Gas your day with these scrumptious excessive protein meals produced from wholesome complete meals protein sources! Our information has you coated with concepts for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
What should you might take pleasure in scrumptious, satisfying excessive protein meals that additionally pack a dietary punch? As cookbook authors and recipe consultants, we’re enthusiastic about creating dishes which might be each nutritious and flavorful.
On this submit, Alex and I are sharing our prime go-to recipes for prime protein meals that can gas your day—together with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. We’ve additionally included some data from the Mayo Clinic that will change the best way you consider protein!
What’s a excessive protein meal?
The Mayo Clinic recommends to devour 15–30 grams of protein at every meal. Apparently, extra just isn’t higher. Research present consuming greater than 40 grams in a single sitting is not any extra useful than consuming 15-30 grams in a meal. So, there’s no profit in consuming extra protein than you want!
What are the healthiest protein sources?
The Mayo Clinic, the perfect methods to get protein are consuming complete meals (not protein powder or dietary supplements), like the next:
- Fish or seafood
- Lean meats, similar to skinless, white-meat rooster or turkey
- Egg whites
- Low-fat dairy
- Plant primarily based protein like soy, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils
Excessive protein meals—recipe record
With this stuff in thoughts, listed here are a few of our prime excessive protein meals, together with excessive protein breakfast concepts, lunch, dinner, and snacks. (See additionally our prime vegetarian excessive protein meals.)
Excessive protein dinner concepts
This juicy rooster meatballs recipe makes a deliciously wholesome consolation meals meal, served up in a tangy marinara sauce. It’s a hearty meal everybody will love!
Hen: 28 g protein per serving
Vegan: 15 g protein per serving
This oven baked salmon recipe completely seasoned, bursting with taste, and prepared in simply 20 minutes! It’s supreme for busy weeknights or a fast meal to impress.
37 g protein per serving
This simple rice bowl comes collectively in a flash! This quick dinner stars black beans and veggies with zingy cilantro lime ranch sauce.
20 g protein per serving
Masoor dal is a spiced Indian lentil dish that’s equal elements flavorful and comfy! This excessive protein meal is totally plant primarily based and vegan; serve with rice for a tasty meal.
29 g protein per serving
This sauteed shrimp recipe comes out juicy and seasoned to perfection in lower than 10 minutes! Listed below are the secrets and techniques to tips on how to saute shrimp.
34 g protein per serving
This tasty tofu stir fry recipe is our go-to for wholesome plant primarily based dinners! It’s acquired the perfect stir fry sauce, and you should utilize any veggies.
19 g protein per serving (with ½ cup white rice)
This pecan crusted salmon is quick and simple, with a deliciously crunchy topping! Make it to impress on weeknights or for dinner company.
27 g protein per serving
This creamy shrimp and orzo recipe is an easy and attractive one pot meal! Juicy shrimp, tender orzo, salty feta and brilliant lemon come collectively right into a satisfying dinner everybody will love.
37 g protein per serving
This straightforward pink lentil soup recipe is bursting with taste! It’s hearty and comfy, flavored with fragrant greens and lemon.
23 g protein per serving
This rooster and rice soup recipe is a comfortable, simple soup everybody will love! It’s our household favourite, with tender shredded rooster and fluffy rice that swim in a savory broth infused with smoky paprika.
36 g protein per serving
This soba noodle bowl is a fast and simple dinner recipe, good for weeknights! It’s a filling vegetarian meal stuffed with wholesome veggies.
20 g protein per serving
This baked tilapia recipe is bursting with taste! Pair the fish with lemon, tomatoes and feta for a powerful but simple dinner. This recipe has turn out to be a fan-favorite with many 5 star evaluations!
39 g protein per serving
This shrimp stir fry is a go-to quick and wholesome dinner! Use any veggies you want with this flavor-packed stir fry sauce.
30 g protein per serving (with ½ cup white rice)
This one pot rooster and rice is the proper simple dinner that’s bursting with taste! Tender rooster thighs and fluffy rice simmer in a comfortable broth, with a burst of freshness from the zesty parsley and lemon gremolata topping.
49 g protein per serving
This coconut lentil curry is a quick and simple dinner concept that’s each wholesome and stuffed with taste. It’s good for weeknight meals! Through the years, it’s turn out to be a fan favourite recipe that’s highly-rated by readers.
24 g protein per serving (served with ½ cup rice)
Maintain onto your hats—right here’s fairly probably one of many quickest simple shrimp recipes round! This Previous Bay shrimp takes lower than 10 minutes and ends in juicy, completely seasoned shrimp. Add rice or pasta for a fast meal!
22 g protein per serving
It’s surprisingly easy to make rooster paillard that tastes prefer it’s straight out of a French bistro! It comes out tender and bathed in a tangy pan sauce—an ideal dish for straightforward weeknight dinners or impressing buddies. Everybody at all times desires seconds!
31 g protein per serving
This shrimp Caesar salad is our reply to, “What’s for dinner?” The shrimp prepare dinner in simply 5 minutes and are available out seasoned and juicy, making this a quick and simple excessive protein dinner dinner concept for weeknights or a easy lunch. Attempt it with our selfmade Caesar dressing, or use bought in a pinch!
30 g protein per serving
This tofu fried rice recipe is bursting with taste! Tender tofu takes heart stage with fluffy rice, colourful veggies, and a savory sauce on this hearty vegan dinner.
18 g protein per serving
This chimichurri salmon pairs moist flaky salmon with the tangy, garlicky punch of this herby sauce—these flavors have been made for one another! It is so fast and simple to make broiled, or you possibly can strive it baked or grilled.
25 g protein per serving
Excessive protein breakfast concepts
These are our prime 10 excessive protein breakfast recipes! For extra concepts, go to Excessive Protein Breakfast Concepts.
Want a fast and wholesome excessive protein breakfast or snack concept? This satisfying yogurt bowl is filled with protein, fiber, and taste—and simple to customise together with your favourite toppings. It’s particularly enjoyable to make a DIY yogurt bowl bar as a low-stress technique to serve company!
31 g protein per serving
This genius breakfast burrito recipe is irresistibly satisfying and really easy to whip up! It’s acquired large savory taste and an excellent quantity of protein in addition.
25 g protein per serving
These cottage cheese breakfast bowls are a wholesome and simple breakfast! Prime them with berries or apple, cinnamon and a touch of honey.
20 g protein per serving
Need a protein-packed, fluffy pancake recipe? This cottage cheese pancakes recipe is a deliciously wholesome twist on the breakfast basic, good for satisfying your morning cravings.
14 g protein for two pancakes
Smoked salmon toast is right for brunch, simple lunch, or as a celebration appetizer! This straightforward concept is a examine in contrasts of taste and texture.
20 g protein per serving
This ricotta pancakes recipe is mild and fluffy: good for weekend breakfasts! Including cheese makes the perfect texture for pancakes.
20 g protein for two pancakes
This smoked salmon omelette recipe makes a particular breakfast or brunch! Bursting with taste, it takes minutes to make.
20 g protein per serving
Right here’s tips on how to make a smoothie bowl! The following pointers and tips make it simple to whip up this tasty breakfast or snack selfmade.
16 g protein per serving
This 5 minute breakfast sandwich recipe makes mornings simple! Fluffy, tacky eggs pair completely with a slather of smoky mayo.
23 g protein per serving
Want a 5 minute excessive protein breakfast or lunch? Cottage cheese on toast is a straightforward lunch concept or snack utilizing this excessive protein cheese!
14.5 g protein per serving
Excessive protein snack and lunch concepts
This Mediterranean tuna salad takes simply minutes to place collectively: it’s a quick and flavorful lunch or wholesome dinner!
35 g protein per serving
Right here’s a deliciously simple snack or aspect concept: the Yogurt Parfait! This layered cup appears fancy however takes minutes to make.
10 g protein per serving
This Texas caviar (aka Cowboy caviar) could have everybody crowded across the bowl! It’s full of huge, zesty taste and excellent for events.
13 g protein per serving
A salmon salad sandwich is a fast and simple lunch concept! Creamy and savory, it’s a tasty spin on the basic tuna.
25 g protein per serving
Wow, do individuals love this! This peanut butter dip is simply 4 components and tastes like frosting! Good for apples, pretzels or fruit.
7 g protein per serving
This tuna patties recipe makes a crowd-pleasing simple dinner! The tuna muffins are tender on the within with a golden crisp exterior.
30 g protein for two muffins
This lentil salad recipe is everybody’s favourite: bursting with taste and texture contrasts! It’s the proper aspect dish or lunch concept.
13 g protein per serving
This smoked salmon salad is the perfect fast dinner: no cooking concerned! It’s recent, wholesome, and full of huge taste.
37 g protein per serving
This no bake peanut butter vitality balls recipe tastes like wholesome brownie bites! It’s a straightforward naturally candy deal with made with dates. Including protein powder is non-compulsory, however provides a little bit of protein and sweetness. Our household gobbles these up!
3 g protein per serving
These selfmade protein bars are a household and fan favourite! They’re full of huge peanut butter and chocolate taste, utilizing your favourite protein powder and some additional components. It’s a plant-based deal with you possibly can be ok with.
13 g protein per serving
How a lot protein do you want?
See this text from the Mayo Clinic for specifics—it signifies you want 60 grams per day for a median grownup, and round 70 to 90 grams should you’re over 40 years previous.
The article additionally states that the majority Individuals meet or exceed their protein wants, so whereas it’s an fascinating metric to trace, it’s possible you’re already consuming sufficient.
All Excessive Protein Meals
Prime Excessive Protein Meals (Meatballs & Extra Concepts!)
This juicy excessive protein meatballs recipe makes a deliciously wholesome consolation meals meal, served up in a tangy marinara sauce. It’s a hearty meal everybody will love! For vegan, go to Vegan Meatballs with the identical sauce.
- Prep Time: quarter-hour
- Cook dinner Time: quarter-hour
- Complete Time: half-hour
- Yield: 4 1x
- Class: Important dish
- Technique: Stovetop
- Delicacies: Excessive protein
Hen meatballs
- 1 egg
- 1 pound floor rooster (see Notes for doubling)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free panko; see Notes)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Recent floor black pepper
- 24 ounces marinara sauce or 1 recipe Selfmade Marinara Sauce (or see Notes)
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (non-compulsory)
Vegan meatballs
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Warmth the marinara sauce: In a big oven-proof skillet over medium warmth, add the marinara (or stir collectively the components for the selfmade marinara sauce*). Convey to a simmer, then as soon as simmering take away from warmth.
- In the meantime in a big bowl, whisk the egg, then stir within the floor rooster, olive oil, panko, Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt and freshly floor black pepper to style. Add the rooster and gently combine together with your fingers till it’s properly included. Gently type 20 to 21 balls, about 1 1/2-inches [4 cm] broad. Prepare the meatballs within the sauce within the skillet.
- Cowl the skillet (or use foil should you don’t have a lid). Switch the skillet to the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes from the warmth when the inner temperature reaches 160°F [68°C] (the meatballs will proceed cooking within the pan to 165°F [70°C].) **
- Utilizing oven mitts, fastidiously take away the pan from the oven and stir the sauce to coat the meatballs. Let sit for five minutes earlier than serving. Garnish with further grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
Notes
*To double this recipe, pour double the warmed marinara right into a 9 x 13 dish and bake as instructed.
**In case you can’t discover gluten-free panko, you possibly can substitute crushed gluten-free crackers or roughly chopped Previous Common rolled oats.
***Various cooking strategies: Pan fried: In a big skillet warmth 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the meatballs and prepare dinner in 2 batches till browned on all sides and cooked by means of (about 2 minutes all sides). Add somewhat extra oil for the second batch, if wanted. Baked with out marinara: Place the meatballs on a parchment lined sheet pan. Bake for 20 minutes at 400°F, till the inner temperature reaches 165°F [70°C].)