10 High Protein Vegetarian Recipes

Vegetarians are often faced with one critical question by meat eaters, “Where do you get your protein?”

The fact is, protein is abundant in plant foods, and while certain dietary deficiencies are common (but avoidable) among vegans and vegetarians, it’s possible to receive all essential amino acids by eating a completely vegan or vegetarian diet. Some plant foods, like avocados and quinoa, contain all essential amino acids and are therefore considered a complete protein. Incorporating these foods into your recipes can ensure you will receive all the protein you need.

How to Get Your Protein on a Vegetarian Diet

The body requires essential amino acids in order to function properly, yet vegetarian sources of complete protein are sparse. Meat provides a complete protein, but it’s probably not the best food option for ethical, environmental, and health reasons. Typically, vegetarians will pair certain foods in order to complement one another’s amino acid profile to make a complete protein. In other words, you would choose one vegetarian food that contains certain essential amino acids and pair it with another plant food that contains the amino acid the other food is lacking. Beans and rice is a common example. As mentioned previously, you can also incorporate quinoa, avocado, and even hemp into your diet. These three foods do contain a complete amino acid profile.

10 High-Protein Vegetarian Recipes

One of the caveats to following a healthy lifestyle is the lack of ideas when it comes to meal planning. If you’re concerned you’re not getting enough protein in your vegetarian diet, here are some recipe ideas to help you out.

1. Quinoa “Fried Rice”

If you’re a fan of traditional fried rice, you might be interested in this recipe. Quinoa is more nutritious than white and even brown rice, containing a heftier amount of amino acids, fiber, and healthy fats.

2. Chickpea and Kale Soup

Kale never disappoints, at least in the health department. This chickpea and kale soup recipe contains a great deal of protein and fiber, and you’re also receiving vitamin A and vitamin C. This is a perfect winter soup. Use your favorite spices and add in a few more chopped vegetables to the mix.

3. Curried Black Bean Ratatouille

This vegetarian take on a classic French dish is perfect for a sophisticated vegan dinner party. Black beans add protein and fiber and give the ratatouille a deep, rich color.

4. Large Southwestern Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a fun way to get a lot of nutrition. If you eat cheese, use raw milk cheese to top these off as soon as they come out of the oven or off the grill.

5. Vegan Chili

Chili is a delicious autumn and winter dish that serves perfectly well on its own. This vegan chili provides an immense amount of fiber and protein from the beans. You can also add avocado to the dish after serving to increase the protein content. Also, experiment with adding 1 cup of cooked quinoa or buckwheat in place of the bulgur at the end of cooking, about 5 minutes.

6. Vegetarian Omelet

If you’re an ovo-vegetarian, then you know how important omelets are to you in the morning. This high-protein breakfast food is packed with the goodness of vegetables to get your day started off right.

7. Carrot Slaw with Smoky Maple Tempeh Triangles

Carrots are high in vitamin A and vitamin C and make a perfect bedding for these tempeh triangles. Tempeh is fermented soy, so it provides all of the benefits of soy without the harmful effects of traditional, unfermented soybean.

8. Black Bean Salad

This black bean salad recipe is a perfect summer side dish that you can bring to picnics or luncheons. You can bulk it up by adding your favorite vegetables and beans.

9. Almond Butter Cookies

Almonds provide a great deal of fiber and healthy monounsaturated fats. Almond butter provides a tasty base for these high-protein cookies, and the oats give you fiber.

10. Black Bean Burgers

Black beans are so versatile that they can even be used to make vegan burger patties! Not only are they high in fiber, combined with the spices in this black bean burger recipe, they provide the color and taste similar to traditional burgers.

What are your favorite vegetarian recipes that are also high in protein? Let us know in the comments!

Previous articles by Dr. Group:

About the author:

Dr. Edward F. Group III (DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM) founded Global Healing Center in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the internet.

For more information, please visit Global Healing Center.

Ancient Taoist masters understood the deep connection between our bodies, emotions, and the cosmos. The upcoming event, Light Your Inner Fire With Cosmic Synergy Qigong, invites you to explore this powerful fusion of Qigong, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Taoist wisdom, helping you unlock your full potential. Join us to discover transformative practices for healing, balance, and spiritual growth!

In this free online event, you’ll learn techniques like the Dantien Fire Meditation to ignite vitality and emotional well-being. Plus, discover how to activate the Microcosmic Orbit to dissolve energy blockages and restore the natural flow of energy throughout your body. Don’t miss your chance to gain valuable insights and tools—reserve your spot today!

Embrace the opportunity to harmonize your body’s energy with the forces of nature, transforming negative emotions into positive healing forces. Sign up now and ignite your inner fire!

If you’ve found value in our articles, we invite you to support the release of our brand-new book, “Gratitude Practices for Kids: A Practical Guide for Adults to Instill a Spirit of Appreciation and Positivity in the Next Generation.“

“Gratitude Practices for Kids” brings together over 25 innovative and accessible practices designed to enhance gratitude in everyday life. This comprehensive guide is backed by 17 scientific studies, ensuring each concept is grounded in research, underscoring our commitment to nurturing growth, emotional intelligence, and positive interactions between adults and children.

We encourage you to opt for the paperback version to celebrate this new release. Dive into its fresh pages away from digital distractions, allowing you to immerse yourself in the transformative practices it offers.

Over recent years, Wake Up World has faced significant online censorship, which has impacted our financial ability to operate. Moving into book publishing represents a strategic step to secure the ongoing funds needed to continue our mission. By purchasing Gratitude for Kids, you help us keep our content free and accessible to everyone, avoiding needing a paywall. With over 8,500 articles published in the last 13 years, we remain dedicated to keeping our valuable content open to all.