30 High-Protein Meals That Are Filling and Easy To Make
With 20 grams of protein per serving — at least!
Looking to boost your protein intake? You're not alone! Interest in high-protein foods continues to gain traction online and on grocery shelves. We're seeing more and more brands launch protein-packed products, as well as tons of high-protein snacks in stores. That said, it's pretty easy (and tasty!) to up your protein consumption with ingredients you already have on hand.
These high-protein recipes will help to ensure you get enough of this important macronutrient into your day, which provides our bodies with a solid source of amino acids and is essential for helping cells grow and repair. (It also helps you feel more satisfied post-meal.) Each dish packs in at least 20 grams of protein per serving and we included a variety of protein sources — from lean meats and poultry to plenty of plant proteins like tofu, lentils, beans and eggs.
In this collection, you will find seriously-satisfying, high-protein vegetarian recipes (hello, kale and chickpea toasts!) as well as ideas for protein-packed breakfasts, lunches and weeknight dinners. Some recipes will take you less than 20 minutes, while others are perfect for meal prepping to get ahead for the week. And since we don't want to sacrifice other health goals for the sake of boosting our protein intakes, we included recipes that still feature plenty of fresh produce and whole grains, as well as low-calorie meals and healthy dinner ideas.
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
We ditched the hoagie roll and stuffed all the Philly cheesesteak fixings into peppers instead. It's a fun one-and-done meal that's a little lighter and still oh-so comforting.
Lemon Tahini-Marinated Chicken
Meal preppers, take note: You can make a big batch of these grilled chicken thighs to serve up in salads, sandwiches and grain bowls throughout the week.
Get the Lemon Tahini-Marinated Chicken recipe.
RELATED: 30 Easy Grilled Chicken Recipes That You'll Be Making All Summer
Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos
Eggs get mentioned a lot when people talk protein, and for good reason: Eggs contain all nine essential amino acids (so yep, they're a complete protein!). Plus, a single egg has anywhere between five to eight grams of protein, depending on its size.
Kale and Chickpea Toasts
Don't eat meat? No stress! Add meals made with protein-packed plant-based ingredients, like this high-protein vegetarian recipe, to your weekly dinner rotation and you're good to go.
Get the Kale and Chickpea Toasts recipe.
Pork, Pineapple and Onion Skewers
With a stack of skewers and a handful of ingredients, you can unlock this delicious dinner that delivers nearly 30 grams of protein per serving.
Get the Pork, Pineapple and Onion Skewers recipe.
RELATED: Our Easiest 5-Ingredient Meal Plan
Air Fryer Fish Taco Bowls
Looking for some grain bowl inspiration? This combo of air-fried cod, brown rice, slaw and a tangy chipotle sauce delivers tons of fun, fresh flavor — as well as 24 grams of protein per serving.
Get the Air Fryer Fish Taco Bowls recipe.
RELATED: 20 Easy Rice Bowls That Make Any Weeknight Meal a Breeze
Grilled Chicken with Sunflower Seed Satay Sauce
Nuts and seeds can add a good dose of protein (and flavor!) to the equation as well. Exhibit A: This crowd-pleaser, clocks in at 34 grams of protein per serving and features a nut-free satay sauce.
Get the Grilled Chicken with Sunflower Seed Satay Sauce recipe.
RELATED: 60 Healthy Chicken Recipes Perfect for An Easy Weeknight Dinner
Air Fryer Salmon and Swiss Chard
Fish is one of the healthiest protein sources and salmon is an all-around all-star, offering up vitamin B12, choline, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids, plus plenty of other health benefits.
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Introducing the high-protein, low-carb dinner of your dreams.
Get the Grilled Chicken Caprese recipe.
Steak with Beans and Roasted Broccolini
Get a double dose of protein by serving up a hearty steak with a bean-studded side, which takes the protein up by about six grams per serving.
Get the Steak with Beans and Roasted Broccolini recipe.
RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy
Slow Cooker Chicken Pozole Verde
Spend the day thinking about this comforting, protein-packed soup that's simmering away in your Crock Pot at home.
Get the Slow Cooker Chicken Pozole Verde recipe.
RELATED: 80 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes the Whole Family Will Love
Light Chicken Cacciatore
Serve up a family-style dinner that's a little healthier than the classic — courtesy of all the extra veggies we added into the mix.
Get the Light Chicken Cacciatore recipe.
Steak with Pickled Veggies
For some, protein and steak are synonymous. Dress up the power player with a punchy, pickled side for a seriously satisfying, low-carb meal.
Get the Steak with Pickled Veggies recipe.
RELATED: 20 Delicious Low-Carb Recipes That'll Actually Fill You Up
Salmon Salad Tartines
Stock up on tinned fish and you're pretty much always prepared to whip up a high-protein lunch or dinner. Take this fancy fare, which is made with canned salmon and ready in just 15 minutes.
Get the Salmon Salad Tartines recipe.
RELATED: Ready to Try the Mediterranean Diet? These Recipes Will Help Get You Started
Air Fryer Tofu with Peanut Sauce and Soba
If you haven't tried air-frying tofu yet, you must. (Trust us.)
Get the Air Fryer Tofu with Peanut Sauce and Soba recipe.
RELATED: 35 Healthy Tofu Recipes That Even Meat Lovers Will Crave
Seared Scallops with Escarole Salad
These buttery, pan-fried scallops are proof that sometimes the simplest dinners are the most delicious.
Get the Seared Scallops with Escarole Salad recipe.
RELATED: 15 Healthiest Fish to Eat, According to Registered Dietitians
Peanutty Edamame and Noodle Salad
Thanks to protein-packed edamame, plus a healthy serving of peanut butter, this high-protein vegan recipe clocks in at 22 grams of protein per serving.
Get the Peanutty Edamame and Noodle Salad recipe.
Pork Chops with Boky Choy and Coconut Rice
An easy way to up the ante of whatever protein you're serving tonight is to brush on an irresistible sauce, like this blend of soy sauce, lime, garlic, chile and brown sugar.
Charred Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Shrimp is a super-convenient protein source, especially if you opt for frozen. With a bag of shrimp in the freezer, you're never more than a few minutes away from a protein-packed meal.
Get the Charred Shrimp and Avocado Salad recipe.
RELATED: 30 Seriously Easy Shrimp Recipes
Grilled Lemony Chicken and Kale Salad
Throw everything — kale, included! — on the grill for a satisfying salad full of flavor (plus, 30 grams of protein per serving).
Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.
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