22 Easy High-Protein Vegan Meals You'll Want to Make on Repeat
Here's how to pack in protein without meat or dairy.
Reviewed by Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPTNutrition Lab Director
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Reaching your protein goals on a plant-based diet can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Many of these easy, flavor-packed high-protein vegan recipes can be ready in under 30 minutes.
Study up on vegan protein sources and you'll learn that there are many ways to incorporate protein into your diet, without relying on animal products. Nuts, seeds, quinoa, beans, lentils and soy products offer protein in addition to important nutrients like healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Most whole, unprocessed plant-based proteins are generally lower in saturated fat compared to animal proteins. Natural plant-based proteins also come with additional nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals that you normally wouldn’t find in other foods.
Why is protein important? In addition to building muscle, boosting bone health and maintaining metabolism, high-protein foods keep you fuller for longer than other types of nutrients. Incorporate the macro into your meals for a more satiating plate. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.36 grams per pound, which works out to be about 60 grams per day for a 170-pound person. That means you should aim for 15-30 grams of protein per meal, and all of the recipes on this list fall within that range.
Hungry for hearty, meat-free meals in minutes? You've come to the right place.
Black Bean–Stuffed Poblanos
Store-bought vegan queso is the secret to satisfying, 5-ingredient stuffed poblanos without the cheese.
Get the Black Bean–Stuffed Poblanos recipe.
RELATED: These 5-Ingredient Meals Couldn't Be Easier To Make
Grilled Mushroom and Scallion Pasta
This all-veggie pasta packs in a ton of protein thanks to nutritional yeast, which contains five grams in just two tablespoons.
Pinto Bean and Poblano Soup
Here's a trick for creaminess without the cream: Purée some of the beans in your soup for an instantly silky texture.
Get the Pinto Bean and Poblano Soup recipe.
RELATED: Our Coziest Soup Recipes
Fully-Loaded Veggie Sandwiches
Double up on spreads (hummus and guac) for double the flavor — and the protein.
Get the Fully-Loaded Veggie Sandwiches recipe.
RELATED: Healthy Sandwiches Perfect To Pack for Work or School
Sesame Noodles
Vegan meals should still satisfy — and the rich, creamy tahini sauce on these noodles makes sure of that.
Get the Sesame Noodles recipe.
Sticky Tofu Bowl
The brown sugar-soy sauce mixture ensures a lip-smacking finish on roasted tofu and mushrooms.
Get the Sticky Tofu Bowl recipe.
RELATED: 20 Dinner-Worthy Bowl Recipes
Vegan Bolognese
The combo of meaty mushrooms and protein-rich lentils creates a convincing dupe for bolognese.
Get the Vegan Bolognese recipe.
RELATED: 25 Tasty Lentil Recipes for Healthy and Easy Weeknight Meals
Green Soup with Crispy Tofu
Instead of croutons, this recipe tops creamy broccoli-spinach soup with crisped-up tofu for extra protein.
Get the Green Soup with Crispy Tofu recipe.
RELATED: 35 Tofu Recipes That Would Make Meat Eaters Jealous
Peanutty Edamame and Noodle Salad
Looking for something low-carb? This dish uses shirataki noodles, which are made from the konjac plant and contain few carbohydrates.
Gingery Spring Soup
This warm, brothy soup is ideal for days when you're feeling under the weather. It'll fill — and cheer — you up! Boost the protein count with extra edamame.
Get the Gingery Spring Soup recipe.
Air Fryer Tofu with Peanut Sauce and Soba
Break out your air fryer to get crunchy tofu in under 20 minutes.
Smoky Black Bean and Quinoa Soup
Tender bites of butternut squash make this soup ideal for fall. Go for the pre-chopped stuff to speed up prep time!
One-Pot Spaghetti
This pasta already packs in 14 grams of protein per serving, but feel free to stir in a can of beans to boost that number even more. Cannellini beans add 6 grams of protein per serving!
Get the One-Pot Spaghetti recipe.
Tahini-Lemon Quinoa with Asparagus Ribbons
Looking to perk up plain veggies? It's all in how you slice them: Use a vegetable peeler to cut asparagus into ribbon-like pieces.
Tofu Pad Thai
To give Pad Thai a plant-based twist, we skipped the fish sauce and threw in seared tofu made extra-crispy from a cornstarch coating.
Get the Tofu Pad Thai recipe.
Vegan Lasagna
Blended cashews create a creamy, ricotta-like (and high-protein!) sauce for this veggie-packed lasagna.
Get the Vegan Lasagna recipe.
Pressure Cooker Winter Squash and Lentil Stew
Enjoy hearty lentil soup in a fraction of the time (just 35 minutes!) with your Instant Pot.
Get the Pressure Cooker Winter Squash and Lentil Stew recipe.
Creamy Vegan Linguine with Wild Mushrooms
This simple, speedy recipe contains just five ingredients (plus olive oil, which you probably already have!).
Crispy Tofu Bowls
Store-bought sweet chili sauce adds instant flavor to the vinaigrette that doubles as a dressing for the veggies and a topping for the bowl.
Get the Crispy Tofu Bowls recipe.
Smoky Vegan Black Bean Soup
A pinch of paprika adds a deep smokiness to this savory soup. No bacon or other animal products needed!
Get the Smoky Vegan Black Bean Soup recipe.
Stefani (she/her) is a registered dietitian, a NASM-certified personal trainer and the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, where she handles all nutrition-related content, testing and evaluation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in clinical nutrition from NYU. She is also Good Housekeeping’s on-staff fitness and exercise expert. Stefani is dedicated to providing readers with evidence-based content to encourage informed food choices and healthy living. She is an avid CrossFitter and a passionate home cook who loves spending time with her big fit Greek family.
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