45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (2024)

| Vegan Recipes

ByKarissa

Getting protein as a vegan is important – but easily done. There are plenty of high-protein vegan foods out there you can incorporate into your meals to achieve a well-rounded diet.

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (1)

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox.

Can You Get Enough Protein on a Vegan Diet?

To be frank, it is a myth that vegans cannot get adequate protein in their diets. True protein deficiency is very rare. But, it is still an important macronutrient that is necessary for our bodies to thrive.

When I first went vegan, I was pretty concerned about my protein intake. I decided to track macro and micronutrients in Cronometer and found that I was getting enough protein every day. When I started to hit the gym, though, I found that my body craved higher protein foods.

Protein shakes are not my favorite thing – I prefer to eat my calories. So while I do have some Vega protein powder in a smoothie here and there, most of my protein comes from whole vegan foods. Thankfully, there are plenty of plant-based protein options!

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (2)

Foods High in Protein

(Source: USDA)

  • Lentils (18 grams of protein per cup)
  • Quinoa (8 grams per cup)
  • Chia Seeds (4.5 grams per ounce)
  • Pumpkin Seeds (12 grams per cup)
  • Edamame (17 grams per cup)
  • Tofu (36 grams in one block)
  • Tempeh (31 grams per cup)
  • Chickpeas (20 grams per cup)
  • Pinto beans (15 grams per cup)
  • Black beans (14 grams per cup)
  • Pistachios (6 grams per ounce)
  • Almonds (7 grams per 0.25 cup)
  • Peanuts (7 grams per ounce)
  • Peas (8 grams per cup)
  • Hemp Hearts (9.5 grams per 3 tablespoons)
  • Textured Vegetable Protein (9 grams per 0.25 cup dry)

…And more! Below you’ll find a list of high-protein vegan recipes for every meal.

(Note that not all of the recipes below include macro counts, but it’s easy enough to calculate using a website like Cronometer.com)

Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

4.85 from 13 votes

This easy and delicious roasted red pepper hummus recipe makes for a tasty vegan appetizer or snack.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (3)

Vegan Sloppy Joes

4.92 from 36 votes

Make these protein-packed vegan sloppy joes for a satisfying, delicious dinner! Also a great recipe to meal prep.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (4)

Easy Vegan Meatball Recipe with Chickpeas

4.66 from 142 votes

These homemade, oil-free vegan chickpea meatballs are insanely flavorful – even meat-eaters will love them!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (5)

Apple Lentil Salad

4.84 from 12 votes

Made with classic fall flavors, this apple lentil salad is exploding with deliciousness! It’s vegan, gluten-free, and can work as either a side salad or the main dish!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (6)

Chickpea Teriyaki Bowls

4.92 from 25 votes

Chickpeas are one of my favorite sources of protein! They are a great replacement for chicken in many recipes. These teriyaki bowls are great for meal prepping.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (7)

Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad

4.87 from 15 votes

Simple sweet potato quinoa salad recipe that is delicious and satisfying. Meal prep this ahead of time for an easy lunch idea! This salad is packed with nutrition.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (8)

Vegan Maple Breakfast Sausage Links

4.85 from 39 votes

These seitan sausages are fairly simple to make, and you can batch cook them! Seitan is a great source of plant-based protein that is also low-fat.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (9)

Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash

5 from 31 votes

Delicious vegan stuffed acorn squash! Perfect for fall or the holidays. Lentils and pepitas are the main sources of protein in this recipe.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (10)

Impossible Burger Meatballs

4.98 from 174 votes

Easy meatless meatballs made with Impossible burger! A 4-ounce serving has 19 grams of protein.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (11)

Tofu Fajitas

5 from 11 votes

These vegan fajitas are made with tofu instead of chicken, and they are just as delicious! Made easy in the oven using just one pan.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (12)

Vegan Bean Dip

5 from 14 votes

Easy vegan bean dip makes a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (13)

Vegan Impossible Meatloaf

4.97 from 648 votes

This vegan meatloaf made with Impossible burger tastes JUST like your Mom's classic meatloaf. Bonus – it's simple, easy, and made in about 30 minutes!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (14)

Tofu Tacos

5 from 19 votes

Extra-firm tofu makes the perfect vegan taco meat alternative in these easy tofu tacos. There is about 36 grams of protein in one block of tofu.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (15)

Tofu Scramble

5 from 38 votes

This vegan egg scramble is made using tofu and seasonings like nutritional yeast, Kala Namak salt, and paprika. This recipe serves 2 and has a whopping 18 grams of protein per serving.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (16)

Easy Vegan Chili

5 from 48 votes

This is the best vegan chili recipe! So easy, a little spicy, and high in protein and fiber for a fulfilling meal.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (17)

High-Protein Vegan Ground Beef

4.85 from 73 votes

Easy vegan ground beef substitute you can use in tacos, soups, and anywhere else you'd use ground meat.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (18)

Roasted Glazed Tofu

4.92 from 24 votes

This 5-ingredient glazed tofu roast is the perfect vegan alternative to a traditional ham roast.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (19)

Hummus Wraps

5 from 5 votes

These rainbow veggie wraps have 9 grams of protein as it is, but you can add more by putting in some chickpeas or crispy tofu. This is a great meal prep recipe!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (20)

Black Bean Tacos

5 from 6 votes

Bean tacos are a no-brainer-alternative to their meat counterpart. Super easy to make, plus you can use any type of bean, not just black beans. Pinto beans and white beans also work great.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (21)

Chickpea Salad Sandwich

5 from 15 votes

This delicious chickpea salad recipe is full of flavor, vegan, and packed with protein. It makes for a very satisfying and healthy lunch.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (22)

BBQ Tempeh Sandwich

4.41 from 5 votes

I wasn't a huge fan of tempeh until I made this BBQ tempeh! Simmered to absolute tenderness in your favorite barbecue sauce. Top with homemade vegan coleslaw for the complete experience. Each sammy has 15 grams of protein! Tempeh is also fortified with B12 which is important for vegans to supplement with.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (23)

Vegan Crunchwrap

5 from 4 votes

These healthier vegan crunchwraps are a Taco Bell copycat recipe with plant-based ground meat, vegan nacho cheee and crispy tortillas.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (24)

Vegan KFC Famous Bowls

4.91 from 10 votes

Speaking of fast food copycats, these famous bowls are OMG delicious. Thanks to the tofu, each bowl has 10 grams protein. You can add more tofu to each serving to bump that up.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (25)

Teriyaki Tofu Stir Fry

4.25 from 4 votes

Easy tofu stir fry tossed in a savory and sweet teriyaki sauce. This recipe is vegan and can be made gluten-free by using tamari.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (26)

Buffalo Chickpea Wraps

4.88 from 8 votes

This recipe for buffalo chickpea wraps takes about 20 minutes and requires just 6 simple ingredients.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (27)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

5 from 5 votes

Protein balls made with chocolate and peanut butter. No protein powder necessary! This recipe is vegan and naturally sweetened with medjool dates.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (28)

Peanut Crunch Salad in a Jar

Peanuts, quinoa, cabbage, edamame, carrots and more come together to create this healthy salad in a jar!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (29)

Vegan Spicy Black Bean Quinoa Burger

Veggie burgers are a must-have staple meal! These ones are made primarily with black beans and quinoa – both of which are high in protein.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (30)

Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowls

Cauliflower rice is a great grain-free and low calorie option to use in place of regular rice. This bowl also contains goodness like black beans and sweet potato.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (31)

Vegan Seitan Jerky

Seitan is a great meat substitute because you can make it taste, feel, and look like meat. As a bonus, unlike some other meat replacements, it is a good protein source. This seitan jerky recipe comes in two flavors – buffalo and Thai.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (32)

Vegan Black Bean Quinoa Casserole

If you’re looking for healthy comfort food, this black bean & quinoa casserole is the answer! It is vegan and gluten-free.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (33)

Vegan Steak (Tender, Juicy and Flavorful)

Yes, this steak is totally vegan! Making “steak” if one of my favorite ways to eat seitan. It’s juicy, so flavorful, and a perfect replacement for that classic meat & potatoes lover.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (34)

Vegan Greek Frittata

This vegan frittata is made with chickpea flour, which is a fabulous alternative for eggs, and tofu “feta” – both high-protein ingredients! It’s also packed with veggies.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (35)

Vegetarian White Chili

Doesn’t this white vegan chili look heavenly? So creamy. This recipe uses 2 cans of white beans, and contains about 19 grams of protein per serving!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (36)

Jacked-Up Vegan Ribs

These seitan vegan ribs are kicked up a notch with jackfruit. Each serving is a whopping 35 grams of protein!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (37)

Enchilada Zucchini Boats

Is anyone else obsessed with all things enchilada? These enchilada zucchini boats, made with black beans, are a healthy take on the traditional recipe.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (38)

Black Bean Brownies (GF)

Did you ever think you could get protein from brownies?! These black bean brownies contain 5g of protein per slice.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (39)

Vegan Cheesecake Dessert Hummus

Dessert hummus is one of my favorite culinary creations ever. This cheesecake hummus is still made with chickpeas like traditional hummus.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (40)

Savory Tempeh Breakfast Sandwiches

Tempeh is a fantastic source of vegan protein and can be prepared in so many ways. This recipe uses tempeh as “sausage” in a breakfast sandwich.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (41)

High Protein Bean & Tofu Salad with Garlic Tahini Dressing

Tofu and a variety of beans are the stars of this high-protein vegan salad. The simple tahini dressing adds incredible flavor and creaminess.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (42)

Plant Protein Power Vegan Breakfast Bowls

Ultimate breakfast bowl coming right up! This recipe contains 21g of protein per serving mostly thanks to tofu scramble, black beans, and pepitas.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (43)

Baked Tofu with Tomatoes, Lemon, and Capers

Think tofu is bland and blah? Think again! This baked tofu is made with capers, lemon juice, olives and more. Serve on top of polenta for a complete meal.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (44)

Fall Farro Protein Bowl

Along with farro, this vegan bowl calls for chickpeas and tempeh.

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (45)

Vegan Thai Tempeh Buddha Bowl

Have you ever heard of freekeh? It's a nutritious, high-protein grain that makes for a great base in buddha bowls! Combined with tempeh, this recipe has 20 grams of protein per serving!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (46)

Vegan Chickpea Bolognese Pasta

Bolognese is traditionally a type of meat sauce, but this bolognese uses chickpeas instead!

Get the Recipe

45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (47)

Looking for more vegan recipes?

  • 25 Vegan Snack Ideas
  • 12 Vegan Dinner Recipes
  • 14 Creative Cauliflower Recipes
  • 9 Vegan Breakfast Ideas
45 Vegan Recipes Packed with Protein - Karissa's Vegan Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What vegan food has the highest amount of protein? ›

Fifteen best plant-based proteins
  1. Tofu, tempeh, and edamame. Share on Pinterest Soy products such as tofu, tempeh, and edamame are among the richest sources of protein in a vegan diet. ...
  2. Lentils. ...
  3. Chickpeas. ...
  4. Peanuts. ...
  5. Almonds. ...
  6. Spirulina. ...
  7. Quinoa. ...
  8. Mycoprotein.

How can vegans get 120g of protein a day? ›

One of the easiest plant-based high protein swaps is to replace your usual pasta with red lentil pasta. It's made from protein-rich red lentil flour, and I like to make a vegan bolognese with it. Adding soy mince is a game-changer too when you're struggling to eat enough protein.

How to get 140g of protein a day vegan? ›

10 High Protein Vegan Snack Ideas
  1. Edamame Beans.
  2. Mixed Nuts.
  3. Soy Yoghurt with Fruit and Seeds.
  4. Pint of Soy Milk.
  5. Peanut Butter on Granary Toast.
  6. Hummus with Vegetable Sticks or Rice Cakes.
  7. Homemade Vegan Protein Bars.
  8. Vegan Protein Smoothie (such as Pea+ Protein)
Jan 20, 2023

How to get 40g of protein vegan? ›

Where do vegans get their protein?
  1. Lentils (red are my favorites), 18 grams of protein per cup.
  2. Chickpeas, 12 grams/cup.
  3. Tempeh (locally made in Asheville!), 41 grams per cup.
  4. Black beans, 15 grams per cup.
  5. Nuts and nut butters (I eat a good mix, usually without peanuts), varied.
  6. Tofu, 11 grams per 4 ounces.

How can vegans get 150g protein a day? ›

Beans and legumes are the great sources of fiber, proten and healthy starches.
  1. Edamame beans 1 cup, shelled = 33.2 g.
  2. Soy beans 1 cup cooked = 29 g.
  3. Lentils 1 cup cooked = 17.9 g.
  4. White beans 1 cup cooked = 17.4 g.
  5. Chickpeas 1 cup cooked = 14 g.
Jul 12, 2020

How can a vegan get 100g protein a day? ›

100 grams of vegan protein
  1. ¼ cup of protein granola (10 grams of protein)
  2. One scoop of plant-based protein powder (20 grams)
  3. 1 ounce of nuts (5 grams)
  4. Two tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams)
  5. Two tablespoons of chia seeds (about 10 grams)
  6. One tablespoon of hemp seeds (4 grams)
  7. Two slices of rye bread (10 grams)
Apr 6, 2024

Can you eat too much vegan protein? ›

Yes, it is possible to have too much protein powder, even if it is vegan. While protein is an essential nutrient that plays many important roles in the body, excessive consumption of protein can have negative health effects.

What vegetables are high in protein? ›

Among the highest protein vegetables are chickpeas, corn, spinach, artichoke hearts, and edamame. To get all of the amino acids your body needs, aim to eat a variety of foods, such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables throughout the day. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How to get 30g protein per meal vegan? ›

Regular consumprion of nuts and seeds, such as almonds, cashews, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc., is a good way to top up your protein intake. 100 grams of nuts seeds contain around 20-30 grams of protein.

Is seitan good or bad for you? ›

Is Seitan Healthy? In many ways, yes, seitan is quite a healthy option. The seitan nutrition facts are hard to argue with: notable amounts of protein, iron, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. This combination of macro- and micronutrients can result in some pretty impressive health benefits.

How much protein should I eat to lose weight? ›

If you're trying to lose weight, shoot for 68-82 grams of protein per day. Matt says to split your daily protein intake between your three daily meals. “Your body does a way better job at metabolizing protein when it's consumed 15-30 grams at a time.

What does 30g of vegan protein look like? ›

Tofu can often be a staple source of protein for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet: 1 1/2 cups of cooked tofu can provide 30 grams of protein along with some healthy fat. Because tofu is made from soybeans, it's considered a complete protein even though it's from plants.

How to get 40 grams of protein in one meal? ›

High Protein Meals With 40g Of Protein22 Jan
  1. Grilled Chicken with Quinoa and Roasted Vegetables. Ingredients: • 170g grilled chicken breast. • 185g cooked quinoa. ...
  2. Turkey and Black Bean Burrito Bowls. Ingredients: • ...
  3. Salmon and Quinoa Salad. Ingredients: • 170g baked or grilled salmon fillet.

How to get 45 grams of protein a day? ›

Most adults need around 0.75g of protein per kilo of body weight per day (for the average woman, this is 45g, or 55g for men). That's about two portions of meat, fish, nuts or tofu per day. As a guide, a protein portion should fit into the palm of your hand.

What vegan food has more protein than meat? ›

LENTILS.

Much like beans, lentils check some important boxes for herbivores. One cup of cooked lentils has nearly 18g of protein — more than the amount in a hamburger — and also contains a lot of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

How can vegans get 200g of protein a day? ›

Vegan Substitutes to Consume 200g Protein a Day
  1. Tofu.
  2. Quinoa.
  3. Chickpeas.
  4. Lentils.
  5. Tempeh.
  6. Seitan.
  7. Beans such as black beans and kidney beans.
  8. Plant-based protein powders such as pea protein and soy protein powders.
Dec 6, 2023

What vegan foods are highest in protein per 100g? ›

Vegan sources of protein
  • Tempeh - 19g of protein per 100g.
  • Edamame - 11g of protein per 100g.
  • Oats - 11g of protein per 100g.
  • Tofu - 8g of protein per 100g.
  • Red lentils - 7g of protein per 100g.
  • Chickpeas - 6.7g of protein per 100g.
  • Peas - 5g of protein per 100g.
  • Quinoa - 4.3g of protein per 100g.
Nov 22, 2023

Which plant protein has the most protein? ›

The most protein dense plant foods are seeds: Dry beans/lentils/peas, shell beans, soybeans (tofu, edamame), fresh peas, buckwheat, quinoa, sunflower seeds, flax, chia, pumpkin seeds, and the true grains: oats, millet, wheat, sorghum, corn, or rye.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5790

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.