highly recommend adding fresh herbs to your rolls. Though if you don’t like cilantro, or don’t like mint, simply swap it out for a different fresh herb.

Peanut Butter – Unsweetened creamy peanut butter is the base to our peanut sauce. However, if you don’t like peanut butter, you can use cashew butter instead. Or, for a nut-free version, try tahini!

Soy Sauce – Found in most Asian recipes, soy sauce adds the perfect savory component to this dish. However, you can certainly swap out the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos if that’s more your thing.

shrimp spring rolls on a plate with peanut sauce and fresh limes on the side.

Tips on Handling Rice Wrappers

  • Submerge one rice wrapper at a time in the water! If you attempt more than one, they’ll stick together and you won’t be able to separate them.
  • Don’t leave the rice wrapper in the water for too long. Just 5 seconds submerged in a shallow bowl of warm water will do the trick. Leaving the wrapper to soak for too long will make it too soft and difficult to handle.
  • Place each rice wrapper (one at a time) on a damp paper towel or dish cloth before filling and rolling. The wrapper will lift easily off the damp cloth, making rolling a breeze. If you place the rice wrapper on a kitchen counter or cutting board, it’ll stick and be a nightmare to remove!
shrimp spring rolls being dipped into peanut sauce.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan: For vegan spring rolls, use extra firm tofu cut into strips in place of the cooked shrimp!

Make it Gluten-Free: The only non gluten-free ingredient in this recipe is the soy sauce. Therefore, use tamari instead, which tastes just like soy sauce but is 100% gluten-free!

Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
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Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainDifficulty: Medium
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

Fun and delicious shrimp spring rolls with an irresistibly good peanut dipping sauce! These spring rolls are an easy and exciting way to pack veggies into your diet – they’re super healthy and tasty.

Ingredients

  • 12 spring roll rice wrappers

  • 1-2 pounds cooked shrimp, shells and tails removed

  • 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced into matchsticks

  • 2 medium red bell peppers, seeded and sliced into matchsticks

  • 1 English cucumber, sliced into matchsticks

  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

  • For the peanut sauce:

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, unsweetened

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

  • 1 garlic clove, grated or finely minced

  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced

  • 2-3 tablespoons warm water

Directions

  • Fill a shallow bowl with warm water. Submerge one sheet of rice wrapper in water for 5 seconds, then transfer to a clean, damp dish towel.
  • Place 2-3 shrimp, a small handful of vegetables, and a few fresh mint and cilantro leaves in the center of the wrapper. Then, fold the end closest to you over the filling, tuck sides in and towards the center, and finish rolling to create a sealed spring roll. Repeat this process with remaining rice wrappers.
  • Make the sauce by adding all ingredients to a bowl and whisking to combine.
  • Serve shrimp spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce on the side.

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Jennifer Aniston Salad

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close-up image of jennifer aniston salad in a serving bowl

The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad with pistachios and dressing on the side.

Jennifer Aniston recently described her perfect salad as, “bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios.” And OMG the internet went CRAZY for it! Recipes similar to the salad the Friends actress described quickly popped up all over TikTok. The Jennifer Aniston salad went viral. So, as a foodie and fellow salad-lover, I had to give it a try for myself.

My version of the salad contains everything Jennifer described – bulgur wheat, cucumbers, parsley, mint, red onion, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and pistachios – my only addition is a simple lemon, olive oil, salt, and black pepper dressing. Since Jen didn’t offer up a dressing herself, this is what I envisioned a salad like this being tossed in. And let me tell you, it TOTALLY lived up to the hype!

Dressing being poured over the Jennifer Aniston salad.

What You’ll Need to Make the Jennifer Aniston Salad

Bulgur Wheat or Quinoa – In keeping this super authentic to Jen’s recipe, I used bulgur wheat in my salad. However, bulgur wheat can be hard to come by, so I also offer up the option to use quinoa instead. Both are hearty, protein-rich, super nutritious grains. Never had bulgur wheat? It’s most similar to farro or barley, but smaller grain. Bulgur wheat has a nice nutty flavor, and will keep you full without feeling weighed down.

Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas – What’s the difference between garbanzo beans and chickpeas? Literally nothing! They’re two names for the exact same thing. Jennifer Aniston called them “garbanzo beans,” but I call them “chickpeas,” so that’s what we’re sticking with. Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, especially in this salad recipe!

Feta Cheese – Greek brined white cheese, made from sheep’s milk. Feta adds the perfect salty bite to this salad! And because it’s made with sheep’s milk, it has a lower lactose content. Meaning, those whoe are lactose intolerant (aka ME!), may have an easier time tolerating feta cheese. I, personally, can enjoy it in small amounts without any issue. However, if you can’t tolerate feta, or simply need a dairy-free option, check out my “make it vegan” section below!

Parsley and Mint – Don’t skimp on the fresh herbs! Fresh parsley and mint are my favorite parts of this salad. They add a super fresh and vibrant component to this recipe. Therefore, don’t leave ’em out!

close-up overhead image of Jennifer Aniston salad.

Adjust This Recipe to Your Dietary Needs

Make it Gluten-Free: Yes, bulgur wheat contains gluten. Therefore, opt for quinoa instead of bulgur wheat to make this Jennifer Aniston salad entirely gluten-free.

Make it Vegan/Dairy-Free: For a vegan/dairy-free salad, either leave out the feta cheese, or replace it with your favorite vegan feta. I love the Violife Vegan Feta, it tastes and crumbles just like the real thing!

Jennifer Aniston Salad
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Jennifer Aniston Salad

4 from 14 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

25

minutes

    The viral Jennifer Aniston salad is super easy to make! Loaded with fresh ingredients – cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta – all tossed in simple lemon dressing. It’s not just healthy, but totally delicious too!

    Ingredients

    • For the bulgur wheat/quinoa:

    • 1 cup bulgur wheat or quinoa, dry

    • 2 cups water or vegetable broth

    • For the salad dressing:

    • 1/2 cup olive oil

    • 1/2 cup lemon juice

    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

    • For the salad:

    • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

    • 1 cup English cucumber, chopped

    • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled

    • 1/2 red onion, diced

    • 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios, roughly chopped

    • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

    • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

    Directions

    • Add either bulgur wheat or quinoa to a small saucepan, along with water or vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook over low heat for 12-15 minutes. Once bulgur wheat or quinoa has absorbed all liquid, remove from heat and let stand covered for an additional 5 minutes. Then, remove lid and fluff with a fork.
    • While the bulgur wheat or quinoa cooks, make the salad dressing by adding all ingredients to a bowl and whisking to combine.
    • Add cooked bulgur wheat or quinoa to a large bowl, along with the remaining salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss, then either serve immediately or let chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

    Recipe Video

    Notes

    • Leaving the salad to chill for a few hours before eating will increase the flavor!
    • Leftover salad will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. No need to store the dressing separately.

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