10 High-Protein Food Recipes That Are Easy And Satisfying
As health enthusiasts, we understand the importance of including a high-protein diet in our lifestyle. High-protein foods play a major role in muscle building, weight management, and overall health. However, finding the right high-protein food recipes that are both delicious and simple to prepare can be a challenge.
So, we have compiled 10 high-protein food recipes that are mouthwatering and also designed to make your meal prep easier.
1. Veggie Protein Chilli
This plant-based recipe is packed with protein thanks to kidney beans, black beans, and chickpeas. You will need a good quality non-stick saucepan from your Houszy cookware set to make this.
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can dice tomatoes
- 1-2 tbsp chilli powder (to taste)
- 1 tbsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prep & Cook Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Serves: 4
Steps
- Sauté the onion and garlic in a large saucepan until softened.
- Add the bell pepper, beans, tomatoes, chilli powder, and cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
2. Slow Cooker Meatballs
These high-protein meatballs are perfect for meal prep. Make a large batch and store it in your glass food storage containers for quick meals throughout the week.
Ingredients
- 500g lean minced beef
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 jar marinara sauce
Prep & Cook Time: 15 minutes prep, 4 hours slow cooking
Difficulty Level: Easy
Serves: 4
Steps
- Mix the minced beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and garlic in a bowl. Form into meatballs.
- Place the meatballs in a slow cooker and cover with marinara sauce.
- Cook on low for 4 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
3. Crispy Chilli Turkey Noodles
This Asian-inspired dish is high in protein and has a spicy kick. Use a wok or large frying pan to stir-fry the ingredients.
Ingredients
- 500g turkey breast, sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chilli sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 spring onions, sliced
- 200g egg noodles, cooked
Prep & Cook Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty Level: Medium
Serves: 4
Steps
- Toss the turkey in the soy sauce, chilli sauce, and garlic.
- Heat a wok or large frying pan and stir-fry the turkey until golden and crispy.
- Add the bell pepper and spring onions and stir-fry for another 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked noodles and toss until well combined. Serve hot.
4. Spanish Chicken Stew
This hearty stew is packed with protein from chicken and chickpeas. Use a Dutch oven or large pot to simmer the stew.
Ingredients
- 500g chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can dice tomatoes
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prep & Cook Time: 30 minutes prep 1 hour cooking
Difficulty Level: Medium
Serves: 4
Steps
- Brown the chicken thighs in a Dutch oven or large pot, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper in the same pot until softened.
- Add the chickpeas, tomatoes, paprika, and browned chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
5. Turkey Burger with Sweet Potato Wedges
This healthier take on a classic burger and fries is high in protein and satisfying. You'll need a solid grill pan to get a nice sear on the burgers.
Ingredients
- 500g ground turkey
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 sweet potatoes, cut into wedges
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 burger buns
- Lettuce, tomato, and onion for serving
Prep & Cook Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Serves: 4
Steps
- Mix the ground turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Form into 4 patties.
- Toss the sweet potato wedges in olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 200C for 25 minutes, or until crispy.
- Meanwhile, heat a grill pan and cook the turkey patties for 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
- Serve the burgers on buns with lettuce, tomato, and onion. Serve the sweet potato wedges on the side.
6. Easy Butter Chicken
This Indian-inspired dish is a crowd favourite. It is high in protein and full of flavour. You will need a large frying pan or wok to make this dish.
Ingredients
- 500g chicken breast, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prep & Cook Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Serves: 4
Steps
- Sauté the onion and garlic in a large frying pan or wok until softened.
- Add the curry powder and stir to coat the onions and garlic.
- Add the chicken and cook until browned.
- Stir in the coconut milk and tomato paste. Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with basmati rice.
7. Black Bean Chilli
This vegetarian chilli is high in protein thanks to the black beans. You will need a good quality non-stick saucepan to make this.
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can dice tomatoes
- 1-2 tbsp chilli powder (to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prep & Cook Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Serves: 4
Steps
- Sauté the onion and garlic in a large saucepan until softened.
- Add the bell pepper, beans, tomatoes, and chilli powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
8. Pork Stew
This hearty stew is high in protein and full of flavour. You will need a Dutch oven or large pot from your Houszy cookware set to simmer the stew.
Ingredients
- 500g pork shoulder, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 potatoes, chopped
- 4 cups beef broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prep & Cook Time: 30 minutes prep, 2 hours cooking
Difficulty Level: Medium
Serves: 4
Steps
- Brown the pork in a Dutch oven or large non-stick pot, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté the onion and garlic in the same pot until softened.
- Add the carrots, potatoes, beef broth, and browned pork. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
9. Layered Aubergine & Lentil Bake
This vegetarian dish is high in protein thanks to the lentils. You will need a good quality baking dish from your cookware set to make this.
Ingredients
- 2 aubergines, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can of lentils, drained and rinsed
- 1 can dice tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Prep & Cook Time: 1-hour Difficulty Level: Medium Serves: 4
Steps
- Brush the aubergine slices with olive oil and bake at 200C for 20 minutes or until softened.
- Meanwhile, sauté the onion and garlic in a large frying pan until softened.
- Add the lentils and tomatoes. Simmer for 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
10. Vegetarian Enchiladas
These flavourful enchiladas are rich in protein thanks to the black beans and cheese. You will need a baking dish for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 8 whole wheat tortillas
- 1 can of black beans
- 1 can sweet corn
- 1 can enchilada sauce
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Prep & Cook Time: 1-hour Difficulty Level: Medium Serves: 4
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 180°C. In the meantime, sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
- Add the black beans and sweet corn to the onion and garlic, mixing well.
- Place a spoonful of the mixture onto each tortilla, roll it up, and place it in a baking dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Pour the enchilada sauce over the tortillas and sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.