32 High-Protein Meals That Aren’t Boring Steak and Potatoes

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, gluten free

Pork has a reputation for being boring and dry, but these chops are anything but. They're salted 45 minutes before being cooked, which makes their texture buttery smooth. The easy spice rub is pretty darn versatile, too. Serve it with a salad at lunch or dinner to keep it keto, or substitute mashed potatoes.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, gluten free

If you cook your chicken thighs low and slow, you’ll get crispy skin and juicy, tender meat every single time. That aside, these thighs also pack a serious punch of flavor, thanks to salty pancetta, briny olives and only *three* other ingredients. This high-protein meal just takes 50 minutes, so add it to your dinner rotation with a side of white rice, stat.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy

Know someone who doesn’t like fish? Serve them this 30-minute meal and you’ll totally change their mind. Swordfish is really meaty with minimal fishiness, making it a great starting place for newbies. Might we suggest grilling and devouring it alfresco with a glass of white wine?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, dairy free

Cold and flu season has nothing on this immunity booster. This high-protein meal is great for lunch or as an anti-inflammatory late night snack. We love this soup for its simplicity, but it’s also totally customizable. Add rice or pasta, or switch out the greens—you’re the chef.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein,

Sticky, sweet and spicy? Sign us up. This sheet pan meal will wow the entire dinner table—and most importantly, leave you with minimal cleanup. The sprouts turn super brown and caramelized in savory pan juice, so much so that your kids won't mind actually eating them.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, make ahead, dairy free

Make the toppings ahead of time for a meal-prep masterpiece. We're talking quick-pickled radishes, honey-soy dressing and chili-yuzu relish (aka the best part) on a bed of tender egg noodles. You'll be the envy of the office break room at first bite.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly

Everyone should have a classic Niçoise salad recipe to rely on. This high-protein meal is quick, hearty and easy to scale up or down. It's also a bit reinvented—fried capers and dill offer an herbaceous, briny quality you won't find in traditional recipes. It's destined for your annual summer picnic.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, beginner-friendly, make ahead

Proof that you don’t need meat to make a satisfying, high-protein meal—thanks, crispy tofu. Use cauliflower rice if you're having a bowl for lunch, or swap in quinoa or brown rice to make it more filling. Oh, and drizzle on as much sriracha aioli as you desire.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, gluten free

Scallops feel fancy but they’re surprisingly easy to make. And they’re nutritious to boot: Three ounces have 20 grams of protein and less than 100 calories. The corn succotash screams summer to us, but you can totally substitute canned corn in the off-season too.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, gluten free, make ahead

These enchiladas have a secret: They’re actually zucchini boats stuffed with beans, shredded rotisserie chicken and tons of gooey cheese. (Who needs tortillas, right?) The best part about this recipe is how easy it is to experiment with: Use ground turkey, make it vegetarian, substitute salsa verde—the enchilada is your, uh, oyster.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, beginner-friendly

Lentils are one of our go-tos for a meatless main that still has tons of protein. This high-protein meal has lots of ginger, cinnamon and garlic for the ultimate spice-heavy comfort food. The garlic sits for 20 minutes after being cut, creating an enzymatic reaction that boosts its antiviral properties. We recommend indulging on a gray winter day when you could use a cozy pick-me-up.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, beginner-friendly

If we’re being honest, these had us at Buffalo (and herb ranch dressing). But the make-ahead, meal-prep-friendly aspects really seal the deal. You can cook the sweet potatoes up to five days ahead if you store them in the fridge. Then just reheat and stuff before serving. Why not whip them up on game day?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, high protein, beginner-friendly

One-and-done dinners can also be really elegant, like this saucy stunner. Even better, it requires just 15 minutes of prep and is a breeze to clean up. The sheet pan makes this dish great for serving crowds on any old weeknight, but we also wouldn't complain if we were served this instead of turkey on Thanksgiving—just sayin'.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, dairy free

If we could eat meatballs every day, we would—and this twist on a classic would definitely be in our rotation. Made with ginger-scallion pork, the meatballs are covered in a salty-sweet glaze made from hoisin sauce, garlic and honey. So, give spaghetti night a rest; we have a feeling your kids won't mind.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, high protein

Admit it: Chicken dishes can get a little boring. But this one-skillet wonder is a tasty exception. It's joined by lots of exciting toppings and a harissa yogurt dressing that’s *chef’s kiss*. We'd serve it over rice or with a Greek side salad.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, make ahead, beginner-friendly

That sad salad that never fills us up has no idea what’s coming. Make a batch for the week ahead with this 35-minute high-protein meal that'll snap you right out of your lunch rut. Hot take: Whip up a batch of the honey-sesame sauce for the kids to dip their precious chicken nuggets into.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: gluten free, beginner-friendly, high protein

This dinner only takes 35 minutes to make from start to finish, and we’re suckers for a healthy-ish spin on a takeout favorite. Brown sugar is what makes the chicken sticky, while sriracha gives it heat. Stick with steamed rice or swap in saucy lo mein noodles for a side.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours and 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

We left the meat out of our easy spin on this Italian soup for a vegetarian-friendly, high-protein meal that’s undeniably satisfying. And trust us, you won't miss it: The white beans, vegetables and fresh herbs make it super flavorful, filling and aromatic on their own. Pack some in a thermos for an office lunch or cuddle up to a bowl in the evening.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, beginner-friendly, dairy free

Not only is this dish overflowing with healthy ingredients, but it’s also satisfying (hi, omega-3s) and boasts a wide range of textures. The farro alone could do a good job of keeping you full, but the smoky salmon is sure to help. And don’t even get us started on the delicious turmeric-tahini dressing. Bring it to work for lunch or wolf down a plate post-workout.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, keto-friendly

File this under Easy Ways to Feed Four. Even if you’re not on the keto diet or minding your carb intake, you’ll appreciate that this high-protein meal requires practically no thought or dishes. (Plus, it’s a great way to clean out your fridge, thanks to all those veggies.) If you insist on a grain, pasta or rice will pair just fine. Alternatively, cut everything up and toss it in a salad instead.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Why I Love It: dairy free, high protein, special occasion-worthy

When it comes to high-protein meals, fish often gets overlooked in favor of a big, juicy steak. This spicy 45-minute dish is about to change that. It's Vietnamese-inspired (hence the fish sauce, red chile and toasted peanuts) and bursting with flavors that can accommodate any firm white fish you enjoy.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, low carb, beginner-friendly

Not tonight, egg roll wrappers. The important stuff is on the inside, like saucy ground pork, shredded cabbage and minced ginger. We like eating it straight from the bowl—no rice necessary. But if your kids really want it wrapped up and you don't have wonton wrappers on hand, try scooping the filling into a tortilla or wrap and pressing or grilling it shut.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein

The Asian-inspired marinade doubles as a sauce, so you have one less step to worry about. It takes about two hours to come together due to the marinating time, so we'd whip this up for Sunday dinner (or whenever your schedule allows). Feel free to swap fennel for bok choy, green beans, edamame or whatever wilted veggies you're eager to rescue from the trash.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly, high protein

With a simple yogurt sauce and not one, but two types of potatoes, this dish is making all our meal-prep dreams come true. Better yet, you only need 50 minutes and one sheet pan to make it happen. The chicken is loaded with Persian ingredients, like sumac, cardamom and pomegranate. Between the greens, spuds and chicken, it's balanced as is—no additional sides required.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: vegan, gluten free, beginner-friendly

Make this Thai-inspired dish on a Sunday and reap the rewards (read: leftovers) all week. The chickpeas will keep you full (steamed rice can help with that, too), while the veggies give you the energy and nutrients you crave. Better yet, it only takes a half-hour to make. Pre-yoga dinner, anyone?

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: high protein, low carb, dairy free

We’re sorry, but as much as you’d like to, you just can’t realistically order takeout for dinner every night. This lightened-up dish is the next best thing, starring pretty zoodle ribbons instead of carby noodles. Want to make it vegetarian? Just skip the steak—the eggs and cashews will still pack a protein-packed punch.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours and 55 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy

Even the Barefoot Contessa wants to up her protein game. Luckily, she has this modernized classic to take her (and us) there. Chalk its bold flavors up to olives, capers, prunes and a shocking head and a half of garlic. Serve the chicken with mashed potatoes, polenta or couscous.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, dairy free, high protein

Caramel sauce on shrimp? Believe it: The sweet-savory flavor profile is positively mind-blowing. It's made by reducing coconut water into a syrupy sauce, then spiking it with fish sauce, coconut oil, garlic, shallot and seasonings. Don't knock this high-protein meal 'til you try it (we're betting even your pickiest eater can get on board).

• Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Why I Love It: one pot, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy

This stew stars smoky Polish sausage, earthy lentils and tender veggies, like carrots and celery. Bitter broccoli rabe offers complexity (and green) to the dish, too. Pro tip: It tastes even better if you make it a day ahead, so whip up a batch over the weekend and sip on it for lunch all week.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, beginner-friendly

A dusting of Parmesan cheese makes this low-cal, low-carb skillet taste indulgent—even though it isn't. The tomato topping is super light and fresh, made with red onion, garlic and basil. Want a shortcut for busy weeknights? Start with jarred bruschetta instead of making your own (we won't tell).

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, dairy free, vegetarian

The marinade works with just about any meat, but the tangy tofu will impress all the skeptics at your table. Soaking it in a salt brine, thoroughly patting it dry and coating it in tapioca starch will result in a shatteringly crisp texture that can hold its own against the sauce.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes (plus chilling time)
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly

No meat, no problem. This protein-packed sandwich is loaded with pickled vegetables, spicy mayo, fresh herbs and a sesame seed crust. Press as much liquid as possible out of the tofu before frying it for maximum crunch.