Sweater weather and the stick-to-your-ribs foods of fall might be right around the corner, but we still have a few more weeks to enjoy the best of summer’s bounty. These fifteen Farmers Market dinner favorites all clock in at five Weight Watchers points or less per serving and celebrate the best of the season with nutritious and delicious late-summer dinner fare.
1. Weight Watchers Gazpacho
This gazpacho is a bright homage to the best produce you’ll find at the Farmers Market with juicy tomatoes, cool cucumber, delicious bell peppers, and a hint of garlic, onion, and olive oil. It’s also served cold, making it perfect for a steamy summer day, and will only set you back one lone Weight Watchers point. You can put the whole thing together in ten minutes, too, so it’s the ultimate weeknight dinner.
2. Greek Lemon Chicken
At just one point per serving, this Greek lemon chicken dish uses farm-fresh veggies like bell peppers, zucchini and cherry tomatoes, chicken breasts, and briny olives for a dish big on complex flavors and textures that won’t make you feel overly full. I like to use a bit of lime at the end for a bright citrus kick, and rosemary takes the dish to the next level.
3. Cucumber Avocado Salad
This light four-point Weight Watchers salad is the ideal summer evening treat, packed with plenty of nutrients from the tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado. Red onion lends a touch of zest, and cilantro lime dressing is the perfect foil for the crunchy salad, with golden honey, lime juice, spices, and plenty of cilantro for color, texture, and taste. I make this salad when I’m short on time but craving something ultra-fresh to enjoy for my evening meal.
4. Weight Watchers Vietnamese Spring Rolls
If you’re like me, the temptation to order in is intense, especially on busy weeknights. Save yourself the calories and cost of takeout with these three-point wonders. They feature Farmers Market fruits and veggies and come with a creamy peanut dipping sauce that gets its velvety texture from Greek yogurt. You can use any combination of peppers you’d like, but I prefer a rainbow for visual interest.
5. Roasted Carrot Soup
I adore this soup because it’s an excellent way to use summer vegetables like carrots and an excellent transitional recipe for when those nights start to get a little chillier. Plus, it’s only two points per satiny, flavor-packed serving. Greek yogurt is the secret ingredient, giving the soup a decadent feeling without adding extra calories. I like to sprinkle mine with some pumpkin seeds for a bit of crunch.
6. Vegan Pho
Don’t let this vegan pho intimidate you; you only need some delicious vegetables, a few spices, rice noodles, and tofu to get an intensely flavored five-point dish that’s ideal for Meatless Mondays. Plus, this recipe is an excellent way to use any fresh herbs flourishing in your garden. Aromatic ingredients like ginger and garlic work with shredded cabbage, some crunchy celery, and shitake mushrooms for a decadent broth that you can amp up with sriracha and chili pepper. I love to garnish mine with some fresh cilantro, although carrot leaves are a good alternative.
7. Martha Stewart’s Butternut Squash Meatloaf
Martha Stewart’s nutritious riff on meatloaf was an internet classic. This version keeps it at a pleasant four Weight Watchers points per serving, so it’s perfect for staying on your points goals. Pick up a butternut squash at your local Farmers Market, dice two cups, and combine with turkey sausage, garlic, and onion for your beautiful meatloaf base. Combine with panko, spice, and the barbecue sauce of your choice, and you have the juiciest meatloaf imaginable.
8. Sushi Salad
This salad is my go-to summer evening meal. It’s only two points, has dynamite flavors, and uses all of the vegetables in my crisper. Plus, you’ll enjoy healthy-for-you proteins like shrimp and smoked salmon. I like to use a mixture of avocado, radish, carrots, and cucumber tossed with a creamy dressing featuring plain yogurt, soy sauce, a touch of Stevia, rice vinegar, and sesame oil for a rich, nutty finish.
9. Chicken Kebabs
Enjoy the last days of summer to the fullest by firing up the grill for these chicken kebabs. Kebabs are a foolproof and effective way to use any vegetables you have on hand, and the combination of juicy chicken and grilled veggies is an impressive zero Weight Watchers points, so snack away. I like to use a variety of bell peppers, some thickly sliced zucchini, and red onion combined with pieces of marinated chicken breast. Served with cucumbers and tomatoes, it’s a glorious blend of flavors that’s super satisfying and healthy.
10. Perfect Buddha Bowl
Buddha bowls are known for being nutrient powerhouses, but I found it tricky to make one that tastes good and is excellent for my body until I discovered this two-point recipe. Use all of your farm-fresh vegetables, like sweet potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and cabbage, plus cooked chickpeas and chicken breast for a punch of protein. The dressing couldn’t be easier; it’s just a combination of taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar, mustard, olive oil, and spice.
11. Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers
Farmers Markets are bursting with green, red, yellow, and bright orange peppers, and this dish makes the most of them with a classic combination of brown rice, finely chopped carrots, garlic, ground beef, and tomato paste. The result is a fiber- and nutrient-rich dish that’s only three Weight Watchers points.
12. Classic Squash Casserole
Whether it’s bright yellow or vivid green, squash holds a special place in my heart, which is why this two-point casserole is always in my summer recipe roster. I like to use a combination of yellow squash and zucchini for a bit of visual interest. This casserole is deceptively good for you despite its creamy consistency, thanks to fat-free milk, cheddar cheese, and a few beaten eggs. The lemon zest really sends it up a level, giving the dish a bright finish.
13. Thai Green Curry Chicken
This one-point Thai green curry beats any takeout I’ve ever had, and it’s the perfect canvas for showcasing delicious seasonable vegetables like zucchini, snow peas, and bell peppers. Diced eggplant gives it a rich consistency and flavor, and a few kaffir lime leaves add an authentic Thai taste. I like to garnish mine with some fresh-from-the-garden basil leaves for an herbaceous and scrumptious bite.
14. Weight Watchers Ceviche
Ceviche is one of the best foods for summer because it’s filling enough to keep you satisfied but not so heavy that you’re slipping into a food coma. This zero-point version features hake fillets combined with lime juice, garlic, oil, red onion, and plenty of chopped red and yellow bell peppers. Every bite between the peppers and the citrus-marinated fish has tons of textural interest.
15. Pad Woo Sen
Delicate glass noodles get a delicious glow in this four-point recipe featuring ripe tomatoes, red bell peppers, chopped cabbage, carrots, and plenty of zesty green onions. I like to round it off with some sliced chicken breast for a balanced, protein-packed summer meal.
These recipes showcase and celebrate the best of the Farmers Market. Make the most out of these bright and beautiful seasonal veggies while you can, and try one or more of these recipes today.
