23 Mouthwatering Vegan High Protein Dinner Ideas
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Are you excited to pull together some delicious vegan high protein dinner options in no time?
This compilation contains mouthwatering salads, soups, curries, pasta and cool vegan meat substitutes to make the juiciest and veggiest dinner ever.
Getting enough protein on a vegan diet can be a little intimidating. So this list of easy high protein dinner ideas is set on helping you with that (and if you’re not strictly vegan, our vegetarian high protein dinner ideas can help you out even more!).
All these recipes are meat-free protein-rich options that not only taste heavenly but look divine!
Don’t be afraid of seeing the words like chicken, beef, burger, ribs or wings in the recipes – they’re all just vegan alternatives of popular meat dishes. Even non-vegans will be impressed with the taste and won’t miss meat at all!
Best vegan high protein dinner recipes
If you want to make your vegan high protein meal prep cooler than ever before, this compilation has great recipes all with more than 20g protein per serving.
Of course, we’ve considered fat content as well to provide the healthiest options. All these vegan high protein dinner recipes contain no more than 25g overall fat with less than 10g saturated fat.
Protein is super important for weight loss because it reduces hunger and boosts metabolism. Every meal should contain at least 15g-20g protein to keep our muscle mass and strength.
Check out these compilations of 22 high protein vegan breakfasts and 42 mouthwatering high-protein vegan meals for more high protein plant-based meals.
Cool high protein meat alternatives
A vegan diet offers both health and environmental benefits. Eating less meat or completely replacing it with plant-based alternatives is potentially better for you and the world generally.
Finding great vegan high protein foods is no longer challenging. However, you may be wondering how to pick the right option for your dietary needs.
Here are some cool vegan high protein foods that make a great meat replacement:
- Tofu – a low calorie source of protein available in many variations. Tofu has between 4.8g (soft) to 17.3g protein (firm) per 100g serving and contains all nine essential amino acids.
- Tempeh – contains 20.3g of protein per 100g serving. It’s made from fermented soy and so can be great for your digestive system.
- Seitan – usually has between 15-25g of protein per 100g. Since it’s made from wheat gluten, you should avoid it on a gluten-free diet.
- Beans and legumes – one of the best and cheapest protein sources. Check out these legumes recipes and see how versatile are.
- Meat substitutes market products – offer a variety of convenient options, though you should always read labels to make sure that what you buy is strictly vegan.
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1. Bean & Pasta Vegetarian Casserole
Bonus: packed with protein, fibre and unsaturated fats
512 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving
A dump and bake dish that will please everyone, this bean and pasta vegetarian casserole makes a perfect healthy dinner.
2. Vegan Lentil Bolognese
Bonus: healthy, meat and dairy-free
582 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving
Love a good bolognese but trying to eat less meat? Try our healthy, plant-based lentil bolognese – you’ll never look back!
3. Tuscan Bean Skillet with Kale
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TwoCityVegans
Bonus: easy, gluten-free
409 calories per serving
20 g protein per serving
This Tuscan White Bean Skillet with Kale is a quick & easy 30-minute vegan dinner (and you can find more easy plant-based dinner recipes this way)! It’s packed with flavor and nutrients, but so simple to make.
4. Vegan BBQ Seitan Ribs
Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: MyPlantifulCooking
Bonus: fuss-free, savory
260 calories per serving
26 g protein per serving
Incredibly juicy, sticky and succulent, these amazing vegan BBQ seitan ribs will please even non-vegans! They are easy to make, fuss-free and ready in no time. Plus, it is incredibly high in protein, filling and satisfying.
5. Vegan Stuffed Peppers
Bonus: filling, flavourful
615 calories per serving
30 g protein per serving
Vegan stuffed peppers packed with quinoa – and loads of flavour. Full of protein and with clear instructions in easy steps.
6. Vegan Teriyaki Chicken Seitan
Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: MyPlantifulCooking
Bonus: super quick, delicious
250 calories per serving
31 g protein per serving
Featuring crispy pan-fried seitan chunks cooked in a rich teriyaki sauce, this vegan teriyaki chicken is better than takeout! Quick to make and ready in 15 minutes, teriyaki seitan makes a great weeknight dinner.
7. Vegan Seitan Roast Beef
Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes
Recipe by: MyPlantifulCooking
Bonus: wholesome, failproof
159 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving
This juicy and tender vegan seitan roast beef will please even meat-eaters! High in protein, filling and hearty, it is the perfect meatless main dish for festive dinners (it would fit right in on our Vegan Thanksgiving Menu!).
8. Vegan Tofu Bolognese
Bonus: super healthy and interesting
569 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving
Vegan Bolognese. It was about time we veganized the Italian classic. And we’re proud to say we were successful. Please welcome, the amazing Anti Bolognese!
9. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: LittleSunnyKitchen
Bonus: easy, great for meal prep
422 calories per serving
25 g protein per serving
This vegan shepherd’s pie is packed with plant-based protein and incredible flavors! It’s so easy to make, and ready in under an hour.
10. Fitness Lentil Bean Salad
Bonus: quick, tasty and packed with protein
551 calories per serving
34 g protein per serving
Fitness Lentil Bean Salad. Ridiculously high in protein post-workout salad. 40g per bowl. Ready in 7 minutes. Tasty and effective.
11. Vegan Orange Chicken
Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: DailyDish
Bonus: fresh, gluten-free
552 calories per serving
23 g protein per serving
Tangy and sweet, this vegan orange tofu is the vegan answer to orange chicken. Thanks to fresh orange juice and sesame oil, this recipe is fresh and zesty with an earthy undertone.
12. Best Seitan Burger Ever
Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: SplashOfTaste
Bonus: smoky, very filling
173 calories per serving
27 g protein per serving
If you’re looking for an easy vegan burger recipe, then this is for you (and we’ve got more vegan burger recipes right here!)! Our seitan burger is so good, it’s smoky, it’s meaty and it’s very filling!
13. High Protein Tangy Tempeh Salad
Bonus: versatile, incredibly tasty
368 calories per serving
22 g protein per serving
This tangy tempeh salad is just the best – quick, tasty and packed with protein (also a great vegan high protein lunch recipe). And better yet – use whatever you have in the fridge!
14. Vegan Buffalo Seitan Wings
Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: MyQuietKitchen
Bonus: saucy, tender
254 calories per serving
29 g protein per serving
These vegan wings are saucy, tender, and “epically delicious” in the words of one taste-tester. This recipe is the perfect balance of simple and delicious – no batter or breading to fuss with and no frying – just amazing seitan wings paired with a classic vegan buffalo sauce!
15. Vegan Chicken Patties
Ready in: 34 minutes
Recipe by: SplashOfTaste
Bonus: crunchy, delicious
336 calories per serving
28 g protein per serving
Crunchy, herby and mouth-wateringly delicious, our vegan chicken burger is an easy recipe you need to make! Made in under an hour, our vegan chicken patties freeze for up to 3 months, so batch make them and have them on hand whenever you want to eat one.
16. Burnt Aubergine Chilli
Ready in: 2 hour 30 minutes (just 30 minutes prep)
Recipe by: GreedyGourmet
Bonus: available ingredients, minimal prep time
546 calories per serving
24.3 g protein per serving
This Burnt Aubergine Chilli is vegan, healthy and easy to prepare – a perfect treat to warm your taste buds. Serve with rice and avo.
17. Baked Sesame Ginger Tofu
Ready in: 1 hour 10 minutes (just 5 minutes prep)
Recipe by: DailyDish
Bonus: filling, family friendly
438 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving
This baked sesame and ginger tofu recipe is so tasty and simple to make (a perfect meatless monday meal). Crispy baked tofu is coated in a nutty, zesty sauce. Serve over rice or quinoa and sprinkle with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.
18. Tortilla Soup with Black Beans
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: Cadry’sKitchen
Bonus: satiating and cozy
363 calories per serving
21 g protein per serving
This spicy soup is full of all the good stuff – corn, black beans, chewy seitan, and a flavorful tomato broth. Load it up with your favorite toppings like avocado, cilantro, and crisp tortilla strips for a full meal in a bowl.
19. Vegan Chicken Cutlets
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: VeggieInspired
Bonus: meatless, plant protein packed
299 calories per serving
29 g protein per serving
Crispy Vegan Chicken Cutlets that taste just like the real thing! Pair them with a carb and a veggie for a hearty “meat and potatoes” type dinner. Easy to make and can easily be gluten free!
20. Creamy Red Lentil Curry
Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: OurPlant-BasedWorld
Bonus: super flavorful, nutritious
404 calories per serving
20 g protein per serving
This Creamy Red Lentil Curry is one of my favorite dishes because it’s super flavorful, nutritious, protein-packed, and you can make it in a blink of an eye.
21. Ramen Noodles with Miso Broth
Ready in: 9 minutes
Recipe by: Cadry’sKitchen
Bonus: versatile, delicious
443 calories per serving
22 g protein per serving
Upgrade instant noodles with this easy vegan ramen noodles recipe. The broth is beautifully creamy thanks to the addition of tahini.
22. Vegan Mushroom & Lentil Ragu
Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: TheRealMealDeal
Bonus: filling, healthy
377 calories per serving
24 g protein per serving
This mushroom and lentil ragu is a delicious, cheap vegan alternative to a traditional bolognese, packed full of protein.
23. Arugula Lentil Salad From Heaven
Bonus: simple, classic, healthy
529 calories per serving
22 g protein per serving
High protein, iron and fibre in exotic Arugula and Lentil Salad that’s healthy and vegan. Only 12 minutes to make with easy to find ingredients.
You can give it a go right now! 🙂
Ingredients
- ½ cup cashews (½ cups = 75 g)
- 1 onion
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 chili / jalapeño
- 4 sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 3 slices wholegrain bread (whole wheat)
- 1 cup brown lentils, cooked (1 cup = 1/ 15oz / 235g lentils or a 400g can)
- 1 handful arugula/rocket (1 handful = 100 g)
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 small handful raisins
- 1 tsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Roast the cashews on a low heat for about three minutes in a pan to maximize aroma. Then throw them into the salad bowl.
- Dice up and fry the onion in olive oil for about 3 minutes on a low heat.
- Move the onion mix into a big bowl.
- Meanwhile chop the chilli/jalapeño and dried tomatoes. Cut the bread into big croutons. Add them to the pan and fry for another 2 minutes until the bread is crunchy. The oil from the sun-dried tomatoes should do.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Wash the arugula and add it to the bowl. Add the raisins.
- Put the lentils in too. Season with salt, pepper, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Finally, serve with the croutons mix.
- Super tasty!
Nutrition
Hope these vegan high protein dinner recipes add more variety and colour to your meals. Don’t forget that your feedback is always much appreciated 😉
Dave Bell
I’m not a foodie, although I do love eating. I believe food should serve us and our goals, not hinder. Taking control and responsibility for what I eat is important to me. Lots of veggie protein is my way forward.
This article has been medically reviewed by James LeBaigue MSc Learn More
James LeBaigue MSc
James has a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Nutrition, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Human Nutrition.
He loves combining his scientific knowledge along with food in the real world, and these recipes are the result.
He’s on top of all the latest evidence and guidelines to make sure our nutrition advice on the website is as accurate as it can be.
By day he works as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in a busy NHS GP Practice.
Each recipe is tested and then eaten (much to James’ delight), many times before it is deemed worthy to be published. Bon appetit!
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