23 High-Protein Plant-Based Meals to Keep You Satisfied for Hours
Getting enough protein is important for keeping us feeling full and satisfied throughout the day. However, for those trying to eat healthier or trying to cut back on meat, it can sometimes be challenging to make sure you are getting adequate amounts of this important nutrient. The good news is there are lots of delicious veg options that can provide ample protein to help curb hunger pangs.
Whether you’re a full-time vegetarian or just want to incorporate more healthy recipes into your routine, these protein-packed dishes are sure to satisfy.
Kung Pao Tofu
This Kung Pao Tofu is a vegetarian take on the classic Chinese American staple, kung pao chicken. My version features crispy pan-fried tofu, veggies and a sticky spicy sweet kung pao sauce.
Impossible Sloppy Joes
These vegan Impossible sloppy joes are rich and meaty and a nostalgic, simple dinner idea. Brown the vegan ground beef, add homemade tomato sauce, and serve on soft buns with lots of pickles.
BBQ Tofu (simple and easy!)
This delicious BBQ tofu recipe requires only two ingredients! Simple and easy, you’ll love this vegan BBQ tofu in sandwiches, salads, bowls and more.
Nashville Hot Tofu Nuggets
Crispy Nashville Hot Tofu nuggets made in the air fryer or the oven! These nuggets are easily vegan and a must for spice lovers. Enjoy them on their own, in a wrap, or in my kale salad with avocado ranch.
Impossible Bolognese
A rich and delicious Italian meat sauce made with Impossible meat. This Impossible Bolognese is a showstopper and a must-make; vegetarian or vegan!
Crispy Tofu Tacos with Cashew Lime Crema
Shredded tofu tacos with homemade cashew lime crema. Ready in just 30 minutes, these vegan street tacos are packed with protein and taste so meaty and delicious.
Tofu Gyros
Delicious plant-based tofu gyros made with thinly sliced tofu, tzatziki, and a a cucumber tomato salad.
Impossible Smash Burgers
Crowd-pleasing burgers! These impossible smash burgers are a vegetarian (and easily vegan) take on classic smash burgers with all the fixings.
Spicy Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tempeh
Spicy Peanut Noodles with Crispy Tempeh Bits, Ginger, Scallions and Cilantro. These spicy peanut noodles are crave-able– vegan and easily gluten-free.
Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
These lasagna boats are a yummy vegetarian dinner perfect for fall and winter. Layered with cheese, plant-based marinara sauce, and ricotta. Yum!
Impossible Lasagna
All the meaty flavor of lasagna, but vegetarian-friendly! This Impossible lasagna is perfect for serving a crowd and just as cheesy and meaty as your favorite version. One of our favorites!
Peanut Tofu Buddha Bowl
Brown rice, the BEST tofu, vegetables, roasted broccoli in a simple peanut sauce.
Ranch Kale Salad
A salad for BBQ lovers! With 19g of protein serving, this salad is a must try. Homemade ranch dressing tossed with kale, tomatoes, corn, and avocado with chewy BBQ tofu nuggets. A must-try!Â
Spicy Gochujang Noodles
Udon noodles stir-fried with crispy tofu, carrots, and bok choy in a spicy sesame-gochujang sauce. With 20g of protein per serving, these noodles are a healthy option for spice lovers.
Slow Cooker Chickpea Butter Curry
To make this protein-packed, I include tofu as well as chickpeas. This accounts for 18.6g of protein a serving, from both the tofu and chickpeas.
Black Bean Burger Sliders
For one slider, you’re looking at 8.1g of protein. Eat two, and you’ve surpassed that high-protein goal of 15g per meal. These burgers freeze well and can be unthawed for a quick and easy meal.
Sheet Pan Maple Balsamic Tempeh
This recipe contains 16g of protein and better yet, it also has 12.4g of fiber, which accounts for 44% of your recommended intake. Considering that 95% of Americans don’t consume enough fiber each day, adding in meals like this more often is a good idea.
One Pot Chili Mac
For one serving of chili mac, you’ll get 21.5g of protein. It contains three types of beans: pinto, kidney, and black.
Easy Vegan Korma
This recipe has 16.5g of protein, thanks to the ground cashews and garbanzo beans. This is a great option for meal prep as it just gets tastier the longer the spices soak, and it reheats very easily!
Sheet Pan Ranch Bowls with Chickpeas
This recipe comes packed with 15.9g of protein, or 32% of the daily recommended intake for the average woman. These bowls are incredibly filling due to the potatoes, extra-firm tofu, and farro.
Vegan Sausage Pasta with Peppers
For each serving of this pasta dish, you’ll get 15.9g of protein from both the sausage and the pasta. Yes, pasta contains protein! 1 cup of pasta usually contains 7g of protein, similar to the protein of an egg. I like to use Field Roast Sausages as they are seitan based, but any plant-based sausage will work in this recipe.
The Best Vegan Chili
You won’t find any tofu, tempeh, squash, sweet potatoes, or lentils in this one! The protein comes from plenty of vegetables and beans. One serving of this chili has 17.4g of protein, mostly from the beans.
High Protein Vegan Caesar Salad
The protein intake in this one might blow you away. You can have up to 28.8g of protein per serving of this Caesar salad, not exactly rabbit food. If you love Caesar salad as much as I do, then you’ll love this one.
Slow Cooker Lentil Sloppy Joes
This recipe contains 15.1g of protein, per serving. You can easily use this for meal prep as it stays good in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Vegan Shawarma Bowl
Each shawarma bowl contains 21.8g of protein, thanks to the chickpeas, tahini dressing, and potatoes. Prep these bowls ahead of time, and it will only take a few minutes to throw them together for a quick, tasty meal!
Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
All thanks to the almond milk and cashew sauce, you can have 15.7g of protein per serving with this mac and cheese. For an added protein boost, I’ll often make this with chickpea-based pasta– especially for my kiddos who love mac and cheese!
Vegan Skillet Dinner
This recipe contains 20.9g of protein which I’d absolutely consider to be a high-protein meal.
Tempeh Bacon BLT Sandwiches
With the tempeh bacon, one sandwich accounts for a whopping 29.1g of protein– pretty impressive, right?
Vegan Chickpea Nuggets
Each of these nuggets contains 2.2g of protein. So, if you have a serving of 7 nuggets, you’ll reach that desired high-protein intake of 15.4g.
Vegan Lentil Stew
For each serving of stew, you’ll get 16.5g of protein. Honestly, it’s the kind of recipe where you’ll be going for seconds, so you could get even more protein for one meal!
Chili Beans with Creamy Polenta
The polenta in this dish fills you up, while the kale provides a ton of nutrients. The canned beans in this recipe help make this a vegan high-protein meal, containing 19.5g of protein per serving.