My Top 10 Plant-Based Proteins
If you’re trying to eat less meat, you may be wondering how to get enough protein. Luckily, there are tons of great plant-based protein sources! Here’s a list of my favorites.
As a vegetarian, I’m often asked: “where do you get your protein?” I know a lot of vegetarians are tired of getting this question, but I think it’s a great opportunity to help people understand that plants contain protein!
Did you know that calorie for calorie, spinach has more protein than beef? Granted, you’d have to eat a lot of spinach since it’s low in calories, but the point is that plants contain lots of protein!
I wrote a lot about plant-based protein sources in my cookbook and it was one of my favorite sections to write! Since there is still a misconception that vegetarian diets are missing out on protein, I wanted to share some of that info here, too!
As a vegetarian, there are plenty of protein sources but it’s easy to fall into the trap of refined carbohydrates which don’t offer a lot of nutritional benefits and are often lacking in protein. For example, if you find yourself eating white rice, white flour, and potatoes, you might end up with a pretty carb-heavy diet. But balance those meals out with whole grains and legumes and you’ll notice that you’re naturally hitting your protein goals.
Here are my top 10 vegan proteins that I love to incorporate into meals.
- Tempeh: Tempeh is made of fermented soybeans, which might sound weird, but it’s delicious! I love the hearty texture and it’s a lot easier to prepare than tofu—no pressing required! A 3-ounce serving contains 16 grams of protein and just 140 calories. Try this vegan tempeh bacon recipe in a stir fry or as a side dish at brunch!
- Lentils: Lentils contain a whopping 9 grams of protein per 1⁄2-cup serving. A bowl of lentil soup like this one can easily provide more than 20 grams of protein. A simple lentil recipe like this one is a great way to fill up!
- Chickpeas: Not only are chickpeas a super versatile ingredient, but they also contain 6 grams of protein per 1⁄2-cup serving. Try these spicy roasted chickpeas for an easy snack! Chickpeas can even be transformed into a dessert. Try these secretly healthy chickpea chocolate chip cookies!
- Whole grain bread: Yes, bread has protein! Look for 100% whole grain bread and most slices will have about 6g of protein. Eat this almond butter and peach toast for a deliciously simple breakfast! You can even turn hearty wheat bread into whole wheat croutons for an easy salad topping!
- Edamame: Whether you enjoy them in a stir-fry or a salad, these baby soybeans have 9 grams of protein per 1⁄2 cup. It’s delicious in this sheet pan edamame recipe. For something a little different, try this parmesan roasted edamame. It’s salty, crispy, and delicious!
- Black beans or Pinto Beans: Black beans have 8 grams of protein per 1⁄2-cup serving and you can use them in more than just tacos! Try them in these black bean brownie bites. I promise no one will know they’re healthy! Pinto beans are also a great option. Try them in pinto bean soup!
- Quinoa: Not only does quinoa have 8 grams of protein per cup, but it’s also a complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs. Try it in this Mexican Quinoa Bake!
- Chickpea pasta: This is one of my favorite swaps for white flour pasta. It tastes like whole-wheat pasta but has more protein and fiber and fewer carbohydrates. I make this 5 ingredient baked ziti with chickpea noodles and no one can tell the difference! For even more vegetables, try this Greek Pasta Bake! Banza makes chickpea pasta in tons of shapes and you can find it at most grocery stores in the natural food section.
- Chia seeds: Whether I’m tossing them into my overnight oats or blending them into my smoothies, chia seeds are a great protein boost with 4 grams in just 2 tablespoons. Toss them into this fruity chia smoothie for an easy breakfast!
- Hemp seeds: I often sprinkle these on my yogurt bowls or smoothies because 3 tablespoons of hemp seeds contain 10 grams of protein. You can see some of my other favorite healthy smoothie toppings here!
Looking to put these ingredients to work? Try one of these plant based lunch ideas!
Just what I needed! I try to eat more and more plant based and I’m always looking for new proteins to use. Great list!
I dont eat meat at all and this is truly right up my alley. I love that you have a top 10! thanks
I definitely get tired of answering this question haha! I love adding nut butters to sweet dishes or smoothies for protein. I also love tempeh, sprouted tofu, and beans galore!
I’m also loving all the bean pastas out there that are also naturally gluten free! So many fun options to try! I’m also always happy with the amount of protein found in peas so I’ll often have those in pasta dishes, stir fry, etc.
This is a great and much needed post. As a vegan, I get asked this question all the time and now, I can happily point them to this post. Thanks for sharing.
I do love eating meat, but only have it 1 – 2 times a week. I love finding other ways to eat protein and this was a fun read. I do eat most of what you’ve written about and my favorite is black beans.
I agree that there are so many misconceptions about the Vegetarian diet, especially related to protein sources. The recipes you listed sound great, and so great that it’s part of the focus of your book (which looks fabulous)!
This is beyond helpful! I’m always looking for new ways to introduce protein into my diet, particularly as I’m pregnant, so I’ll be referring to this loads!
There are soooo many proteins out there you can incorporate into your diet that don’t involve meat. This is such an informative post, thank you for sharing!
So many great ways to get protein BESIDES meat! Thanks for sharing this!
I get so annoyed when people assume the only protein source is meat! I used to hate lentils and now I really like them. Black beans and chickpeas are my favorite just toss into salads.