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5 Protein-Rich Dip Recipes for Smart Snacking

You just finished a hard workout and your stomach is rumbling. A smart post-workout snack includes protein to repair damaged muscle tissue and some carbohydrates to restore lost muscle glycogen. You might be tempted to toss a sports drink or energy bar in your gym bag as your recovery treat, but a homemade protein-packed dip is just as easy to tote, and you can get an extra boost of carbs if you eat one of these dips with whole-grain crackers, pita or raw vegetables.

It takes less than five minutes to whip up one of these protein-rich dip recipes, and it'll cost less than store-bought spreads that often contain preservatives. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for a week.

More: Post-Workout Meals and Snacks That Lower Inflammation

Classic Hummus Recipe

Ingredients
  • 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, drained
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, optional

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and whizz, adding water as necessary, until desired consistency is reached. Serve with toasted pine nuts, if desired.

More: 5 Condiments That Burn Belly Fat

Edamame Dip Recipe

Asian condiments like soy sauce, miso paste, rice-wine vinegar and sriracha complement the high-protein soy beans in this recipe. Serve with rice crackers, bell pepper strips, cucumber or jicama for a tasty snack.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup shelled edamame
  • 2 scallions, white and green parts, diced
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 small handful cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 to 1 cup water
  • juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 2 teaspoons white miso paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon rice-wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • Sriracha or other hot sauce, to taste

Boil edamame for five minutes. Remove from heat and drain, reserving about a cup of the liquid. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and whizz, adding reserved water as necessary, until desired consistency is reached.

More: Perform as a Vegetarian Athlete

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About the Author

Sabrina Tillman Grotewold

Sabrina Tillman Grotewold is the former running editor for Active.com, and the creator of the Active Cookbook. She runs nearly every day, enjoys cooking and developing recipes, and taking her son for long walks in his stroller.
Sabrina Tillman Grotewold is the former running editor for Active.com, and the creator of the Active Cookbook. She runs nearly every day, enjoys cooking and developing recipes, and taking her son for long walks in his stroller.

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