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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

5 from 1 vote
Recipe by Samantha 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

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

4 from 13 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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    This avocado salad is BURSTING with fresh herbs and vegetables! Perfectly ripe avocado, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tangy red onion tossed in fresh lemon juice and olive oil. This super quick and easy salad recipe comes together in one bowl, and in under 5 minutes!

    super close-up image of avocado salad

    What You’ll Need To Make Avocado Salad

    Avocados – Duh! The main ingredient, the stars of this show, are two perfectly ripe large avocados. How can you tell when an avocado is ripe? Give it a gentle squeeze, and if the skin feels firm but gives a little, then your avocado’s ripe and ready to use in this salad! However, if your avocado feels especially hard and doesn’t give at all when squeezed, then it’s not ripe and should be left at room temperature overnight to ripen.

    Lemon Juice – A squeeze of fresh lemon juice gives this salad a nice touch of acidity and brightness! The lemon juice also helps to preserve the freshness of the vegetables in this dish. Though if you don’t have any lemon juice, a touch of apple cider vinegar will work too.

    Fresh Herbs – Use any kind of fresh herb you’d like! I used fresh basil and OMG it was delicious. But I’ve also made this plant-based meal with fresh cilantro and fresh parsley, both of which were just as tasty.

    Salt – I swear by lightly salting avocado, no matter what dish it’s in. A tiny pinch of salt brings out the rich, creamy, almost buttery taste in avocado. And if you don’t already have some, I highly recommend investing in some flaky sea salt. For this salad recipe, wait until the very end to add the salt. Salt, while enhancing flavor, will also turn the avocado brown. Therefore, to keep your avocado salad looking as bright and fresh as possible, salt the salad right before serving!

    avocado salad in a bowl with serving utensils.

    Tips and Tricks

    • If you’d like to prep this recipe ahead of time, then prep all ingredients except the avocado. Once avocado is removed from its skin and exposed to air, it’ll brown pretty quickly. This browning doesn’t mean the avocado’s gone bad, and won’t at all affect the taste, though it simply won’t look as pretty. Therefore, chop and prep all other herbs and veggies, then toss in the avocado and salt right before serving to keep it looking vibrant and fresh!
    • Enjoy this avocado salad as-is, or add in your favorite plant-based protein for a heartier meal. A can of drained beans, a cup of lentils, or some crispy cubed tofu would all go perfectly in this salad! Though if not vegan, feel free to serve this salad as a side dish to roast chicken, pan-seared salmon, or really any main course.
    • Store leftover avocado salad in an airtight container. Though before securing the lid, press a piece of plastic wrap over the veggies so that it comes into contact with the top of the salad. This’ll help prevent the avocado from turning brown, and lock in freshness for up to three days!
    overhead image of avocado salad in a bowl with lemon on the side

    This Avocado Salad Is…

    Fresh Avocado Salad (ready in 5 minutes!)

    0 from 0 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Course: SaladsDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    4

    servings
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    0

    minutes
    Total time

    5

    minutes

    This avocado salad is BURSTING with fresh herbs and vegetables! Perfectly ripe avocado, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tangy red onion tossed in fresh lemon juice and olive oil. This super quick and easy salad recipe comes together in one bowl, and in under 5 minutes!

    Ingredients

    • 2 large avocados, diced

    • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

    • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

    • 1/2 English cucumber, sliced

    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    • 1/4 cup fresh chopped herbs, such as cilantro, parsley, and/or basil

    • big pinch of salt

    • fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

    Directions

    • Add all ingredients except salt and black pepper to a large bowl and toss to combine.
    • Just before serving, sprinkle in salt and black pepper, then eat immediately.

    Recipe Video

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    This kale caesar salad is bursting with fresh flavor! It’s hearty and super satisfying, but won’t leave you feeling weighed down. Fuel up on this healthy and delicious restaurant-quality salad for lunch or dinner!

    caesar dressing being poured over a kale caesar salad

    What You’ll Need

    Kale – Duh! It wouldn’t be a kale caesar salad without it. There’s a pretty large variety of kale out there, and really any kind will work in this recipe. I used curly kale, but dino kale tastes just as good. To prepare your kale for this dish, start by removing the thickest part of the stem located at the base of each leaf. Once that’s gone, lay all kale leaves down on a cutting board horizontally and run your knife through them. Keep your cuts about 1 to 2-inches apart, anything bigger may become difficult to chew!

    Romaine – Crunchy romaine adds the perfect, fresh bite to this healthy salad recipe! Since romaine is made up of mostly water, it’s softer and easier to chew than fibrous kale. I experimented with both a romaine and non-romaine version of this recipe, and adding in romaine is definitely the way to go! However, if you don’t have any romaine lettuce on-hand, feel free to make this salad without it.

    Croutons – This kale caesar salad is allllll about a good crunch. We stop at literally nothing to add as much crunch to it as possible. Personally, I don’t think any caesar salad is complete without at least a few croutons – they’re arguably the best part! You can use store-bought croutons, but I included a note below this recipe on how to make your own homemade croutons. It’s actually super quick, easy, and that much more delicious.

    Anchovy Filets – Guys, I don’t wanna hear it! Anchovies have such a bed rep, but they actually work wonders in many recipes. Also, if you think you “hate” anchovies, but enjoy caesar salads on a regular basis, then think again! Most caesar dressings contain some form of anchovies, or at least all the really good ones do. And don’t worry, 3-4 anchovy filets won’t make our dressing taste at all fishy. They simply add a delicious, briny touch that’s truly unmatched! Therefore, don’t make this recipe without them.

    kale caesar salad being lifted out of a serving bowl

    Add Protein

    Turn this easy salad recipe into a complete meal by topping it with cooked chicken, shrimp, salmon, or some crispy chickpeas!

    What Makes This Kale Caesar Salad So Healthy?

    Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet! I mean, it’s a literal superfood, so it’s full of:

    • Vitamin A – strengthens immune system.
    • Vitamin K – necessary to prevent blood clotting.
    • Folate – great for brain development.
    • Potassium – aids nerve and muscle function.
    • Vitamin C – prevents chronic diseases.
    • Calcium – builds strong bones.
    • Zinc – strengthens immune system and metabolism.

    Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

    Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free croutons instead!

    Make it Dairy-Free: Either omit the parmesan cheese, or use nutritional yeast or your favorite non-dairy parmesan cheese in its place.

    Vegan Option: Make this a vegan kale caesar salad by replacing the parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast, the mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise, and the anchovy filets with a teaspoon of capers.

    Kale Caesar Salad

    0 from 0 votes
    Recipe by Samantha Course: Lunch, DinnerDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    4

    servings
    Prep time

    5

    minutes
    Cooking time

    0

    minutes
    Total time

    5

    minutes

    This kale caesar salad is bursting with fresh flavor! It’s hearty and super satisfying, but won’t leave you feeling weighed down. Fuel up on this healthy and delicious restaurant-quality salad for lunch or dinner!

    Ingredients

    • For the salad:
    • 1 bunch kale, stems removed and chopped

    • 4 cups romaine, chopped

    • 1 cup croutons, see Notes for homemade croutons

    • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shreds, optional

    • For the dressing:
    • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

    • 3-4 anchovy filets

    • 2 garlic cloves, peeled

    • 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    Directions

    • Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl.
    • Add all dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth and combined.
    • Drizzle dressing over salad, toss to coat, then serve.

    Notes

    • Homemade Croutons: Slice thick, crusty bread (such as French bread) into 1-inch cubes. Place cubed bread on a baking sheet and drizzle with about a tablespoon of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Bake croutons at 350° Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

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    Here are the 5 smoothie recipes I make constantly! They’re SUPER healthy, incredibly delicious, and come together in only a few minutes. These healthy smoothies are the perfect quick, easy, and portable breakfast or snack!

    all 5 smoothies lined up in glasses with toppings on each

    How to Make a (Delicious) Smoothie

    • Pick your frozen fruits. Every smoothie recipe starts with a curated selection of frozen fruit. The frozen fruit is what you’ll taste the most of in your smoothie, so make sure it’s a combination you’ll love!
    • Add in some healthy fats. Now that you have your fruit, it’s time to round the nutrition out with a bit of healthy fats. Healthy fats will slow the digestion of the naturally occurring sugar in fruit, which will stabilize your blood sugar and provide you with a long-term source of energy to get you through the morning! My favorite healthy fats for smoothies are unsweetened almond butter, avocado, or hemp seeds.
    • Consider adding fresh or frozen vegetables. Depending on which vegetable you choose to add to your smoothie, you most likely won’t be able to taste it at all! Spinach is always a great addition, yielding very little flavor yet TONS of nutrients. Or, steamed then frozen cauliflower is a perfect way to not only add nutrients to a smoothie, but helps to thicken it up as well.
    • Give it a boost with protein and/or powdered superfoods. I prefer unsweetened, unflavored, and plant-based protein in my smoothie recipes. However, feel free to use whichever protein powder is your favorite! Though in my chocolate peanut butter protein smoothie recipe, I highly recommend the Aloha Chocolate Protein Powder – it’s so darn good.
    • Select a liquid to blend. Any liquid will work! Water or milk will yield the least flavor, allowing the fruit to shine. Or, you can use juice for an even sweeter and fruitier smoothie if you’d like.
    all 5 smoothies in cups with ice, blueberries, and almond milk on the side

    Blenders 101

    I’ve owned many blenders in my day, though these two have stood out the most:

    • Vitamix: I know …she’s expensive, but boy is she incredible! I purchase a refurbished Vitamix a few years ago after saving up for one. And let me tell ya, it was worth EVERY penny. There’s nothing the Vitamix can’t blend, it’s truly the most powerful blender on the market. So if you’re looking to splurge, the Vitamix is definitely the blender for you!
    • Nutribullet: The nutribullet is great for everyday use! It takes up very little counter space, and is super easy to clean. I had my first nutribullet for almost 10 years before it eventually died on me. And that was after daily use in a four-person household! Also, the larger cup is enough to blend up to two serving sizes. I really can’t recommend the nutribullet enough, it’s fairly priced and comes with a one year warranty.

    Turn Any Smoothie Into a Smoothie Bowl

    Turn any of the below smoothie recipes into a smoothie bowl! It’s seriously so easy, all you’ll need to do is start with half the amount of liquid listed in the recipe. Then, continue to add more liquid as needed or until it’s perfectly thick and smooth. Once smooth, transfer your smoothie to a bowl and top with some fresh fruit, a handful of granola, and maybe even a scoop of almond or peanut butter!

    5 Healthy and DELICIOUS Smoothie Recipes

    5 from 1 vote
    Recipe by Samantha Course: Breakfast, Snacks, DrinksDifficulty: Easy
    Servings

    1

    serving
    Total time

    5

    minutes

    Here are the 5 smoothie recipes I make constantly! They’re SUPER healthy, incredibly delicious, and come together in only a few minutes. These healthy smoothies are the perfect quick, easy, and portable breakfast or snack!

    Ingredients

    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
    • 1 1/2 frozen bananas

    • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder or 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

    • 1 tablespoon peanut butter

    • 1 cup almond milk, or regular milk

    • Strawberry Banana Smoothie
    • 1 frozen banana

    • 1/2 cup frozen strawberries

    • 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter, optional

    • 1 cup milk, I used almond milk

    • Glowing Green Smoothie
    • 1 cup frozen mango

    • 1/2 cup frozen peaches

    • 1 cup fresh spinach

    • 1/2 avocado

    • 1 cup water or milk

    • Tropical Smoothie
    • 1 cup frozen mango

    • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple

    • 1/2 cup plain yogurt, unsweetened

    • 1 cup coconut milk

    • Very Berry Smoothie
    • 1/2 cup frozen cherries

    • 1 cup frozen mixed berries

    • 1/2 cup plain yogurt, unsweetened

    • 1 cup water or milk

    Directions

    • Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.

    Recipe Video

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