12 Best High Protein Vegetarian Meals
Here are 12 high protein vegetarian meals that are so good, you won’t even miss the meat.
Why Is Protein Important?
Protein is like the superhero of our body, playing a key role in muscle strength, repair, and keeping our immune system in tip-top shape. Good news for vegetarians - getting enough protein is a breeze with yummy sources like legumes, tofu, and nuts. Forget the myths; a diverse plant-based diet makes meeting protein needs a delicious journey.
What Are The Benefits Of Protein?
Protein is a nutritional powerhouse and offers an array of benefits crucial for overall health. Beyond its role in supporting muscle growth and repair, protein aids in the maintenance of healthy skin, hair and nails. Additionally, it plays a key part in immune function, helping the body defend against illnesses. Protein-rich foods contribute to increased feelings of fullness and integrating sufficient protein into your diet is essential for a balanced and thriving lifestyle.
Vegetarian Protein Sources:
Vegetarians have a myriad of high-protein options available, ranging from legumes like chickpeas to plant-based powerhouses such as tofu. Nuts, seeds, and whole grains like quinoa add to the variety, making it easy for vegetarians to meet their protein needs with a delicious and diverse array of food choices.
High Protein Breakfast Ideas
Cherry Chocolate Overnight Oats: With their elevated protein content, both chia seeds and oats make this chocolate and cherry overnight oats combo an ideal breakfast choice to kickstart your day.
Sweet Potato Toast: This sweet potato toast is an excellent choice for a high-protein breakfast, featuring the goodness of both pumpkin seeds and feta.
Blackberry Bircher: Indulge in this blackberry bircher, loaded with protein from natural yoghurt and flax seeds - perfect for a wholesome and convenient on-the-go treat.
Cherry & Chocolate Overnight Oats
This classic cherry and chocolate flavour pairing is perfect for breakfast meal prep and batch cooking.
Breakfast Sweet Potato Toast
The perfect breakfast, brunch or lunch sweet potato toast recipe. Try our avocado topping or another topping from our suggestions. The possibilities are endlessly delicious.
Blackberry Bircher
A bircher is a great make-ahead breakfast and a handy recipe to have on hand.
Easy High Protein Lunch Ideas
Beetroot Falafels: Elevate your protein intake at lunch with these delectable roasted beetroot falafels. Crafted from high-protein chickpeas and accompanied by a side of tahini, they make for a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Spinach Pasta Sauce: This pasta sauce is brimming with protein, thanks to the inclusion of both spinach and pine nuts. Enjoy it hot or cold for a versatile and protein-packed meal option.
Faux Carrot Bacon Bagel: Craving a bagel? Try this faux bacon, mushroom, and creamed kale option packed with protein from hearty mushrooms. Enjoy a delicious and satisfying bite!
Roasted Beetroot Falafels
Coarsely grated beetroot blended with tender cooked onion, chickpeas, beetroot leaves, cumin, ginger and seasonings. The beetroot mixture is formed into falafels, brushed with oil and baked. Served with tahini and yoghurt dip.
Spinach Pasta Sauce
This simple spinach sauce pasta can be made in under 30 minutes, it uses a handful of ingredients, and it's freezable. Made with fragrant basil, lemon juice and a touch of garlic, and finished with grated cheese and toasted pine nuts, we think it's great with gnocchi – the perfect quick-cooking pasta week nights.
Faux Carrot Bacon, Mushrooms and Creamed Kale Bagel
A bagel showcasing carrot sliced tossed in a sweet bbq sauce and baked until “bacon” like, pan fried mushrooms slices and creamed kale. Easy, fun and delicious!
High Protein Dinner Recipes
Black Bean Burgers: Upgrade your dinner with a BBQ squash and black bean burger, a tasty way to add extra protein to your meal. Packed with black beans and oats, it's a delicious protein source for burger lovers.
Tofu Bibimbap Bowl: Cap off your day with this protein-packed bibimbap bowl featuring tofu, an excellent protein source. Customise it by adding your favourite veggies for a satisfying and flavourful meal.
Fennel Walnut Bolognese: Craving warmth and comfort? Dive into a classic bolognese that's hard to beat. This protein-rich pasta dish stars lentils and walnuts for a hearty and satisfying meal.
BBQ Squash & Black Bean Burgers
These burgers are family-friendly, vegan and packed with flavour. This recipe's great for summer gatherings and BBQs. Want to make them quickly on the day? Pre-cook the squash up to three days in advance and keep it in the fridge.
Choi Sum Tofu Bibimbap Bowl
Korean-inspired rice dish made with cooked rice and an assortment of wilted garlicky choi sum, crunchy raw veggies and crispy tofu. All dressed with a spicy sesame sauce. Kimchi or leftover roasted veggies would be a great addition to this bowl too.
Fennel Walnut Bolognese
This hearty and easy one pan fennel walnut lentil bolognese recipe takes your plant-based eating goals to new heights.
Don’t Forget The Sweet Treats
Nectarine Almond Clafoutis: Craving a citrusy dessert? Indulge in this clafoutis, enhanced with high-protein almonds and eggs for a delightful treat.
Blueberry Peanut Butter Cups: Satisfy your sweet tooth with these blueberry and peanut butter cups - a perfect protein-packed treat, complete with an extra protein punch from almonds.
Baked Rhubarb Yoghurt Bowl: Indulge in a protein-rich delight with this baked rhubarb yoghurt bowl. Featuring high-protein yoghurt and an extra boost from a sprinkling of pistachios, it's a delicious and nutritious choice.
Nectarine Almond Clafoutis
Make the most of your nectarines with this revisited french classic dessert. Here the nectarines are chopped and covered with an almond and vanilla custard batter. The clafoutis is soft and tender, just sweet enough, with bursts of juicy nectarines, almond crunch, and a puffy golden top.
Frozen Blueberry and Peanut Butter Cups
Try these little chocolate cups with a creamy peanut butter and and a fruity blueberry centre. The little cups are quick to make and kept in the freezer to enjoy whenever. The blueberries are kept whole and add a lovely juiciness and texture to the nutty peanut butter. Make a batch and get the kids involved!
Baked Rhubarb & Pistachio Yoghurt Bowl
Try this colourful recipe with baked rhubarb, crunchy pistachios and grapefruit vanilla sauce.
