While meat-based proteins are packed with key nutrients, there are just as many important reasons to eat your plant-based proteins too.
We’ve tackled some of the many ways you can get your protein from non-meat sources. From protein-packed, no-bake donuts to vibrant green protein smoothies to egg salads and more, here are 43 high-protein, vegetarian recipes.
Raspberry Almond Butter Oats
Both chia seeds and almond butter are excellent sources of protein; enjoy them together in this dreamy, creamy Paleo overnight “oats.”
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Raspberry Almond Butter Oats
Buffin Protein Muffins
Use a vegetarian-friendly protein powder to make these “buffins,” a surprisingly protein-packed muffin.
Recipe: Livin Paleo | Buffin Protein Muffins
Easy Baked Avocado and Egg
There’s no breakfast (or lunch!) more simple and filling than this two-ingredient, baked avocado and egg.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Easy Baked Avocado and Egg
Little Green Goddess Soup
Filled with protein and greens, this little green soup packs a mighty nutritional punch.
Recipe: The Little Green Spoon | Little Green Goddess Soup
Vanilla Blueberry Protein Smoothie Bowl
Delicious and beautiful, this protein-packed smoothie bowl makes for a colorful start to your morning.
Recipe: Wild Blend | Vanilla Blueberry Protein Smoothie Bowl
Chia Seeds Breakfast Bowl
If you could eat a protein-packed rainbow, this is what it would look and taste like.
Recipe: Framed Recipes | Chia Seeds Breakfast Bowl
Protein-Packed Monster Breakfast Cookies
Recipe: Allergy-Free Alaska | Protein-Packed Monster Breakfast Cookies
Egg, Spinach and Mushroom Skillet
Simple, hearty and filled with protein, so you can feel comfortably full. Enjoy the umami flavor added by mushrooms.
Recipe: Manila Spoon | Egg, Spinach and Mushroom Skillet
Dreamy Almond Butter Chia Pudding
Almonds and chia seeds come together for a protein powerhouse for a breakfast or snack.
Recipe: The Almond Eater | Dreamy Almond Butter Chia Pudding
Pumpkin Protein Muffins
These muffins get double the veggie-friendly protein from vanilla protein powder and an extra egg.
Recipe: Live Health Easy | Pumpkin Protein Muffins
No-Bake Paleo Chocolate Protein Bars
No-bake chocolatey bars make the perfect pre- or post-workout indulgence—sans guilt!
Recipe: Christina Canters | No-Bake Paleo Chocolate Protein Bars
Paleo Breakfast Bread
Almond butter and eggs form the protein base for this breakfast treat. Slather the bread with even more almond butter for a protein-packed start to your day.
Recipe: Watch Fit | Paleo Breakfast Bread
Mango, Avocado and Spinach Smoothie
Protein-packed spinach joins avocado and mango for a tropical, sustaining smoothie enjoyed any time of the day.
Recipe: Paleo Leap | Mango, Avocado and Spinach Smoothie
Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding
Enjoy this seasonal-inspired treat for a protein boost at the midday slump.
Recipe: Sprouted Routes | Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding
Sweet Potato Paleo Muffins
Shredded coconut, almond flour, eggs and walnuts all help to create a nicely-rounded protein base for these veggie and fruit muffins.
Recipe: Not Your Standard | Sweet Potato Paleo Muffins
Paleo Creamed Spinach
This Paleo-friendly creamed spinach makes for the perfect cozy side dish.
Recipe: The Sophisticated Caveman | Paleo Creamed Spinach
Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
Dress up your banana bread with super-rich dark chocolate. A healthy dose of almond butter rounds out the protein content of this bread.
Recipe: Bakerita | Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
Overnight Paleo Porridge
This hearty faux oatmeal is packed with flaxseed and chia seeds and can be topped with more nuts for extra protein.
Recipe: Gluten-Free Palate | Overnight Paleo Porridge
Healthy Chocolate Banana Shake
Almond butter and almond milk are half the ingredients in this simple, 4-ingredient shake; be sure to use a Paleo-friendly almond milk when whipping yours up at home.
Recipe: A Beautiful Mess | Healthy Chocolate Banana Shake
Avocado Spinach Dip
Enjoy the protein boost of spinach in this deliciously creamy, nutrition-packed dip.
Recipe: The Healthy Foodie | Avocado Spinach Dip
Chia Berry Paleo Parfait
Chia seeds are an excellent veggie-friendly source of protein—enjoy them in this parfait, complete with Paleo granola.
Recipe: Paleo Foodies | Chia Berry Paleo Parfait
Paleo Maple-Nut Porridge with Banana
Coconut and nuts make for a protein-packed base to this breakfast porridge, while bananas and other ingredients help to make it a balanced, sustaining meal.
Recipe: Tessa the Domestic Diva | Paleo Maple-Nut Porridge with Banana
Grain-Free Granola Bars
There are no less than five protein-packed sources of crunch and flavor in these granola bars. Yum!
Recipe: Preppy Paleo | Grain-Free Granola Bars
Sautéed Spinach and Caramelized Onions
This simple, protein-filled spinach and onion sauté works as the perfect side dish to, well, most anything.
Recipe: Paleo Leap | Sautéed Spinach and Caramelized Onions
Paleo Rainbow Smoothie
This rainbow work of art boasts a healthy dose of spinach. Add protein powder for even more sustaining goodness.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Paleo Rainbow Smoothie
Spinach Avocado Pesto
The best part about this protein-filled pesto is that it can coat more protein-packed foods. Try it as a dressing for a spinach salad or folded into scrambled eggs.
Recipe: Adventures in Partaking | Spinach Avocado Pesto
Golden Turmeric Energy Bites
Not only do you get the sustaining protein punch from protein powder and almond butter in these no-bake bites, but you get the healing qualities of turmeric, too.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Golden Turmeric Energy Bites
Whole30 Breakfast Bowl
Apples add sweetness and crunch to this protein-packed breakfast porridge with eggs and coconut.
Recipe: Bravo for Paleo | Whole30 Breakfast Bowl
Honey Mustard Spinach Salad with Roasted Onions
A simple, light salad that’s loaded with protein, thanks to its spinach base and hardboiled egg topping.
Recipe: PaleoHacks | Honey Mustard Spinach Salad with Roasted Onions
Banana Vanilla Bean N’Oatmeal
Chia seeds strike again in this banana bread-inspired faux overnight oats.
Recipe: Real Everything | Banana Vanilla Bean N’Oatmeal
Almond Joy Chia Pudding
Enjoy an extra boost of protein in your snack or dessert in this simple, 4-ingredient pudding.
Recipe: House of Yumm | Almond Joy Chia Pudding
No-Bake Lemon Pistachio Shortbread Cookie Bites
We love anything that promises shortbread cookie flavor while packing protein sources like pistachio, almond butter and coconut.
Recipe: Cotter Crunch | No-Bake Lemon Pistachio Shortbread Cookie Bites
Paleo Egg Salad
Essentially a big bowl of hardboiled eggs loaded with flavors—delicious and protein-packed.
Recipe: Just Paleo Food | Paleo Egg Salad
Hemp Fudge Skillet Brownie
A brownie so healthy and sustaining, you can eat it for breakfast.
Recipe: Wicked Spatula | Hemp Fudge Skillet Brownie
Paleo Egg Muffins
Try these veggie-filled egg muffin combinations for a light but filling breakfast or snack.
Recipe: Red Star Recipe | Paleo Egg Muffins
Korean Paleo Bibimbap
Be sure to heap on an extra serving of spinach with your egg-topped bibimbap.
Recipe: Wicked Spatula | Korean Paleo Bibimbap
Chocolate Hemp Protein Muffins
Full of fiber, protein and fueling fats, these muffins let you eat chocolate with no guilt. Score.
Recipe: Forest and Fauna | Chocolate Hemp Protein Muffins
Green Protein Smoothie
Spinach, chia and hemp offer tons of protein while mangos, apples and more sweeten the deal.
Recipe: Wallflower Kitchen | Green Protein Smoothie
Simple Hemp Seed Porridge
Another take on faux oatmeal, this breakfast porridge is loaded with hemp, flax and chia seeds—a protein trifecta.
Recipe: The Clean Dish | Simple Hemp Seed Porridge
Nut Butter Banana Sushi
If you need a quick, protein-packed snack, reach for a banana, almond butter and your favorite seeds and nuts and voilĂ , banana sushi!
Recipe: Spright | Nut Butter Banana Sushi
Healthy Pistachio Pudding
This recipe suggests adding extra spinach to the already nut-packed pudding for color, but we’d also recommend it for extra protein.
Recipe: Unconventional Baker | Healthy Pistachio Pudding
Chocolate Coconut Pistachio Bites
For even more protein, try chocolate protein powder in place of the cocoa powder.
Recipe: Cotter Crunch | Chocolate Coconut Pistachio Bites
No-Bake Turmeric Protein Donuts
You heard us right: protein donuts. Enjoy!
Recipe: PaleoHacks | No-Bake Turmeric Protein Donuts
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