When the mercury starts rising, my thoughts wander towards my closet and all of those cute summer clothes that I’ve been dying to wear for the whole winter. I want to look and feel my best all throughout summer, which is why I have these top 13 recipes in my regular rotation. They’re all super flavorful varied, and have just a handful of Weight Watchers points, so you’ll be able to slip into your summer finest without ever worrying about depriving yourself.
1. Jerk Chicken
Jerk chicken is one of those fab, flavorful dishes that relies on a combination of fiery peppers, red onion, a popping spice blend, and a splash of vinegar to elevate chicken to bold new levels. If you’re looking for a refreshing and invigorating plate of food, I’d highly recommend it. Also, at just one lone Weight Watchers point per serving, you can eat it all the time. Plus, it all comes together in just a little over half an hour.
2. Miso Salmon
I love salmon for its bounty of omega-3 fatty acids and fresh, savory taste, so I was super excited to try out this easy miso salmon recipe. I’m happy to report that I was not disappointed. With just ten minutes of prep time, half an hour of marinating the salmon in umami-rich miso paste, sesame oil, and soy sauce, and 15 minutes in the oven, you’ll be eating a homecooked restaurant-quality meal in less than an hour. You can rest assured that you’ve made an intelligent dining decision at two points per serving.
3. Chicken Curry
Chicken curry is another take-out staple I’ve guiltily indulged in more times than I’d like to admit, but I’ll never dial in for the costly and calorie-heavy version again after discovering this dish. It has zero Weight Watchers points and all of the traditional flavors you’re looking for, like earthy turmeric, curry, zingy garlic, and a cool touch of Greek yogurt, all served over fork-tender chicken breast pieces.
4. Shrimp Stir Fry
This one-point superstar has a deep, tangy sauce with just the right amount of sweetness and is studded with plump, delicious shrimp that will satisfy your seafood cravings and keep you full for hours. You’ll also find plenty of fresh vegetables in this dish, adding some textural interest in the form of crunch and a lot of extra nutrition to round things out.
5. Turkish Eggs
Turkish eggs, or Cilbir, clock in at one point and are the right way to start off your day, especially if you’re craving something creamy. They’re deceptively decadent, with a rich yogurt cream fragranced with garlic and bright lemon and a subtly spicy butter sauce with a smoky note of paprika to really round off the dish. Turkish eggs are my favorite go-to weekend meal because they taste better than anything I can get at a restaurant, and they’re oh-so-good for my summertime slimming down goals.
6. Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
My air fryer has to be one of the best investments I’ve ever made, especially since I can whip up fantastic fare like this three-point chicken katsu, which tastes light years better than any chicken tenders you can order. The panko crust is crisp and flavorful, and the chicken is always succulent and perfectly cooked. It also comes together in less than half an hour, so it’s the ultimate weeknight dinner option.
7. Quinoa Soup
This soup is an ideal option for those chillier spring nights when you want to tuck into something velvety, rich, and packed with vegetables. A bounty of nutrient-heavy ingredients like creamy pumpkin, hearty carrots, and peas swim in a quinoa-filled broth. Each bite brings me back to my childhood, and you can have all of this nostalgic deliciousness in just over half an hour from start to finish, and it’s only two Weight Watchers points per serving.
8. Chicken Cordon Bleu
This recipe takes traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu and gives it a healthy makeover with a few smart swaps that will only set you back two points. It’s easy enough to make on a busy weeknight, but you can also serve it up for Sunday brunch with the girls. Cottage cheese stands in for more traditional and calorie-heavy options, so you’ll get all of the richness with only a few of the calories.
9. Banana Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
I have a soft spot for mug cakes. You have the portion built right in, there’s only one dish to clean, and you can customize them any way you’d like. This four-point option has the perfect balance of chocolate and banana and is moist, studded with chocolate chips, and utterly sinful. Plus, since it’s a mug cake, you’ll never have to worry about going over the portion size and be able to have your cake and stick to your daily point allotment, too.
10. Chicken Meatballs
If I’m looking for an Italian food fix, these one-point chicken meatballs do the trick every time. Just over half an hour from start to finish, you’ll be tucking into dense and delicious meatballs draped in a tangy marinara sauce in no time. Plus, this recipe also calls for fresh basil, which brightens it up substantially and adds a little freshness for balance.
11. Beef and Broccoli
If you want some low-point recipes to get ready for a fantastic summer, Chinese takeout is not on the menu. Fortunately, this beef and broccoli stirfry will satisfy your cravings and set you back three points. It’s a super speedy weeknight option, too, coming together in about half an hour, which is less time than it would take your takeout to arrive. I love the combination of thinly sliced, well-marinated steak with the deep richness of soy sauce paired with bright broccoli and a touch of sesame oil for that authentic flavor.
12. Porotos Granados Soup
This one-point soup is a Chilean favorite, and I love it because it’s a combination of comfort-food ingredients like navy beans, corn, garlic, and pumpkin, but put together in a unique-to-me way. Plus, these ingredients are all heavy on the fiber, which will keep you fuller for longer and less likely to derail your diet. A sprinkle of oregano, cumin, and paprika helps these humble ingredients shine and makes it a dish you’ll go back to again and again.
13. Salmon Ceviche
Ceviche is a dish that simply screams summertime, and this Peruvian-inspired treat is a fresh, citrus-heavy blend with the perfect amount of spice and a nice cilantro and red onion finish. The lime juice marinade cooks the salmon, leaving you with bright, perfectly seasoned pieces of premium fish, and olive oil lends a satiny finish that wraps the whole thing together. Plus, you can customize your red onion and chili to taste, making it unique to your palate.
These recipes will help you stay on track to meet your skinny summer goals and provide you with enough variety that you’ll never get bored. They’re also quick dishes that you can get from the frying pan to the table in less than an hour. There’s absolutely no need to deny yourself fantastic flavor and exciting meals with these low-point recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert.
