15 Healthy Must-Haves for Easy No-Cook Meals: Precooked Protein, Salad Kits & Beyond
Hi Hungry Girl,With this summer heat, I just don’t want to turn on the oven. What can I keep on hand for quick & easy no-cook meals?
Keepin’ Cool Carol
Hi Carol,I’m with you! I’ve been sticking with salads and slaws this summer to cut down on stove time. Here are my must-have proteins, veggies, and more for easy no-cook meals… Mix ‘n match!
Precooked Proteins
Shrimp & chicken are perfect… They’re readily available at supermarkets already cooked, they taste great cold, and they go well with just about anything! I also love pouched tuna as well as plant-based proteins, like the kinds by Loma Linda.
Light/High-Fiber Breads (and Bread Alternatives)
Bread isn’t off limits… Choose light or high-fiber kinds for classic sandwiches and wraps. Or go low-carb by swapping out bread for lettuce cups or cucumber subs. So fresh!
Prepared Veggies
Even no-cook veggies often require a lot of prep time… washing, peeling, and chopping. For easy assembly, stock up on bags of broccoli slaw (perfect for my Cranberry Tuna Slaw), veggie noodles, and salad kits. Fill your pantry with canned veggies (like hearts of palm noodles!), or spiralize your own veggies for noodle-licous cold salads…
Sauces & Dressings
Take your flavors up a notch with a variety of low-calorie sauces. I love chunky salsas, yogurt-based dressings, reduced-calorie BBQ sauce, and hot sauce that makes everything taste like Buffalo wings!
Seasonings
Your meal is lookin’ good. Now for the fun part: toppings! Finish off your culinary creation with crushed baked tortilla chips, slivered almonds, reduced-fat cheese shreds, chopped fruit, or one of my favorite seasonings…
Hungry for More?
Don’t miss the “It’s Too Hot to Cook Episode” of Hungry Girl: Chew the Right Thing! Lisa and her hungry cohosts taste test 9 finds that require no cooking whatsoever. Click to listen!Chew on this:
Happy July 21st, National Junk Food Day! Celebrate with these smart swaps for French fries and onion rings.
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