7 Best Protein Rich Vegan Recipes
Hey there, you vegan foodie. Are you looking to boost your plant-based protein intake? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve handpicked some of the most delicious and protein rich vegan recipes that are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings. From hearty burritos to creamy pasta dishes to savory curries, these recipes showcase the variety of meat-free sources of protein available.
Beans, grains, nuts, and seeds are the stars of these show-stopping dishes. Whether you’re a long-term vegan or just looking to incorporate more meatless meals into your week, your taste buds are in for a treat. Get ready for an explosion of flavors, textures, and whole food ingredients. Your protein quest ends here.
Vegan Tofu Scramble: A Protein Rich Vegan Recipe For Breakfast
A tasty tofu scramble is a perfect way to start your day with plenty of protein. Here’s how to make a delicious vegan version:
Grab a block of extra-firm tofu and crumble it with your hands into bite-sized pieces. Drain and pat dry with a towel to remove excess moisture.
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbled tofu and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
While the tofu is cooking, chop some veggies like bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, and scallions. Add them to the skillet and continue cooking until the veggies are tender, another 3-5 minutes.
Season the tofu scramble generously with spices like turmeric, cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder. A little nutritional yeast also adds a savory, cheesy flavor.
Once the veggies are cooked, you can also add extras like beans, avocado, or dairy-free cheese if desired. Cook everything together for a couple more minutes while stirring frequently.
Your protein-fueled vegan breakfast is ready! A tofu scramble containing a variety of vegetables, legumes, and spices provides a balanced mix of amino acids to start your day off right. Enjoy your energizing meal!
Hearty Vegan Chili: 20 Grams of Protein Per Bowl
A hearty chili is always satisfying, and this protein rich vegan recipes version delivers. To make this 20-gram bowl of goodness:
•Sauté 2 diced onions and 3 minced garlic cloves in olive oil until soft.
•Add 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/2 tsp oregano and cook for 30 seconds while stirring.
•Stir in 2 15-oz cans black beans, 1 15-oz can corn, and 2 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
•Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
•Add 1 cup chopped bell peppers, 2 tbsp tomato paste and 2 tbsp maple syrup. Simmer 5 more minutes.
•For extra protein, stir in 1 cup cooked brown rice and 1 cup cooked quinoa.
•Optional garnishes include avocado, scallions, vegan cheese and pepitas.
•This hearty chili is perfect for meal prep – it tastes even better the next day! Freeze portions for up to 3 months.
Dig in and enjoy this satisfying stew. Packed with fiber, protein and nutrients but free from animal products, this chili proves that vegan recipes can be just as comforting and delicious as traditional fare. Your taste buds and body will thank you!
This protein rich vegan recipes will warm you up on cold nights and fuel your body with flavor. Hearty, healthy and homemade – now that’s a winning combination!
Vegan Burritos With Refried Beans and Rice: Over 10 Grams of Protein
vegan burritos are a delicious and satisfying meal, especially when you add protein-rich refried beans and rice.
This hearty dish packs over 10 grams of protein per serving.
To make the refried beans, sauté some diced onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add two 15-ounce cans of pinto or black beans,
drained and rinsed, and mash slightly. Cook for a few minutes, then remove from heat. Mash the beans to your desired consistency –
either slightly chunky or smooth and creamy. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
For the rice, cook 1 1⁄2 cups of rice according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and season with salt to taste. You can also
add in diced bell peppers, zucchini, corn, etc. for extra nutrition and flavor.
To assemble the burritos, place the rice, refried beans, salsa or pico de gallo, and any other fillings of your choice
(e.g. grilled veggies, avocado) in the center of large flour tortillas. Roll up and fold in the sides to encase the fillings. You
can garnish the burritos with sauce, cheese, scallions, etc.
Pan-fry the burritos in a little oil over medium heat until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Alternatively, bake them in the
oven at 400 F for 10-15 minutes. Serve the burritos with salsa, guacamole, hot sauce, or dairy-free sour cream. A simple salad completes
the meal.
These protein-packed vegan burritos will satisfy any appetite and are perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch of the refried beans and
rice, then assemble and freeze burritos for easy weeknight dinners. Your taste buds will thank you!
Vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes: A Protein-Filled Comfort Food
These lentil sloppy joes are hearty, satisfying and packed with protein. Lentils are a staple in vegan cuisine because they’re high in fiber, iron and protein. Paired with veggies and spices, this dish comes together quickly for a casual weeknight meal or casual get-together.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried brown lentils
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegan hamburger buns for serving
Rinse the lentils, then add to a pot with the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered until lentils are tender, about 20-25 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion, garlic and bell pepper until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook 1 minute more.
Add the sautéed veggies to the lentils along with the tomato sauce, maple syrup, tomato paste, and vinegar. Simmer for 10 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.
Pile the lentil sloppy joe mixture onto buns and enjoy! The mixture also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Vegan Seitan Stir Fry: A Meaty 23 Grams of Protein Per Serving
Seitan stir fry is a delicious vegan dish packed with protein. Seitan, made from wheat gluten, contains a whopping 23 grams of protein per 3 ounce serving. When stir fried with veggies and a savory sauce, it’s a complete, satisfying meal.
To make seitan stir fry, start by preparing the ingredients:
•Seitan: Cut into 1-inch cubes. You can find pre-made seitan at health food stores or make your own using wheat gluten flour.
•Broccoli: Chop into florets.
•Bell peppers: Slice into strips. A mix of red, green and yellow peppers provides color.
•Onion: Thinly slice.
•Garlic: Mince 3-4 cloves.
•Sauce: Mix 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari, 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce or sriracha. Add more chili for spice.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the seitan and stir fry until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Add the broccoli, peppers and onion to the skillet. Stir fry until crisp-tender, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and stir fry 30 seconds more.
Return the seitan to the skillet. Pour in the sauce and stir well to coat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 2 minutes more.
Serve the seitan stir fry over rice or noodles. Garnish with scallions, peanuts or cashews if desired. Enjoy your protein-packed vegan dinner!
High-Protein Vegan Buddha Bowl
A Buddha bowl is a hearty, filling vegan meal packed with nutritious whole foods. This high-protein version will satisfy any appetite.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
- 1 cup steamed or roasted veggies like broccoli, carrots and bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas or black beans
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 2 tablespoons hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds
- Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
To make the bowl:
- Cook the quinoa or rice according to package directions. Set aside.
- Steam or roast your veggies until tender but still firm. Broccoli and bell peppers work great for roasting, carrots are perfect steamed.
- Rinse and drain the chickpeas or black beans. Add to the bowl.
- Top with the cooked veggies, avocado slices, and hemp or pumpkin seeds.
- Drizzle with sriracha or chili garlic sauce if desired. Mix and enjoy your nutritious, protein-packed meal!
This bowl contains about 15-20 grams of plant-based protein from the chickpeas/beans, seeds, and quinoa. The healthy fats from the avocado provide creaminess while the veggies add volume, nutrition, and extra protein. Alternative additions could be:
- Tofu
- Nut butters like almond or peanut butter
- Nutritional yeast
- Extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini or spinach
A Buddha bowl like this is perfect for lunch or dinner and will satisfy any hunger with its delicious blend of protein, healthy fats and fiber. Your mind and body will thank you!
Chipotle Black Bean Burgers
These protein-packed vegan burgers are full of flavor from chipotle peppers, black beans, and spices. They’re hearty enough to satisfy any burger craving.
Ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
- 2 tablespoons adobo sauce from the chipotle peppers
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mash the black beans in a large bowl until mostly smooth but still slightly chunky.
- Add the oats, onion, garlic, chipotle, adobo sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form the mixture into 8 equal-sized patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the burgers and bake until firm and lightly browned, about 10 more minutes.
- Serve the burgers on buns with your favorite burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, vegan cheese, and vegan mayonnaise. Enjoy!
These hearty vegan burgers are packed with protein from black beans and whole grains. The chipotle peppers add a kick of spice and lots of flavor. Your meat-eating friends won’t even miss the beef! Bake them, grill them, or pan-fry them – any way you make them, these burgers are sure to satisfy.
Conclusion
You’ve come to the end of this article, you’ve seen some truly amazing recipes that prove you can get loads of protein on a vegan diet without missing out on taste or satisfaction. Now it’s time to get cooking! Pick a few recipes, head to the store for some fresh ingredients and get creating in your kitchen.
Once your friends and family taste these protein-packed vegan meals, they’ll be begging you to make them on the regular. A whole new vegan-friendly world of flavor has opened up for you. What are you waiting for? Get cooking and bon appetite! These recipes are going to rock your world.
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