Recipes · Protein
High-Protein Plant-Based Recipes
High-protein plant-based recipes that hit the number without meat.
The plant-based recipes here get their protein from tofu, lentils, black beans, chickpeas, and, in the baked ones, protein powder, with no meat, eggs, or dairy doing the work. Each recipe card lists the protein per serving, and the savory lentil, bean, and chickpea dishes carry the most.
Tofu is a useful plant-based protein for a recipe like this specifically because it takes on texture and seasoning well, close enough to scrambled eggs that the swap doesn't feel like a compromise. Tempeh, edamame, lentils, and beans all carry real protein numbers too, and I expect more of them to show up here as this section grows.
At a glance
- Recipes
- 7
- Protein per serving
- 6g to 26gmedian 14g
- Most protein
- Lentil Soup26g
- Fewest calories
- Air Fryer Tofu125 calories
- Quickest
- Chickpea Salad15 min
High-Protein Air Fryer Tofu
Crispy air fryer tofu with a cornstarch coating and soy-sesame glaze: a high-protein, low-calorie, vegan dinner in 25 minutes.
High-Protein Black Bean and Quinoa Bowl
A high-protein vegan grain bowl with black beans, quinoa, corn, and avocado: high-fiber, no meat or dairy.
High-Protein Brownies
Flourless high-protein brownies made with black beans: gluten-free, high-fiber, low-calorie.
High-Protein Chickpea Salad
A high-protein vegan chickpea salad with hemp hearts, cucumber, and tomato: no-cook, high-fiber, ready in 15 minutes.
High-Protein Cookies
Flourless high-protein peanut butter cookies with dark chocolate chips: no flour, ready in 20 minutes.
High-Protein Lentil Soup
A high-protein vegan lentil soup with carrot and celery: high-fiber, stovetop, and freezes well.
High-Protein Tofu Scramble
A high-protein vegan tofu scramble with turmeric and nutritional yeast: no eggs, no dairy, ready in about 15 minutes.
FAQ
How much protein is in a typical plant-based recipe here?
It depends on what's carrying the protein. The lentil, bean, and chickpea dishes land highest per serving, the tofu dishes a little lower since typical firm tofu runs about 9 to 11g of protein per 100 grams, and the baked treats lowest. The exact number is on every recipe card.
What are the best plant-based protein sources for a high-protein meal?
Tofu, tempeh, edamame, lentils, and beans all carry real, meaningful protein numbers. Typical firm tofu lands close to eggs by weight and ahead of them per calorie, which is part of why it shows up so often in plant-based high-protein cooking.