High protein lunch ideas for weight loss

Energy-rich and fat-burning.

When you’re eating lean and clean, and keeping an eye on calories, it can seem difficult at first to incorporate protein into your diet. However, protein is necessary for maintaining healthy muscles, continuing your strength training, and keeping your blood sugar and your energy stable throughout the day. These High Protein Lunch and Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss are your answer.

We’re providing you with some of our healthiest, quickest, and most delicious high protein recipes that are guaranteed to keep you satisfied by giving you all of the protein you require without sacrificing nutrition by adding fat and calories!

1. Mediterranean Chopped Salad with Salmon, Cucumber and Mint

This fresh and zesty dish screams clean. It’s also high in protein and healthy fats thanks to the savory salmon. The recipe is a combination of crunchy cucumber, sweet tomatoes, bell peppers, fresh mint and parsley, and luscious lemon that makes any recipe feel fresh.

There’s something really satisfying about chopping ingredients up small, so they combine to create a beautiful and bold array of colors that looks as yummy as it tastes.

2. Low-Carb Philly Cheesesteaks

If you want your High Protein Lunch and Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss to include a low-cal, low-carb option, try out this refreshing take on a Philly cheesesteak classic. The recipe swaps out heavy bulkie rolls for thick, crunchy bibb lettuce that is equally as satisfying.

Lean meat makes for a big boost of protein, while the low-fat provolone ensures you get all that flavor you desire from the classic cheesesteak without the guilt.

3. Quinoa Lentil Burgers

How do you pack a vegetarian burger with a major dose of protein? Combine lentils and quinoa for a protein-rich mix that produces a terrific texture and will impress even your most carnivorous of friends!

This vegetarian-friendly addition to your High Protein Lunch and Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss will curb your craving for something comforting without sacrificing your clean eating routine.

4. Shrimp Tacos with Sweet and Tangy Slaw

Everyone loves taco night, and these shrimp tacos are fun, satisfying, and a little unique. They’re bursting with big flavor while providing you some major health benefits, so you can feel good eating something that tastes so terrific!

5. Clean Eating Chicken Salad

This protein-packed chicken salad is such a versatile recipe. We recommend serving the sensational salad in a pita, but it can top a salad or fill a wrap for a wholesome, delicious lunch that will keep you energized for hours!

It’s a revamped version of a classic the entire family will love.

6. Perfect Avocado and Poached Egg Quinoa Bowl

This dish is versatile enough to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or somewhere in between! The recipe combines the superfood power of quinoa with creamy avocado and poached egg for an unbeatable combination of protein and healthy fats.

7. Baked Tofu Chunks with Star Anise Marinade

Not in the mood for meat, but looking for a yummy high-protein meal? Try these baked tofu chunks with star anise marinade. To make the meal complete, serve the recipe over brown rice with fresh vegetables and a decadent dressing.

8. Quinoa Shrimp Paella

What do you get when you substitute the rice in a delicious Spanish paella with quinoa? A heaping dose of lean protein. Quinoa is both a complex carbohydrate and an excellent source of protein, and paired with shrimp, this dish delivers a whopping amount of protein per serving!

9. Turkey Sausage Egg Roll Bowl

Craving Chinese takeout? Skip the MSG and dig into this delicious dish. The recipe uses bulk turkey sausage to provide you a healthy dose of flavorful protein that combines incredible with the ginger, green onion, and soy sauce flavors that round out the egg roll bowl recipe.

10. One-Pan Roasted Chicken And Veggies Dinner

Dinner can be super healthy, super delicious, and super easy. This warm and hearty meal proves it! The recipe is a quick dish to whip up even on a busy weeknight. It combines protein-rich chicken, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and apples. Oh my yum!

11. Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup

This soup is a meal all on its own. The inclusion of both black beans and kidney beans, along with lean chicken breast, make a hearty and protein-filled soup, perfect for chilly days when you need a warm dish that goes a long way to stave off hunger!

12. Skinny Quinoa Stir-Fry 

Skinny Quinoa Stir-Fry is a one-pot meal that can easily be made ahead. Prepare the quinoa the night before, refrigerate, and the remaining work will take less than 10 minutes. This recipe has 10 grams of protein and complex carbohydrates that provide long lasting energy. We recommend having this dish for dinner, lunch, or as a pre-workout food.

13. Asian-Style Beef and Broccoli 

Asian food is not just about takeout. The Asian culinary sphere is full of opportunities for you to learn about new ingredients and cooking methods. For this recipe, you can use a wok, which is traditionally used for sautéed dishes, but a regular saucepan can function the same way as the Asian woks do.

14. Slow Cooker Vegetable Chili

This satisfying recipe is a veggie-packed dish that requires little prep work or hands-on cooking. Throw the ingredients in the slow cooker and let it simmer to perfection!

The result of this rich chili recipe is a low-fat, high-protein meal that contains no animal fat whatsoever. Black beans and kidney beans provide the protein punch to help you feel full and satisfied, while also providing you a healthy helping of fiber.

Meanwhile, sweet onion, celery, sweet potato, chili powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, green chilis, tomato paste, vegetable broth, corn kernels, and fresh cilantro for garnish make for a crave-worthy meal. 

What are you waiting for? These High-Protein Lunch and Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss won’t prepare themselves. Let’s get cooking.

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Editor’s Note: Originally published Feb 08, 2015