3 Healthy Protein Boxes (Starbucks Copycat) + VIDEO

DIY Protein Boxes are perfect for meal-prep. Learn how to make your own healthy Protein Box at home to save money & time.

When I’m running short on time, and it’s time to eat, I normally find myself popping into the local Starbucks to grab a bite that I can eat while I’m at my desk… And more often than not, I’ll either grab some of their sous vide egg bites or one of their protein boxes.

But I’m trying to be better about planning ahead in order to save both time and money.

So, that’s where my Starbucks copycats come into play.

First, I worked on perfecting my recipe for making sous vide egg bites in the Instant Pot. And then, came these DIY protein boxes – which I’m actually totally stoked about.

I love making these protein boxes at home for a few reasons:

1. I can control the ingredients, and choose organic.
2. I can pick what I want to add to my protein box. Not a fan of carrots? Swap them out for red peppers. Dairy free? Get your protein by swapping out the cheese for hummus.
3. It’s much more affordable.

I’ve recently discovered just how many USDA certified organic products are available from the O Organics® line, and I love how easy they make assembling these boxes. They’re available in my area exclusively at my local Safeway, and you can also find them exclusively at all of the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including Albertsons ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, and Carrs/Safeway.

One of their standout items for me is their O Organics cage free boiled eggs… I mean, you don’t even have to hard boil the eggs yourself. Just pop open the pouch and add one or two of the eggs to your bistro box. The 2-egg pouch even comes with mini-sized salt & pepper for sprinkling. Plus, they’ve got just the right texture that a boiled egg should have. In my book they should be extra firm with a tender yolk…

Also – there’s just something about their O Organics® traditional hummus that is extra creamy & delicious. The veggie & hummus bistro box may just be my favorite of the bunch…

As an added bonus? I love that I can order my groceries online at Safeway.com and have them delivered right to my door. Not having to battle Portland traffic and fight the lines at the grocery store is always a plus in my book.

Here’s how to build a Protein Box at home:

1. Pick a Protein

Pick one or two protein sources to add to your Protein Box. Protein will keep your energy level high and keep you feeling full throughout the day.

• Greek Yogurt
• Hard-Boiled Egg
• Hummus
• Tuna
• Cheese
• Nuts
• Sliced Deli Meat

2. Add Whole Grains

Choose one whole grain source to add to your Protein Box. Whole grains are a good source of fiber and aid in digestion.

• Whole-Wheat Pita
• Graham Crackers
• Whole-Grain Bread

3. Pile in the Fresh Fruits & Veggies

Add as many fruits & veggies as you’d like. Fruits and vegetables provide a boost of vitamins and nutrition.

• Grape Tomatoes
• Baby Carrots
• Grapes
• Celery
• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Cucumbers

4. Pack it Up

I like to pack my items into these bistro boxes. When adding ingredients like hummus or peanut butter, I use a cupcake liner to separate them. (These silicone cupcake liners are also great – and reusable)

Here are 3 of my favorite healthy Protein Boxes that you can make at home:

Veggie & Hummus Protein Box

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bistro box, lunch, snack

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 432 kcal

Author: Erin

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Ingredients

• 1 Whole Wheat Pita
• 1 String Cheese
• 6 Cucumber Slices
• 10 Baby Carrots
• 10 O Organics® Grape Tomatoes
• 1/4 cup O Organics® Traditional Hummus

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in bistro box, using cupcake liner to hold hummus. 

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Veggie & Hummus Protein Box

Amount Per Serving

Calories 432 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 14g 22%

Saturated Fat 4g 20%

Cholesterol 15mg 5%

Sodium 794mg 33%

Potassium 1283mg 37%

Total Carbohydrates 61g 20%

Dietary Fiber 14g 56%

Sugars 13g

Protein 20g 40%

Vitamin A 308.4%

Vitamin C 43%

Calcium 13.4%

Iron 29%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Protein Bistro Box

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bistro box, lunch, meal prep, snack

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 502 kcal

Author: Erin

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Ingredients

• 1/2 Apple sliced
• 10 Grapes
• 1 Whole Wheat Pita halved
• 1 Tablespoon Peanut Butter
• 1 ounce Cheese
• 1 O Organics® Cage Free Boiled Egg

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in bistro box using cupcake liner to hold peanut butter. 

Nutrition Facts

Protein Bistro Box

Amount Per Serving

Calories 502 Calories from Fat 207

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 23g 35%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 193mg 64%

Sodium 562mg 23%

Potassium 452mg 13%

Total Carbohydrates 56g 19%

Dietary Fiber 7g 28%

Sugars 19g

Protein 22g 44%

Vitamin A 10.4%

Vitamin C 7%

Calcium 22.9%

Iron 16.5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Fruit & Nut Protein Box

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bistro box, lunch, snack

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 429 kcal

Author: Erin

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Ingredients

• 1/8 cup Dried Cranberries
• 1/8 cup Almonds
• 2 O Organics® Honey Graham Cracker
• 1/2 Apple sliced
• 1 ounce Cheese

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to bistro box. 

Nutrition Facts

Fruit & Nut Protein Box

Amount Per Serving

Calories 429 Calories from Fat 189

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 21g 32%

Saturated Fat 7g 35%

Cholesterol 29mg 10%

Sodium 362mg 15%

Potassium 272mg 8%

Total Carbohydrates 50g 17%

Dietary Fiber 6g 24%

Sugars 26g

Protein 13g 26%

Vitamin A 5.7%

Vitamin C 5.1%

Calcium 27.4%

Iron 11.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Be sure to visit Albertsons.com or Safeway.com to find a store near you and discover more meal prep tips & recipe ideas.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Safeway and Albertsons. The opinions and text are all mine.