30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (2024)

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (1)

Look, we’re not here to give diet advice. To everything there is a season, especially when it comes to healthy eating: Sometimes, that might mean going all in on carbs, like our pasta, pizza, or potato recipes. Other times, it might mean eating less carbs, like with our gluten-free, low-carb, or keto recipes. Long story short, we’re all about eating what feels good for you. One thing we can always get behind though? Getting plenty of protein to make sure we stay full, no matter where the day takes us. So whether you're looking for new protein-packed plant-based, vegetarian, and vegan meals (for Meatless Monday, perhaps?) or want to shake up how you cook chicken, seafood, or steak, these 30 high-protein meals are proof you're in the right place!

And we’re not just talking meat here, people! Sure, meat is protein rich, but it’s not the only way to pad out a protein-rich diet. Plant-based proteins like tofu and beans, vegetarian options like eggs, and even some veggies (Brussels, corn, spinach…) are also great sources. Try our BBQ tempeh sandwiches, vegan meatballs, shakshuka, or caramelized tofu lettuce wraps to see just how well some of these protein sources can stand up to meat.

If you’re an omnivore, you’ve got even more choices. Don’t settle for boring, dry chicken breast, pork, or fish—instead, use compelling flavors and cooking methods to amp up the drama and keep these proteins exciting. Case in point, our caramelized beef with rice, steak grain bowls, creamy Tuscan chicken, and sheet pan bibimbap.

Want more high-protein inspiration? Check out our top weeknight dinners featuring steak, chicken, and seafood, and our favorite vegetarian dinners too.

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1

Miso Salmon & Farro Bowl

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Take your Monday night dinner into a Tuesday afternoon grain bowl with this miso-glazed salmon and charred scallion farro bowl. Miso is a Japanese cooking staple that's got toasty, deeply savory, and slightly sweet notes that pair well with hearty fish like salmon or cod, but it can also amplify the flavor of roasted veggies or even baked goods.

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2

Sesame Tofu & Broccoli

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In this vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite, oven-baked tofu gets tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce along with crisp-tender broccoli, then topped with toasty sesame seeds and scallions. With a side of white rice, you’ll be on your way to a saucy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.

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3

Pizza Frittata

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (7)

While there's no shame in devouring slices of leftover pizza, if you're craving pizza for breakfast but want a substantial meal, turn to this pizza frittata. We load this frittata up with marinara, shredded mozzarella, and sliced pepperoni for savory pizza flavor, with double the protein and a lot less effort.

Get the Pizza Frittata recipe.

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4

Beef & Rice Stuffed Poblano Peppers

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (9)

Common in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, stuffing poblano peppers is a beautiful way to enjoy this earthy and meaty pepper. Bell peppers tend to be a bit sweeter and fruitier than poblano peppers, but poblanos really hold up to big flavors and rich foods. So we updated the typical beef and rice stuffing a bit by using fire-roasted tomatoes and spicing the sauce with chipotle chiles, ground cumin, and oregano.

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5

Indian Butter Chickpeas

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (11)

Looking for your new favorite way to dress up canned chickpeas? You’re in the right place. Simmered in an aromatic tomato gravy, this vegetarian spin on classic butter chicken will forever change the way you look at a can of beans.

Get the Indian Butter Chickpeas recipe.

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6

Copycat Panera Green Goddess Cobb Salad With Chicken

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (13)

Panera’s Cobb salad is like no other Cobb salad. Their creamy green goddess dressing is bright and fresh with a little nuttiness from the Parmesan that sets it apart. It’s a great dressing to keep on hand to add to other salads or to serve over chicken.

Get the Copycat Panera Green Goddess Cobb Salad With Chicken recipe.

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7

White Chicken Chili

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When we're craving something hearty and healthy, this chicken chili immediately jumps to mind. White beans make it heartier than your average chicken noodle soup, green chilis and jalapeño add just the right amount of spice, and a dollop of sour cream lends a tangy creaminess that will keep you coming back for more.

Get the White Chicken Chili recipe.

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8

Vegan Meatballs

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (17)

Few comfort foods satisfy like a hearty bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. These chickpea-based meatballs pack tons of flavor, come together quickly, and provide a good amount of protein and fiber.

Get the Vegan Meatballs recipe.

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9

Egg Roll Bowls

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When we’re craving crispy egg rolls but need a more filling lunch option, we turn to these bowls. Whether you’re low-carb, are looking for a creative lunch, or simply want to spice up your weeknight with an easy, budget-friendly dinner, these egg roll bowls are the way to go.

Get the Egg Roll Bowls recipe.

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10

Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (21)

Turkey burgers can have a reputation for being boring, but when done right, they’re anything but. We amped up these burgers by incorporating the flavors of one of our favorite sandwiches: bánh mì. Pickled veggies, spicy mayo, and cilantro all top our seasoned turkey burgers for a cheap and easy dinner that couldn’t be more exciting.

Get the Bánh Mì Turkey Burgers recipe.

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11

Vegetarian Chili

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This vegetarian stew is every bit as warm, comforting, and filling as a classic beef chili. Three types of beans do the heavy lifting, while warm spices and jalapeño add a little extra heat. Serve it on a cold night with a slice of homemade cornbread.

Get the Vegetarian Chili recipe.

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12

Fish Taco Bowls

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When you’re craving the flavors and textures of a fish taco, but need some vegetables in your life, this salad is perfect for you. Crispy fish and a creamy, spicy slaw are the base of these veggie-packed takes on everyone’s favorite taco.

Get the Fish Taco Bowls recipe.

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13

Air Fryer Korean-Inspired Pork Tenderloin Lettuce Wraps

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Pork tenderloin is the perfect vehicle for the spicy sweet sauce in these lettuce wraps. They’re fun to eat like lettuce tacos, but you could also just transform the whole thing into a rice- or grain-based bowl.

Get the Air Fryer Korean-Inspired Pork Tenderloin Lettuce Wraps recipe.

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14

Goddess Bowls

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A good sauce changes everything, and this green goddess dressing is one of our favorites yet. The veggies here are interchangeable, but in the spirit of goddess dressing, we think green is the way to go. Roasted asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are all good choices.

Get the Goddess Bowls recipe.

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15

Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (31)

Whether you're trying to go low-carb or simply love cooking spaghetti squash, this chicken Alfredo-inspired recipe is a worthwhile weeknight chicken dinner you should add to your rotation.

Get the Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash recipe.

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16

Tuna Salad

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Tuna salad is one of our go-to healthy meals. We love it between two pieces of bread, spread on a cracker, scooped over lettuce, or even right out of the bowl. If you want to step up your tuna game, the easiest way is to splurge on olive oil-packed tuna—you'd be shocked at how much extra flavor it delivers!

Get the Tuna Salad recipe.

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17

Lentil Soup

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While it may not be known as the sexiest of soups, our recipe is anything but boring and ensures that this vegetable soup gets the attention it deserves. Kitchen-wise, all you need is a good soup pot, a knife, a cutting board, and some measuring spoons.

Get the Lentil Soup recipe.

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18

BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches

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The grill adds subtle, almost bacon-like smoky flavor to these tempeh steaks, but there's no meat in sight. Add a cool, creamy coleslaw and a toasted buttered bun for the perfect, protein-packed sandwich.

Get the BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches recipe.

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19

Caramelized Beef With Rice

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The sink is full of dirty dishes, the kitchen counter's a mess, and the crowd of friends in your apartment is getting hangry. Sound familiar? This caramelized beef was conceived as a fix for this very scenario. Rich in flavor and weeknight-friendly, this dinner cooks up under 10 minutes. Not feeling beef? Riff on this recipe with ground pork, turkey, chicken, or even tofu.

Get the Caramelized Beef With Rice recipe.

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20

Extra Lemony Seitan Piccata

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (41)

Some piccata sauces use only lemon juice, but we opt for whole pieces of the fruit for ultimate citrus flavor. After a simmer in a wine-and-broth Jacuzzi, the lemon loses its sharp bitterness and becomes sweet and tender. We dig it drizzled over plant-based, high-protein seitan.

Get the Extra Lemony Seitan Piccata recipe.

30 High-Protein Meals That Are Hearty & Satisfying (2024)

FAQs

What is the most filling high protein food? ›

On the satiety index, fish scores higher than all other protein-rich foods, including eggs and beef. Fish had the second highest score of all the foods tested ( 3 ). Another older study compared fish, chicken, and beef protein. The researchers found that fish protein had the strongest effect on satiety ( 25 ).

How do I get 30g protein each meal? ›

30 grams of protein cheat sheet:
  1. 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt.
  2. 1 cup tempeh.
  3. 5 oz shrimp (about 10 large shrimp)
  4. 1 cup cottage cheese.
  5. 4 oz chicken (about half of a chicken breast)
  6. 5 oz grass-fed steak (slightly larger than a deck of cards)
  7. 1 1/2 cups tofu.
  8. 2 cups black beans.
May 19, 2023

Which food is 100% protein? ›

Complete List of High Protein Foods. Protein can come from both animal and plant sources. In general, foods such as beans, lentils, eggs, meats, poultry, nuts, seeds, seafood, soy products, dairy products, and whole grains are protein sources.

Which food is king of protein? ›

High Protein Foods by Nutrient Density (Most Protein per 100 Grams)
FoodServingProtein
1. Spirulina100 grams115% DV (57.5g)
2. Dry-Roasted Soybeans100 grams87% DV (43.3g)
3. Grated Parmesan Cheese100 grams83% DV (41.6g)
4. Lean Veal Top Round100 grams73% DV (36.7g)
6 more rows
May 8, 2024

What 3 foods contain the highest amount of protein? ›

8 Best High-Protein Foods
  1. Lean Beef. 22 g protein (3-ounce serving) of 93% lean ground beef. ...
  2. Chicken. 27 g protein (3-ounce serving) of skinless chicken breast. ...
  3. Salmon. 19 g protein (3-ounce serving) ...
  4. Eggs. 6 g protein (1 large egg) ...
  5. Peanut Butter. 7 g protein (2 tablespoons) ...
  6. Pasta. ...
  7. Low-Fat Cottage Cheese. ...
  8. Lentils.
Jun 22, 2023

What does a 30g protein breakfast look like? ›

Here is a list of foods that provide roughly 30 grams of protein: 1.5 cups of Greek yogurt (opt for unsweetened and add your own toppings) 1 cup cottage cheese. 5 large eggs, or 2-3 eggs mixed with extra egg whites.

What is the 30g protein breakfast myth? ›

Protein myth: the body can only absorb 30g protein per meal

According to research, the human body can absorb a virtually unlimited amount of protein.

What is the 30 30 30 rule for protein? ›

The 30-30-30 rule involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity, steady state cardiovascular exercise. Beyond these steps, the 30-30-30 method doesn't require any changes to other meals or behaviors, restrictions or counting calories.

What protein foods keep you full? ›

Eggs are low calorie and high protein.

Generally, a large egg contains about 6 grams of protein and 72 calories. There are plenty of different ways to cook eggs and adding them to your diet can be as simple as making an omelet for breakfast or sprinkling crumbled, hard-boiled egg bits on top of a salad.

What is the best protein to eat to stay full? ›

Fish. Lean meat and poultry. Low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese. Egg whites.

What protein will fill you up? ›

Chickpeas, pinto beans, black beans, and kidney beans also have a ton of protein. Beans also keep you full for longer because, unlike meat, most are rich in fiber. Almonds and pistachios are among the most protein-rich nuts. Both have 6 grams of protein in a 1-ounce serving.

How to get 150g of protein a day? ›

Incorporating Protein into Your Meals

Animal-derived proteins: 3 oz canned tuna (20 g of protein), 3 oz cooked salmon (19g), 3 oz skirt steak (25 g), 3 oz cooked chicken breast (27 g), 4 slices of deli meat (8 g), 156 g plain Greek yogurt (16 g), 220 g cottage cheese (24 g), 245g 2% milk (8 g), or 1 whole egg (6g).

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