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  4. 20 High-Protein Recipes That'll Fill You Up

20 High-Protein Recipes That'll Fill You Up

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By Shannon Bauer November 12, 2019
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20 High-Protein Recipes That Fill You Up
Credit: The Skinny Fork, Tastes Better From Scratch, Dashing Dish, Shutterstock
We've all heard the stories of body builders eating extreme amounts of protein to build muscle. But protein is an essential part of your diet, even if you aren't looking to bulk up. To ensure you're getting enough, try one of these high-protein recipes.
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The Protein 411

The Protein 411
Credit: Shutterstock

Protein helps to maintain lean muscle, grow and repair all cells in your body, and regulate your appetite, according to Erin Palinski-Wade, R.D., C.D.E., the author of Belly Fat Diet for Dummies. On average, active women need about half a gram of protein per pound of body weight every day (so an active 140-pound woman would need 70 grams of protein). One way to meet this goal is to include a source of protein at every meal. A high-protein meal would have 25 percent of its calories coming from protein.

Plant-based protein: Beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, quinoa, amaranth

Animal protein: Eggs, low-fat dairy, white meat poultry, lean beef, pork loin, fish

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Lentils and Amaranth Patties

Lentils and Amaranth Patties
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Amaranth is a gluten-free ancient grain. And Palinski-Wade says it's a great source of protein. Mix with lentils, like in this recipe, for the perfect protein-packed lunch.

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Zucchini Boat Turkey Tacos

Zucchini Boat Turkey Tacos
Credit: Persnickity Plates
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For a healthy, high-protein meal, make tacos without the tortillas. Switch out the sour cream for plain, nonfat Greek yogurt to up the protein.

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Cinnamon-Sugar Roasted Chickpeas

Cinnamon-Sugar Roasted Chickpeas
Credit: Sally's Baking Addiction
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Chickpeas are great mixed into salads, stews, and curries. Try them as a snack with this cinnamon-sugar version from Sally's Baking Addiction.

Related: Who Should Try a High-Protein Diet?

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Black Bean Soup

Black Bean Soup
Credit: Veggie Inspired Journey
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Black beans pack a whopping 39 grams of protein per cup. Try this black bean soup from Veggie Inspired Journey for an easy, high-protein meal that's filling and super simple to make.

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California Cottage Cheese Bowl

Cottage Cheese Bowl
Credit: The Skinny Fork
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Palinski-Wade suggests adding raw almonds or cottage cheese to each snack to help you reach your protein requirements every day. This healthy high-protein recipe pairs cottage cheese with avocado for a boost of healthy fats.

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Pumpkin Pie Yogurt

Pumpkin Pie Yogurt
Credit: The Lemon Bowl
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This pumpkin spiced Greek yogurt parfait packs 19 grams of protein for under 200 calories.

Related: What Eating the *Right* Amount of Protein Every Day Actually Looks Like

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Honey-Garlic Salmon

Honey-Garlic Salmon
Credit: The Cooking Jar
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Salmon is full of good-for-you omega-3s-and boasts 21 grams of protein per three-ounce serving. If you need new easy high protein recipes, try this honey garlic salmon that only requires five ingredients.

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Black Bean Lentil Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing

Black Bean Lentil Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing
Credit: The Garden Grazer
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This salad is chock-full of protein from the lentils and black beans. A homemade cumin-lime dressing makes the salad taste fantastic whether you serve it hot or eat it cold the next day.

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Sweet Potato, Kale, and Shrimp Skillet

Sweet Potato, Kale, and Shrimp Skillet
Credit: Primavera Kitchen
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This gluten-free recipe uses sweet potato, kale, and shrimp to make a quick high-protein weekday meal. Even better: It only uses one pan!

Related: High-Protein Vegetarian Breakfasts for a Satisfying Way to Start the Day

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites
Credit: Amy's Healthy Baking

Energy bites are a portable and easy way to get protein into your snacks. Pop a few post-workout-like these pumpkin and chocolate chip ones from Amy's Healthy Baking.

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Beef and Vegetable Skillet

Beef and Vegetable Skillet
Credit: Southern Plate
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Have a ton of random leftover veggies? Combining them with lean ground beef makes for one of the best high-protein dinners.

Related: Healthy High-Protein Desserts That Taste Amazing (and Feed Your Muscles!)

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Quinoa Pizza Bites

Quinoa Pizza Bites
Credit: Live Well Bake Often
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Quinoa, the kale of the grain world, can be reinvented in every form. It's the base in these pizza bites, a high-protein meal or appetizer.

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Greek Yogurt Egg Salad Sandwich

Greek Yogurt Egg Salad Sandwich
Credit: Damn Delicious
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Egg salad gets a healthy makeover with this recipe from Damn Delicious. Eggs and Greek yogurt are both great sources of protein, meaning this sandwich will keep you full even longer.

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Chicken Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Casserole

Chicken Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Casserole
Credit: Flavor Mosaic
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Chicken and quinoa are the stars of this high-protein twist on a classic casserole.

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Oatmeal Protein Pancakes

Oatmeal Protein Pancakes
Credit: Tastes Better From Scratch
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Brunch just got even better. Cottage cheese and whole-grain oats make these protein pancakes healthier. They may become your Saturday morning staple.

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5-Ingredient Quinoa Mac and Cheese

quinoa mac and cheese
Credit: Simply Quinoa
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Mac and cheese isn't usually a go-to dish when you're trying to eat healthy–or high protein, for that matter. But this recipe uses quinoa and butternut squash for a healthy spin on the comfort classic.

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Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt

Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt
Credit: Dashing Dish
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Satisfy your sweet tooth and eat a protein-packed snack with this faux cookie dough. Bonus: No risk of salmonella!

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Peach and Mustard Glazed Pork Chops

Peach and Mustard Glazed Pork Chops
Credit: Delish D'Lights
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Pork can get a bad rep–we're looking at you bacon–when in fact it is an excellent source of protein. Choose a lean cut, like a pork loin chop, and add a fresh glaze like this recipe from Delish D'Lites.

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Edamame Feta Salad

Edamame Feta Salad
Credit: Averie Cooks
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Edamame may look like a veggie, but the soybean is actually a protein powerhouse. This fresh salad combines fresh vegetables, feta, and edamame for a lunch that's healthy yet big on flavor.

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Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Hummus

Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Hummus
Credit: Cooking Classy
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Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein and are a perfect snack when smashed into hummus. This tomato basil hummus would taste great with pita chips or fresh veggies.

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    1 of 21 The Protein 411
    2 of 21 Lentils and Amaranth Patties
    3 of 21 Zucchini Boat Turkey Tacos
    4 of 21 Cinnamon-Sugar Roasted Chickpeas
    5 of 21 Black Bean Soup
    6 of 21 California Cottage Cheese Bowl
    7 of 21 Pumpkin Pie Yogurt
    8 of 21 Honey-Garlic Salmon
    9 of 21 Black Bean Lentil Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing
    10 of 21 Sweet Potato, Kale, and Shrimp Skillet
    11 of 21 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites
    12 of 21 Beef and Vegetable Skillet
    13 of 21 Quinoa Pizza Bites
    14 of 21 Greek Yogurt Egg Salad Sandwich
    15 of 21 Chicken Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Casserole
    16 of 21 Oatmeal Protein Pancakes
    17 of 21 5-Ingredient Quinoa Mac and Cheese
    18 of 21 Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt
    19 of 21 Peach and Mustard Glazed Pork Chops
    20 of 21 Edamame Feta Salad
    21 of 21 Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Hummus

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