Plant Based Proteins: 12 Meatless Recipes That Are Actually Filling (2024)

I’ve never been a huge meat eater. It depends what type of meat and from where (how could I say no to the Mongolian beef from P.F. Chang’s?), but typically if there’s a meatless option, I’ll go for it. I love tofu and I’m a sucker for plant based proteins like lentils, leafy greens and black beans.

A lot of people ask me if I’m vegetarian or vegan, and although I don’t think I could fully convert, I often look for meatless recipes to make at home. I even got my boyfriend on the tofu train, which is a pretty impressive feat! As long as there’s a ton of protein, plant based recipes are a great alternative to meaty meals.

RELATED: 150+ PLANT-PROTEIN RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

Whether you’re fully meatless or like me, are looking for plant based recipes to make at home, here are 12 recipes that are filled with delicious plant based proteins that are actually filling!

Spiced Sweet Potato Tacos| Forks Over Knives
I’m all for taco Tuesdays, actually I love tacos any day of the week, and these ones are going to make it into my rotation ASAP.Mix the sweet potatowith beans, corn, cumin, ancho chile and salt, and spread avocado on the tortilla before filling it. Top with lime juice and you have one delicious, healthy taco!

Black Bean Quinoa Veggie Burgers| Emilie Eats
Forget hamburger patties, black bean quinoa patties are incredibly filling and scrumptious! Quinoais great because along with being rich in fiber, protein and minerals, it’s also an affordable grain you can buy in bulk. Mix the black beans and quinoa with spinach, flax meal, jalapeños, and spices, and you’ll have delicious protein-rich patties to grill up on the barbeque.

Dairy Free Herbed Scalloped Potatoes| Vegan in the Freezer
Made with dairy-free butter, russet potatoes, cashews, thyme,and more, these herbed scalloped potatoesare the perfect meal to whip up when you need a feel-good bite. They’re filling, tasty, and healthy, and it doesn’t get much better than that. The potatoeswill keep you satisfied and it’s a greatside for a wholesome meal.

Creamy Coconut Lentil Curry| The Endless Meal
Whenever you’re in the mood for delicious Indian flavors, this creamy curry should be your new go to. Made with coconut oil, coconut milk, turmeric, brown lentils, cayenne powder and tomatoes, it’s a dreamy blend of ingredients that will fill you up in the most tasty way. It takes less than an hour to make (mostly hands off time). Eat it over rice and enjoy the rich, creamy flavors.

Zucchini Meatballs| Making Thyme for Health
Zucchini is often used as a replacement for meat in plant based meals. It contains protein, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids and as a “meatball” is pretty awesome! Combined with chickpeas, oregano, basil, lemon and topped with marinara sauce, these zucchini meatballs are the perfect meatless meal to whip up for your family or guests!

Vegan Spinach and Hominy Enchiladas| Serious Eats
Spinach is insanely good for you, packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and more. And these enchiladas are topped with a spicy cashew cream, which makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Combined with ingredients likecumin, black pepper, garlic, chili powder and a homemade salsa verde, you’ll have enchiladas of plant-based dreams.

Nourishing Spring Macro Bowl| Rachl Mansfield
I don’t know about you, but I love a good bowl! This one is made up of brown rice, fava beans, avocado, snap peas, carrots radishes and kraut. Not only is it incredibly healthy and filling, the colors also make for a gorgeous, bright bowl. You can feel the freshness just from looking at it! It’s sweet, crunchy, and the flavors compliment each other perfectly. You have to give it a try!

Chickpea and Mushroom Burger| Trinity’s Kitchen
I’m a huge sucker for mushrooms so this recipe caught my eye right away! The addition of tahini, apple, parsley, and rosemary doesn’t hurt either. I love how creative you can get with a burger patty, especially when it’s meatless and this one will keep you totally satisfied since it’s high in protein.

Chickpea Shawarma Stuffed Pita with Hummus| Naturally Emma
Chickpeas are an awesome source of protein, and what better way to eat them than mixed with delicious spices and wrapped in a pita? Roast the chickpeas with cumin, turmeric, ginger cayenne, and corianderfor a super flavorful mouthful, and add in your favorite veggies for a bite so good, even the biggest meat eaters won’t care it’s plant based.

Sweet Potato, Spinach & Butter Bean Stew| The Flexitarian
If you’re anything like me, you’re more than happy to eat stew any time of year. Yes, even in the summer, a hearty bowl of soup makes it into my dinner rotation! Especially if it’s made with a fresh mixture of veggies like sweet potato, spinach, butter beans and tomatoes. Add in spices like paprika, cumin, and fresh coriander and you have a healthy, hearty stew idea for any season!

Better Than Chipotle Vegan Burrito| Raw Till Whenever
This quick and easy burrito recipe is plant based, protein filled and totally mouth-watering. Combine brown rice, guacamole, pintobeans, red pepper, red onionand hot sauce for a zesty bite you’ll crave over and over again! The avocado andpintobeans aregreat sources of protein to make you feel nice and full.

Vegan Tempeh Chili| Live Eat Learn
Tempeh is one of the best foods for you! Made from soybeans, it’s high in protein, fiber and nutrients, plus it’s fermented, which gives it its amazing wholesome flavor. The addition of pinto beans and kidney beans give the chili even more protein so it’s sure to keep you satisfied! These recipes made from plant based proteins are meals even the biggest meat eaters will enjoy. They’re filling, healthy and oh-so delicious, so make sure to give them a try!

You may also like…

150+Plant-Protein Recipes That You’ll Love
The Great Vegan Protein Book
The Plant-Based Solution

If you liked this collection of recipes incorporating plant based proteins, please share it on Pinterest!

Plant Based Proteins: 12 Meatless Recipes That Are Actually Filling (1)

And if you’re looking for more meatless recipes, please follow our Food and Recipes board on Pinterest!

Plant Based Proteins: 12 Meatless Recipes That Are Actually Filling (2024)

FAQs

What is a high protein meal without meat? ›

If you're not attached to the idea of a “meaty” protein, but still want that umami flavor and mouthfeel, go for beans or nuts instead. Black beans, white beans, pinto beans, and lentils all help bulk up our vegetarian chilis, cheesy white bean skillet, vegan crunchwrap, and black bean burger.

Does plant-based protein fill you up? ›

Although plant-based foods don't always have the same amount of calories as their meat counterparts, rest assured that going meatless can—and should—be as filling, energizing, and nutritious as an omnivorous diet.

What are 5 plant-based high protein foods she mentions? ›

9 Best Plant-Based Protein Sources
  • Tempeh. Protein per 1 cup: 34 grams. ...
  • Tofu. Protein per 1 cup: 20 grams. ...
  • Edamame. Protein per 1 cup serving, cooked: 18 grams. ...
  • Lentils. Protein per 1 cup cooked: 18 grams. ...
  • Chickpeas. Protein per 1 cup cooked: 15 grams. ...
  • Hemp Hearts. Protein per 3 tablespoons: 10 grams. ...
  • Soy Milk. ...
  • Quinoa.
Apr 26, 2024

How to get 200 grams of protein a day without meat? ›

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

How to get 30g protein without meat? ›

Protein-Rich Foods (30 grams per serving)

Plant: soy, beans, legumes, lentils, grains, nuts, and seeds.

How to stay full without eating meat? ›

To feel more full while following a vegetarian diet, try incorporating more fiber and whole grains into your meals. Incorporating nuts, seeds, and beans into your diet can help you to feel more satisfied.

How to feel full without eating meat? ›

So, make sure to incorporate seeds, beans, nuts, lentils, low-fat dairy and eggs into your mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Fill your plate with vegetables. Opt for foods like leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini, which are high in fiber. This will help you feel full and decrease your calorie intake.

What plant-based foods fill you up? ›

Healthful foods that are high in protein, fiber, or both tend to be filling. Rich sources of protein for vegans include foods such as soybeans, pulses, and some nuts and seeds. Oats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit are all good sources of fiber.

How do you eat enough plant-based protein? ›

To increase whole-plant proteins, start with what's familiar: If meat has traditionally been the star of a soup, stew, salad, casserole or lasagna, increase ingredients like vegetables, nuts or legume beans as you reduce the amount of meat in the recipe.

What plant-based protein keeps you full? ›

Chickpeas

Chickpeas are widely hailed as one of the best plant-based sources of protein, which makes them a perfect food to increase the satiation. They're also an excellent substitute in many plant-based recipes! Try a few of these chickpea-based recipes: Beet Hummus.

How to get enough protein without meat? ›

How to get protein without the meat
  1. Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  2. Soya beans. ...
  3. Quinoa. ...
  4. Nuts. ...
  5. Seeds. ...
  6. Cereals and grains. ...
  7. Quorn™ ...
  8. Dairy.

What are 3 examples of plant-based protein foods that you enjoy? ›

Types of plant-based protein foods
  • tofu.
  • tempeh.
  • unsweetened fortified soy beverages.
  • soybeans (edamame and dried soybeans)

How to get 100g protein without meat? ›

For vegetarians, 100 grams of protein might look like:
  1. Four eggs (24 grams of protein)
  2. ½ cup of rolled oats (5 grams)
  3. Two tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams)
  4. One tablespoon of hemp seeds (4 grams)
  5. ¼ cup of protein granola (10 grams)
  6. One scoop of plant-based protein powder (20 grams)
  7. Two snack cheeses (10 grams)
May 11, 2024

How to get 120 grams of protein a day without meat? ›

My top sources in my day-to-day diet are:
  1. Whey Protein Powder (20g per scoop) (I use the MyProtein Whey Impact in the Chocolate Smooth or the Sticky Toffee Pudding flavour)
  2. Eggs (13g for a medium egg)
  3. Greek Yoghurt (10g per 100g of fa*ge Total 0%)
  4. Quorn Pieces (13g per 100g)
  5. Quorn Mince (14g per 100g)
  6. Tofu (10g per 100g)
Apr 2, 2019

How to get 130 grams of protein a day without meat? ›

Milk, cheese, nuts, beans, and tofu are good sources of protein. You can also try tempeh, veggie burgers, and other meat substitutes.

How to get 150g of protein without meat? ›

Click here to get more informations.
  1. Incorporate legumes into your diet: Legumes are a great source of plant-based protein. Lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas are all excellent choices. ...
  2. Add tofu and tempeh to your meals: Tofu and tempeh are both made from soybeans and are a great so.
Feb 3, 2018

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aracelis Kilback

Last Updated:

Views: 5762

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aracelis Kilback

Birthday: 1994-11-22

Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

Phone: +5992291857476

Job: Legal Officer

Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.