36 High-Protein Vegetarian Meals So Good You Won't Miss The Meat (2024)

Looking for an easy vegetarian dinner? Look no further! This one's packed with protein, thanks to tempeh, a yummy peanut sauce, and roasted broccoli (yep, 2.6 grams per cup of these cruciferous greens). Swap in brown rice for an even greater boost of protein.

Get the Baked Tempeh with Peanut Sauce recipe.

Roasting chickpeas draws out a ton of moisture. When you combine them with herbs, spices, and onion, these flavor-packed falafel patties bind together super easily. Turn up the drama with an easy lemon and Greek yogurt sauce, which adds even MORE protein.

Get the Falafel Burgers recipe.

Start by slathering the butternut squash halves with a brown sugar-butter mixture, which enhances the naturally sweet qualities of the roasted squash. After baking until perfectly tender, you'll top the squash with a hearty filling of quinoa, kale, and chickpeas. Flecked with dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds, the savory pilaf has the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and pops of color. It's sweet, savory, protein-packed, and filling—what more could you want?

Get the Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.

You can eat these Tex-Mex-inspired stuffed squash alongside some tofu or tempeh, but they make a pretty nice straight-forward vegetarian main, too. To make ‘em more of a meal, add some sliced avocado and a dollop of sour cream.

Get the Air Fryer Acorn Squash With Black Beans, Corn, and Cheese recipe.

Quicker to make and easier to eat than Buffalo chicken wings, this plant-based version swaps out chicken for snackable triangles of tempeh. The amount of protein in tempeh (31g per cup) is comparable to chicken (38g per cup), too.

Get the Tempeh Buffalo “Wings” recipe.

This straightforward pasta dish is packed with protein and flavor. Raw broccoli rabe can be a little bitter, but a quick blanching in boiling water helps mellow it out. This is basically the vegan version of our orecchiette pasta with sausage, and you'll love it just as much.

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We updated this fast food favorite to be totally vegan—and completely irresistible. Creamy vegan queso dip and meaty lentils make a satisfying filling. A quick spin in a hot skillet adds crunch to every bite.

Get the Vegan Crunchwraps recipe.

Finding alternatives to meat can be hard, but we think these burgers really nail it. The secret? Stop trying to make them taste like beef, and focus on the nutty black bean flavor. Check out our tips for making these the best they can be.

Get the Black Bean Burger recipe.

These vegan tacos are loaded with bright flavors, a variety of textures, and will fill you up—just like any good taco should! Serve them up with some frozen margaritas and homemade guacamole for the full Taco Tuesday experience.

Get the Vegan Chipotle Lentil Tacos recipe.

The Indian word dal refers to both this soup-like dish and the word for split lentils. The red lentils used here are fantastic because they don't require any pre-soaking, cook quickly, and deliver 22 grams of protein per half uncooked cup. The spiced oil on top is optional, but highly encouraged (as is the dollop of yogurt!).

Get the Lentil Dal recipe.

This meatless, dairy-free take on shepherd's pie is packed with veggies (mushrooms! celery! butternut squash! parsnips!) and loaded with flavor. It's also incredibly hearty and full of protein, thanks to lentils.

Get the Vegan Shepherd's Pie recipe.

A hearty Bolognese doesn't have to include any meat, and this lentil version is proof. It's got nearly just as much protein as its meaty counterpart—try serving it over whole wheat pasta to get even more in!

Get the Lentil Bolognese recipe.

To avoid the mush-factor, we opted for two thin, smaller patties rather than one large one. This way, you get nicely caramelized exteriors and fully cooked insides. Plus, double the patties means double the cheese. 😉 Topped with some crunchy lettuce and lots of tangy special sauce, it’s sure to satisfy vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.

Get the Meat Lover's Veggie Burger recipe.

Tofu scrambles have been a mainstay of vegan cuisine for decades. These make for a great traditional American breakfast alongside toast and eggplant bacon, but they're also killer in breakfast burritos, tacos, and sandwiches. You could even put them in fried rice!

Get the Classic Tofu Scramble recipe.

This vegan recipe is a culinary road trip through Jamaica featuring sweet plantains, aromatic rice and beans, and tofu in a jerk marinade. To add a touch of crunch, acidity, and color we top it all off with a simple red cabbage and carrot slaw. Be sure to make extra slaw—you'll want to put it on everything.

Get the Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls recipe.

Sweet, sour, and salty, these lettuce cups are ripe for improvisation and can be served with all sorts of accompaniments. Crunchy raw vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots can add heft, and a drizzle of chili oil is a must for spice lovers. And if lettuce isn’t cutting it, a heaping spoonful of rice is a perfect pairing.

Get the Caramelized Tofu Lettuce Cups recipe.

Crunchy, spicy, creamy, and tart—this "chicken" sammie is total bliss. We replicated the flavor of a spicy fried chicken breast with protein-packed tofu, adding cornmeal to the batter for extra crunch. Don't skip the freezing step; it's what gives the tofu a more meat-like texture.

Get the Spicy Fried “Chicken” Sandwich recipe.

Sweet potato, black beans, pinto beans, and a whole bottle of beer (like Modelo) come together to make this super hearty meatless chili.

Get the Vegan Chili recipe.

This vegetarian chili is every bit as warm, comforting, and filling as the classic meat-filled version. Three types of beans do the heavy lifting, while warm spices and jalapeño add a little extra heat. Serve it on a cold night with a slice of homemade cornbread.

Get the Vegetarian Chili recipe.

These protein-packed tacos are stuffed with a combination of walnuts, chickpeas, and spices that tastes surprisingly meaty. The filling is easy to whip up (even if you don't have a food processor), and pairs nicely with anything from tart pineapple to your favorite salsa or guacamole.

Get the Vegan Chipotle Walnut Tacos recipe.