Cooking high-protein meals can be simple and delicious. Don’t believe it? Check out these 43 high-protein meal recipes that anyone can make!
You want to consume lots of protein to build muscle. You want to eat clean. Deep down, you know it’s best to cook your own food.
But you don’t want to spend all night in the kitchen soiling dishes.
I know how you feel. That’s why I’ve put together 43 of the best protein-rich meal recipes that ANYONE can make. There are breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, as well as options for different diets.
Check out the recipes and follow the links below.
High-Protein Breakfast Recipes:
1. Strawberry pancakes with chocolate almond butter:
Some mornings call for a breakfast that feels more like dessert. With these high-protein pancakes, you don’t have to give up any fats by indulging your sweet cravings. Fresh strawberries, some mini marshmallows and chocolate almond butter make this sweet treat a great weekend breakfast. Get the full recipe “
2. Breakfast casserole with sausage and sweet potatoes:
This breakfast casserole has enough to last you all week. Filled with protein from eggs and sausage, it also gets a nutritious (and hearty) boost from dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes and coconut oil. Make this dish on the weekend, and you won’t have to worry about a morning of work.
3. High-protein overnight oatmeal:
This versatile “no-cook” recipe is perfect for both breakfast and a workout. You can make the whole batch (or even double it!) in less than 10 minutes, and you’ll have enough oatmeal to strengthen your muscles all week long.
4. Breakfast burritos:
Easy high-protein breakfast burritos for a quick meal,Although it’s more of a pattern than a recipe, breakfast burritos are a convenient way to eat healthy on the go. These ready-to-eat burritos are easy to freeze and customizable. To add protein, add egg whites, beans or meat. Before eating, add a few slices of avocado for healthy fats.
5. Turkey and sweet potato hash:
No salty weekend breakfast is as decadent as hash. This version uses lean ground turkey and sweet potatoes to keep the macros in check. A sunny-side up egg and a pinch of goat cheese will make this dish great!
6. 2-minute scrambled eggs in a mug:
So, you’ve had a busy weekend and you forgot to make breakfast. Have to go to McDonald’s, right? Nice try! This two-minute mug omelet is a healthy choice for a busy morning. Also, it’s more of a pattern than a recipe, so feel free to add your favorite ingredients and mix it up day after day.
High-Protein Lunch Recipes:
7. Salmon Salad with Chili Lime:
This summer salad will brighten up any meal. If you’ve been eating boring fast food salads, the fresh taste of this salmon and chili lime salad will be a welcome relief. You can pre-dress the spinach, or you can keep all the ingredients separate for a ready-to-eat lunch full of protein and omega-3s.
8. Simple toast with poached eggs and avocado:
Here’s a quick and fresh lunch idea that will satiate you and not cause a mid-afternoon slump. Fresh herbs, shaved parmesan and cherry tomatoes elevate this simple dish above typical lazy lunches. There are even a few tips on how to perfect the technique of boiling eggs.
9. High-protein balsamic steak and pasta salad:
This high-protein pasta salad is a far cry from its mayonnaise-topped counterparts. The lean tenderloin and asparagus make this salad a diet lunch that can be made ahead of time.
10. Skinny Tuna:
This leaner version of the classic dish is the perfect high-protein lunch. With only 230 calories per open sandwich, you can afford to eat two! In doing so, you’ll get a total of 56g of protein – not bad for a light lunch!
11. Imitation Chicken Qdoba:
Easy high-protein lunches – Qdoba-style chicken
This recipe reveals the secret to making chicken pieces worthy of a burrito. Just marinate 2 pounds of chicken, and you’ll have almost a week’s worth of delicious lunch options. Of course, you can mimic a burrito or bowl of your favorite mains, but this dish would also work well with salads or sandwiches. “
12. Chicken salad with avocado:
Just four ingredients separate you from a quick and healthy lunch. Avocado and yogurt are a perfect substitute for mayonnaise in this simple chicken salad recipe. Serve it open on an English bun or wrapped in paper. This recipe is perfect for leftover chicken from a pot or rotisserie.
13. Steak and grilled cheese sandwich for the bodybuilder:
Thanks to Muscle & Strength chef Sarah Kessely, you can enjoy all the mouthwatering flavors of a grilled cheese sandwich. Stuffed with sirloin, roasted peppers and onions, and Pepper Jack cheese, this sandwich has all the flavor (and only a fraction of the fat) of its Philadelphia counterpart.
14. Stuffed sweet potatoes with barbecue from 3 ingredients:
Chicken breasts + sweet potatoes. Okay, this isn’t exactly a cutting edge dish for bodybuilders. This simple recipe allows you to get the most flavor out of a minimal amount of ingredients.
Shredded chicken breast is mixed with your favorite barbecue sauce and then stuffed into baked sweet potatoes for an easy lunch. Consider using a slow cooker (crock pot) to prepare a chicken breast that can be easily shredded with a fork.
High-Protein Dinner Recipes:
15. Kung Pao Pure Chicken:
Sweet. Spicy. Delicious. Simple skillet dishes are perfect for weeknight dinners. This dish only packs one pan and cooks in just a few minutes. Adjust the level of spiciness by adjusting the amount of chili paste and Sriracha.
16. Fried chicken breasts with garbanzo beans, tomatoes and paprika:
Prepare to wow your guests with this deceptively simple, high-protein dinner. I tested this dish with boneless breasts and it works just as well, so don’t worry if you don’t have anything else on hand. With whole cherry tomatoes and canned chickpeas, you can quickly make this dish in the oven. There’s a bonus recipe, too: shred the leftover chicken breasts for pita sandwiches the next day!
17. Chicken taco soup in a crockpot:
When I hear people say that cooking healthy food is too difficult and expensive, I can’t help but think of this crockpot staple dish. This hearty meal is something between chili and soup. There is no prep work involved, just put all the ingredients (mostly canned) in a pot and come home to a hearty and healthy dinner. Beer can be substituted for chicken broth if that suits your macro/lifestyle better.
18. Simple turkey chili.l:
When the fireplace crackles and there’s a soccer game on TV, it can only mean one thing. It’s chili season. This flavorful, lean turkey chili is perfect for cold evenings. It gets even tastier the next day, so feel free to double the recipe for meal prep!
19. Bodybuilder’s Double Cheeseburger with Beef and Bacon:
Burger night is back thanks to M&S chef Sarah Kessely! This cheesy double cheeseburger has 53 grams of protein and less than a third of the fat of regular bacon cheeseburgers. Throw these patties on the grill and take the plunge!
20. Beans, cabbage and egg stew:
A simple, comforting vegetarian recipe with 30 grams of protein per serving? That’s too good to be true, right? The creative minds at Food Network Kitchen present this hearty stew of beans, cabbage and eggs. Unlike many meat stews, this dish can be served in about 30 minutes .
High-protein dessert recipes:
Healthy High-Protein Dessert Recipes – Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Cakes
21. Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies:
Nothing satisfies a candy teeth higher than brownies. These decadent brownies contain a triple chocolate threat: chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder and chocolate egg whites. Each brownie is then covered in chocolate frosting and chocolate peanut butter frosting. You won’t believe you’re eating a low-calorie treat with 14g of protein!
22. Protein Cookie Dough Shake:
This shake can be described as “liquid cookie dough.” If you complement this creamy protein shake with oat flakes and chocolate shavings, it becomes a real treat. Tip: If you don’t have maple extract (like most people do…), replace the extract and some of the sweetener with real maple syrup. Get the full recipe “
23. Cinnamon Roll Protein Oatmeal:
Don’t have the time (and self-control) to make an entire pan of cinnamon rolls? Try this protein cinnamon roll oatmeal the next time you feel like it. It even has cream cheese to add a fresh glaze flavor. Get the full recipe “
24. Protein Bites with Birthday Cake:
Jen Jewell stopped by M&S headquarters and revealed a shocking secret: she’s addicted to sprinkles! She shared her favorite sweet treat when she needs a refresher – protein bites for birthday cake. These simple cookies can be baked or eaten as small bites after they’ve been infused in the fridge. Either way, it’s a great way to satisfy a craving for cookies. Get the full recipe “
