Serving meals high in protein is a smart way to help your family get enough of this critical body-building and tissue-repairing macronutrient. To that end, we compiled delicious, easy-to-make, high protein recipe ideas to keep you and your family on the right nutritional track.
We promise our lineup isn’t all red meat and beans, either. We selected flavorful dishes that range from seafood to lamb and even meat-free options. We’re sure you’ll find several to add to your monthly or weekly menu rotation.
Gochujang Gumbo
Shrimp and andouille sausage co-star in this spicy soup, a twist on a typical New Orleans-style gumbo. In this high protein recipe, gochujang (Korean chili bean paste) and red Fresno chiles add a big flavor, while celery, bell pepper, and okra up this gumbo’s heartiness.
Charred Broccolini With Tahini Caesar and Crispy Chickpeas
Jennifer Causey
Chickpeas make up the protein-packed base of this salad, and a rich tahini dressing with Parmesan, garlic, and Dijon ties everything together. You can add more protein by topping this dish with rotisserie chicken, but it’s not necessary.
Skillet Pork Chops and Beans
For proof that cozy meals can also be loaded with protein, we present this one pot dish as evidence. In this recipe, pork chops are seared to golden perfection and nestled in aromatic cannellini beans. For a crunchy finish, the whole thing is topped with crushed, seasoned croutons.
One Pot Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup
This hearty soup packs lean turkey sausage and potato gnocchi into every bite. You’ll also find diced tomatoes and baby spinach, but there’s plenty of room to add whatever veggies you have in your fridge.
Roasted Root Veggie Quinoa Bowls
Victor Protasio
Quinoa stars as the plant-based complete protein in these grain bowls, and it’s paired with squash, parsnips, red onions, and Brussels sprouts that add color and fiber. The vegetables roast with a little olive oil and salt and then are joined by spinach and a dollop of hummus. The whole thing comes together with a punchy mustard vinaigrette.
Buttery Shrimp With Marinated White Beans
Shrimp and white beans combine with garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, butter, and white wine to create a sophisticated dinner that comes together in just 25 minutes. Balance your meal by serving this with a healthy grain or a salad of leafy greens.
Turkey Pumpkin Chili
This chili tastes like fall in a bowl, but since it calls for canned pumpkin purée, you can make it in any season. In this comforting dish, pumpkin is joined by lean ground turkey, two cans of cannellini beans, and plenty of herbs and spices. If you want a fresh herb to sprinkle on top, try cilantro.
Za’atar Tofu Skewers with Tomato Salad & Hummus
Jennifer Causey
This easy vegetarian weeknight dinner takes less than 30 minutes to make. The tofu and hummus combo provide plenty of protein to keep you full. Sub in halloumi instead of tofu if you prefer and serve with a side of warm pita bread.
Red Lentil Soup With Lemon and Dill
Victor Protasio
In this chunky soup, creamy red lentils, fire-roasted tomatoes, and carrots are flavored with citrusy notes of lemon and sumac (a Middle Eastern spice made from ground dried berries). Considering a cup of lentils has 18 grams of protein, it’s safe to say this meal is protein-packed.
Spiced Chicken and Chickpea Soup
This hearty, flavorful soup is packed with protein thanks to skinless, boneless chicken thighs and a can of chickpeas. If you don’t have spinach, sub with torn kale or Swiss chard leaves.
Shrimp Linguine With Chorizo
Get a double dose of protein from this pasta dish packed with sautéed shrimp and spicy chorizo. The linguine gets a burst of freshness from lemon zest and a little crunch courtesy of panko breadcrumbs. It may seem complicated, but we promise it takes just 20 minutes.
One-Pot Chicken Sausage and Beans
Chicken sausage and beans—two excellent protein sources—layer on the flavor in this simple one pot recipe inspired by the classic French cassoulet. Rounding out the recipe are sautéed onions, juicy tomatoes, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping.
Classic Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
The best slow cooker recipes let you throw the ingredients together with little or no prep and return after work to a great-smelling house and a warm meal. This take on corned beef and cabbage delivers all that. Thyme and caraway seeds added to the cooking liquid amp up this classic dish’s intense flavor.
Roasted Curry Salmon With Tomatoes
You’ve seen plenty of sheet pan dinner recipes, and this curry salmon supper works the same way. Think of it as a curried Caprese salad with salmon (instead of mozzarella). Serve the fillets over rice and top each plate with blistered grape tomatoes and fresh basil.
Slow Cooker Bean and Spinach Enchiladas
Traditionally, enchiladas are a lot of work, but this easy recipe creates protein-rich, inexpensive, black bean-and-spinach enchiladas in the slow cooker almost effortlessly. After 3½ hours, you have delightfully satisfying vegetarian enchiladas to serve with a refreshing leafy salad.
Grilled Pork Chops With Peach Arugula Salad
Whether you’re cutting back on carbs, trimming your grocery bill, or looking to get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes, this high protein meal fits the bill. It pairs perfectly seared pork chops with a peppery arugula and stone fruit salad. Don’t have peaches? Use plums or nectarines.
Mole Spiced Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl
Yes, mole often takes a whole day to prepare, but it takes only seconds to pull a jar of it off your grocer’s shelf. This recipe transforms that store-bought mole sauce into a delicious dressing for protein-packed quinoa, black beans, and pumpkin seeds.
Turkey Burgers With Lime Mayo and Crispy Oven Fries
While turkey burgers aren’t always the most flavorful option, these burgers are anything but bland thanks to chili powder and black pepper. A homemade lime mayo, ripe avocado slices, and chopped onion add even more flavor to the burgers, while crispy oven fries complete the meal.
Black Eyed Pea Ribollita
Ribollita (pronounced ree-bohl-LEE-tah) is Italian comfort food at its finest. This Tuscan-style soup is packed with good-for-you vegetables (collard greens, black-eyed peas, and tomatoes) plus plenty of Parmigiano-Reggiano, a surprisingly good source of protein too.
Slow Cooker Squash Lasagna
Two kinds of cheese—ricotta and mozzarella—along with squash puree and baby spinach give this meatless lasagna heft. And that’s not even the best part: This lasagna cooks in the slow cooker, so there’s no hot oven blasting for hours. Serve with a green salad for a deceptively easy meal that’s as inexpensive to prepare as it is tasty.
Almond Crusted Chicken With Arugula Salad
Almond flour stands in for panko to coat chicken cutlets in this recipe, but you won’t miss any crispness or flavor because sesame seeds add earthy notes along with some crunch. The crispy chicken pairs with a lemony arugula and Brussels sprouts salad that offsets the juicy cutlets.
Southwestern Beef Chili With Corn
Get your chili fix—and plenty of protein—with this flavorful recipe. It gets a Southwestern flare from poblano peppers and chili powder, along with a hearty base of onion, carrots, peppers, and beans. Top with Greek yogurt and shredded cheese for more protein, plus sliced avocado and whatever else you crave.
Chickpea Veggie Burgers
These veggie burgers prove you don’t need meat to get your protein fix. Instead, you’ll find chickpeas, spicy harissa, panko, lemon juice, herbs, and spices. Set the burgers on brioche buns, top with smashed avocado, sliced tomatoes, red onion, and lettuce, and dinner is served!
Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes
A half-dozen veggies give this vegetarian dish plenty of protein and other key nutrients. Our favorite thing about this game-day classic is you can toss ingredients in a slow cooker and, after about 5 hours, it’s time to eat!
Superfood Lentil Salad
As you may have guessed, this salad is packed with protein-rich superfoods. It pairs sunflower seeds and lentils with zucchini, greens, and golden raisins. Even the dressing—a versatile, fresh, sunflower seed vinaigrette—is loaded with nutrients.
Shepherd’s Pie
Beneath a layer of buttery, creamy mashed potatoes—that, believe it or not, deliver on the protein front—you’ll find a mean vegetable-enriched ground beef filling made with mushrooms and tomato paste. Though more time-consuming than most, this hearty English meat-and-potatoes meal is worthy of a spot on your winter dinner rotation.
Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf With Cranberries
Wild rice has more protein than the oft-lauded brown rice, which is reason alone to give this dish a try. It also features mushrooms and dried cranberries for a dash of sweetness. Serve alongside just about any meat or fish dish, or snack on it solo when you’re feeling a bit peckish.
Mango Chicken Curry With Coconut Rice
Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
With 30 grams of protein per serving, this curry packs a high-energy punch. Coconut milk gives the rice and sauce a creamy quality, while mango, ginger, and yellow curry paste bring the sweet and spicy elements. Chicken thighs simmered in the sauce add richness and flavor, and cilantro, red peppers, and lime brighten everything up.
Hanger Steak With Buttery Mashed Carrots
Carrots are the star of this dish, subbing in for mashed potatoes, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on protein. At 27 grams per serving, the hanger steak paired with buttery mashed carrots is the perfect “meat and potatoes” addition to a high-protein diet—without the added carbs.
Hanger Steak With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Greg DuPree
Jarred roasted red peppers shave time off of this incredibly succulent and protein packed dish. This rich and hearty steak recipe comes in at 38 grams of protein per serving, giving you a boost that’ll last you into tomorrow. The peppers are blended with vinegar, oil, garlic, and smoked paprika to enhance their sweet flavor, and the dish comes together with crispy roasted potatoes and vibrant green beans.
Braised Fish With Spicy Tomato Sauce
Expand your seafood repertoire with this recipe for braised cod. This white fish boasts a mild flavor and smooth, buttery texture, and it’s cooked in a tasty tomato sauce. It’s served atop fluffy couscous for a delicious Mediterranean-style meal that comes together in just 25 minutes.
Potato-Chip-Crusted Pork With Carrot-Quinoa Salad
Greg DuPree
Potato chips aren’t necessarily synonymous with “healthy,” but at a whopping 41 grams of protein per serving, this dish rebrands the classic snack. Quinoa gives the mustard-glazed tenderloin a little protein boost, while the fresh arugula and shaved carrots bring a delightful, fresh component. Paired with the crunch of the potato chip crust, it’s a match made in heaven.
Greek Salad with Chicken, Feta “Croutons” and Tahini Dressing
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This Greek salad is anything but traditional. From the sweet tahini-honey dressing to the feta “croutons,” there’s a surprise in every bite. Chicken breasts, feta cheese, and tahini give this salad a protein boost, so you’ll feel full even though the meal is light.
Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos
Greg DuPree
These chicken tacos certainly don’t lack protein thanks to the chicken and a crumbled cotija cheese topping. A squeeze of lime and store-bought salsa verde deliver a burst of flavor you won’t want to miss. Yum!
Green Gazpacho With Smoked Trout
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
Blend cucumbers, yogurt, feta cheese, and cilantro for a cool and filling meal. Top it with smoked trout (or salmon), cucumber, and cilantro for an elegant presentation. This green gazpacho recipe, rich in protein and refreshing flavors, is a satisfying summertime meal that’s sure to impress.
Skillet Steak and Radishes with Anchovy-Tarragon Butter
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This showstopper of a steak dinner can be cooked entirely on the stovetop. If you prefer the grill, cook the beef outdoors while you follow the procedure for the rest of the meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Black Bean Tostadas With Sweet Potato and Poblanos
This recipe is about to be your go-to easy vegetarian main dish. It’s packed with protein from the tofu and black beans, plus other healthy ingredients like tomatoes, peppers, onion, and fresh herbs. Tie it all together with some optional crema, or for even more richness, finish with a crumble of cotija cheese.
Zucchini Frittata With Parmesan
Sure, you could wake up to this frittata dish for breakfast—or turn to it as a high protein dinner served warm. It’s a great vegetarian option, and comes together in just 25 minutes.
Summer Squash Farro Bowl
Grains tend to get a bad rap, but whole grains, like the farro used here, are quite healthy and pack plenty of protein. This hearty bowl also features healthy ingredients like zucchini, yellow squash, avocado, and protein-packed chickpeas. No one will mind that it’s vegetarian. To make it vegan, skip the Greek yogurt sauce and top with your favorite vegan sauce or salad dressing instead.
Hoisin-Serrano Meatballs and Rice Noodle Salad
No need for takeout here! The garlicky, spicy hoisin meatballs are just as good as your favorite restaurant meal, and it’s loaded with protein. Hoisin sauce is typically used in Cantonese cooking and has a fragrant aroma and taste that pairs well with the pork meatballs.
Eggplant and Tofu Stir Fry
This simple vegan stir fry boasts plenty of protein thanks to tofu. Toss in additional veggies to up the nutritional content, and feel free to swap out the white rice for brown rice for more protein. Easily customizable to suit your preferences (and what’s in the fridge), you can throw this together in about 30 minutes.
