100+ High-Protein Vegetarian & Vegan Recipes (2024)

Psst … vegans and vegetarians. The next time someone asks you how you get your protein, just link them to this post. Maybe with a follow-up “BOOM.” Or … you know … perhapsjust the link is sufficient. 😉

It’s been pretty well shownthat it’s actually difficult NOT to get enough protein when you’re eating a vegan or vegetarian diet. But some of us (myself included) do operate better on more protein. It helps us feel satisfied, keeps us fuller longer, and perhaps (again speaking for myself) makes us less likely to reach for empty carbs.

I’m always on the hunt for (mostly) plant-based, protein-rich recipes – in fact, I love creating them so much, I have an entire category dedicated to it on this here blog!

For the new year, I thought I’d round up some of my favorite high-protein vegetarian and vegan recipes – featuring many from my blog, and a ton more from blogging friends (okay, and one from Martha Stewart, who I would liketo be my friend).

But first, let’s talk about the protein sources. What are they, exactly?

Well, first and foremost, we’ve got lentils. Every day I fall a little more in love with lentils. There are so many delicious ways to prepare them, and I’m blown away by the protein, fiber, and overall nutrition in these things. 1/2 cup cooked lentils is onlyabout 170 calories, yet contains 14 grams fiber, 12 grams protein, and 20% of the recommended daily allowance of iron. And they’re so filling.

And thenbeans, of course – black beans, cannellini beans, chickpeas … beans are a powerhouse of protein, and they can be delicious to boot. Also falling into the legume category are peas and peanuts – personally I always think of peas as a vegetable so I have a bit of an “oh yeah!” moment when I think of peas as a protein source. But one cup of peas boasts nearly 8 grams of protein. Not too shabby!

And soy –edamameand tofu. If you’re worried about GMOs when it comes tofu, reach for Nasoya brand organic tofu – my go-to brand, and non-GMO. I adore both tofu and edamame. Tofu is so unbelievably versatile. Edamame is great to have cooked in the fridge so I can reach for it when I need a protein-packed pick-me-up.

What else? Well, nutsand seeds(chia seeds are my fave – 2 tablespoons have 4 grams protein). And some grains out there are steadily gaining attention for being high in protein – quinoa (technically a seed) has been around for awhile; farro and sorghum aregaining momentum.

And then, of course, if you’re a lacto-vegetarian (lacto = dairy), youprobably know dairy, too, can be an excellent source of protein. 1 cup of Greek yogurt contains around 25 grams of the stuff!

Yup,protein can be found everywhere – not just in meat. And these 100+ recipes are proof! Shall we get to it?

Click through to a specific category or browse by scrolling … your choice!

• Chilis
• Curries
• Salads
• Bowls
• Stir Fries
• Shepherd’s Pie
• Scrambles
• Loafs
• More, More, More!

Soups & Stews

From Kitchen Treaty:

• Simple Lentil Vegetable Soup(vegan)
• Our Very Favorite Black Bean Soup(vegan)
• (vegan)
• Hearty Tuscan Bean Stew (vegan)

From other blogs:

• Vegan Red Lentil Stew (vegan) – Vegan Chickpea
• Easy Red Lentil Soup (vegan) – In Fine Balance
• Turmeric Lentil Stew (vegan) – Running to the Kitchen
• Lentil Stew with Artichokes (vegan) – Deb’s Pots
• Pumpkin Chickpea Stew (vegan) – Occasionally Eggs

Chilis

From Kitchen Treaty:

• Crock Pot Pumpkin Red Lentil Chili (vegan)
• Crock Pot Black Bean Pumpkin Chili (vegan)
• Crock Pot Buffalo Cauliflower Chili (vegetarian with vegan option)
• (vegan)
• Chili Cheese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash (lacto-vegetarian)

From other blogs:

• Three Bean Chili (vegan) – Cadry’s Kitchen
• Vegan Butternut Chili (vegan) – In Fine Balance
• Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili with Butternut Squash (vegan with lacto-vegetarian options) – The Lemon Bowl
• Slow Cooker Tangy Baked Bean Chili (vegan) – Boulder Locavore
• Three Bean Mushroom Chili (vegan) – Vegan Huggs
• Hearty Vegan Chili (vegan) – The Garden Grazer

Curries

From Kitchen Treaty:

• Slow Cooker Chana Masala (vegan)
• Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash with Chana Masala(vegan)
• (vegan)

From other food blogs:

• Vegan Paneer Butter Masala (vegan) – Yumsome
• Coconut Curry with Chickpeas & Vegetables (vegan) – Journey to a Real Life
• Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry with Chickpeas (vegan with lacto-vegetarian garnish option) – The Lemon Bowl
• Mung Bean & Coconut Curry (vegan) – The Muffin Myth
• Goan Dal (Lentil Curry) (vegan) – Masala Herb
• Easy Sweet Potato & Lentil Curry (vegan) – Noshtastic
• Creamy Cashew Mushroom and Green Pea Masala (vegan) – An Edible Mosaic
• Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry (vegan) – Trinity’s Conscious Kitchen

Pastas & Pasta Sauce

From Kitchen Treaty:

• Creamy Cashew Soba Noodles(vegan)
• Pea Pesto Pasta Salad(vegan)
• Vegan Cacio e Pepe(vegan)
• Red Lentil Marinara (vegan)
• Zucchini Fettucine with Creamy White Bean “Alfredo” Sauce(vegan)

From other blogs:

• Tempeh Bolognese (vegan) – The Muffin Myth
• Lentil Bolognese with Spaghetti Squash (lacto-vegetarian) – Yummy Mummy Kitchen
• Curry Mac & Cheese with chickpea pasta shells (vegan) – Strength and Sunshine
• Slow Cooker Vegetarian Split Pea Soup – Yummy Mummy Kitchen
• Croatian Stuffed Peppers (vegan) – Yumsome
• High-Protein Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta(vegan) – The Taste Space

Rice & Grains

From Kitchen Treaty:

• 12-Minute Scrambled Tofu Fried Rice(vegan)
• Nutty Chickpea Pilaf (vegan)
• One-Pot French Onion Farro(vegetarian with vegan option)

From other blogs:

• Ginger & Soy Spiced Tofu with Vegetable Fried Rice & Garlic Green Veggies (vegan) – Masala Girl Travels
• “Cheesy” Mexican Quinoa (vegan) – Food Faith Fitness
• Lentils with Brown Rice & Veggies (vegan) – Persnickety Plates

Salads

From Kitchen Treaty:

• Buffalo Chickpea Salad(vegan)
• (vegan)
• Quinoa Tabbouleh (vegan)

From other blogs:

• Turmeric Roasted Chickpea Carrot Salad (vegan) – Cotter Crunch
• Lentil Quinoa Salad with Golden Raisins and Lemon Dressing (vegan) – Noshtastic
• High Protein Salad (vegan) – Contentedness Cooking
• Black-Eyed Pea & Corn Salad (vegan) – Veggies Save the Day

Bowls

• Cauliflower Rice Black Bean Burrito Bowls(vegan)

From other blogs:

• Hearty Quinoa Bowls with Cheesy Garlic Sauce (vegan) – My Darling Vegan
• Nourishing Dragon Bowls (vegan) – Delightful Vegans
• Bulgogi Tofu Bowls (vegan) – Cadry’s Kitchen
• Maple Balsamic Tempeh Bowls (vegan) – Eating Bird Food
• Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowls (vegan) – Iowa Girl Eats
• Quinoa Avocado Breakfast Bowl (vegan) – The Cookin’ Canuck
• Autumn Vegetable Bowl with Hemp Heart Dressing (vegan) – Phruitful Dish
• Pumpkin Falafel Fall Nourish Bowl (vegan) – Occasionally Eggs
• BBQ Tofu Protein Bowl (vegan) – Euphoric Vegan
• Fall Farro Protein Bowl (vegan) – Vegan Yack Attack
• Vegan Fajita Bowls (vegan) – The Mostly Vegan
• Black Bean Protein Bowl (vegan) – Quite Good Food

Burgers & Sandwiches

From Kitchen Treaty:

• Slow Cooker BBQ Chickpea Vegan Sloppy Joes(vegan)

From other blogs:

• Spicy Bean Burgers (vegan) –Trinity’s Conscious Kitchen
• Grillable Sweet & Spicy Vegan Black Bean Burgers (vegan) – Veggies Don’t Bite
• Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger (vegan) – Happy Healthy Mama

Stir Fries

• Broccoli Pepper Stir Fry with Ginger Peanut Sauce (vegan) – My Darling Vegan
• Veggie & Tofu Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce (vegan) – Deb’s Pots

Shepherd’s Pie

• Vegan Mushroom & Buckwheat Shepherd’s Pie (vegan) – Yumsome
• Lentil Shepherd’s Pie (vegan) – A Virtual Vegan

Scrambles

• Vegan Chickpea Scramble (vegan) – Tasting Page
• Protein-Packed Breakfast Scramble (ovo-vegetarian) – Martha Stewart

Loafs

• Lentil Loaf with Classic Brown Onion Gravy (vegan) – The Mostly Vegan
• Cauliflower Lentil Loaf (vegan) – Strength and Sunshine
• (Almost) Classic Chickpea Vegan Meatloaf – Connoisseurus Veg

Fritters, Falafel & Bites

• Hummus Quinoa Cakes (vegan) – The Lemon Bowl
• Mexican Vegan Falafel Bites (vegan) – Cotter Crunch
• Gochujang Bean Balls (vegan) – Quite Good Food

See Also

15 Healthy Lunch Recipes For When You Need an Energy Boost

And More, More, More!

From Kitchen Treaty:

• (vegan)

From other blogs:

• Sweet Korean Lentils (vegan) –It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
• Crispy Breaded Tofu Steaks (vegan) – It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken
• Lentil Loaf with a Maple Sweetened Glaze (vegan) – Eating Bird Food
• Cheesy Egg-Stuffed Peppers(ovo-lacto vegetarian) – Wholesome Yum
• Croatian Stuffed Peppers (vegan) – Yumsome
• Broccoli Turmeric Fritters made with chickpea flour (vegan) – Tasting Page
• Sweet Potoates, Crispy Chickpeas, & Kale (vegan) – Vegan Chickpea
• Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Peanut Sauce (vegan) – Oat & Sesame
• Thai Pra Ram Tofu (tofu with peanut sauce & spinach) (vegan) – Vegetarian Gastronomy
• Crispy Tofu Tikka Masala Tacos (vegan) – Vegetarian Gastronomy
• Baked Lima Beans & Veggies (vegan) – Veggies Don’t Bite
• Enchilada Breakfast Casserole (vegan) – Cheftographer
• Slow Cooker North African Couscous (vegan) – Vegan in the Freezer
• Vegan Butternut Squash Gratin with high-protein creamy rosemary cashew cream (vegan) – Avocado Pesto
• Hearty Chickpeas & Red Lentils (vegan) – Vegan in the Freezer
• Teriyaki Tofu (vegan) – Fried Dandelions
• Protein Monster Vegan Enchiladas (vegan) – The Garden Grazer

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