7 ways to cook with edamame (beyond just putting ’em in a bowl and adding salt)

Fun fact: Edamame—immature soybeans cooked and served inside their pods—are higher in protein than chickpeas, lentils, and black beans, *and* are a good source of fiber, folate, and vitamin K. So it’s pretty sad that the only time they make an appearance is as a pre-sushi app or an afterthought at the salad bar.

Rounded up here are seven ways to change that. From hummus to summer salads and even curry, the recipes below all use edamame in ways you probably haven’t thought of before—and deliver a nutrient-packed dish in the process. Ready to up your protein game? Keep reading for the goods.

Scroll down for 7 healthy edamame recipes.

1. Edamame hummus

Shelled edamame can be blended into hummus the same way chickpeas can—and adds a bright note when blended with tahini. Use it as a dip for crackers or veggies for a high-protein snack or app.

2. Cucumber edamame salad with ginger-soy vinaigrette

If you’re looking for a hydrating salad to get on the dinner table ASAP—or to wow your friends with at a cookout—this one from The Noble Pig is it. The cucumbers make it super hydrating, and the edamame ensures that it’s legit filling, too. Pro tip: Add jalapeno pepper for some unexpected bite.

3. Edamame quinoa salad

Besides edamame, this quinoa salad from The Girl Who Ate Everything is also made with garbanzo beans and sliced almonds, giving it a robust protein profile. (You’ll find red bell peppers, cranberries, and celery in there, too.) This dish is so balanced that it works as a complete meal all on its own. Hello, new go-to lunch!

4. Edamame and fried cauliflower rice

Hello, upgraded takeout. Cauliflower rice makes up the base of this fried “rice” while carrots, cashews, and (drumroll) edamame, round it out. Between the egg, edamame, and cashews, there’s enough protein without adding tofu or chicken—and it’s ready in about 15 minutes.

5. Summer corn and edamame salad

This colorful summer salad from Kitchen Treaty tastes as vibrant as it looks—and it’s full of fiber. The key to really making it a standout dish is adding a small serving of balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and a little basil goes a long way. This is the side dish your backyard dinner is missing.

6. Edamame in tangy South Indian sauce

Edamame and curry? Trust me. This recipe makes the plant the starring protein in a classic Indian dish (because sometimes you just want something other than chickpeas, amirite?). Also in this recipe are fennel seeds, which soothe the stomach and help with digestion.

7. Edamame and pea bruschetta

Normally, bruschetta calls for tomatoes and mozzarella, but this recipe reimagines it in a whole new way with edamame and peas. Ready to go green? Besides a baguette and the starring ingredients, this recipe calls for scallions, garlic, and basil to really amp up the flavor.

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