25 High-Protein Dinners Without Red Meat

By

Camryn Alexa Wimberly

Published on July 9, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Image of Crispy Salmon & Rice Bowl — Photo:
Ali Redmond

If you’re looking to eat more protein but are limiting your red meat intake, these are the recipes for you! Getting adequate protein intake is important for a variety of body functions like bone health, muscle repair and digestion. While red meat can still be incorporated into a healthy and balanced diet, there are many reasons one may choose to limit their consumption, whether it’s due to environmental factors or health reasons. Luckily, there are a variety of other protein-rich foods that can help you meet your needs, like fish, beans, nuts, dairy, chicken, eggs and more. These dinners all contain at least 15 grams of protein per serving, with tasty options like our Crispy Salmon Rice Bowl or Chickpeas alla Vodka. Try them out to get a boost of protein and deliciousness for dinner.

01 of 25

Bruschetta-Topped Crispy Baked Chicken

Bruschetta-Topped Crispy Baked Chicken

A fresh tomato-and-basil topping on panko-crusted chicken cutlets makes an easy meal for family or casual entertaining. Add a side salad or a slice of baguette to make it a meal.

02 of 25

Crispy Salmon Rice Bowl

Image of Crispy Salmon & Rice Bowl — Ali Redmond

Tender pieces of salmon get a sweet and crispy coating thanks to sweet and savory teriyaki glaze in this salmon rice bowl.

03 of 25

Chickpeas alla Vodka

a recipe photo of the Chickpeas alla Vodka — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

This Chickpeas alla Vodka is the ultra-quick, fiber-packed dinner you’ve been waiting for! Chickpeas are swimming in a creamy vodka sauce that gets enhancements from sautéed garlic, onion and vibrant green baby kale.

04 of 25

Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas

a recipe photo of Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas — Photographer: Greg DuPree, Prop stylist: Shell Royster, Food stylist: Emily Hall

This speedy dinner combines shrimp with pillowy gnocchi, pesto and peas in a creamy sauce. Feel free to substitute the peas with other veggies such as broccoli or asparagus. For a bit of heat, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper, or garnish with grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the savory flavor.

05 of 25

Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Green Beans

a recipe photo of the Sheet-Pan Teriyaki Salmon with Green Beans — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

Think of this sheet-pan teriyaki salmon as a stir-fry without the stirring! Instead, rice and veggies are baked on a hot sheet pan alongside green beans and salmon coated in a sweet teriyaki glaze.

06 of 25

Veggie Lasagna

a recipe photo of the Veggie Lasagna — Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Every layer of this delicious veggie lasagna has its own flavor profile. Cooking the vegetables before assembling the lasagna ensures the dish won’t be soggy.

07 of 25

Avocado Tuna Spinach Salad

Avocado Tuna Spinach Salad — Greg DuPree

Avocado adds creaminess while sunflower seeds provide texture and crunch in this easy tuna-spinach salad.

08 of 25

Chicken Cutlets with Mushroom & Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

a recipe photo of the Chicken Cutlets with Creamy Mushroom & Sundried Tomato Sauce — Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This delectable dinner features tender chicken cutlets smothered in a rich and creamy sauce infused with savory mushrooms and tangy sun-dried tomatoes.

09 of 25

Mustard-Dill Grilled Salmon & Vegetables

a recipe photo of the Mustard-Dill Grilled Salmon with Baby Vegetables — Photographer: Carson Downing, Food stylist: Annie Probst, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

In this easy grilled salmon recipe, the salmon is cooked on a cedar plank, one of the most foolproof ways of grilling. We call for zucchini, tomatoes and onion, but feel free to use your favorite vegetables instead.

10 of 25

Chickpea Burgers

These chickpea burgers are similar to falafel, but with the added whole-grain goodness of brown rice and wheat germ. Serve them on pita breads with thick slices of tomato and a dab of plain yogurt or drizzle on a little sauce made with minced garlic and tahini thinned with water and lemon juice.

11 of 25

Roasted Tofu & Broccoli with Peanut-Curry Sauce

Roasted Tofu & Broccoli with Peanut-Curry Sauce — Jacob Fox

Pressing the tofu before roasting rids it of some excess moisture for crispy results. The savory peanut-curry sauce goes perfectly with the charred broccoli.

12 of 25

Sautéed Striped Bass with Lemon and Herb Sauce

SautÃ©ed Striped Bass With Lemon and Herb Sauce on a white plate — Greg Dupree

If you find sea bass to be strong-flavored, remove the pan drippings from the skillet before making the sauce for a milder final product. The wine-butter sauce is a good complement to the dish, especially with caramelized lemon notes.

13 of 25

Crustless Caprese Quiche

a recipe photo of the Crustless Caprese Quiche — Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

This light and fluffy crustless quiche is dotted with tomatoes, little bites of melty mozzarella and savory pesto. And the best part—it’s mixed, assembled and baked in a pie plate for easy cleanup.

14 of 25

Bean & Veggie Taco Bowl

Simple brown rice and black beans serve as the backdrop for sautéed veggies and taco toppings!

15 of 25

Hot-Honey Chicken & Pineapple Kebabs

Grilled Pineapple and Hot Honey Kebabs on a serving plate with a blue linen — Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

These grilled chicken kebabs are sweet and hot thanks to hot honey, juicy chunks of pineapple and the grill itself, which caramelizes the bell peppers, onion and chicken pieces to smoky perfection.

16 of 25

Fish Nuggets with Seasoned Sweet Potato Wedges

Frozen fish sticks get a makeover with this recipe for oven-baked fish nuggets. To give them that irresistible deep-fried crunch, we rely on panko breadcrumbs with their lighter, flakier texture.

17 of 25

Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce

Red Lentil Fritters with Ginger-Yogurt Sauce — Charlotte and Johnny Autry

Here we soak lentils instead of fully cooking them, which gives them just enough added moisture to be whirred up into a fritter without being too wet. Serve these curry-spiced fritters on top of a green salad or tucked into a pita.

18 of 25

Salmon-Stuffed Avocados

Salmon-Stuffed Avocados on a blue surface — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

Canned salmon is a valuable pantry staple and a practical way to include heart-healthy, omega-3-rich fish in your diet. Here, we combine it with avocados in an easy no-cook meal.

19 of 25

Chickpea & Cauliflower Pitas with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

a recipe photo of Roasted Chickpea & Cauliflower Pitas with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce — Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Nicole Hopper, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

These pitas are piled high with roasted veggies for a satisfying and protein-packed vegetarian dinner.

20 of 25

Crispy Cod with Charred Snow Peas & Creamy Herb Sauce

This crispy cod recipe shows you how to make golden fish that's not deep-fried, to put a healthy twist on a classic. Pat it dry and dredge it with a bit of flour before sautéing in a hot pan.

21 of 25

Salmon with Curried Yogurt & Cucumber Salad

Three ingredients you probably already have on hand—curry powder, yogurt and lemon juice—meld into a mouthwatering sauce that transforms simple grilled salmon. This easy dinner comes together in just 20 minutes.

22 of 25

Mushroom-Ricotta Tartines

a recipe photo of the Mushroom-Ricotta Tartines — Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Addelyn Evans, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco,

Here, we slather a thick slice of good crusty whole-wheat bread with a creamy pesto-ricotta spread and top it with golden-brown sautéed mushrooms. Any tender, quick-cooking mushroom would work for this recipe.

23 of 25

Tajín Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

a recipe photo of the TajÃn Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw — Greg DuPree

Tajín, a Mexican chile-lime seasoning, adds a spicy and acidic punch to sweet and mild shrimp. Opt for a low-sodium chile-lime seasoning, or improvise by combining chili powder, a little lime zest and a healthy squeeze of lime juice. Look for pineapple that’s already been peeled and cored for speedier prep.

24 of 25

Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

An easy-to-make slaw served on the side of these salmon tacos makes for a filling and fast weeknight dinner. If you prefer more heat in these fish tacos, simply add a pinch or two of chipotle chile powder or cayenne with the chili powder.

25 of 25

One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo

a recipe photo of the One-Pot White Bean, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo with Lemon & Feta — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

This one-pot pasta dish with white beans, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes is lively and vibrant and leaves you with an easy cleanup. Toasting the orzo before adding the broth adds another layer of flavor.

Medically reviewed by

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

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