40 Easy Dessert Recipes to Feed a Crowd

Good dessert recipes for feeding a crowd have a few key elements. First, how many people can your dessert feed? Typically, I turn to cookies or a cake recipe when I have over four people in attendance. Then there’s the aspect of giving the people what they want—if I happen to have picky eaters in attendance (no shame!) I’ll opt for a lower-ingredient recipe that eliminates any acquired tastes.

Whatever crowd you’re looking to accommodate, this list has plenty of options that’ll inspire you to create stunning, meal-making desserts.

Cookie Recipes to Feed a Crowd

Cookie Charcuterie Board

Why We Love It: Whether you’re constructing this board during the holiday season or simply to end your gathering on a sweet note, it’s the perfect option for quick, throw-together grazing. Adding store-bought sweets to a large serving platter is the easiest way to serve dessert without any baking or prepping.

Hero Ingredient: For presentation, dust your board with a bit of powdered sugar.

Linzer Cookies with Winter Citrus Curd

Why We Love It: Cookies make great dessert recipes to feed a crowd, as you can increase or decrease the size of your batches according to your guest headcount. When Elizabeth Ho from Birdhouse Bakeshop shared this holiday Linzer cookie recipe with our team, we were stunned at how simple yet elaborate-looking these treats were. For the citrus curd, the options are unlimited—throw in anything from orange extract to dried lavender.

Hero Ingredient: Vanilla paste or vanilla bean seeds help bring an element of sweetness to these cookies.

Chocolate Chip Tahini Shortbread Cookies

Why We Love It: This cookie recipe, brought to us by Daphne Oz, is sweet meets savory. The flavor contrast is their highlight—blending the sweet and light shortbread with nutty sesame seeds and rich, creamy tahini.

Hero Ingredient: What would a chocolate chip cookie be without chocolate chips?

Chocolate Orange Linzer Shortbread Cookies

Why We Love It: There’s something undeniably gorgeous about Linzer cookies. Their elevated appearance presents the illusion of a complex dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make. With their crumbly shortbread, chocolate ganache filling, and a generous dusting of powdered sugar, these cookies have it all.

Hero Ingredient: A splash of Grande Mariner, while not required, enhances the orange flavor.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Why We Love It: Last year, these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies were on repeat in my kitchen. Dusted with the perfect sprinkle of flaky salted and filled with chopped dark chocolate, these elevated chocolate chip cookies belong in your recipe book.

Hero Ingredient: It’s the pumpkin puree. Enough said.

Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Why We Love It: If you, like myself, are a PSL fanatic, these pumpkin spice cookies are for you. With a glaze equivalent to sweet cream on your latte, dusted with cinnamon, and filled with pumpkin pie spice flavors, these are a great dessert for welcoming in the fall season.

Hero Ingredient: The cinnamon glaze is elite.

Cake and Pie Recipes to Feed a Crowd

Strawberry Olive Oil Cake

Why We Love It: When the weather starts to warm up, I stray from dense, overly sweet dessert recipes. Instead, I gravitate toward lighter flavors while incorporating fresh fruits or extracts. With a sweet and textured crumble topping and stunning fresh strawberries, this olive oil cake makes for both the best seasonal dessert and breakfast the following morning.

Hero Ingredient: Greek yogurt helps this cake retain its moisture.

Peach Tarte Tatin

Why We Love It: Claire Ptak’s take on the classic apple tarte tatin is simply divine. She uses fresh peaches, light and fluffy puff pastry, and a nutty almond peach leaf custard. Needless to say, I’m obsessed.

Hero Ingredient: I’m a firm believer that fresh peaches are the way to go here.

Grain-Free Lemon Raspberry Almond Cake

Why We Love It: We have a plethora of options when it comes to keeping things GF, but this is one of my personal favorites. With a batter including whole milk ricotta for a moist sponge, lemon zest, and fresh raspberries, it’s a simple way to keep things grain-free and delicious.

Hero Ingredient: I love the use of almonds as this cake’s topping.

Strawberry Cake with Mascarpone Cream

Why We Love It: This cake is the intersection of simple and elegant while still being a crowd-pleasing dish for everyone to enjoy. The mascarpone cream combines sweet, light, and comforting flavors with a presentation that will have everyone in awe.

Hero Ingredient: Strawberries, of course!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

Why We Love It: Everyone loves a chocolate cake, and this recipe is no exception. The icing is made from chocolate chips, cream cheese, and heavy cream, keeping things mildly sweet to balance out the cake’s richness.

Hero Ingredient: Almond flour is a great GF alternative to typical AP flour.

Peanut Butter Banana Snack Cake

Why We Love It: This snack cake isn’t just low-ingredient—it’s a breeze to throw together, too. Creamy peanut butter is a base ingredient for this recipe and likely a pantry staple you have on hand. Pair this cake with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee for a simple, romanticize-your-life moment.

Hero Ingredient: This peanut butter Greek yogurt frosting is to die for.

Lemon Icebox Cake

Why We Love It: This recipe is a no-bake delight, using minimal ingredients and plenty of ingredients you likely have on hand. It’s one of those make-ahead recipes that need to sit for a while, but that’s precisely what makes it one of the best easy dessert recipes to feed a crowd.

Hero Ingredient: Lemon cookies are a crucial component.

Gluten-Free Citrus Cake with Strawberries and Cardamom Coconut Cream

Why We Love It: If a strawberry shortcake and a pound cake had a baby, it would probably look like this delicious gluten-free cake with fresh strawberries and a spiced cardamom coconut cream frosting. Baking any dessert with citrus zest is a great way to mix up the flavors of seemingly simple desserts, and this cake speaks to how easy the process really is.

Hero Ingredient: Coconut yogurt (or any yogurt of choice) gives this cake the perfect amount of added moisture.

Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Why We Love It: This pumpkin cake is another one of the fall recipes I couldn’t stop baking last season. What makes this cake one of the best easy dessert recipes to feed a crowd is that it’s super rich—meaning you can slice small and serve more.

Hero Ingredient: It’s hard to pick just one, but I’d have to say the addition of cinnamon gives this cake a savory and spiced fall element.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Why We Love It: I’ve been a lover of carrot cake for as long as I can remember, but I hadn’t settled on a go-to recipe before I found this one. This cake has a subtle hint of orange, paired with a crunchy texture from toasted pecans. And, of course, the cream cheese frosting is a must.

Hero Ingredient: Orange zest in the frosting is a game-changer.

Flourless Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cake

Why We Love It: Nothing is more holiday-esque than peppermint and hot chocolate. The two flavors were practically meant for each other, and when they’re incorporated into an innovative dessert, there’s no going wrong. This cake also gets bonus points for being gluten-free.

Hero Ingredient: Whipped cream frosting? Yes, please.

Pumpkin Snack Cake

Why We Love It: Bite-sized snacks can be a fast and easy way to craft some of the easiest desserts for large-scale gatherings. If a whole cake isn’t in the cards for your crowd, snack cakes are a great option for popping in the oven and serving in a pinch. Plus, this recipe uses pantry staples that will likely prevent any last-minute grocery shopping.

Hero Ingredient: Freshly grated nutmeg enhances the flavor of your batter.

Rhubarb Meringue Cake

Why We Love It: The opportunities for baking and cooking with rhubarb are endless. Aside from its show-stopping appearance, this rhubarb cake is packed with fresh and tart fruit flavors that make for a perfect match with a sweet and flaky cake. The best part—it’s only six steps!

Hero Ingredient: Just a splash of orange juice added to your rhubarb compote makes this cake all the more bright.

Walnut & Honey Olive Oil Cake with Candied Citrus

Why We Love It: I’m fully on board with the olive oil cake trend. These cakes boast a unique texture and flavor that surprises guests who may be expecting your stereotypical fluffy cake. Adorned with candied oranges and a simple glaze in place of heavy frosting, it’s packed with flavor while being elegantly simple.

Hero Ingredient: Toasted walnuts give this cake a nutty flavor that contrasts the tangy citrus.

Mina Stone’s Olive Oil Cake

Why We Love It: There’s something about the combination of an olive oil cake with fruit that makes these recipes so special. This particular cake, inspired by Mina Stone’s classic recipe, has the ideal dense and sponge-like texture with spiced elements from cinnamon and cloves.

Hero Ingredient: While optional, cognac adds a special fruity and sweet touch.

Rum & Coffee Spiced Tres Leches

Why We Love It: Everyone in Texas has a tres leches recipe that they swear by, but this might be one of my favorites (unbiased opinion, of course). After trying and testing numerous variations over the years, this version with rum and a hint of espresso or cold brew continues to win me over.

Hero Ingredient: A bit of cardamom is essential in the best tres leches recipes.

Mango Cardamom Icebox Cake

Why We Love It: Icebox cakes are a year-round hit in my household, but this one in particular is a recipe repeat. It’s a dessert that’s not overwhelmingly sweet, as ripe mangos create a natural sweet element without any artificial flavors. The cardamom cream pairs perfectly as a subtle and soft base for your fresh fruit.

Hero Ingredient: This salty pistachio crumble? Insane.

Masala Chai Carrot Cake

Why We Love It: There’s something about a chai spice blend that brings a sense of comfort and coziness into any dish. When it comes to the holiday season, I can’t help but turn to this chai carrot cake recipe, which doubles as a delicious dessert and a lovely centerpiece.

Hero Ingredient: This cake is a true testament to how versatile of an ingredient carrots are.

Classic Buttermilk Pie

Why We Love It: It’s hard to go wrong with a buttermilk pie. This recipe’s presentation is just the tip of the iceberg—the creamy, custard-based filling has a crème brûlée-like texture that’s sheltered by a light and flaky pie crust.

Hero Ingredient: A dollop of whipped cream to serve is essential!

Cherry Berry Ice Cream Pie

Why We Love It: As far as fruit desserts are concerned, this recipe is at the top of my list. Requiring only five ingredients, it’s a quick and easy way to throw together an easy dessert recipe that won’t take too much time in the kitchen.

Hero Ingredient: This strawberry cheesecake ice cream is always on my grocery list.

More Dessert Recipes to Feed a Crowd

Camille’s Mom’s Best Brownie Recipe Ever

Why We Love It: Everyone has been raving over this one-bowl brownie recipe for the past few months, so of course, I had to see what the hype was about. Needless to say, it did not disappoint. When it comes to brownies, I have high standards, and this recipe checks all of my boxes. With an airy, souffle-like texture with crispy edges, I could go on about these brownies for days.

Hero Ingredient: The flaky sea salt garnish brings it all together.

Gluten-Free Lemon Bars

Why We Love It: This is THE summer dessert and a recipe I come back to every year. These baked lemon bars consist of a gluten-free graham cracker crust and a light and tangy custard-like filling, topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, of course.

Hero Ingredient: Tapioca starch may not currently be a pantry staple in your household, but it might be after trying this recipe.

Blackberry Cobbler

Why We Love It: There’s something about a cobbler recipe, a bit of ice cream, and a sweet crumble topping that makes me crave a hot summer day by the pool. While you can swap in any fruit of choice for this cobbler, blackberries celebrate the best of the summer season.

Hero Ingredient: A bit of vanilla ice cream, homemade or store-bought, is essential.

Summer Fruit Salad

Why We Love It: The best thing about a fruit salad is that it can be doubled, tripled, or quadrupled to make one of the easiest dessert recipes to feed a crowd. With summer peaches, ripe blueberries, and a variety of other fresh favorites, this fruit salad makes for a dish that no one will turn down.

Hero Ingredient: Use a bit of lemon zest and juice to enhance your fruit’s flavors.

Citrus Olive Oil Muffins

Why We Love It: Have you ever seen a more stunning muffin? These olive oil muffins are just the smaller version of an olive oil cake and make for great individual bites. The edible flowers make these muffins look much deceptively complicated, where in reality, there’s not much to them.

Hero Ingredient: Greek yogurt adds to the moisture and flavor.

Cinnamon Baked Apples

Why We Love It: This comforting dessert features tender apples infused with warm spices. With cinnamon, sugar, and butter, the apples become soft and caramelized, making this a dessert that won’t take too much time but will leave your guests satisfied.

Hero Ingredient: Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Bars

Why We Love It: ‘Tis the season for no-bake recipes. Offering all the flavors of pumpkin pie in an easy-to-serve bar form, these are perfect for fall (or year-round if fall flavors are your jam) gatherings. They can be easily cut and transported, making them a convenient alternative to a traditional pie.

Hero Ingredient: Brown butter is essential for creating the buttery caramel flavor.

Healthy Apple Crumble

Why We Love It: This easy dessert recipe combines the natural sweetness of fresh apples with a low-sugar crumble topping, offering the comforting flavors of traditional apple crumble while incorporating fiber and nutrients.

Hero Ingredient: A bit of apple cider vinegar adds the perfect punch and extra flavor to your filling.

No Bake White Chocolate Lemon Cardamom Slices

Why We Love It: White chocolate is highly underrated, especially when paired with any fruit. For a no-bake bar that’s still rich and sweet, these lemon cardamon slices are a decadent option that is easy to serve and store.

Hero Ingredient: Like I said, it’s white chocolate’s time to shine!

Raspberry Tiramisu

Why We Love It: This classic dessert is generally a crowd-pleaser, but this raspberry version takes things up a notch. It’s one of our best recipes of all-time for a reason.

Hero Ingredient: Chambord (raspberry liqueur) adds a dark, fruity quality to this classic treat.

Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake

Why We Love It: Individual desserts aren’t always easy to pull off when they’re not in the form of muffins, brownies, or bars. However, these strawberry shortcakes are the exception, and they’re gluten-free so that no one gets left out of the fun.

Hero Ingredient: Coconut milk or cream keeps your whipped cream dairy-free (and still delicious).

Double Chocolate Skillet Cookie

Why We Love It: I love any excuse to whip up a skillet dessert, especially when I’m serving a crowd. This take on a double chocolate cookie with chopped chocolate chunks is perfect to slice up and serve with a bit of ice cream.

Hero Ingredient: Espresso powder, while optional, adds a great contrast to the sweetness of the chocolate.

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Brownies

Why We Love It: It’s sometimes a challenge to make a good-quality salted caramel dessert. The artificial versions aren’t always what I’m aiming for after my meal. Luckily, this recipe contains both a homemade caramel sauce, a cheesecake layer, and a rich brownie layer. It’s the best of all worlds.

Hero Ingredient: Flaky sea salt works like a charm.

Chocolate Fondue Board

Why We Love It: Last, but certainly not least, is this chocolate charcuterie and fondue board. For a dessert that doubles as an activity, this is perfect when served with a few skewers at the dinner table so that each guest can pick and choose their favorite sweets.

Hero Ingredient: This chocolate fondue is simple and sweet.

The post 40 Easy Dessert Recipes to Feed a Crowd appeared first on Camille Styles.

While there are definitely more options in the restaurant world today, I always prefer cooking at home and discovering recipes that meet my nutritional needs (not to mention tailored tastebuds!). Which, admittedly, is still a bit of a challenge. 

The Best Vegetarian Protein Sources

Before we roll into the low-carb high-protein vegetarian recipes I found, I wanted to share a cheat sheet with a few of my go-to vegetarian protein sources that might help you on your plant-based eating journey:

Chickpeas: almost 11 grams protein / 35 grams carbohydrates per cup (cooked) 

Paneer (an unaged Indian cheese made from curdled milk and acid): 21 grams protein / 3.5 grams carbohydrates per 3.5 ounce serving

Tofu: 8 grams protein / 3.5 gram carbohydrates per 2 ounce serving 

Black Beans: 19 grams protein / 40 grams carbohydrates per cup (cooked)

Lentils: almost 18 grams of protein / approximately 40 grams carbohydrates per cup (cooked)

Eggs: 6 grams protein / 0.6 grams carbohydrates per egg (cooked)

Tempeh (a fermented soybean product): 34 grams of protein / 13 grams carbohydrates per cup

Halloumi (a brined cheese that originated from Cyprus):  7 grams of protein / 0 grams carbohydrates per one-ounce serving

16 Low-Carb High-Protein Vegetarian Recipes

When I was asked to share my favorite low-carb high-protein vegetarian recipes, I welcomed the opportunity to take a good look into my eating archives. As a vegetarian, I’ve found that recipes often tick two out of three boxes for me: super low carb and plant-forward but little to no protein or they’re vegetarian with heaps of protein, but a total carb fest. As I said, it’s a challenge, albeit a delicious one. 

With all of that in mind, here are my favorite recipes (you’ll see lots of the proteins listed above). Think: 1) high in protein, 2) low in carbs, and 3) all vegetarian. Let’s get to it.

Paneer Tikka Kebabs

Why We Love It:  Think kebabs are just for summer outdoor hangs? Think again. These paneer tikka kebabs can be assembled quickly, and the garam masala, cumin, and chili powder add delicious, spicy interest. They’re tasty all year round.

Hero Ingredient: Paneer adds a protein punch.

Charred Cabbage With Cashew Cream

Why We Love It: That’s right—cabbage is the newest “unsexy” veg we’re making cool again. Camille brilliantly roasts the cabbage until it’s caramelized and charred. It plays perfectly with the plant-based, tahini-laced cashew cream.

Hero Ingredient: As Camille says, charred cabbage gives major main character energy.

Spicy Watermelon Feta Salad

Why We Love It:  This super simple recipe gives all the romanticize-your-life, al fresco vibes. And though I’d recommend serving it alongside a more satisfying main, the feta gives a nice boost of protein for a well-rounded mea.

Hero Ingredient: The basil garnish at the end adds the perfect amount of freshness.

Crispy Torn Halloumi Salad

Why We Love It:  This salad has everything. Texture, color, and yes—protein. It’s a delicious lunchtime staple, combining creamy avocado, crisp and crunchy cucumber, and plenty of herbs.

Hero Ingredient: If you’re not adding crispy halloumi (OK, fresh is delicious too) to every salad you make from here on out, what are you doing?

Asparagus Frittata with Goat Cheese and Spring Veggies

Why We Love It: Frittatas are the ultimate fridge clean-out recipe. Load up your pan with whatever veggies are on their last legs. In the case of this recipe, it’s packed with plenty of spring veggies (think: mushrooms, baby potatoes, and onion) and finished off with creamy, tangy goat cheese. It’s a perfect breakfast, lunch, or dinner meal.

Hero Ingredient: Load on the fresh herbs at the end. They add so much flavor—and make the final result all the more stunning.

Caramelized Onion and Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Why We Love It: Sure, any vegetarian has had their fair share of portobello mushrooms. But trust me: this is not at all like the rubbery, watery ‘shrooms of yore. It’s the mozzarella, parmesan, and crispy breadcrumbs that sets this dish apart.

Hero Ingredient: Those toasted breadcrumbs yield the perfect amount of crunch.

Avocado Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: A gorgeous mix of perfectly ripe avocado, tomatoes at their peak, fresh-torn basil, and creamy burrata all topped with a big pinch of flaky salt. This is caprese with the volume turned up—you’re going to love it.

Hero Ingredient: The avocado deserves top billing. Though it’s not a staple in the classic caprese, I’ll be adding it to all my Italian-inspired salads from here on out.

Green Shakshuka

Why We Love It: Traditional shakshuka features a spicy, tomato-based sauce. But in the spirit of switching things up every so often, this version leans on spinach and cream for a vibrant, fresh-tasting spin. If your fridge needs a good clean-out, this is the recipe to make.

Hero Ingredient: Cumin, coriander, and paprika are the ultimate spice trifecta.

Spicy Turkish Eggs Breakfast Bowl

Why We Love It: Turkish eggs are making their way across the social space, trending on all the platforms I find myself on. But these are more than a passing moment—they deserve a permanent spot in your breakfast and lunch rotation. A simple, spicy Greek yogurt base topped with perfectly-poached eggs. Obviously, a crunchy, toasty bread (take your pick) is the perfect utensil replacement.

Hero Ingredient: This recipe is the reason you’ll learn to perfect your poached eggs.

Mediterranean Kale Salad

Why We Love It: If your salad game is looking a little bland, switch things up with this Mediterranean-inspired mix. Crunchy chickpeas, creamy avocado, and crisp greens—not to mention a whole block of feta. Yes, this is protein-packed perfection.

Hero Ingredient: Give it up for the honey-tahini dressing. You’ll be pouring it over everything from here on out.

Smoky and Spicy Cauliflower Salad

Why We Love It: This is my go-to lunchtime salad. The smoky and spicy cauliflower (hot sauce, honey, and paprika give it all the flavor) is so easy to prepare in advance. I simply reheat it in the air fryer, then toss it over of the other salad components. Feta, chickpeas, and avocado help make this salad all the more satisfying.

Hero Ingredient: After having this salad, you won’t want to eat cauliflower any other way.

Roasted Honeynut Squash with Hot Honey, Pecans, and Rosemary

Why We Love It: Roasted honeynut squash stuffed with crunchy pecans, earth rosemary, and drizzled with hot honey. This veggie dish is a total showstopper. (And so pretty to capture on camera—your Instagram will thank you.)

Hero Ingredient: Hot honey makes everything all the more delicious. Drizzle it on your pizza and you’ll see what I mean.

Vegetarian Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili

Why We Love It:  There’s nothing quite like a hearty chili to warm your bones on a cold day. We love how the sweetness from the honey and sweet potato perfectly complements the spicy kick from chili powder.

Hero Ingredient: It’s all about the toppings. Stick to radish, grated cheese, avocado, and herbs if you’re wanting to keep the carbs on the lowdown.

Autumn Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Why We Love It: Straying away from your usually boring one-note sweet potato recipes, this one from Camille truly shines with the unique additions of goat cheese, pomegranate seed, and tahini sauce. And okay, sweet potatoes aren’t exactly the lowest in carbs, but with the high-protein additions from the chickpeas and tahini, we decided this recipe needed a spot on the list.

Hero Ingredient: A squeeze of lemon right before serving—perfection.

Spring Onion and Goat Cheese Quiche

Why We Love It: Quiche: it’s not just for breakfast, anymore. Satisfy your craving for a hearty meal with this low-carb everything-but-the-kitchen-sink vegetable quiche mixed with creamy goat cheese.

Hero Ingredient: The incredible, edible egg: high-protein, low carb at its finest.

Black Bean and Pineapple Salsa Lettuce Boats

Why We Love It:  A protein and fiber-packed meal, snack, or app, toss together a few simple ingredients like a can of black beans, red bell pepper, cilantro, and the key to the dish, sweet, juicy, pineapple.

Hero Ingredient: Adobo chipotle sauce adds a smoky, spicy twist to the dish.

The post These 16 High-Protein Vegetarian Recipes Will Keep You Full for Longer appeared first on Camille Styles.

Lettuce wraps are the underrated lunch you didn’t know you needed. I realize that the idea of lettuce may not excite you as much as, let’s say, sourdough bread. But stick with me. Lettuce is the perfect blank canvas to let your main ingredients take center stage. It will enhance the flavor in whatever filling you choose; plus, lettuce wraps are one of the easiest meal prep ideas around. Just have your filling ready to go, put it together, and boom—you’ve got a meal in under five minutes.

Not only is lettuce the most versatile canvas for your protein, taco fillings, or sautéed veggies, but it also won’t weigh you down. We’ve rounded up some of our absolute favorite lettuce wrap recipes that will have your healthy lunches (and dinners!) covered. From juicy burgers to delicious fish “tacos” to some flavorful veggie options—these are amazing dishes that will bring your WFH or in-office lunch to the next level. Just remember, when it comes to lettuce wraps, there are no rules. So get those creative juices flowing and top your greens with whatever sounds tasty!

How To Choose the Best Lettuce for Wraps

When it comes to crafting a perfectly crisp bite of balanced goodness, not all lettuce is created equal. You want to use something that won’t get soggy quickly and make a mess. Nothing is worse than trying to corral a handful of lettuce wrap detritus! Opt for lettuces like romaine, iceberg, butter, and even collard greens.

I find that collard greens are the sturdiest of all the aforementioned lettuces, but they are slightly more bitter than you might be used to when eaten raw. Butter lettuce and romaine have a size advantage, the leaves can be easily molded to fit your filling, and they have a nice crisp bite. Iceberg is always a solid pick, but I often lean in favor of the others since they have a bit more nutritional value.

Try One of These Options for Your Next Lettuce Wrap:

• Butter Lettuce
• Collard Greens
• Iceberg Lettuce
• Gem Lettuce
• Romaine Lettuce
• Savoy Cabbage
• Bib Lettuce

Vegetarian Lettuce Wrap Recipes

Take heart: Veggie lettuce wrap recipes do not have to be lacking in protein! These flavorful and hearty wraps are so satisfying and filling that you’ll have all the energy and brainpower you need to get through the rest of the day.

Honey Sriracha Tempeh Spring Rolls

Why We Love It: The tempeh gets marinated in a sriracha-based sauce, so that creamy avocado, sweet mango, and refreshing cucumber balance everything out. Plus, this recipe uses rice to make things a little more substantial than your typical lettuce wrap recipe. You’ll want to keep these in your weekly lunch rotation.

Hero Ingredient: Don’t knock tempeh until you try it. Everything it touches turns to gold—this recipe included.

Mexican Quinoa Salad Cups With Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing From Minimalist Baker

Why We Love It: These vegan and gluten-free Mexican salad cups come together in 30 minutes and are healthy, flavorful, and yield enough leftovers for an entire week of lunches. They’re loaded with fiber, protein, and healthy fats—the ideal lunch situation.

Hero Ingredient: The cilantro lime dressing adds a cool creaminess minus the dairy, keeping it light and fresh.

Curried Tofu Wraps From Bon Appétit

Why We Love It: As a tofu-obsessed eater, these wraps hit the spot. They’re insanely flavorful, easy to make, nutritious, and a delight to eat. Collard greens are the perfect grain-free pick for ensuring these stay wrapped up tight.

Hero Ingredient: Store-bought curry paste keeps this recipe full of complex and exciting flavor without requiring additional labor. Just be sure to test the spice levels before using since they can vary.

Thai Sweet Potato and Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps From Cupful of Kale

Why We Love It: Chock full of roasted sweet potato, cauliflower, and crumbled tofu and dressed in a creamy peanut sauce, this is definitely one of my favorite veggie lettuce wrap recipes. They’re tasty, fresh, and loaded with wholesome ingredients to leave you feeling full for hours.

Hero Ingredient: The sauce cannot be topped.

Avocado Chickpea Salad Wraps by The First Mess

Why We Love It: This avocado chickpea salad is packed with protein and healthy fats, making it a good lunchtime choice when you’re craving something more substantial. It’s basically the same concept as egg salad, so be careful not to smoosh those chickpeas too much! You’ll want to keep them bigger for some texture.

Hero Ingredient: Capers sneak in the mix and bring a salty, briny note to each delicious bite.

Chicken Lettuce Wrap Recipes

Chicken is the perfect go-to when you’re craving animal protein but still want to keep your meal fairly light. It has a neutral flavor that you can easily add to any of our veggie options without overpowering other flavors. Craving Asian, Mexican, or burger vibes? These chicken lettuce wrap recipes have it all.

Hoisin Chicken Cabbage Tacos

Why We Love It: These Hoisin Chicken Cabbage Tacos are so tasty you’ll not only be adding them to your lunch rotation, but want to whip them up for your next dinner party as well. Savory, full of flavor, and oh-so-tasty (and good for you, too!).

Hero Ingredient: Camille is partial to the savoy cabbage leaves in this recipe—they hold together way better than iceberg so you can stuff your tacos full of filling and not worry about them falling apart on you. Her trick is to blanch the leaves before serving so they’re easier to chew and less bitter.

Mediterranean Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps

Why We Love It: Not only is the Mediterranean Diet the healthiest diet in the world, but these lettuce wraps are all-around delectable. They’re filled with grilled chicken, olives, capers, cucumber, and more to make a filling meal any time of day.

Hero Ingredient: You just can’t beat those salty capers.

Chicken Burger Lettuce Wraps

Why We Love It: It’s basically the healthier version of your favorite burger, so what’s not to love? Lean ground chicken, bibb lettuce, and Asian-inspired herbs and spices kick it all up a notch and add a burst of freshness.

Hero Ingredient: Curry powder gives these wraps an Asian-inspired flair that can’t be beat.

Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Cups From The Defined Dish

Why We Love It: These Thai Basil Chicken Lettuce Cups couldn’t be easier to throw together, are full of fresh, crisp, and tasty flavors, and are Whole30-compliant.

Hero Ingredient: You can use sweet basil, but Thai basil gives your lettuce cups something a little extra special.

Chipotle Chicken Lettuce Wraps From What’s Gaby Cooking

Why We Love It: This lettuce wrap recipe is fun to eat, easy to throw together, and ultra-healthy. It’s light, bright, flavorful, and (thanks to chipotles in adobo) a little smoky. Don’t be put off by the marinade time, you can meal prep them in advance or throw them together in the morning so they’re ready to go when lunch rolls around.

Hero Ingredient: The mango avocado slaw is the unexpected twist that makes these chicken lettuce wraps next-level good.

Easy Rotisserie Chicken Lettuce Cups With Peanut Sauce From The Defined Dish

Why We Love It: Two things stand out to me most in this recipe: the ease of using rotisserie chicken and the choice of radicchio. Regarding the chicken, you can use store-bought (yay!) rotisserie chicken to win the easy meal prep game. Additionally, radicchio is sturdy enough to hold as many toppings as you fancy and brings a slightly bitter flavor that makes this dish shine.

Hero Ingredient: The peanut sauce is perfectly balanced and packs a nice contrast to the radicchio.

Greek Goddess Chicken Lettuce Wraps From Half-Baked Harvest

Why We Love It: The chicken is spiced perfectly in this beautifully colorful dish. It’s topped with a delicious pistachio basil goddess sauce that adds a bit of zest and brightness.

Hero Ingredient: Pita bread! If you’re looking to add some carbs to your meal, pita bread is the perfect “bowl” for your lettuce wraps and makes it even easier to stuff them to the brim without falling apart.

Seafood Lettuce Wrap Recipes

Another great lean protein idea for your upcoming lettuce wrap is to go with some shrimp or fish. It’s a great mid-day protein that fills you up, is bursting with nutrients, and tastes like a party. Get your fill of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins like D, B2, and calcium, and minerals like iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium. You can’t beat that!

Sambal Shrimp Lettuce Wraps From Bon Appétit

Why We Love It: If you’re a shrimp lover, then you won’t want to miss out on these insanely flavorful lettuce wraps. You can get the shrimp already frozen and sans tails, or buy them fresh with tails on if you prefer.

Hero Ingredient: Hot chili paste gives the shrimp a serious flavor explosion.

Salmon Lettuce Wraps With Cucumber, Jicama, and Ginger From Simply Recipes

Why We Love It: Craving something light and cool? Check out these salmon lettuce wraps. You can use leftover salmon from another dish or make it fresh with a salt and ginger rub and then poach it in lemon-infused salted water. Top it with jicama, cucumber, cilantro, onion, ginger, lime, and mint with some avocado slices. Yum!

Hero Ingredient: It was a toss-up between the jicama and ginger, but ultimately, the jicama reigns supreme. Crisp, earthy, delicious, and insanely refreshing.

Fish Tacos With Salsa Verde in Lettuce Wraps From Cooks with Cocktails

Why We Love It: Few things beat a fish taco, whether you’re using Mahi Mahi, halibut, cod, or your fish of choice. It’s great both grilled or pan-fried and doesn’t get too mushy or crumbly. It’s so easy to make and yet feels like a celebratory meal. Who doesn’t want that kind of pick-me-up in the middle of a workday?

Hero Ingredient: The salsa verde sauce is irresistible.

Pork and Beef Lettuce Wrap Recipes

Need a more substantial protein? These pork and beef lettuce wraps satisfy. They’re flavorful, healthy, hearty, and insanely satisfying. Get your fill with these absolutely can’t-miss wraps.

Lemongrass Pork Patties With Vietnamese Dipping Sauce From Epicurious

Why We Love It: It has all the Bánh mì flavor with all the veggies included. Think of it as a hearty spring roll. You can pre-make these patties and freeze them so they are ready to go on demand or make them fresh and enjoy them for a few consecutive meals. Either way, you’re guaranteed to have a lovely lunch.

Hero Ingredient: The funky, salty, sour, sweet dipping sauce.

Thai Steak Lettuce Cups From Modern Proper

Why We Love It: Skirt steak is marinated in all kinds of acidic goodness and seared to perfection to give these lettuce cups a nice, meaty element. Combined with crisp veggies and butter lettuce, it’s the perfect weekday lunch.

Hero Ingredient: Top with a handful of cilantro or mint to take things to the next level.

BLT Lettuce Wraps With Avocado Ranch From How Sweet Eats

Why We Love It: The combo of bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes is a trifecta of fresh and hearty flavor. There’s something about it that’s nostalgic, indulgent, and satisfying all at once. These lettuce wraps bring all of that and more to the table with crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and an avocado ranch you’ll want to smear on everything in sight.

Hero Ingredient: As I said, that avocado ranch is almost dangerously good.

Honey Beef Lettuce Wraps From La Creme de la Crumb

Why We Love It: These wraps couldn’t be easier to make and take only 20 minutes. They’re loaded with flavor and endlessly customizable depending on your personal preferences. The base uses beef, mushrooms, carrots, and water chestnuts that are sautéed in a skillet with a bit of sesame oil.

Hero Ingredient: Water chestnuts are always an unexpected delight.

The post Protein-Packed Lettuce Wrap Recipes You’ll Want to Devour, Stat appeared first on Camille Styles.

Luckily, the internet is full of salad recipes that utilize white beans, lentils, turkey, chicken, and avocado to give my body the protein push it needs. Read on for the best high-protein salad recipes to get you through the day. 

The Best High-Protein Salad Recipes

Contrary to popular belief, salad can be a super nutritious tool to help you reach your daily protein intake. Grilled chicken is my go-to, as it provides lean protein and an accommodating base for almost any flavor profile or cuisine. Another great option is hard-boiled eggs, which also offer essential vitamins and minerals in addition to their high protein levels.

For plant-based protein, you can include ingredients like chickpeas, black beans, or tofu—all of which can be grilled, baked, or sautéed to accommodate your salad. Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds are good toppings to accompany your major protein players in your vibrant, high-protein salad recipes.

Crispy Torn Halloumi Salad

Why We Love It: This halloumi salad is a game-changer, thanks to the perfect balance of salty, crispy cheese and fresh, vibrant veggies. The tangy dressing ties everything together, making each bite a study in beautiful flavor. Trust me, it’s the kind of dish that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Hero Ingredient: If you’re not putting halloumi on your salads—scratch that, everything—what are you doing? The mild, but not-at-all-boring-flavored cheese gets perfectly crispy with a simple roast in the oven. And yes, it’s full of hearty, satisfying protein.

Spicy Watermelon Feta Salad

Why We Love It: This spicy watermelon feta salad is summer in a bowl, with juicy, sweet watermelon meeting tangy feta and a kick of heat. The fresh mint and lime juice add a refreshing twist that’s truly irresistible. Consider it the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Hero Ingredient: The feta not only adds a welcome punch of salty, Mediterranean flavor, but it also gives this salad a little bump-up of protein.

Avocado Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: This avocado caprese salad is a delicious twist on a classic, combining creamy avocado with juicy tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. The basil and balsamic glaze bring it all together with a burst of flavor that’s both refreshing and satisfying. It’s the perfect dish for those who want a light, yet indulgent summer salad.

Hero Ingredient: Give it up for the avocado—always.

Grapefruit Avocado Salad

Why We Love It: Chickpeas are always a high-protein winner. Depending on how you prepare them, they can be crunchy or creamy—but always filling. In this salad, they play up the fresh flavors of avocado, grapefruit, and golden beets beautifully. Roasted and seasoned to perfection, they’re always an excellent complement to your fresh greens.

Hero Ingredient: The golden turmeric honey dressing is to die for. Be sure to make extra, because you’ll be drizzling it on everything this week and beyond.

Mediterranean Grain Bowl

Why We Love It: I typically have grain bowls for almost every dinner during the week—this recipe included. Quinoa is such a versatile base for any bowl and an even better source of protein. Juicy fruit like cherry tomatoes and grapes are the perfect addition to the fresh herbs in this well-rounded bowl.

Hero Ingredient: Greek yogurt—a crucial ingredient in this bowl’s homemade dressing—is another added bit of protein.

Black Lentil Salad with Roasted Vegetables & Goat Cheese

Why we love it: This salad is the phrase “eat the rainbow,” embodied. It uses sweet, roasted carrots and crispy, semi-spicy Brussels sprouts to make it a hearty meal that will satisfy you until dinner. The lentils do double-time as little bursts of flavor and a big source of protein. You can marinate your lentils as part of your weekly meal prep to make this salad even easier to assemble. 

Hero ingredient: Any veggie prepped this way is a hero in my book.

Feta Salad With White Beans and Lemon

Why we love it: Who doesn’t love feta cheese? Any salad with feta in the ingredient list, let alone the title, immediately catches my attention. Its flavor blends perfectly with this recipe’s lemon relish to create one of the most unique salads I’ve ever tasted. Both the feta and white beans make this salad protein-packed and filling. Plus, it’s a no-recipe recipe that originated from a pantry dive. Chances are, you have all the ingredients on hand. 

Hero ingredient: Can’t get betta than feta. 

Mexican Chopped Salad

Why We Love It: I love a salad with a prominent crunch, and this Mexican chopped salad does just the trick. Chickpeas plus the mix of sunflower and pumpkin seeds boost this fresh, colorful salad with enough protein to keep you going strong.

Hero Ingredient: A bit of queso fresco is the ultimate topping for the best Mexican-inspired dishes.

Shredded Kale & Cranberry Salad With Crispy Tofu

Why we love it: I never liked tofu until I tried it in this salad. Camille shares her technique to turn this plant-based protein into the crispy star of this recipe. The key lies in pressing the tofu to get all of the water out, allowing the flavor to get in. The shredded kale, cranberries, and peanuts transform this salad into a crave-worthy vegetarian dinner.

Hero ingredient: Don’t knock the tofu ‘til you try it.

Apple Walnut Salad

Why We Love It: If you’re looking for protein from nuts, walnuts will be your new BFF. This salad is autumn in a bowl and keeps things healthy and nutritious when we might want to lean toward cozy comfort foods (we’re looking at you, pumpkin spice).

Hero Ingredient: Goat cheese crumbles make any salad a winner.

Cumin Chickpea Salad With Mint Chutney

Why We Love It: Besides being stunning, this chickpea-based salad is so simple to throw together for a protein-packed meal prep recipe. A tip I learned from this recipe as a not-so-big fan of red onion is to chop your onion in half and soak it in water for about an hour, which cuts the raw red onion’s bite.

Hero Ingredient: Garam masala is necessary for a well-seasoned bowl.

White Bean Radicchio Salad

Why We Love It: Radicchio—a summer staple ingredient in my kitchen—shines bright in this delicious salad. Cannellini beans bring the protein and flavor, complemented by zesty lemons and parmesan cheese.

Hero Ingredient: Cannellini beans should win an award for the most popular and tasty source of meat-free protein. (Sorry tofu!)

Charlie Bird Farro Salad

Why We Love It: This farro salad is packed with veggies and grains that, together, make the most delicious and filling bowl. A quarter-cup of farro contains six grams of protein, making it a competitor with quinoa in the high-protein grain category.

Hero Ingredient: You can’t go wrong with parmesan cheese. Ever.

Spring Rice Salad

Why We Love It: When there are eggs in my salad, I automatically know I’m bound to feel more filled than if I just munched on some greens. This spring rice salad is packed with protein from the eggs and contains a great balance of carbs and greens from the rice, peas, and fresh herbs.

Hero Ingredient: Top with chili oil for the perfect kick.

Warm Spinach-Artichoke Salad with Quinoa Crunchies

Why We Love It: If a warm salad is up your alley, this recipe should be where you start. Sheela Prakash shared this incredible recipe and it’s changed our dinner plans for good. Quinoa, spinach, and lemon juice are just a few of the nutrient-packed ingredients in this spectacular bowl.

Hero Ingredient: If you haven’t added jarred artichokes to your list of must-have pantry staples, this recipe is the place to start.

The post 14 Protein-Packed Salads That Actually Feel Like a Meal appeared first on Camille Styles.

The Power of Plant-Based Protein

Through a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, good grains, seeds, and nuts, our bodies will easily get all the amino acids (which form a “complete” protein) they need. Celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder shared with us all the benefits of a plant-based diet. While I do incorporate small amounts of meat and fish into my diet a few times a week, many more of our meals these days are getting all their nutrients from plant-based sources.

There are plenty of accessible foods that can be used to curate delicious high-protein vegetarian meals. Tofu—a soy product—is arguably the most popular source of protein, followed by chickpeas, lentils, quinoa, oatmeal, and a variety of nuts and seeds. Incorporating these ingredients into your weekly meals can help you meet your protein intake through simple, whole foods.

32 High-Protein Vegetarian Meals

Now for the best part: delicious, satisfying, high-protein vegetarian meals. These plant-based plates are filled with plenty of protein-packed ingredients that keep things interesting and meat-free. Read on for the best high-protein vegetarian meals for every occasion!

Salads and Sides

Crispy Halloumi Salad

Why We Love It: Before my first encounter with this nutrient-packed vegetarian dish, I had yet to discover all halloumi has to offer. This cheese gets its unique reputation for its mild flavor and chewy texture that makes for the perfect addition to your bowl of greens. Pair with this irresistible champagne vinegar dressing for the salad of the summer.

Hero Ingredient: Tahini-based vinaigrettes are always a yes from me.

Green Goddess Nourish Bowl

Why We Love It: Inspired by leftover ingredients you’d likely find lying around in your fridge, this nourish bowl is a tasty combination of greens and grains to keep you full and satisfied but not overly stuffed. Pack in your protein with a jammy egg or top with crispy tofu to keep things meat-free.

Hero Ingredient: The Good & Gather Green Goddess Dressing takes the cake here.

Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey-Shallot Vinaigrette

Why We Love It: This might just be one of my favorite recipes I’ve ever developed. It combines so many flavors, colors, and textures all in a single bowl. It’s light while still feeling satisfying. The punchy, slightly sweet honey-shallot dressing sends it over the top.

Hero Ingredient: A pinch of chili flakes wraps your entire salad in the perfect amount of heat.

Cumin Chickpea Salad with Mint Chutney

Why We Love It: Vegetarians are likely used to (and admittedly sick of), the fall-back of leaning on beans for protein. And while many restaurant or supermarket salads simply add beans straight from the can, when you’re cooking at home, you have more control over how you build flavor. Case in point, this chickpea salad. The chickpeas are cooked on the stovetop in a mix of ghee, salt, pepper, garam masala, and freshly ground cumin seeds. Expect a burst of flavor in every bite.

Hero Ingredient: A few chopped mint leaves infuse this salad with freshness.

Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Yogurt, Herbs, & Everything Spice

Why We Love It: I’ll take any excuse I can find to enjoy sweet potatoes for every meal. This crispy, roasted version is the perfect foundation for all your favorite flavor combos, whether you lean savory or sweet. They’re a staple in my dinner rotation: Quick and easy to make—they’re as delicious as they are healthy and loaded with nutrients.

Hero Ingredient: I’ll pick sweet potatoes every time.

Black Lentil Salad with Roasted Vegetables & Goat Cheese

Why We Love It: This unique salad is a rainbow of both bright and muted fall colors. I also love that it utilizes both roasted and fresh veggies. The carrots and Brussels sprouts get coated with a drizzle of olive oil and honey to play up their caramelized sweetness. Toss with sliced red onion and spicy arugula, and you have a dish that’s perfect for any table or appetite.

Hero Ingredient: Crumbled goat cheese adds a creamy element to the salad that’s not to be missed.

Whole Roasted Butternut Squash

Why We Love It: A surprisingly filling dish, it’s creamy, smoky, sweet, and filling enough to have as a whole meal and packs tons of flavor and texture thanks to the toppings. The best part? There’s no peeling the butternut squash. Chop, de-seed, and throw the whole thing in the oven. Brilliant.

Hero Ingredient: When warmer weather starts to find its way out, I want to consume butternut squash on a weekly basis. This dish gets me one step closer to meeting my quota.

Mango & Coconut Soba Noodle Salad

Why We Love It: The combo of mango and coconut may seem a bit out of the ordinary for a soba noodle salad, but believe me: you’re going to be hooked. These fresh, light, and beautiful flavors are too good to be true.

Hero Ingredient: The honey-lime Thai dressing is the perfect balance of sweet and lip-puckeringly sour.

Shredded Kale & Cranberry Salad with Crispy Tofu

Why We Love It: This salad has it all. It’s filling (not something you can say for all salads) and incredibly nourishing. It’s packed with protein, healthy fats, carbs, minerals, and vitamins. Plus, it looks great served at any gathering.

Hero Ingredient: The crispiest tofu takes this from being a potentially boring kale salad to the best. Ever.

Caramelized Onion and Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Why We Love It: This is such a fresh, healthy, and comforting high-protein vegetarian meal that will make even the pickiest meat-eaters obsessed. While stuffed portobello mushrooms have historically been known to lack flavor, these get the next-level treatment. Slowly-cooked caramelized onions and a sprinkling of parm and mozzarella is all it takes.

Hero Ingredient: A splash of vinegar added to your onions as they cook cuts the sweetness and brings a little acidity to the dish that’s wonderfully unexpected.

White Bean & Raddichio Salad

Why We Love It: Raddichio is a seriously underrated salad green. I love that it’s sturdy, colorful, and just a little bit bitter, making it ideal for tossing with creamy cannellini beans and Parmigiano Reggiano. Simple, tasty, and absolutely perfect.

Hero Ingredient: Cannellini beans bring protein to this salad party.

Flatbreads, Toasts, and Pizzas

Ricotta Toast with Honey and Pistachios

Why We Love It: I could eat ricotta on just about everything. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the addition of this light cheese has the potential to enhance the flavor of such a wide variety of recipes. As a huge fan of ricotta toast, this recipe always lingers in my mind in the AM when I’m looking for something a bit savory with a hint of sweet and salty.

Hero Ingredient: I’m truly a ricotta enthusiast to my core.

Hummus Bruschetta

Why We Love It: When you’re looking for a simple morning recipe to start your day on the right foot, this is the toast for you. Radhi Devlukia-Shetty nailed the perfect combination of fresh and nutritious ingredients, giving your body what it needs to start your day.

Hero Ingredient: Ever tried your hand at homemade hummus? You won’t regret it.

Vegan Flatbread with Roasted Carrot and Red Pepper Hummus

Why We Love It: My favorite high-protein vegetarian meals are those that let me clean out the fridge and use up my veggies before they go bad. And if they taste delicious and look gorgeous on the plate? Well, that’s just an added bonus. This stunner of a flatbread checks all the boxes on what makes an incredible vegetarian meal. Layers of creamy, vibrant hummus get topped with a few favorite veggies for crunch and texture. It doesn’t get better than that.

Hero Ingredient: When you find a hummus recipe that packs as many veggies as this one does and elevates it with gorgeous flavor, you bookmark it and vow never to let it go.

Healthy Flatbread Pizza with Eggplant and Ricotta

Why We Love It: I can practically smell these delicious veggies through the screen! Layers of eggplant and heirloom tomatoes melt into the ricotta-topped crust and are then topped with an absolutely stunning finish of fresh mint and toasted walnuts. Honey plus a sprinkle of flaky sea salt mark this pizza’s gorgeous closing act.

Hero Ingredient: I’ve loved ricotta for as long as I can remember. A spoonful of its creamy, slightly sweet flavor is pure joy.

Farinata with Caramelized Onions and Pesto

Why We Love It: Part pizza, part flatbread, and with all these veggies packed in, this farinata does it all. The chickpea flour flatbread is topped with jammy caramelized onions and an incredibly flavorful hazelnut-arugula pesto. It’s divine.

Hero Ingredient: Caramelized onions are the elusive, humble, and wonderfully sweet addition that makes any dish or recipe a million times more delicious.

Vegan Pesto

Why We Love It: Though I love a parmesan-flecked pesto, I’ve found myself craving something a little lighter. Good news: Not only is this spin packed with flavor and will prevent a post-pasta nap, but it also boasts an impressive amount of protein. Thanks to the blending of hemp seeds, pine nuts, and nutritional yeast, this is a pesto recipe that’s sure to satisfy.

Hero Ingredient: Nutritional yeast is every vegan’s go-to for packing a recipe with tons of dairy-free, cheesy flavor.

Scrambled Egg and Mushroom Toast

Why We Love It: An egg-and-mushroom toast might not seem like much, but when you give time, attention, and care to each of the individual components of this dish, magic is sure to ensue. And though we’d gladly enjoy a slice for brunch, it’s an ideal breakfast-for-dinner solution that’s a dream for weeknights.

Hero Ingredient: Good, crusty sourdough bread is your best option for topping. Otherwise, spring for your favorite loaf—just be sure you’re reaching for the freshest you can find.

Yogurt Toast with Peanut Butter and Banana

Why We Love It: While a variety of different toasts are trending, this pared-back version still has my heart. A thick, full-fat yogurt makes the topping taste almost custard-like. In many ways, it’s akin to eating a healthier cake for breakfast—with the best frosting to boot.

Hero Ingredient: A drizzle of slightly warmed peanut butter is always a winner.

Soups

Vegetarian Lentil Chili

Why We Love It: I love a good classic Texas chili recipe, but I’m not always craving something packed with multiple forms of red meat, especially during the warmer months. Luckily, this recipe is the perfect solution for getting in your chili fix while keeping things lighter. Not to mention, the flavor is incredible, with a kick from sliced jalapeños and a tasty blend of spices.

Hero Ingredient: Freshly ground cumin and coriander are the key.

Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

Why We Love It: This vegetarian and gluten-free recipe can be easily reheated, is packed with nutrients, fits a variety of dietary needs, and, most importantly, is incredibly delicious.

Hero Ingredient: Beans, beans, the magical fruit…

Coconut Curry Red Lentil Soup

Why We Love It: When all you desire is snuggling up on the couch with a hearty bowl of soup, this recipe has you covered. It’s more than enough to fill you up, thanks to the protein-packed lentils. Oh, and it tastes delicious!

Hero Ingredient: The kale and carrots. They keep this soup feeling like soup (and not like a big bowl of lentils).

Main Dishes

Spicy Turkish Eggs

Why We Love It: It’s hard to pin down the highlight of this dish. What I like the most? You can enjoy these eggs for just about every meal. Also known as Çilbir, this dish crafts the perfect blend of savory with eggs and Greek yogurt and spicy with a touch of chili oil for a simple yet luxurious meal.

Hero Ingredient: Serving with good quality crusty bread is mandatory.

Asparagus, Potato, and Goat Cheese Frittata

Why We Love It: Frittatas have forever ruined omelets for me—I’m officially a convert. Not only are they more attractive visually, but there’s something about the ratio of flavors that’s distributed perfectly across your dish.

Hero Ingredient: Goat cheese is always a hero ingredient.

Kitchari

Why We Love It: Apart from kitchari being a stunner of a dish, its blend of warming spices will, without fail, cure what ails you. And as our food editor Suruchi writes, it’s a “bowl that feels like a blanket.” I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly what my cozy season self craves.

Hero Ingredient: A couple of tablespoons of ghee gives this virtuous dish the slightest inkling of indulgence.

Crispy Roasted Butternut Squash and Quinoa with Currant Vinaigrette

Why We Love It: This loaded quinoa bowl takes roasted butternut squash to the next level. Our go-to tip for making your squash super crispy? Arrange it in a single, even layer on the sheet pan. If you crowd the pan, your squash will steam instead of roast. It’s the key to making this dish a weeknight showstopper.

Hero Ingredient: Don’t knock currants until you’ve tried them. They’re bright, slightly sour, and will make your mouth pucker—the perfect balance to the sweet squash.

Creamy Vegan Pasta with Tomatoes and Basil

Why We Love It: This pasta is delicious, healthy, and can be easily whipped up in only 15 minutes, saving you any dinnertime stress. What’s more, the creamy walnut sauce can be made and stored in the fridge for up to two weeks, so you’ll always have a tasty option on hand.

Hero Ingredient: There’s nothing quite like the sweet burst of cherry tomatoes cooked on the stovetop.

Pappardelle With Shiitakes, Kale, & Jammy Leeks

Why We Love It: When was the last time you had a truly delicious leek dish? You need to put this one on your list ASAP because it is elite. Nothing beats a high-protein vegetarian meal that includes pasta.

Hero Ingredient: And while leeks are an attention-grabber, it’s the thick, chewy strands of pappardelle that have my heart.

Spicy Peanut Brussels Sprout Tacos

Why We Love It: The Brussels sprouts are the dish’s main focus, coated in a delicious mix of spices and sweetness. A drizzle or two of the peanut sauce, and you’ll be coming back for seconds—maybe even thirds.

Hero Ingredient: Roasted Brussels sprouts elevate these warming, wholesome tacos into an elegant and delicious meal.

Rainbow Grain Bowls

Why We Love It: Fresh, crunchy vegetables, protein-packed maple-tamari tofu, nutty freekeh, and a seriously yummy maple-harissa dressing. These grain bowls epitomize eating the rainbow and are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Hero Ingredient: With so many colorful veggies and components to choose from, naming these bowls’ hero ingredient is a tall order. But I’ll opt for the avocado because nothing matches its addictingly creamy mouthfeel.

Quinoa Bowl With Harissa Roasted Veggies, Avocado, & Fried Egg

Why We Love It: This dish is easy to prep in advance, so you don’t have to worry about throwing it together during a chaotic dinner hour. And isn’t it gorgeous? You’ll be shocked at how filling this vitamin-packed bowl is. It’s as satisfying as it is a breeze to make.

Hero Ingredient: I’m always sliding fried eggs onto my favorite grain and veggies bowls. It’s the secret to keeping things super satisfying.

Sweet Potato Falafel Veggie Burgers

Why We Love It: These homemade, veggie-packed falafel burgers combine so much texture, flavor, and spice for a truly luscious, filling, colorful, and fun dinner. Add a side of sweet potato fries, and you have a real treat.

Hero Ingredient: Panko breadcrumbs add structure and texture to your veggie burger, mimicking meat versions perfectly.

Spring Onion and Goat Cheese Quiche

Why We Love It: This easy stunner of a quiche is the perfect foundational recipe for any and all of your favorite veggies. I love that it wraps nutrient-dense ingredients in parmesan, eggs, milk, and a crispy crust to help you enjoy its vibrant flavor and appeal all the more. While you might already have your favorite, tried-and-true quiche recipe, I encourage you to give this one a spin.

Hero Ingredient: Crumbled goat cheese delivers just the right amount of salty tang.

The post 32 Vegetarian Dinners That Are Packed With Protein appeared first on Camille Styles.

The Best Summer Cocktails to Try This Season

So what makes the best summer cocktails? Typically, the spirits are light and bubbly and often complemented with fresh fruit or citrus. The goal is to create a drink that’s easy to sip and can hold its own against the summer heat.

There’s something for everyone on this list—stronger sips with a tequila or vodka base and wine-based options complemented with a fruit liqueur. Whichever path you choose to take on your summer cocktail journey, we’ve got you covered.

Spicy Mezcal Paloma

Why We Love It: Dare I say, this might just be the best summer cocktail of this year. I recently had my first sip of mezcal at a SXSW event here in Austin, and I was changed for the better. As I was warned by my company, it’s an acquired taste. Nevertheless, this Paloma’s kick of heat and smoky flavor is sure to win you over.

Hero Ingredients: Instead of agave or a sweetener, Camille’s hack of adding a bit of honey works like a charm.

Limoncello Spritz

Why We Love It: If you spend your summer days dreaming of the Italian coast, try your hand at crafting this simple and elegant limoncello spritz. With bubbly prosecco, fresh lemon and mint, and, of course, your tangy and sweet limoncello, you’ll be on your way to la dolce vita in no time.

Hero Ingredients: It’s almost a requirement to add a lemon garnish to your glass.

Lillet Spritz

Why We Love It: In my opinion, the Aperol spritz craze fully deserved the hype. Not to mention, any spritz-based drink is exactly what I gravitate toward during the warmer months. For all the Francophiles out there, our managing editor, Isabelle, crafted the perfect drink that features a sweet and fruity Lillet Rosé. 

Hero Ingredients: Throw in some fresh citrus slices to spruce up this spritz!

Spicy Margarita

Why We Love It: Before I considered myself a Texas girl, I had yet to understand the desire to add an extra kick of heat to my food. However, I’ve since changed my ways and am now obsessed with adding spice any way I can—including in my favorite drinks. With a tajín rim and sliced chili peppers, this spicy recipe is just what you need for sipping poolside.

Hero Ingredients: Orange juice makes a sweet addition to your typical margarita recipe.

Watermelon Mint Margarita

Why We Love It: Frozen cocktails have a special place in my heart. Although they’re not my go-to drink order, there’s something about a slushy-like bev that instantly boosts my mood. In honor of summer’s most beloved fruit, this margarita uses fresh watermelon to curate one of the most refreshing cocktails I’ve ever tasted.

Hero Ingredients: Fresh mint is the perfect complement to watermelon.

Pricky Pear Margarita

Why We Love It: Whenever I find a menu featuring a prickly pear drink, I’m immediately intrigued but also skeptical. What I love about this particular recipe is that it doesn’t go overboard on the sugary taste that prickly pear drinks can sometimes have. It boasts a well-balanced flavor with freshly squeezed lime juice and tequila of your choice.

Hero Ingredients: Not to contradict my previous statements, but I actually prefer a sugar rim on this particular drink.

La Grande Plage

Why We Love It: I’ll turn to this French-inspired spritz after a day at the beach or while lounging by the pool. It’s classy and light, and it gives off the best coastal summer vibes in every sip. The secret ingredient? A bit of Angostura bitters for a herby, spiced flavor.

Hero Ingredients: This recipe shines thanks to a dry sparkling wine.

Classic Margarita

Why We Love It: Here in Texas, everyone has their own margarita recipe that they claim is the real deal. Call me biased, but after taste-testing hundreds of drinks around the state, Camille’s marg recipe is one of the best. You’ll want to break out your good tequila for this recipe—you won’t regret it.

Hero Ingredients: I always opt for Cointreau over triple sec for my margs.

Salty Dog Cocktail

Why We Love It: For a simple and crowd-pleasing cocktail, this grapefruit juice and vodka combo is always my go-to. This variation of a classic greyhound cocktail can be crafted to each set of tastebuds by kicking it up a notch with a bit more vodka or adding in a bit more sparkling water to mellow things out.

Hero Ingredients: The salted rim is the cherry on top of this cocktail.

Mint Julep Cocktail

Why We Love It: A pet peeve of mine is sitting down at a bar or restaurant that’s fresh out of mint. As a big fan of this fresh herb, it’s one of my favorite ingredients to add to my at-home cocktails, particularly this recipe. With a touch of oaky and bold bourbon and a dash of honey, this four-ingredient recipe is one I can enjoy year-round.

Hero Ingredients: Opting for honey in place of simple syrup is a simple way to elevate this cocktail.

Elderberry Spring Cocktail

Why We Love It: St. Germain has always been one of my go-to liqueurs when I’m craving something sweet, slightly floral, and not too heavy. This cocktail—garnished with chamomile flowers and a spring of mint—is the perfect blend of sweet and citrusy flavors with a bubbly touch.

Hero Ingredients: Lemon juice is always a great addition to elderberry-based drinks.

Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

Why We Love It: The best summer cocktails are ones that pull out all the stops. For this drink, simply shake all your ingredients and add them back into your watermelon ball. It’s that easy to craft a low-maintenance, crowd-pleasing cocktail.

Hero Ingredients: While you can technically do without the fresh watermelon here, I consider it a non-negotiable in your ingredient list.

The Sea Bird

Why We Love It: This tropical, vacation-inspired summer cocktail combines fresh juices. Jennifer Fiedler shares tips from her book The Essential Bar Book, such as adding Aperol and using a good aged rum to create one of the best summer cocktails we’ve ever sipped.

Hero Ingredients: Add a skewer with fresh pineapple to really finish off this stunning drink.

Kombucha Cocktails

Why We Love It: I’ve been addicted to kombucha’s probiotic power since my very first sip. The great thing about this health-forward beverage is that it can be paired with just about any liquor of choice, allowing you to craft the best summer cocktails with a fruity and bubbly base.

Hero Ingredients: Whether you brew your kombucha at home or buy it store-bought, you’ll need it on hand for this delicious experience.

The post 14 Summer Cocktails to Make Before Summer’s Over appeared first on Camille Styles.

To help you make your snacks for dinner menu happen, I teamed up with Target to share my go-to recipes and serving tips for a crowd-pleasing summer meal. Using a variety of delicious, store-bought ingredients from Target’s Good & Gather line, it’s easy to put together a spread that looks and tastes amazing.

Women’s Short Sleeve Denim Romper – Universal Thread Olive Green

$36 at Target

Oversized Carved Wood Tray – Hearth & Hand with Magnolia

$39.99 at Target

Snacks for Dinner Is the No-Cook Summer Cooking Strategy You Need

Why do I love a Snacks for Dinner-style meal so much? Besides being a breeze to throw together, there’s something so elegant about bringing a bunch of simple dishes to the table and having your guests graze as they please. It feels distinctly European, leaning on the flavors of the season and incorporating a variety of textures, flavors, and colors into a single meal. And when served on gorgeous, rustic platters and with tableware that elevates the experience, well—there’s nothing better.

Ahead, discover the Snacks for Dinner menu that my family’s been loving this summer, all made with Good & Gather ingredients. Enjoy it wherever you’d like, but I can guarantee that I’ll be soaking up the sun—and all these delicious flavors—right next to a cool body of water.

4pk Cotton Slub with Tassel Trim Tied Fringe Napkin Light Beige – Threshold

$10 at Target

8″ Stoneware Salad Plate – Hearth & Hand with Magnolia

$19.99 at Target

My Snacks for Dinner Formula

Crafting a Snacks for Dinner menu is simple. Whip up a toast, curate a grazing board, toss a salad together, and don’t forget a standout sweet. The core concept is artfully arranging delicious, store-bought ingredients that can be quickly assembled. It’s also a great way to get everyone involved. When I’m having people over, guests can help with assembling, turning it into a fun group activity.

And while this formula is already foolproof, I love strategically cutting corners by leaning on elevated store-bought ingredients. For this, no one does it better than Target’s Good & Gather line of trusted staples and delicious picks. (Hello, manchego cheese, roasted garlic hummus, and so much more.)

From an Instagram-worthy grazing board to a fresh and bright citrus salad to the ice cream sandwiches I can’t stop snacking on, read on for my summer Snacks for Dinner menu.

Large Double Handle Wood Serve Board – Hearth & Hand with Magnolia

$29.99 at Target

2pk Stainless Steel Cheese Knives – Threshold

$7 at Target

Grazing Board with Salami, Manchego, Pistachios, Crackers, Fruit, & Olives

I always rely on a grazing board to put a variety of seasonal ingredients and snacks front and center. And while it’s so easy to assemble, a grazing board requires a little thoughtful planning in advance to ensure you’re striking the right balance of textures and taste. (As much as I love olives, I need something to cut their strong, briny flavor.) Here’s how I make it happen.

Use a big board. Visual presentation is just as important as your grazing board’s edible components. I opt for a board that’s large enough to feel abundant. This wood serving board lets me pile on my ingredients with abandon, creating a truly stunning scene. I also love the double handle design, making it easy to transfer this board from the kitchen to the table.

Start with the cheese. I like to ground my board with a special, standout cheese. Here, I selected Good & Gather’s manchego cheese that’s been aged for six months. It’s nutty and salty, with the perfect tangy punch to hold its own against your board’s other ingredients.

Add cured meat. You want your board to feel hearty and plentiful. Layering slices of your favorite cured meat—I went with salami here—ensures that your guests will get their fill.

Contrast sweet and savory. Adding fresh fruits—strawberry slices, bunches of grapes, and blackberries—not only gives your board gorgeous color, but they’re also a tasty foil for the board’s salty ingredients.

Elevate with herbs. I sprinkled a few sprigs of fresh herbs from my garden to both bring more flavor to my board and infuse it with as much flavor as possible. Anything from thyme to rosemary to even edible flowers works beautifully.

Finish with some crunch. Crackers or bread (or both!) let guests layer on their desired ingredients into one bite. And while it’s easy to overlook the vehicle for all this deliciousness, I opted for flatbread crackers baked with everything seasoning to make sure this board packs as much flavor as possible.

11″x16″ Wood Cutting & Serve Board Brown – Hearth & Hand with Magnolia

$15.99 at Target

Melamine Serving Platter Set Ivory – Threshold

$10 at Target

New York Shuk Za’atar Spice

$8.99 at Target

Hummus Toast with Tomatoes, Feta, & Za’atar

IYKYK: toast has had a major PR upgrade in recent years, and now it’s everyone’s favorite way to pack plenty of color, flavor, and nourishing ingredients into a single, handheld bite. This toast couldn’t be easier, but the final result is so elevated. I simply layer a thick spread of roasted garlic hummus (why make your own when store-bought is so good?) over my favorite rustic sourdough loaf. From there, arrange a medley of sliced tomatoes. Heirloom, cherry, and grape tomatoes in an array of colors make for such a pretty presentation. After that, a little crumble of salty feta and plucks of fresh basil are the perfect finishing toppers. A little drizzle of EVOO and you’re good to go.

12″ Stoneware Round Serving Platter Cream – Threshold designed with Studio McGee

$18 at Target

20pc Stainless Steel Burlington Silverware Set – Threshold

$40 at Target

Citrus Salad with Almonds & Herbs

We’ve collectively expanded our idea of what constitutes a salad, and I’m obsessed with all the innovative recipes flooding the internet. My favorite take? This simple citrus salad. It calls for only five ingredients and the presentation couldn’t be prettier. Once you’ve mastered the art of slicing your citrus (a sharp knife is key), all that’s left is to toss on Marcona almonds, shaved red onion, and fresh herbs. As always, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper to finish. Oh, and documentation—trust: everyone will be asking for the recipe.

Ribbed Glass Pitcher Clear – Threshold

$20 at Target

4pc Glass Drinkware Set Green – Threshold designed with Studio McGee

$16 at Target

Natural Woven Bottle Carrier – Hearth & Hand with Magnolia

$9.99 at Target

Citrus Water & Rosé

With a pared-back, but still special summer menu, I like to streamline my drink options. I always serve at least two drinks: a few bottles of my favorite rosé and a refreshing, non-alcoholic sipper. For me, rosé is synonymous with al fresco dinners that linger late into the evening. I like bottles that are crisp and clean with a refreshing finish.

I also included citrus water in this menu. Simply infuse a pitcher of water with citrus slices—oranges, grapefruits, anything goes!—and a few sprigs of fresh mint. It’s a step up from just sipping on a glass of water and complements this meal beautifully. Set out and serve your drinks in goblets to bring a relaxed, organic vibe to the table.

Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Sandwiches 20oz/4ct – Favorite Day

$4.99 at Target

5″x9″ Nonstick Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan – Figmint

$8 at Target

Parchment Paper Roll – 50 sq ft – up & up

$3.19 at Target

Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Sandwiches

If you’re team dessert-is-the-best-part-of-any-meal, I’ve got you. Sure, I love baking up a sweet treat, but in the summer when I can’t be bothered to use the oven, I turn to easy, store-bought options. These cookies and cream sandwiches are a step up from the ice cream novelties of yore while still retaining all the fun and whimsy of eating ice cream as a kid. To make the end of your meal feel a little more elevated, I like to take the sandwiches out of the packaging and serve between strips of parchment paper. Who could say no?

For more of my entertaining, food, decor, and fashion faves, explore and shop my Target storefront.

This blog post is sponsored by Target and contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue providing helpful content.

The post It’s “Snacks for Dinner” Season—Get the No-Cook Menu I’m Making All Summer appeared first on Camille Styles.

The Best Fruit Desserts to Make Right Now

Now I know what you’re thinking, and no—fruit desserts aren’t just a couple of strawberries plopped on a piece of vanilla cake. These desserts are the real deal. While this list contains plenty of quick and easy options, these are fruit desserts that will leave your dinner guests begging for the recipe. If you’re ready for a lighter, indulgent experience, look no further than these 29 fruit desserts.

Cake Fruit Desserts

Strawberry Cake with Mascarpone Cream

Why We Love It: Contrary to popular belief, strawberries aren’t in season during the peak summer heat. Nevertheless, they make for a stunning addition to fruit desserts any time of the year. The tart and sweet fruit is the star of this cake, accented with creamy mascarpone and fluffy angel food cake.

Hero Ingredient: I’ll find a way to eat these macerated strawberries on everything.

Grain-Free Lemon Raspberry Cake

Why We Love It: As we all know, good gluten-free desserts are hard to come by. Luckily, we have a plethora of options when it comes to keeping things GF, including this cake with fresh lemon zest and frozen raspberries. This cake’s incredible texture is brought to you by whole milk ricotta, keeping this sponge light, moist, and rich.

Hero Ingredient: Sliced almonds are the perfect crunchy topping for this flavorful cake.

No-Bake Lemon Icebox Cake

Why We Love It: No-bake desserts are a go-to for several reasons. Sometimes, they’re the quicker and more convenient option when my schedule is jam-packed. At other times, it’s just too hot outside to bake at all! Light and tangy with citrus and a whipped cream frosting, there’s nothing not to love about this lemon icebox cake.

Hero Ingredient: Orange zest allows the fruity flavors to come through in this soft and sweet cake.

Gluten-Free Citrus Cake with Strawberries and Cardamom Coconut Cream

Why We Love It: When I said we had an abundance of gluten-free desserts here at Camille Styles, I meant it. Topped with freshly sliced strawberries and a to-die-for spiced cardamom coconut cream, this cake is perfect for keeping things GF while still bringing great flavors to the table.

Hero Ingredient: Alison Carroll recommends massaging your sugar and citrus zest together for a sweet and colorful burst of flavor.

Blueberry Almond Coffee Cake

Why We Love It: Coffee cakes have so much going for them. As a bit of a coffee fanatic, I love any opportunity to construct a dessert that pairs perfectly with my morning (or afternoon) brew. The nuttiness from the almond extract and the walnuts in the streusel act as the perfect base for the addition of fresh blueberries.

Hero Ingredient: Definitely don’t miss out on the brown sugar streusel to top this coffee cake.

Citrus Upside Down Cake

Why We Love It: I strive to curate a dessert that’s stunning enough to be the centerpiece of any dinner table, and this upside-down cake topped with vibrantly colored citrus does just that. While the typical upside-down cake can be intimidating for beginner bakers—never fear. This recipe uses parchment paper as the secret hack for a non-stick baking process.

Hero Ingredient: Buttermilk helps this cake stay moist and fluffy.

Cobbler and Pie Fruit Desserts

Cherry-Berry Ice Cream Pie

Why We Love It: Ice cream and fresh fruit are a pairing unlike any other in the realm of fruit desserts. It’s an easy way to make your post-dinner bite refreshing, while still being sweet and satisfying. This ice cream pie with cherries and berries is perfect for serving summer crowds, and it gets bonus points for only requiring five ingredients.

Hero Ingredient: A graham cracker crust is a must.

Peach Tarte Tatin

Why We Love It: This summer, I’ve been obsessed with Claire Ptak’s take on the classic apple tarte tatin. In her version, she uses in-season fresh peaches alongside a light and fluffy puff pastry (store-bought or homemade). With a peach leaf custard accented with nutty almond flavors, this fruit dessert is simply a gem.

Hero Ingredient: Picking ripe, yet firm peaches is key for the best tarte tatin.

Pluot Galette

Why We Love It: When I first discovered this recipe, brought to us by Camilla Marcus, I was stunned by all of the savory and tart flavors that pluots could bring to a dessert. It’s the perfect sweet for when you want something without a thick pastry dough. To prevent your delicate galette from becoming soggy, brush the interior with egg whites before adding your filling.

Hero Ingredient: Crème fraiche to top is the perfect addition.

Raspberry Mascarpone Tartlets

Why We Love It: If tarts are more your style, these tartlets may be the perfect dessert for you. They require a bit of attention and care, but the end result is worth the effort. You can whip and chill your mascarpone in advance to save time, making day-of assembly less of a hassle.

Hero Ingredient: This recipe’s pistachio praline is top-notch.

Walnut and Honey Olive Oil Cake

Why We Love It: If you’ve never tried an olive oil cake, now is your chance to indulge in this rich and decadent dessert. The olive oil flavor you’d expect isn’t the highlight of this dessert—it simply helps to keep this cake moist while other flavors shine through.

Hero Ingredient: Candied citrus of any variety is an automatic yes for me.

Rhubarb Meringue Cake

Why We Love It: This fruit dessert highlights one of the most unique and underrated seasonal fruits—rhubarb! This elegant treat is the perfect combination of moist cake, vibrant rhubarb filling, and a range of textures that transport you to a sunny day with every bite.

Hero Ingredient: Rhubarb, duh!

Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake

Why We Love It: With the perfect flaky biscuits that rival your typical wheat-based shortcake, these strawberry shortcakes are layered with fresh, juicy strawberries and whipped cream. It’s the perfect twist on a classic summer dessert that keeps things both delicious and gluten-free.

Hero Ingredient: A high-quality GF flour can take your shortcake to the next level.

Mango Cardamom Icebox Cake

Why We Love It: Our food editor, Suruchi, absolutely nailed the perfect no-bake summer dessert with this mango icebox cake. With a pistachio crumble and fruit-filled layers, it’s a balanced treat with plenty of sweet, salty, and savory to go around.

Hero Ingredient: I would eat this cardamom cream on every dessert.

Easier Than Pie Warm Apple Tart

Why We Love It: This warm apple tart is a perfect blend of comforting flavors that create a show-stopping appearance. It’s a classic dessert that’s typically enjoyed warm—perfect for settling down indoors after a day in the sun.

Hero Ingredient: A sprinkle of cinnamon goes well with the tart apple flavor.

Apple Ginger Pie

Why We Love It: Just because this pie recipe is perfectly fitting for the fall months doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed year-round. For this particular pie, feel free to opt for a store-bought pie crust to save a bit of time, but for the best results, try blind-baking your crust with the filling to avoid a soggy base.

Hero Ingredient: Minced ginger is the unexpected (and highly underrated) complement to this classic dessert.

Healthy Fruit Desserts

Summer Fruit Salad

Why We Love It: Now I know this fruit dessert might not fit the image you have of a typical fruit salad—trust me when I say that this recipe is ten times better. With a simple, low-effort meringue and a hint of citrus, these personal fruit salads are easy to assemble and serve, and even easier to enjoy.

Hero Ingredient: Honey and fruit are one of my top flavor pairings.

Bendita Entre los Melones

Why We Love It: This recipe is the real deal when it comes to an easy and simple fruit dessert. In her new cookbook Le Sud, Rebekah Peppler shares this simple melon recipe, which only requires one Charentais melon, your sweet wine of choice, and flaky sea salt.

Hero Ingredient: While you can make do with a canteloupe, Peppler recommends the Charentais melon due to its intense aroma.

Healthy Apple Crumble

Why We Love It: This apple crumble is a fruit dessert that can be enjoyed for practically every meal. If you’re craving fall flavors, look no further. The combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves will leave you wishing for autumn leaves and a warm chai latte.

Hero Ingredient: Coconut sugar sweetens this crumble topping without overwhelming your taste buds.

Easy Grilled Peaches

Why We Love It: If you haven’t tried grilling your fruit, you’re totally missing out on a delicious way to enjoy your desserts. Drizzle these peaches with a bit of honey (and maybe a bit of vanilla ice cream) for a simple and satisfying treat.

Hero Ingredient: Brushing your peaches with olive oil keeps them from sticking to your grill.

Mango Lassi Popsicles

Why We Love It: Who doesn’t love a popsicle for dessert? With no kitchen cleanup, these mango lassi pops are perfect for warm weather. They’re made from coconut milk or milk powder, cubed mango, yogurt, and a variety of warm spices.

Hero Ingredient: Garnish with melted white chocolate for a stunning presentation.

More Fruit Desserts You’ll Love

Citrus Olive Oil Muffins

Why We Love It: While these muffins aren’t technically a fruit dessert, they definitely have fruit-based elements thanks to the citrus zest and juice used in their batter. Greek yogurt and any plant-based milk of choice add moisture and flavors that pair well with all the citrus zest.

Hero Ingredient: Edible flowers are the real highlight of these muffins. You can often find them at your local farmer’s market or specialty grocer.

Summer Fruit Fools

Why We Love It: Any recipe with only four ingredients captures my attention. These fruit fools keep it simple, using only berries and cream to layer together a time-saving fruit dessert.

Hero Ingredient: Whether thawed or frozen, a variety of berries is a necessity.

Easy Blackberry Cobbler

Why We Love It: Maybe it’s a Southern tradition, but I can’t remember a family gathering without a homemade blackberry cobbler. While crumbling sweet streusel isn’t a requirement for this recipe, I think it has the potential to bring this traditional dish to the next level with an extra touch of texture to the topping.

Hero Ingredient: An ice cream or whipped cream topping is practically a requirement.

Raspberry Tiramisu

Why We Love It: This raspberry tiramisu is arguably one of our best recipes here at Camille Styles, and it undoubtedly deserves the hype. This no-cook dessert uses raspberry liqueur—in addition to actual raspberries—to contrast the rich chocolate and cream flavors.

Hero Ingredient: Vanilla bean seeds are a baking hack that I never knew I needed until I tried this recipe.

Pineapple Crumble with Black Pepper

Why We Love It: I love a fruit-filled crumble, and this pineapple version is no exception. For both the pepper and cardamom that are included, freshly ground options are a must for the best flavor. The extra bit of effort is totally worth it in the end.

Hero Ingredient: Don’t knock a pineapple dessert until you try it.

Almond Blackberry Cream Pavlova

Why We Love It: If you’re not familiar with pavlova, it’s a simple meringue-based dessert with Australian origins that almost resembles a cake-like structure. In this almond and blackberry version, the tart berries plus the richness of the mascarpone cream are exactly what you need for an elevated and elegant fruit dessert.

Hero Ingredient: Mascarpone is the true hero.

Mango Curb and Rice Pudding Parfaits

Why We Love It: This fruit dessert gets points simply due to its beautiful assembly. However, just because its presentation is lovely doesn’t mean it lacks flavor. Filled with a blend of fruit and sweet rice pudding, it’s a smooth and creamy single-serving snack.

Hero Ingredient: Rosewater brings a herby and floral flavor into this simple dessert.

The post 29 Fruit Desserts That Prove: Chocolate Doesn’t Always Win appeared first on Camille Styles.

Costco has revolutionized how families shop, offering unbeatable prices on bulk purchases. While I still enjoy specialty stores for certain items (miss you, Trader Joe’s), Costco has become my go-to for household essentials, pantry staples, and family-sized portions of our favorite foods. And my favorite surprise: Costco is the absolute best place to shop if you’re in the market for snacks and staples that are high in quality protein.

The Best Things to Buy at Costco, According to a Frequent Shopper

From budget-friendly meat options to kid-approved snacks, our Costco shopping guide caters to both practical needs and occasional indulgences. Want to truly maximize your membership? Here’s my biggest pro tip: utilize same-day delivery through Costco’s partnership with Instacart. No extra fees, delivery is free, and it’s easy to shop online—a win-win.

Ahead, let’s explore the best things to buy at Costco that offer quality and savings in equal measure.

Keep in mind that stock changes and some items may or may not be available near you. But part of the fun is in the discovery! This list is frequently updated with new favorite finds.

Best Pantry Finds at Costco

Seven Sundays Real Cocoa Grain Free Cereal, $11.22 for 16 oz

Made with wholesome ingredients like sunflower seeds, coconut, and real cocoa, this cereal is grain-free, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened. Each serving is high in protein and fiber, providing long-lasting energy and satisfaction. It’s perfect if you’re following a paleo or keto diet, or for anyone looking to enjoy a tasty, healthy breakfast. Bonus: my kids love it (and the “chocolate milk” it leaves behind).

Organic Creamy Peanut Butter, $12.86 for 28-oz, 2-count

IYKYK. No peanut butter tastes better than this. It’s perfect for this peanut butter snack cake or adding to smoothies. Or scooping straight out of the jar.

Organic Chicken Stock, $11.69 for 32 fl oz, 6-count

Chicken stock is a pantry staple when it comes to sauces, pastas, soups, or even livening up rice. Kirkland’s Organic Chicken Stock is delicious on its own, so you know it’ll pump flavor into whatever you’re cooking. Plus, it’s made from simple ingredients—the same simple vegetables and spices I’d use if I were making stock at home.

Siete Almond Flour Tortillas, $14.79 for 20-count

If you’re lucky enough to be in LA, Austin, or Hawaii, you’ll find these stocked at your local Costco. They’re a personal favorite of mine. They’re great for quesadilla night or a simple lunchtime wrap. We’re obsessed with everything the famed Austin-based brand puts out. And while these tortillas taste purely authentic, they’re also friendly on your digestive system and keep you from feeling weighed down post-meal.

Dave’s Killer Bread Sprouted Whole Grains, $11.10 for 2 loaves, 48 oz

This bread is packed with organic whole grains and seeds, making it a nutritious and filling option for sandwiches and toast. It’s a perfect choice for those looking to add more fiber and protein to their diet.

Kodiak Pancake and Waffle Mix, $15.08 for 72 oz

A solid protein-fueled breakfast is essential for kids (and your) brain health going into a day of school or work. When eggs or yogurt just won’t do, this mix gets the job done. And you can make more than just waffles or pancakes—the muffins and breakfast cookies are perfect to whip up for on-the-go AM meals or quick snacks.

Kirkland Signature Bagels, $7.99 for 12-count

If you’re someone who loves venturing out for your weekend bagel and coffee, I totally feel you. It’s a little luxury that I could always do with more in my life. But if you’re looking for a quick-and-easy option—whose price you can’t beat—Costco reigns supreme. I love that the bagels are water-boiled, making each nice and chewy on the inside while the exterior gets a crispy, golden-brown texture. I’d even go as far to say that their plain bagel is a treat—but the parmesan is my true fave.

Healthy Snacks at Costco

Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers, $11.69 for 10 oz, 2-count2-Ply, 380 Sheets, 30 Rolls

You must always leave Costco with something crunchy and snacky in your cart. Simple Mills Almond Flour crackers are truly addicting and buying them in bulk is the most affordable way to go. These crackers pair well with cottage cheese for a healthy snack.

Trubar Protein Bars, $24.87 for 14-count

These protein bars are DECADENT and such a treat. Trubar is a woman-founded company and they knew what they were doing when they formulated protein bars that taste like cookie dough and donuts. Favorite Costco find of the year.

Humm Organic Probiotic Kombucha, $33.45 for 14-oz 12-count

Your favorite brands of kombucha in bulk? Yes, please! You can find Bend, Oregon-based Humm Organic Probiotic Kombucha on your local Costco shelves. Personally, even the Kirkland brand’s raw Ginger-Lemonade kombucha is a gut-friendly fave. Pro tip: Use it to make kombucha cocktails and thank me later.

Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water, $16.36 for 14-oz, 6-count

Named best overall in our coconut water taste test, Harmless Harvest is truly refreshing—and Costco sells them six in a box. Essential for summer hydration and so good in smoothies.

The Only Bean Crunchy Roasted Edamame Beans, $9.23 for 18 oz

These crunchy snacks are a great source of plant-based protein, perfect for on-the-go high-protein snacking or adding to salads for extra crunch and nutrition.

Chomps, $19.88 for 12 sticks

These meat sticks are another convenient high-protein snack, made from grass-fed beef and free from added sugars. They are perfect for a quick energy boost between meals.

Unreal Dark Chocolate Coconut Minis, $12.74 for 15.3 oz

These treats offer a healthier take on a classic candy bar, made with organic ingredients and less sugar. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth at the end of the day.

Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chips Individual Multipack, $16.66 for 14-count

These grain-free chips are perfect for a healthy snack, and the individual packs make them easy to take on the go. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, they are a great alternative to traditional tortilla chips.

Pure Organic Layered Fruit Bars, $15.37 for 28-count

These fruit bars are made with organic fruit and vegetables, providing a tasty and nutritious snack option for both kids and adults.

Meat & Fish from Costco

Kirkland Signature Pepperoni Pizza, $16.02 for 4-count

Costco has some delicious options for pizza, both frozen and already baked. It’s definitely a must-have that will please the whole family (and is a great option when you have zero dinner plans).

Wild Alaskan Salmon Burgers, $22.22 for 4-oz 12-count

If you’re looking for a protein-fueled lunch or a quick dinner idea, a single salmon burger packs a whopping 20 grams of protein.

Amylu Chicken Breakfast Links, $16.37 for 2.5 lbs

These chicken breakfast links are a high-protein, low-fat option for your morning meal. They are seasoned perfectly and cook up quickly, making them a great addition to your breakfast routine.

Teton Waters Ranch Polish Sausage, $19.88 for 12-count

These sausages are made from 100% grass-fed beef, free from hormones and antibiotics, and the perfect jumping-off point for a quick dinner. Grill with onions and peppers, slice and serve over pasta, roast on a sheet with veggies—I’ve done it all. Every time they’re easy and delicious.

Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna, $19.88 for 5 oz, 6-count

This tuna is sustainably caught and packed with protein, making it a nutritious and convenient option for meals and snacks—like this tuna avocado toast. The albacore tuna is pole and line caught, ensuring minimal environmental impact and maximum quality. Plus, it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, essential for heart and brain health.

Best Refrigerated & Frozen Grocery Items to Buy in Bulk

Au Pain Doré Frozen Butter Croissants, $17.99 for 30-count

For a fancier take on a morning pastry, stock up on some delicious, buttery croissants. They’re excellent from the bakery, but the Camille Styles team has even raved about our mutual love of the brand’s frozen croissants. While Costco’s in-house Kirkland brand offers them, my favorite are those from Au Pain Doré (a Montreal-based bakery). Hot tip: Bake yours in the air fryer and brush on a little egg wash before popping them in. You’ll get the perfect golden-brown croissant.

Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt, $17.54 for 8-count

This Icelandic-style yogurt is thick, creamy, and packed with protein. It’s a great choice for breakfast or a snack and can be topped with fruits, nuts, or granola.

Kirkland Grass-Fed Butter, $11.69 for 8 oz, 4-count

One of my favorite Costco deals, this butter is made from grass-fed cows, providing a richer flavor and higher nutrient content. It’s perfect for cooking, baking, and especially for spreading on sourdough toast.

Tillamook Medium Cheddar Slices, $12.27 for 52 slices, 2.5 lbs

These cheddar slices are rich and creamy, perfect for sandwiches, burgers, or snacking. My kids call it “flat cheese,” and they aren’t wrong. Whenever I want to give them an added protein boost, I pass them a slice.

Organic Valley Stringles, $11.45 for 24-count

These organic string cheese sticks are a fun and healthy snack for kids and adults alike. They are made with high-quality organic milk and are a good source of calcium and protein.

Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend, $12.86 for 4 lbs

This blend of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries is perfect for superfood smoothies, baking, or adding to yogurt. It’s a convenient way to keep a variety of berries on hand all year round.

Top Costco Deals on Household Essentials

Pendleton Blankets, $26.99

No matter what your vibe is at home, Pendleton blankets are the perfect way to cozy up your space. If you’re familiar with Pendleton, then you’ll be as blown away as I was to find it on sale at Costco. Perfect for you or as a gift.

Kirkland Toilet Paper, $23.39 for 30 Rolls

It’s not furniture, but it’s a household staple nonetheless. Arguably one of my favorite items to get at Costco is toilet paper in bulk. It usually lasts several months and yes, is unbelievably soft. If you were also traumatized by TP Gate 2020, you’ll never miss an opportunity to stock up at Costco.

Kirkland Signature Paper Towels, $23.39 for 12-count

… same goes for paper towels. When it comes to Costco, the brand excels in both the little things that make life a luxury (see Pendleton blanket and croissants above) as well as the staples every day requires.

Favorite Costco Beauty & Supplements

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, $37.43 for 32.56 oz

Maintaining a protein-heavy diet can be expensive. However, at Costco, you’ll find tons of affordable options for protein powder and pre-mixed shakes. Vital Proteins are one of my favorite clean protein options, and you can find almost any variety of the popular brand’s protein blends (from marine collagen to collagen peptides and its standard protein powders).

Kirkland Signature Vitamin C, $19.99 for 1000mg., 500 tablets

We all know well that once you enter the supplements game, things can start getting expensive, fast. But if you shop at Costco, don’t pass up the opportunity to get solid picks at a fraction of the price of other brands. I take this Vitamin C every day to keep my cells healthy and happy, and my body loves the results.

La Mer Skincare, Price Varies

Lastly, one of the most surprising brands I have found at Costco is La Mer. Think what you will of Kim K, but her skin is flawless—and La Mer skin cream is her fave. So, of course, I’m going to jump at the opportunity to buy it in bulk.

The post Shop Like a Pro—What to Buy at Costco That Actually Saves You Money appeared first on Camille Styles.

Pasta is a year-round staple in my kitchen. While I’ve never said no to a cheesy lasagna in the summer months, I tend to opt for summer pasta recipes with bright and light flavors, like citrus and olive oil. Pair with a protein to create a more filling bowl, or simply enjoy it as a complement to your entree. Whichever you choose, you’ll never say no to these summer pasta recipes.

15 Summer Pasta Recipes to Brighten Up Your Summer

In my moments of relaxation this summer, I’ve realized that with the passage of time (which seems to keep getting faster—it can’t just be me), when we’re not attuned to the things that make us happy, they start to pass us by. Which is definitely not the mantra of the summer. Instead, it’s much more enjoyable when we can recognize the things that make us tick and find ways to make them more present in our lives.

When we’re not attuned to the things that make us happy, they start to pass us by.

But what does this have to do with pasta, you might ask? I love cooking simple foods, celebrating the flavors of the season, and savoring moments of relaxation—all of which are best served alongside a delicious, lingering meal. These summer pasta recipes are perfect for enjoying the season’s sweet spontaneity and elevating the everyday. It’s time to let loose and enjoy. After all, that’s what summer is really about.

Lemony Spring Pasta Salad with Olives, Artichokes, and Bacon

Why We Love It: Lemon is the unsung flavor of the summer, and when I want to incorporate its zesty tang into a meal, this is the dish I turn to. There is so much to love about the crunchy arugula and bacon combo, which highlights the lemon’s sweet citrus flavor.

Hero Ingredient: Artichoke is a highly underrated and versatile ingredient.

Burst Tomato Pasta

Why We Love It: Tomato Girl Summer may be distinctly 2023-coded, but this recipe is forever. With only five ingredients, it’s beautiful in its elegant simplicity. This is always the dish I turn to when I have no idea what to make for a dinner party (and my guests are only minutes away). It’s truly a lifesaver and a pasta dish I’ll have on repeat throughout the summer and beyond.

Hero Ingredient: Sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, tomato paste… tomatoes, duh.

Green Sauce Pasta

Why We Love It: All the veggies your daily, nutritional needs ask for in one delicious dish? Sign me up. While I love a good salad, I’m also here for anything that masks spinach’s oftentimes bitter flavor with parmesan, olive oil, lemon, and butter. Once your kids get past the fact that this dish is a vibrant, verdant green, they’ll be obsessed with each silky, noodle-y bite.

Hero Ingredient: Keep piling on the grated parmesan, please.

Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Why We Love It: This pasta salad is vegan, full of veggies, and totally delicious. It’s the easiest way to get your daily dose of greens while enjoying a flavorful lunch or dinner that you’ll walk away from feeling refreshed. Sign me up.

Hero Ingredient: I’d be lying if I told you the green goddess dressing wasn’t the star of the show here, but I have to give props to the avocado. Creamy and undeniably swoon-worthy.

Creamy Lemon Pasta

Why We Love It: Creamy may not be at the top of your summer food vocabulary, but this pasta defies the rules and brings a fresh approach to indulgence. Yes, butter and cream are the foundation of its sauce (that’s seriously good enough to drink), but the addition of lemon lightens things up and makes it suitable for summer.

Hero Ingredient: A heavy hand is key when it comes to herbs and red pepper flakes.

Creamy Vegan Pasta With Tomatoes and Basil

Why We Love It: This recipe continues to find its way into my rotation, and I’m amazed by its flavor every time I make it. The walnut sauce is to die for, the just-burst tomatoes are unparalleled, and the whole dish comes together in about 15 minutes. Too good to be true? Make it for yourself and find out.

Hero Ingredient: Again, pile on those garnishes. It’s the lemon zest, basil, and red chili flakes that help make this pasta shine.

Rigatoni With Brussels Sprouts & Kale Pesto

Why We Love It: Packing in the greens, this kale pesto, Brussels sprouts-studded pasta is loaded with flavor and good-for-you ingredients. Think walnuts, olives, and lots of veggies. All coming together to deliver one heavenly-tasting pasta.

Hero Ingredient: Warning: You’ll want to drizzle that silky kale pesto over everything.

Spaghetti alla Nerano

Why We Love It: Thinly sliced, golden brown zucchini is the feature element in this dish that’s inspired by traditional Spaghetti alla Nerano. You’d never know that it only takes 15 minutes to throw together, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or impromptu gathering. And, with the abundance of zucchini this time of year, there’s no time like the present to whip up this simple but impressive dish.

Hero Ingredient: Basil, basil, and more basil.

Spaghetti With Garlicky Shrimp, Asparagus, & Tomatoes

Why We Love It: For a more substantial, protein-oriented pasta, look no further than this garlic shrimp spaghetti. It’s inspired by the Mediterranean diet and introduces several healthy veggies into the mix. Perfect for a satisfying summer lunch or dinner that will fill you up without weighing you down.

Hero Ingredient: Those tomatoes cook down beautifully and adopt an almost jammy consistency. Yum.

One-Pot Pasta Primavera With Summer Veggies & Ricotta

Why We Love It: More veggies! Seriously, I can’t get enough of these summer pasta recipes that celebrate the season’s produce. In this case, it’s all about asparagus, broccolini (a personal favorite), peas, and cherry tomatoes. They all come together to produce a positively palatable pasta primavera.

Hero Ingredient: Ricotta brings all kinds of creaminess to the table. (Or the noodle, rather.) It’s like a cheesy blanket that’s light enough to constitute a stunner of a summer pasta recipe.

Lemony Pasta Carbonara With Peas & Zucchini

Why We Love It: This carbonara is a little lighter than your traditional pancetta-laden dish, which we’re all about this time of year. Replacing salty meats with peas and zucchini, this creamy vegetarian version is best enjoyed al fresco.

Hero Ingredient: Peas, of course. It’s time these small-but-mighty superstars get the recognition they deserve.

Summer Pasta Salad

Why We Love It: Caramelized grilled veggies meet swirly pasta. This is the type of pasta salad you’ll want to have on hand all summer, and it’s a universal crowd-pleaser at barbecues. It’s also packed with protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats. A win on all fronts.

Hero Ingredient: Kalamata olives bring a briny, salty flavor that makes everything else pop.

Summer Spaghetti With Tomatoes, Burrata, & Basil

Why We Love It: Mega-creamy burrata lovingly coats each noodle to polish off a dish you’ll want for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Seriously. And if you think it sounds a little heavy for a summer evening, think again! The “sauce” is built from burst tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic. The largest bowl you have, please.

Hero Ingredient: With pasta as simple as this, make sure you’re using fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and good-quality olive oil. The proof is in the pudding—er, pasta.

One Pot Garlicky Mushroom Pasta With Sausage & Arugula

Why We Love It: I know what you’re thinking. Sausage doesn’t exactly scream “light” summer pasta. But I beg to differ—here’s why. This recipe only uses a small amount of Italian sausage to basically mimic a sausage and mushroom pizza (yum), and the sauce is only lemon zest and juice, arugula, parmesan, and a little butter. I’m declaring it “light” because you can eat it for lunch without dragging through the rest of your day or enjoy it at dinner without feeling overly full. No further questions, please.

Hero Ingredient: I’m always pro-mushroom. They’re so nutritious and endlessly delicious.

Summer Veggie Pasta Salad With Feta & Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Why We Love It: Too hot to properly enjoy a warm bowl of noodles? Not a problem. This summery pasta salad is laced with all kinds of veggies and herbs that are made even better by the miso tahini dressing that tops them. It’s healthy, balanced, and so easy to savor on even the hottest of summer days.

Hero Ingredient: A dose of salty feta in each bite really seals the deal. Feel free to pick out some cubes with your fingers. I know I will.

The post 15 Pasta Recipes That Give Italian Summer Vibes appeared first on Camille Styles.

Listening to your body is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Tired? Take a break. Stressed? Try saying “no” to what doesn’t serve you. Hungry? Eat something energizing, wholesome, and of course, delicious. I ensured that each recipe below checked off all three boxes. Because even on the busiest work days, we all deserve high-protein snack recipes to look forward to.

Featured image from our interview with Megan Roup by Michelle Nash.

Why We Should Prioritize Protein In Our Snacks

Contrary to popular belief, protein isn’t a one-and-done thing. That’s right—we need to be consuming protein consistently throughout the day to sustain energy, support muscle recovery, regulate hormones, and keep our blood sugar balanced. And when it comes to knowing how much protein we need, it’s different for everyone. The answer is nuanced. Factors such as age, gender, body composition, and activity level all come into play. We recommend speaking with your physician, dietitian, or a nutritionist for a personalized look into a protein plan that’s right for you.

Alongside quality sleep and regular exercise, protein can support women’s health in many ways. Consuming protein helps women build lean muscle mass, produce enzymes and hormones, and create a healthy environment for an embryo to grow. If you want to learn more about how protein supports women’s bodies specifically, our resident wellness expert, Edie Horstman, breaks down the importance of protein for women.

The Best Store-Bought High-Protein Snacks

Brekki Dark Chocolate Oats

I consider oats a perfect breakfast food. Full of fiber, high in protein, and endlessly customizable, they’re my ideal start to the day. Since discovering Brekki’s line of ready-to-eat oats packed with chia seeds, buckwheat, almonds, flaxseeds, and other nourishing ingredients, I’ve now added oats to my everyday, afternoon snacking habits. The amount of protein per serving varies among the different flavors, but I’m obsessed with these dark chocolate oats that pack eight grams in each indulgent bite.

Protein Per Serving: 8 grams

Brekki Dark Chocolate Oats

Prices vary at Whole Foods

24K Chicken Bone Broth Sachets

PSA: Bone broth is the sexy snack we should all be sipping on. (Vegetarians, this one’s for you.) Each sip soothes digestion while collagen supports healthy nails and glowing skin. Anti-inflammatory turmeric keeps your immunity strong while miso and a mirepoix give this broth a rich, savory flavor. I keep a sachet in my bag at all times for those moments when I need an energizing, hunger-beating boost.

Protein Per Serving: 12 grams

24K Chicken Bone Broth Sachets

$32.50 (reg. $35) at Kroma

Chomps Original Beef Sticks

Meat sticks are back—but these are a far cry from the Slim Jims of yore. Chomps are packed with smoky, bold flavor and free from fillers, allergens, and added sugars. Made with 100% grass-fed and finished beef, they’re a simple, satiating high-protein snack you can feel good about buying in bulk.

Protein Per Serving: 10 grams

Chomps Original Beef Sticks

$20.49 at Target

Justin’s Squeeze Pack Classic Almond Butter

Raise your hand in solidarity if you’ve also been known to dive into a jar of nut butter spoon first. Justin’s is for all the salty and sweet enthusiasts among us. These natural almond butter packets require zero stirring—and are perfect squeezed on apple slices or eaten all on their own.

Protein Per Serving: 6 grams

Justin’s Squeeze Pack Classic Almond Butter

$1.49 at Target

The Only Bean Crunchy Roasted Edamame Beans

Edamame is a powerhouse, plant-based protein source. If you love a little crunch, you’ll be obsessed with these beans’ salty, roasted flavor. They’re a great nut alternative if you’re getting tired of your afternoon almonds.

Protein Per Serving: 11 grams

The Only Bean Crunchy Roasted Edamame Beans

$15.90 (reg. $18.71) at The Only Bean

No Cow Protein Bar, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

We recently named these vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free bars as one of the very best protein bars. We’re obsessed with their soft chew, delicious flavor options, and the measly single gram of sugar they contain. (So many protein bars are packed with added sugars.) Oh, and they also boast 15 grams of fiber per serving. Does your protein bar do that?

Protein Per Serving: 20 grams

No Cow Protein Bar, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

$32.99 at Target

Perfect Bar Snack Size Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Protein Bars

For when you need a little treat to keep you going, Perfect Bar has you covered. This snack-sized version of the brand’s larger bars clocks in at 150 calories and five grams of protein—pairing your chocolate craving with hunger-satiating nutrients. Replace your go-to Reese’s with this little delight. You’ll be obsessed.

Protein Per Serving: 5 grams

Perfect Bar Snack Size Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Protein Bars

$8.99 at Target

13 High-Protein Snack Recipes That’ll Keep You Satisfied

After you’ve explored and educated yourself on protein’s importance, it’s time for the fun part: high-protein snack recipes! Read on for the recipes that keep us satiated throughout the afternoon and beyond! Get ready to kiss the 3 p.m. slump goodbye.

L. Reuteri Yogurt

Why We Love It: As a part of her gut-healing journey, Camille has been eating 1/2 cup of this homemade, probiotic-rich yogurt every day. She’s noticed not only a significant increase in energy thanks to the protein but also improved digestion and mood. Seriously, this yogurt works wonders in helping you reach higher levels of health and vibrancy.

Hero Ingredient: While it may sound complicated, there’s not a lot that goes into making homemade yogurt. Just three ingredients—whole milk, inulin powder, and a probiotic or reserved whey from a previous batch of yogurt—make the magic happen. Let’s give it up to this protein-packed, gut-healing trifecta.

Chocolate Banana Almond Butter Smoothie

Why We Love It: Though they’ve fallen out of favor on our Instagram feeds, I’m a forever smoothie stan. And while I’d encourage mindful eating above all else, smoothies are an easy solve for simultaneous sipping while you work away. Add to that the fact that you can blend up a bounty of good-for-you ingredients and well, everyone should believe in their magic. This chocolatey delicious drink, included.

Hero Ingredient: When it comes to this smoothie, there are countless superfoods to select from. But despite the limitless options, I’d have to go for the Greek yogurt. It’s my go-to when I’m looking for a rich, creamy texture and protein-packed deliciousness. For those who don’t do dairy, any high-protein alternative is great.

Strawberry Matcha Smoothie

Why We Love It: While most might knock a smoothie for leaving you hungry just a few hours later, this matcha-filled sipper is as satisfying as they come. Yogurt bulks it out with protein, matcha provides sustainable energy, and antioxidant-rich strawberries help regulate blood sugar. You’re welcome to add a scoop of protein powder to make this all the more filling.

Hero Ingredient: This smoothie is packed with so many powerhouse ingredients, but I’ll give it to the coconut milk that keeps this sipper super creamy and filled with healthy fats.

Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl

Why We Love It: Maybe I’m in the minority, but I’ve loved cottage cheese my whole life. Thankfully, everyone seems to understand the hype now with recipes spreading far and wide all over social media. While I’m obsessed with cottage cheese ice cream, banana bread, and using it to top my toast, I could truly eat this breakfast bowl every day. It’s slated for breakfast, but you have the freedom to fit the portion size to your afternoon appetite. Simply spoon some cottage cheese in a bowl and customize with your favorite toppings, or let the options here inspire you.

Hero Ingredient: Full of protein and able to lean savory or sweet, cottage cheese has rightfully earned it’s spot in the limelight.

Vanilla Chia Pudding With Chestnut Honey & Berries

Why We Love It: Contrary to popular belief, high-protein snack recipes don’t always have to be savory. And while I tend to reserve chia pudding for breakfast, it’s time I let it shine during other meals of the day. What can definitely be enjoyed as a snack can totally double as dessert. It’s light and literally zero effort. A magic pair.

Hero Ingredient: A little honey or maple syrup keeps things just sweet enough.

The Only Guacamole Recipe You Need

Why We Love It: Plenty of recipes claim to be the be-all and end-all of guacamole. But trust me, this perfectly creamy, perfectly spicy take is it. This recipe keeps things simple with a minimal mix of ingredients. Avocado (of course), plus a red onion and chile for heat. Add to that a few other choice components, and you have the easiest crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s perfect for any party. You’re also fully welcome to keep it all to yourself. I’ll definitely be doing the same.

Hero Ingredient: The lime juice cuts through and balances the richness of the avocados beautifully.

Ricotta with Pears and Honeyed Pistachios

Why We Love It: Sometimes, you just need a gorgeous, aesthetically pleasing snack to brighten up your afternoon. When that particular craving hits, this is always my go-to. It calls for only seven ingredients (counting the crusty bread) and couldn’t be simpler to whip up. As far as high-protein snack recipes go, this might just be the prettiest.

Hero Ingredient: Camille calls ricotta the “little black dress of your cheese drawer.” I couldn’t agree more.

Raspberry Cocoa Energy Balls

Why We Love It: As someone who always seems to be in motion, my favorite high-protein snack recipes are those that I can take with me on the go and pop in my mouth as I please. So it seemed like my snacking dreams had become a reality when I discovered these energy balls. The good news? They’re almost as simple to make as they are to eat. It’s your food processor that does all the work.

Hero Ingredient: Sticky and sweet, dates are my forever fave.

Avocado Toast with a Jammy Egg

Why We Love It: What at first might seem like an oversight on this writer’s part is actually the most genius trick in the game. A slice of avocado toast is a snack that’s sure to brighten anyone’s afternoon—and this one is made all the better (and boasts a boost of protein) thanks to the jammy egg. It defines deliciousness and can be jazzed up or made simpler thanks to its endless customizability.

Hero Ingredient: Is there anything more satisfying than popping open a perfect avocado?

Copycat Homemade Perfect Bars from Erin Lives Whole

Why We Love It: When Perfect Bars took the snack world by storm a few years ago, you can bet I was on board. While some (most?) protein bars at the time were full of sugar and impossible-to-pronounce ingredients, Perfect Bars decided to disrupt the snack game, packing 20+ superfoods into every single bar. And while I love their convenience, oftentimes, I’ll take the homemade route versus picking something off the supermarket shelves. These are easy to make and even easier to devour. You’ll have no problem making it through the rest of your work day with one of these on hand.

Hero Ingredient: Honey not only holds everything together, but it makes these Perfect Bars perfectly sweet.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies from Well Plated By Erin

Why We Love It: When it comes to cookies’ crave-worthiness and nutritional benefits, not all are created equal. Case in point, these PB and protein-packed delights. They’re budget-friendly and soft and chewy (hot take: all of the best cookies should be). Oh, and they only take one bowl to whip up. You’re welcome.

Hero Ingredient: The soft, chewy cookie I elaborated on above? You can thank the half-cup of creamy peanut butter for that.

Baked Egg Muffins from Eating Bird Food

Why We Love It: When recipes for egg muffins started making their way around the internet, those focused on getting their fill of protein first thing rejoiced. Well, I’m here to say that you have my full permission to enjoy these in the afternoon as well. Actually, scratch that—you don’t need anyone to tell you that you can munch on these whenever you want. They’re simple to prep and easy to pop in a glass container to take with you to work.

Hero Ingredient: I’m of the opinion that feta cheese is always a yes. It’s salty, it’s tangy, and it holds its own in these eggy bites.

Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie from Gwyneth Paltrow

Why We Love It: Whatever your stance on goop may be, it can’t be denied that Gwyneth’s got an enviable glow. Her secret to vibrant, healthy skin? This smoothie. Blueberries are the key to a clear complexion and the secret to making this smoothie a pretty purple delight.

Hero Ingredient: Protein-packed almond butter fills your cup with healthy fats.

The post Snacks Leave You Starving? These High-Protein Options Are Your 3 PM Cure appeared first on Camille Styles.

15 Summer Side Dishes Your Guests Will Devour

Whether you’re planning a beach picnic, backyard barbecue, or a casual get-together with friends on the patio, these summer side dishes are perfect no matter the occasion. Each recipe makes the most of all the fresh, seasonal ingredients at your fingertips. And what’s more, they celebrate the essence of summer—lending a burst of color and crisp flavor to your table. With your grocery list at the ready, let’s dive into all the best summer side dishes to accompany your summer feasts.

Spicy Watermelon Feta Salad

Why We Love It: When summer rolls around, I’m all about dishes that balance sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. Creating a recipe that hits this trifecta is hard—but this watermelon feta salad delivers. The feta’s rich, salty bite contrasts with the sweet, juicy watermelon. And the jalapeño’s punchy spice is all I need to confirm: this is the official side dish of the summer.

Hero Ingredient: Basil leaves might be my favorite summer ingredient. The aromatic herb enhances this salad’s overall flavor profile, tying all of its elements together.

Kale Pea & Ricotta Spread

Why We Love It: I’ve never met a spread I didn’t love—and proceeded to dive into, crudité-first. This spread is not only packed with fresh summer flavor (think: peas, garlic, lemon juice, and a little heat from the red pepper flakes), but it’s also a breeze to whip up. Pull out your food processor and you’re already halfway there.

Hero Ingredient: I love a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg sprinkled into my creamy dips. It’s warm, nutty, and—with a hint of clove and tobacco—adds a beautiful complexity to this simpler-than-it-seems summer side.

Bhutta Street Corn Guacamole

Why We Love It: It’s an unspoken rule: guacamole is a must on any summer table. And though people like to keep theirs simple, I’m here for this Indian-inspired spin. Corn (sliced freshly off the cob) is a summertime classic. When mixed with a vibrant medley of avocados, jalapeño, cilantro, and unexpected spices, you have a summer side that’s right at home alongside your favorite tacos, protein of choice, or with as many tortilla chips as you can manage.

Hero Ingredient: Chaat masala—end stop. It adds a complex blend of tart, spicy, salty, and tangy flavors that awards this dish the title of The Most Interesting Guacamole in the World.

Snap Pea Salad

Why We Love It: When the temps reach into the triple digits, the oven is off and we need sides that deliver all the fresh flavor. This snap pea salad satisfies with an addictively crunchy texture. The goat cheese and feta, plus the creamy white beans, keep things interesting and make this salad more satiating than your typical summer go-to.

Hero Ingredient: This mustard-y champagne vinaigrette has quickly become a staple drizzled atop all of my salads. You’ll love its sharp acidity and slightly sweet tang.

Crispy Torn Halloumi Salad

Why We Love It: When you want a summer side that leans closer to the satisfying end of the spectrum, this torn halloumi variation is your go-to. It’s comprised of a blend of simple ingredients that complement and contrast each other to create a truly addictive dish. And I love how, when you tear the halloumi, it boasts all these beautiful, craggily nooks and crispy bits that lend plenty of satisfying texture.

Hero Ingredient: Halloumi will always be the hero ingredient in my heart. Its flavor is mellow but not at all boring, and it can stand up to all sorts of cooking methods. Though it’s usually expensive, I’d argue that it deserves staple-status in your kitchen.

Simple Tomato Salad

Why We Love It: My relationship with tomato salads: the simpler, the better. Summer is peak tomato season (I’d argue you should never buy tomatoes outside of June through September), so of course, you want their vibrancy to shine. With just six ingredients, this tomato salad follows my rules to perfection—and reaps the delicious benefits as a result.

Hero Ingredient: The tomatoes, hands down. All the other ingredients (salt, lemon juice, sunflower oil, garlic, and onion) serve simply to enhance your tomatoes’ flavor. Opt for farmer’s market, fresh tomatoes—you’ll be happy you did.

Samosa Chaat Sweet Potato Fries

Why We Love It: While sweet potato fries may not seem like an obvious homemade summer side dish, they might be one of my favorites on this list. Why? 1) Hello, french fries. 2) Counting salt, this recipe calls for just five ingredients. So when you’re in a pinch and want to serve something statement-making, these sweet potato fries are always your answer.

Hero Ingredient: I’m a toppings girl at heart. Give me all the yogurt, mint, cilantro, red onion, and jalapeño. Oh—and a drizzle of lime for good measure.

Simple Potato Salad with Smoked Chile Aioli

Why We Love It: It’s not summer without a potato salad. And while potato salads of yore might have looked more like a gloppy mess than a delicious summer side dish, this recipe understood the assignment. Yukon gold potatoes roasted in olive oil get tossed with soft-boiled eggs and a smoky-spicy aioli to bring it all together. This recipe is your sign to step away from the sub-par grocery potato salad.

Hero Ingredient: I will happily devour the smoked chile aioli straight with a spoon.

Avocado Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: I’m here for the trend of deeming any salad that involves tomatoes and mozzarella a caprese—and this avocado spin is my newfound fave. I love how the avocado introduces a creamy texture and rich, buttery bite to the salad’s fresh components. The result is so satisfying, and I’m obsessed with all the colors this salad packs.

Hero Ingredient: Camille opted for burrata here, and I live by the rule that burrata makes everything better.

The Best Simple Green Salad

Why We Love It: Sure, you probably don’t need a recipe for a green salad. But—an herby, crunchy, green salad tossed with the best shallot vinaigrette of your life? For that, you need Camille’s secrets. I love the variety of greens this salad packs, and the mixed herbs add so much fresh flavor.

Hero Ingredient: Toasty, buttery, finely chopped walnuts reign supreme.

Burrata, Fig, & Arugula Salad

Why We Love It: Let this be a PSA to start adding fruit to your salads, stat. Figs, when halved lengthwise, display a beautifully ornate cross-section that yields plenty of visual interest. In terms of flavor, they add a fruity element—a mix between strawberries and dates—to the mix, and their jam-like quality plays up the creamy burrata to perfection.

Hero Ingredient: The candied nuts add a perfect crunch, and if you make extra, the leftovers are an ideal afternoon snack.

Strawberry Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: To reiterate: fruit belongs in your summer salads. When strawberries are at their freshest peak-summer, this salad is a must-make. You’ll macerate the strawberries, drawing out their natural flavors and concentrating their fruity bite. Paired with freshly torn basil and burrata (bless), this salad is summer personified.

Hero Ingredient: How can wax poetic about summer-fresh strawberries and not call them this salad’s hero ingredient?

Green Salad With Sesame Dressing

Why We Love It: When you’re keeping your salad simple, it’s all about the dressing. Case in point, this summery green salad with a ginger-packed tahini vinaigrette. And while the salad itself only calls for four ingredients—baby greens, freshly grated parmesan, roasted and salted pistachios, and furikake—it layers in so much flavor and texture that’s sure to keep all your guests satisfied.

Hero Ingredient: Furikake (a Japanese seasoning made with toasted sesame seeds, nori, salt, and sugar) is an unexpected—though obsession-inducing—topping. Get the big bottle: you’ll be putting it on everything.

Fennel Slaw

Why We Love It: Every summer gathering needs a quick and easy slaw. Although pulling out the coleslaw mix and blending a quick dressing works in a pinch, this fennel salad is just as fast—and might even call for fewer ingredients.

Hero Ingredient: Fennel needs to start getting the good press it deserves. While some people are put off by the anise-like flavor, I love its fresh, pleasantly sweet bite. All of that is amplified in this simple dish—the herbs, citrus, and slight sweetness from the honey give this standout veg the star treatment.

Bitter Greens, Citrus, and Prosciutto Salad

Why We Love It: Can we—right now—all agree that bitter flavors deserve a spot in our daily diets? Bitter ingredients make the perfect foundation for creamy additions. Some examples: coffee with cream, lemon with butter, and arugula with olive oil. As Camille notes in this recipe: it’s all in the balance. And balance, this salad perfects. I’m obsessed with the spectrum of hues, flavors, and textures this salad takes on. It’s salty (prosciutto), it’s crunchy (pistachios), and it’s one of the best summer side dishes you’ll make this year.

Hero Ingredient: This salad is a compendium of underrated ingredients. Let this be a shoutout to the balsamic vinegar that yields a rich, complex sweetness to every bite.

The post 15 Sides That Make the Meal—These Are Summer’s Undisputed Best appeared first on Camille Styles.

30 BBQ Appetizers Your Summer Dinner Party Needs

When it comes to summertime apps, the goal is to incorporate the fresh flavors of the season into every bite. That means dishes that are heavy on the herbs (green goddess dressing), highlight summer-fresh veg (eggplant dip), and go with the perfect margarita (guacamole!). Get your tastebuds ready—and prepare to dive in.

Dips and Spreads

Spring Crudité with Green Goddess Dressing

Why We Love It: There’s a reason green goddess dressing went viral. To start, it’s gorgeous. Thanks to a cup of mixed herbs of your choice, a few tablespoons of chives, and parsley’s fresh bite, it’s the perfect accompaniment to your favorite crunchy veg. I like arranging a big platter and setting it on the table for everyone to graze as they please. A centerpiece and appetizer all in one? Brilliant.

Hero Ingredient: When fresh summer herbs are involved, I’ll always look for a little lemon juice/zest to brighten things up all the more

Smoky Eggplant Dip

Why We Love It: For me, eggplant is a summertime staple. I love roasting it in the oven, enjoying it in ratatouille, or scooping up big dollops of baba ganoush with toasted pita. This recipe is a close cousin of the third option, taking all the creamy deliciousness of the traditional Levantine appetizer and adding a smoky, spicy edge.

Hero Ingredient: We have smoked paprika and freshly-ground, toasted cumin to thank for this dip’s complex and addicting flavor.

Guacamole

Why We Love It: I know, I know—you already have a go-to guacamole that you’ve been perfecting for years. But… if there’s one recipe to convince you to try something new, it’s this one. Personally, I love a guacamole that lets the avocados shine, introducing a little heat with red onion, and in this case, a red chile. Balance it all out with a little zest from two limes, a few sweet tomatoes, and a touch of olive oil. Everyone will be asking you for the secret.

Hero Ingredient: When it comes to guacamole, your avocados should be nothing short of ideal. No brown spots and nothing underripe. We’re going for creamy, fruity perfection.

Za’atar Spiced Citrus Yogurt Dip

Why We Love It: Chances are your guests may be looking to cool down at your summer BBQ, and a yogurt dip will help do exactly that. The citrus makes this especially bright and refreshing, while the Za’atar is the spice blend you didn’t know you needed.

Hero Ingredient: Za’atar! Za’atar is a mix of herbs, sesame seeds, salt and sumac. This traditional Middle Eastern spice blend is the secret to most Mediterranean dishes and is totally delicious.

Carrot Turmeric Hummus 

Why We Love It: If beans make you bloat, this legume-free hummus is a must-try. The carrot turmeric combo makes this hummus bright orange and when surrounded by crisp veggies, this will be a colorful standout on your BBQ appetizer table.

Hero Ingredient: Summer veg! Have plenty of farmers market finds handy for dipping into this gorgeous veggie-forward hummus.

Kale Ricotta Spread

Why we love it: Not only is this dish light and tasty, it’s stunning. Wow your guests by bringing out this vibrant green spread in a bowl, or served in pretty individual glasses. It also couldn’t be easier to prepare—simply toss all your ingredients in a food processor. 

Hero Ingredient: Kale and peas may not be on anyone’s favorite food list, but full fat ricotta gives them a total makeover. Yum!

Street Corn Guacamole

Why We Love It: I have very distinct summer memories of shucking corn on the back deck with my mom. Indulging in corn on the cob is a summer necessity, but adding it to guac? Sign me up! This Indian-inspired guacamole recipe flips the traditional recipe by seasoning it with chaat masala. Delish. 

Hero ingredient: All of the traditional guac ingredients are accounted for, but sweet corn and chaat masala really bump up the flavor.

Summer Crudités

Why We Love It: A veggie tray with ranch dressing may remind you of the prepared food section of the grocery store. But take it from me, a veggie board full of fresh summer produce and a homemade ranch elevates veggies and dip to summer crudités everyone will love.

Hero Ingredient: In season veg. Everything from cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, and sweet peppers. They all win!

Finger Food

Spicy Marinated Olives

Why We Love It: Charcuterie is always a vibe, and these olives pack a punch. Put them on top of hummus, baba ganoush, or simply nosh on them by themselves. 

Hero Ingredient: Naturally, a good quality green olive. Might we suggest a Castelvetrano or Cerignola?

Ricotta and Plum Bruschetta

Why We Love It: A sweet and savory bruschetta? Be still my heart. This fun twist on traditional bruschetta is sure to be a crowd pleaser. What’s not to love about a plump juicy plum paired with rich, creamy ricotta?  

Hero ingredient: Plums aren’t in season very long, so be sure to indulge all summer. I know I will! 

Southern Cheese Rounds

Why We Love It: Ok, let’s be real. Who doesn’t love a cheesy cracker? These homemade cheese rounds are crunchy, savory and are perfect for the center of your appetizer table. Just be sure to have plenty on hand—they will go fast!

Hero Ingredient: These rounds are a combo of cheese, butter, flour and rice krispies. The cereal gives these rounds their crunch, and I’m a sucker for cereal.  

Classic Easy Bruschetta

Why We Love It: Bruschetta is one of the easiest BBQ appetizers in the game, and it’s the one I always turn to when I need to serve something up, stat. Toast up your sourdough (brushed with plenty of EVOO, of course) and toss together your mix of tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Let the bruschetta sit and top up your slices. Bonus: it’s just about the prettiest (edible) thing you’ll find on a plate.

Hero Ingredient: With a simple recipe like this, you want to be sure you’re using the best farm-fresh tomatoes you can find. They’re the focal point of the appetizer, so you want to make sure they shine.

Loaded Sweet Potato Fries

Why We Love It: In the world of BBQ appetizers, fries will always reign supreme. You’re welcome to serve the standard thick-cut, gold wedges, but loaded fries are even better. This recipe leans on our favorite frozen sweet potato fries (we used Alexia). Simply prepare them according to the package instructions and top to your heart’s delight.

Hero Ingredient: I love a Mediterranean vibe when it comes to loading up my fries. Creamy chickpeas, salty feta, tzatziki for a little tang, and kalamata olives. It’s a winning combo where every ingredient is the hero.

Cauliflower Nachos

Why We Love It: While nachos are always welcome at any summer gathering, if you’re after BBQ appetizers that lean on the lighter side, make these. Your gluten-free friends will rejoice, happy to indulge in this classic summer snack. And though you’d never guess from the heap of (plant-based) cheese on top, vegan guests get to their snacking on, too.

Hero Ingredient: Nutritional yeast introduces a savory, umami element to the cauliflower seasoning—be sure to stock up for all your (dairy-free) cheesy needs.

Taco Salad Bites

Why We Love It: While we never turn down the opportunity to toss back a few tacos, sometimes it’s nice to get all of that good Tex-Mex flavor in a bite-sized snack. Pick up a bag of your favorite chip dippers at the store and fill them to the brim with this simple taco salad. The spicy cilantro vinaigrette is the final touch on these cute little taco bites.

Hero Ingredient: When it’s summer and the veg is in season, I will always default to corn.

Grilled Artichoke with Lemon Garlic Aioli

Why We Love It: Artichokes are a favorite among everyone in my family. (So much so, that my sisters and I would beg for them at our birthday dinners—and my parents would happily oblige.) While I’ve steamed them in the past, grilling your artichokes yields a charred exterior and tender heart. Serve alongside bread for a light dinner or a steak if you’re going for a true BBQ appetizer. But the mayo? Non-negotiable.

Hero Ingredient: This recipe comes with such a short ingredients list that I’ll have to pick the obvious: artichokes are a summertime delight.

Salads

Tomato Salad

Why We Love It: Summer isn’t summer without tomatoes. This salad couldn’t be simpler and is completely delicious. All you need are heirloom tomatoes, onions, garlic, oil, lemon juice and salt. This combo truly makes the tomatoes shine—though admittedly, you don’t need much to make a summer heirloom tomato even more delectable than it is on its own. 

Hero Ingredient: Ripe and juicy heirloom tomatoes, no doubt.

Simple Potato Salad with Smoked Chile Aioli

Why We Love It: Nothing says summer quite like potato salad. But friends, this is not the classic gloppy salad your grandmother favored (though we all have a special place in our hearts for her recipe). You toss fork-tender potatoes with an aioli-like dressing composed of eggs, garlic, lemon, and plenty of good olive oil. It’s easy and brings a beautiful, organic feel to your table.

Hero Ingredient: There are plenty of standouts to choose from, but I love how the jammy eggs play up the potatoes’ creamy texture.

Watermelon Tomato Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: Of all the many Italian dishes I can’t get enough of, Caprese has top billing. This riff on the classic adds watermelon to the mix, playing up the tomatoes’ sweetness. The result is a light and refreshing salad that’s the perfect amuse-bouche for a burger or steak.

Hero Ingredient: When summer rolls around, you can bet I’m eating my weight in watermelon. This salad is one of my favorite ways to get my fill.

Avocado Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: As if Caprese could get any better—adding avocado to tomato, basil and mozzarella just hits different. The added creaminess and buttery flavor the avocados add give this salad a fun and unexpected twist. 

Hero Ingredient: The avocado takes this classic to new heights!

Green Salad With Sesame Dressing

Why We Love It: Spoiler alert: salad doesn’t have to be boring. What sets this salad apart? Furikake, salted pistachios, parmesan and a creamy tahini dressing. Yum!

Hero Ingredient: It’s hard to pick a favorite, but pistachios in a salad always take it to the next level if you ask me. 

Mediterranean Kale Salad

Why We Love It: I could easily eat Mediterranean food for the rest of my life and feel totally satisfied. Mediterranean ingredients are fresh and flavorful and hit the spot especially in the summer. This salad is no different! Be sure to massage your kale and grab your veggies from the farmers market for this BBQ appetizer.

Hero Ingredient: Crunchy chickpeas for the win. 

Strawberry Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: Strawberries are at their peak in the summer. It’s a no-brainer to indulge in a strawberry salad this season, and this playful twist on caprese pairs the berry with creamy burrata. Serve with crusty bread and enjoy.

Hero ingredient: While the strawberries and burrata are the stars of the show, don’t skip the lemon zest. The citrus brightens everything up and ties it all together. 

White Bean Radicchio Salad

Why We Love It:  This savory salad is the perfect BBQ appetizer—it’s simple combo of bitter greens, beans and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is tasty and addictive. 

Hero Ingredient: Don’t sleep on radicchio! Leafy greens seem to be the go-to when it comes to salad, but this red leafed veg adds a pop of color and a bite that regular salads don’t. 

Radicchio Citrus Prosciutto Salad

Why We Love It: Wow, ok—this combo needs to be studied for all the glory it brings to your salad plate. The bitterness of the radicchio, paired with the sweetness of the oranges  and the saltiness of prosciutto is truly *chef’s kiss* Don’t let summer pass you by without trying this one. 

Hero Ingredient: Can this three ingredient combo count as the hero? Because it absolutely should.

Italian Salsa Verde

Why We Love It: Alison and Jay Carroll served up this salsa verde at their Joshua Tree home when we visited last month. And to say we were floored by its complex flavor is an understatement. While you might be more familiar with the Mexican salsa verde which features a sweeter, tomatillo base, this Italian spin is more acidic and delivers a delicious punch of flavor. Green olives, a few good glugs of olive oil, and herbs aplenty are all you need to make it your own.

Hero Ingredient: Go for a really fruity olive oil here. It’s the perfect pairing for the tangy green olives.

Skewers

Shrimp Skewers with Tzatziki

Why We Love It: Could it really be a list of the best BBQ appetizers without skewers? They’re one of the easiest summer recipes and can be customized in infinite ways. I love this combo of light, juicy shrimp with colorful and substantial veg. Taste the rainbow, y’all.

Hero Ingredient: Do yourself a favor and serve your skewers with this homemade tzatziki. You’re welcome.

Prosciutto & Melon Skewers

Why We Love It: I could wax poetic about my love of skewers. They’re simple, require just a few ingredients, and when someone asks you how they can help, you can put them to work. Think of these skewers as the classic Italian snack of prosciutto-wrapped melon, deconstructed. While I love packing all those flavors into a single bite, getting the salty prosciutto, sweet melon, and creamy bocconcini one by one is an experience to savor.

Hero Ingredient: When I tell you that bocconcini are small mozzarella cheese balls, my pick should be obvious.

Boards

Summer Cheese Board

Why we love it: A cheese board is appropriate for any season, but a summer specific one as a BBQ appetizer is especially lovely. Opt for softer cheeses like brie and chèvre (these work better in the heat than hard cheeses) and summer fruit. Edible flowers are optional, but add the sweetest touch.

Hero ingredient: A really nice cheese. The kind you splurge on. A good cheese board only needs one!

Ricotta Board With Pears

Why We Love It: Pears are in season starting in August, and this board is the perfect end of summer treat. Be generous with full fat ricotta and add slices of sweet pear to a board for a perfect grab and go BBQ appetizer. 

Hero Ingredient: While pear and ricotta make a delicious pairing, honey roasted pistachios take this board to the next level.

The post No Lie—These 30 BBQ Appetizers Are Your Recipe for Summer Fun appeared first on Camille Styles.

Have you ever thought about what the best coconut water to drink was? I haven’t either—that is, until a few weeks ago when I was standing in front of the drinks fridge. I was overcome with a thought: Was there any tangible difference between the bottles I was staring at? Feeling inspired, I took it upon myself to put this hydrating elixir to the test. It was time to determine the best coconut water once and for all.

How to Pick the Best Coconut Water

With tons of brands to choose from, browsing the coconut water aisle can be overwhelming. To determine the best coconut water we (obviously) wanted our coconut water to taste a little coconut-y. We also didn’t want the flavor to be muddled. Instead, we aimed for a flavor that was pure enough to drink on its own while also doubling as a drink mixer. And no funky aftertastes here—we were after unadulterated, drinkable coconut water.

After our thorough taste testing, here are a few things to keep in mind as you’re perusing the coconut water aisle. 

Look for simple ingredients

Ideally, you want the ingredient list to read “100% coconut water” with nothing else included. This means that there are no additives or preservatives—just straight up coconut water from the coconut itself. Some brands have added sugar to bump up the sweetness or include artificial flavors or colors. Natural coconut water is delicious without anything added to it, so stick with simple ingredients for the best flavor.

No concentrate

To be frank, concentrated coconut water is just not as good as non-concentrated coconut water. The concentration process includes turning coconut water into a syrup before it’s imported. Once the syrup has arrived at its destination, water is added to it, then it’s packaged and sold. Most of the health benefits are stripped during this process, so be sure to look for “not from concentrate” on the nutrition label.  

Packaging matters

Coconut water comes in cans, bottles, and cartons called Tetra Paks. Coconut water will taste slightly different depending on the packaging, even across the same brands. While taste varies due to personal preference, some say the freshest coconut water comes from bottles, followed by cans, and then Tetra Pak. 

Thai coconuts reign supreme

Be on the lookout for coconut water made from Thai coconuts for a sweet, nutty coconut water flavor. Again, taste is a personal preference, but some of the most popular brands are from Thailand. Other coconuts are from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brazil, but Thai coconut delivers the best, purest flavor.

To name the best coconut water, I coordinated a team of taste testers to try and critique all the most buzzy brands. Keep scrolling for the best coconut water for every taste preference and need!

Best Overall: Harmless Harvest

• Sugar content: 20g per serving, no added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle

As for the best coconut water that testers would drink on its own? Harmless Harvest! The flavor was a nice balance between fruity and coconut-y, and tasters named this one the winner for its stand-alone flavor. Tasters noted this one had the most natural sweetness among the group. The flavor leans slightly fruity and sweet, which tasters enjoyed. We’ll be stocking up this summer for sure!

Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water

$48 at Harmless Harvest

Best Organic: Real Coco

• Sugar content: 7g, no added sugar
• Packaging: Tetra Pak

This coconut water tastes like it’s straight from the source. It’s USDA organic, and there’s nothing artificial about it—all in all, it’s a pure-tasting coconut water that we loved. If organic products are important to you, Real Coco is your best bet!

Organic Pure Coconut Water (1L – 6 Pack)

$27.99 at Real Coco

Best Value: Good and Gather Original Coconut Water

• Sugar content: 10g per serving, 1g added sugar
• Packaging: Tetra pack

We all know we can rely on Target for a good deal. Subtle and refreshing, this coconut water is a steal. Since it’s not too sweet and has a pretty neutral flavor, we recommend you toss this in your gym bag for pre or post-workout hydration, take it with you on a hike, or have it handy for your next yoga class.  

Organic Original Coconut Water – 500ml Carton – Good & Gather

$2.39 at Target

Most Refreshing: Taste Nirvana 

• Sugar content: 10g, no added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle and can

According to our rankings, Taste Nirvana was the least sweet, but still fresh and delicious. Many tasters called out that this one had a slightly savory undertone that would go well in certain mixed drinks. Since it’s not too sweet, it’s refreshing on its own. It would be a great fit if you’re looking for a subtle, not too coconut-y flavor. 

Taste Nirvana Coconut Water

Prices Vary at Taste Nirvana

Best Coconut Water for Hydration: Amy and Brian’s

• Sugar content: 12g, no added sugar
• Packaging: Can

This brand would hit the spot after a hard workout, making it our choice for the best hydrating coconut water. It’s slightly sweet with no added sugar, and we love that it’s a small family business as well. Keep them chilled in the fridge, then grab one before you head to the gym to stay hydrated and to help with recovery. 

Amy & Brian Original Coconut Water – Case of 12/17.5 oz

$62.99 at Target

Best Refrigerated: Trader Joe’s Single Origin Organic Coconut Water

• Sugar content: 11g per serving, no added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle

There are plenty of shelf-stable coconut waters out there, but you’ll find this one in the refrigerated section of Trader Joe’s. Slightly pink, not overly sweet, and completely refreshing, Trader Joe’s didn’t miss with this coconut water. Tasters say this has a very similar flavor profile to Harmless Harvest. We take that as a big win. 

Trader Joe’s Single Origin Organic Coconut Water

$2.29 at Trader Joe's

The Sweetest Coconut Water: Goya 

• Sugar content: 15g per serving
• Packaging: Tetra pack and can

The sweetest of the bunch, this coconut water is fruity in flavor and very tropical. Think: more of a sweet drink than coconut water, but still enjoyable. Stick with Goya if you want a treat with dinner or a piña colada poolside. 

Goya Coconut Water with Pulp

$11.34 (reg. $16.02) at Goya

Best For Smoothies: Vita Coco Pressed

• Sugar content: 10g per serving, 1g added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle

Tasters were surprised that this one was almost silky and coconut milk-like. Compared to the other selections, Vita Coco Pressed had a thicker mouthfeel than the others, likely due to the fact that it includes actual coconut. While some people thought this one was sweeter than the other Vita Coco options, the overall ranking still kept this one on the lower end of the sweetness scale. Tasters also thought this was the most coconut-y of the bunch. This is a go-to coconut water for smoothies, thanks to the subtle taste and creamy texture. 

Vita Coco Coconut Water with Pressed Coconut

$4.59 at Target

Best for Fun Summer Cocktails: Iberia

• Sugar content: 23g, 12g added sugar
• Packaging: Bottle, can, and Tetra Pak

For the ultimate summer party drink, nothing beats Iberia. While the added sugar sets it on the sweeter side, this one had a pure coconut flavor that testers preferred over the Goya. We’ll be making cocktails and summer slushies with this coconut water when we’re craving a sweeter treat. This pick is among the few that contained added sugar, and tasters noted a slight vanilla flavor in this one that most of the group liked. It’s definitely on the sweeter side and would blend well in a cocktail.

Iberia Coconut Water

Price Varies at Iberia

The Best Neutral Flavor Coconut Water: C20

• Sugar content: 8g per serving, 2g added sugar
• Packaging: Can

Our crew named C2O the winner for the most neutral-flavored coconut water. Tasters said they’d use this one for healthier juices or smoothies because they could trust that the coconut water wouldn’t overpower the other ingredients. This coconut water had a very neutral, almost subtle flavor. Notes mentioned that this one felt the most like drinking plain water. C2O would also be the pick tasters would rely on for hydration during these hot summer days.

C20 Coconut Water Coconut Water “The Original” – 16.3 fl oz.

$19.79 at C20

Best for Mocktails: Once Upon A Coconut

• Sugar content: 16g, no added sugar
• Packaging: Can

This coconut water is smooth, delicious and had us dreaming about summery mocktails. While a sweet coconut water can cut the alcohol in regular cocktails, this brand is light and not overpowering. It’s an ideal mocktail mixer! We’re talking perfect zero-proof margaritas, mojitos or even homemade lemonade.  We’ll be reaching for this coconut water around 3pm everyday this summer, when it’s time for a fun pick-me-up to get us through an afternoon slump. 

Once Upon a Coconut 100% Pure Coconut Water

$23.99 at Once Upon a Coconut

The post Found: The Best Coconut Water We’ll Be Sipping on All Summer Long appeared first on Camille Styles.

Because like many of us, I prefer to keep things super simple. Throwing in some veggies and starches to accompany chicken—along with a good marinade—can truly elevate even the simplest recipes. An easy way to make your chicken all the better? Investing in a meat thermometer. The tool ensures your chicken is juicy and tender without any dryness. With a combination of perfectly cooked chicken, nutritious veggies, and tasty carbs, it’s hard to imagine how dinner could get any better.

13 Easy Chicken Recipes With Few Ingredients

We’ve rounded up some easy chicken recipes with few ingredients that won’t require an extra trip to the grocery store. Keep reading, write a short and simple list, and get to it. Meal prep, made ridiculously easy.

Looking for more meal prep tips to transform your weeknights? In this video, Camille shares easy ideas that help her get delicious and healthy meals on the table without breaking a sweat.

Grilled Yogurt-Marinated Chicken with All the Herbs

Why We Love It: This grilled chicken recipe is one of my all-time favorites. The marinade tenderizes the chicken while infusing it with a medley of aromatic goodness. Fresh parsley adds a vibrant and herbaceous note, while a touch of honey brings a delightful hint of sweetness.

Hero Ingredient: If you haven’t tried marinating your chicken in yogurt, make this recipe your first try.

The Best Roast Chicken With Tomatoes, Lemons, & Cilantro Salsa Verde

Why We Love It: Roasting a chicken with vegetables is definitely an easy chicken recipe with few ingredients. Tossing in cherry tomatoes to roast alongside your chicken creates a delicious sauce on its own. And when paired with a mouth-watering cilantro salsa verde, the result is a low-stress, balanced meal.

Hero Ingredient: The squeeze of a lemon is the secret to the best roast chicken.

Roasted Chicken & Vegetable Confit

Why We Love It: One pan meals have my heart. Food stylist Maite Aizpurua shared with us one of her go-to confit recipes that uses ingredients you likely already have in your fridge. All of the ingredients are roasted together and topped with olives and green onion for a juicy entree with built-in sides!

Hero Ingredient: Don’t skimp on the olive oil.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Why We Love It: These sheet pan fajitas are one of our most well-loved recipes. The chicken is juicy and zesty with a limey marinade. The best part? The entire dish will set you back only five ingredients. Talk about an easy chicken recipe with few ingredients! Brilliant.

Hero Ingredient: Cilantro and fajitas are a match made in heaven.

Lemony Sheet Pan Chicken With Artichokes and Spring Veggies

Why We Love It: Becoming an adult is realizing that artichokes are a highly underrated vegetable. Whether you’re enjoying artichoke hearts in a creamy pasta—or roasted with chicken and veggies like in this recipe—they’re a standout ingredient that can add a bit of flare to any meal.

Hero Ingredient: Roasted cherry tomatoes add a sweet, juicy burst of flavor to your chicken.

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls

Why We Love It: When I’m low on ingredients, one of the first things I do is check if I can form a balanced bowl from the groceries I have on hand. Burrito bowls are one the simplest variations, and the toppings are up to whatever your heart desires. Keep it minimal with black beans and pico de gallo, or pair your slow cooker chicken with anything from sour cream to smashed avocado.

Hero Ingredient: Enchilada sauce is the secret to the most flavorful slow cooker chicken.

Za’atar Crusted Chicken

Why We Love It: Za’atar seasoning is one of my recent obsessions, and Mia Rigden’s recipe has shown me just how much it can elevate the simplest of recipes. Paired with a simple arugula salad, this skillet-cooked chicken requires a minimal-ingredient brine and healthier breading than your typical cutlets.

Hero Ingredient: A good quality za’atar seasoning should be essential in any household.

Lime-y Chicken Tacos with Carrot, Jicama, & Mint

Why We Love It: Tacos are always a good idea—especially when your fridge is looking particularly empty. Here in Texas, it’s not often that I find my fridge without ingredients like limes, agave, and jalepeños. If you happen to have a can of chipotles in your pantry, this recipe’s chipotle aioli elevates these tacos to restaurant quality.

Hero Ingredient: Buying jicama for these tacos is a must.

Braised Chicken Thighs with Olives, Lemon & Thyme

Why We Love It: I’ll be honest, I wasn’t always a fan of chicken thighs. When I was younger, I thought they were too much work compared to chicken breasts. I’ve since seen the light and learned that they’re juicier and better absorb a marinade to bring bold flavor to the table. This is an easy chicken recipe with few ingredients that’s perfect for a dinner party. It’s best served family style!

Hero Ingredient: In the words of Don Draper, thyme is simple, but significant—and it’s the perfect herb to give this recipe a touch of fresh flavor.

Hoisin Chicken Cabbage Tacos

Why We Love It: The chicken in these cabbage tacos—tossed in a mixture of hoisin sauce and a squeeze of lime—is the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy. Top with anything that you have in your vegetable drawer, such as carrots, cucumber, and cilantro.

Hero Ingredient: Avocado acts as a buffer for these tacos’ bold flavors.

Lettuce Wrapped Thai Chicken Burger

Why We Love It: These chicken burger lettuce wraps are the perfect alternative to red meat. Ground chicken is another freezer staple that can be prepared in so many ways with just a few ingredients.

Hero Ingredient: Curry powder is what brings the Thai flavor.

Shawarma-Marinated Chicken Thighs with Herb Salad and Lemons

Why We Love It: Shawarma seasoning is another blend that makes it easy to elevate any chicken recipe in minimal time. It’s thrown into a blender with ginger, garlic, yogurt, cilantro, lemon juice, and honey to create a savory marinade for these roasted chicken thighs.

Hero Ingredient: Double up on the yogurt marinade. I love dipping the chicken into the leftover sauce—it’s a simple move that makes this dish even more delicious.

Thai Chicken Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

Why We Love It: This salad has been a staple in our repertoire of easy lunches for years. It has all the makings of the perfect salad: color, for one, a hearty serving of protein thanks to the chicken, and a variety of texture and crunch. It’s perhaps the furthest thing from the boring salads of yore. It’s the perfect, easy meal prep solution to carry you through the work week.

Hero Ingredient: This salad is a PSA that you should never fear incorporating fruit into your salads. Mango? Keep it coming.

The post Our Go-To Easy Chicken Recipes That’ll Save Your Weeknights appeared first on Camille Styles.

Before we get into the best watermelon recipes this summer, there are a few important details to keep in mind when preparing and selecting your fruit. You won’t want to miss these steps, as going up against a whole watermelon without some fruit-cutting experience can be daunting. Never fear, however—look no further for everything you need to know for an easy breezy watermelon experience.

How to Pick the Best Watermelon

There are a few key ways to ensure you’re picking the ripest, sweetest, and tastiest watermelon of the bunch. Aside from the fact that watermelon thrives in the summer, below are more considerations to keep in mind during your farmer’s market trip.

1. Shape and Size. A good rule of thumb—the heavier the watermelon, the juicier it is. They are made of 90% water, after all! Additionally, the best watermelon will be symmetrical in shape, whether it’s round or oval. Irregular shapes can indicate that during the growing process, the watermelon received inconsistent amounts of sun or water.
2. The Field Spot. When picking your melon, consider where your fruit grew. A yellowish spot on the watermelon, known as the field spot, can indicate where the watermelon grew and ripened on the ground. If the spot is a darker shade of yellow, the watermelon is likely to be sweeter and more mature.
3. The Sound Test. Once you’ve picked a good-looking melon, tap the fruit with your knuckles. A ripe watermelon will have a deep, hollow sound, while an unripe watermelon will produce a flat or dull sound when tapped.

How to Cut and Prep Watermelon

There are a couple of ways to go about cutting a watermelon. If its size is overwhelming, these methods may help to simplify the process.

Slices

1. Slice off both ends of the watermelon.
2. Stand the watermelon upright and halve the watermelon.
3. Place each half flat-side down and cut it in half again to quarter the melon.
4. Slice the quarters into 1-inch slices or whatever size you prefer.

Cubes/Sticks

1. Slice off both ends of the watermelon.
2. Stand the watermelon upright and halve the watermelon.
3. Place each half flat-side down and cut it in half again to quarter the melon.
4. Place each of your quarters flat side down, and carefully slice along the rind to remove it.
5. Once you’ve removed your rind, cut the watermelon flesh into sticks and then into cubes if preferred.

15 Watermelon Recipes for a Sweet Summer

Watermelon Chopped Greek Salad

Why We Love It: Until recently, I didn’t understand how versatile watermelon could be, which meant that I hadn’t explored including it in my summer salads. If you’re looking for a healthy and tasty side salad to present at your summer gatherings, this chopped Greek salad is the perfect crowd-pleaser.

Hero Ingredient: A bit of feta goes a long way.

Grilled Watermelon Salad

Why We Love It: Grilled fruit is one of my summer cooking secrets. Paired with a crumbly cheese of your choice, such as feta or goat cheese, this recipe is simple and loved by guests of all ages. Plus, the grill time is less than five minutes, which means more time for fun in the sun.

Hero Ingredient: The cheese is the key.

Watermelon Vodka Cocktail

Why We Love It: We all know and love watermelon bevs, but this vodka cocktail is delicious and absurdly easy to make. Inspired by the cocktail recipe from chef/owner Helene Henderson of Malibu Farm, it’s the ultimate drink to sip on this summer. Simply shake all four ingredients together and serve it up!

Hero Ingredient: Fresh lime juice adds a bit of tang to this cocktail.

Watermelon Punch

Why We Love It: If you’re looking for a NA option to serve up, this watermelon punch is for you. With a healthy amount of watermelon chunks, paired with lime juice and bubbly club soda, it’s the perfect way to stay hydrated and refreshed in the heat.

Hero Ingredient: Club soda makes this drink feel elevated and light.

Watermelon Tomato Caprese Salad

Why We Love It: Caprese salads are my go-to for summer, as they consist of everything that I adore during the warmer months. Creamy mozzarella cheese, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers are the savory elements that work to complement fresh watermelon in this stunning salad. Needless to say, I’m a bit obsessed.

Hero Ingredient: A high-quality EVOO can give this salad a rich addition.

Watermelon Mint Margarita

Why We Love It: It wouldn’t be summer without a margarita recipe to quench your thirst. It’s hard to resist the slushy combination of fresh fruit and tequila after a day in the heat, and this recipe is sure to satisfy your craving for the frozen bev.

Hero Ingredient: Fresh mint and watermelon are an elite duo.

Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Feta

Why We Love It: If you’re like me, you’re always on the hunt for a new summer salad recipe that incorporates seasonal flavors. Paired with a simple limey olive oil vinaigrette, this watermelon salad takes less than an hour to throw together, including time spent chilling in the fridge.

Hero Ingredient: Baby arugula adds a bit of green goodness to this fresh fruit salad.

Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad

Why We Love It: With a jalepeño pepper kick to complement cool summer flavors, this is one of the watermelon recipes that you can’t go without this season. With additions like creamy feta and sweet honey to boost the flavor of your fresh sliced fruit, it’s far more than just an aesthetic appetizer.

Hero Ingredient: There’s nothing sweeter than fruit and honey.

Crispy Salmon with Watermelon Mint Salsa

Why We Love It: This is the summer of salmon recipes. The fish is easy to prepare in a pinch and can be paired with a wide variety of sweet and savory toppings that you may even have lying around in your fridge or pantry.

Hero Ingredient: I’ll be adding this watermelon mint salsa to just about everything for the foreseeable future.

Watermelon Skewers

Why We Love It: These skewers can serve as a sweet snack or a light dessert. Either way, they’re a must-have for summer. Simply add all your fruit to skewers, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and basil, and enjoy!

Hero Ingredient: There’s just something about watermelon and basil.

Watermelon Salad with Kale and Avocado

Why We Love It: Packed with handfuls of curly kale and crispy veggies like sliced fennel, cucumbers, and crunchy radishes, this is THE summer salad. With sliced avocado and crumbled feta to balance out the bold textures in this bowl, it’s hard to resist.

Hero Ingredient: I’m a bit fan of avocado on just about anything.

Watermelon Agua Fresca from Isabel Eats

Why We Love It: This agua fresa recipe is a foolproof drink that all ages and tastebuds can enjoy. All it takes is watermelon, water, and a bit of sugar, and you’ve got yourself a simple summer bev that’s perfect for the sunniest days.

Hero Ingredient: When it comes to a brewing up a refreshing bev, finishing things off with a sprig of fresh mint is always the answer.

Strawberry Watermelon Sorbet from Minimalist Baker

Why We Love It: Perhaps the most famous watermelon dessert is sorbet. It consists of an ice cream-like texture, minus the dairy and the copious amounts of sugar. Made by blending frozen watermelon with your alt milk of your choice—along with frozen strawberries and bananas—it’s the ultimate dessert recipe to get the most out of your summer fruits.

Hero Ingredient: Incorporating an alternative milk such as almond or coconut gives this sorbet a nice mouthfeel while still being dairy-free.

Watermelon Salsa from Recipe Girl

Why We Love It: Everyone loves a good salsa recipe to snack on pre-dinner or throughout the day. This watermelon salsa is a sweeter take on the traditionally tomato and pepper-based appetizer. Bonus: with only six ingredients, it can be thrown together in 15 minutes.

Hero Ingredient: Fresh jalapeños add a good, spicy kick.

Easy Chocolate Dipped Watermelon Bites from The Glutenless Maximus

Why We Love It: This is one of those “don’t knock it ’till you try it” watermelon recipes. But if the flavor combo seems up your alley, this is a stunning and simple dessert that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Simply dip your ripe watermelon pieces in dark or milk chocolate and sprinkle with a bit of sea salt. 

Hero Ingredient: Whatever chocolate you opt for, it gives a nice bit of decadence to this virtuous dessert.

The post 15 Watermelon Recipes That Make the Most of the Season’s Sweetest Fruit appeared first on Camille Styles.