30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (2024)

Whether you’re a fitness fanatic, member of the Cody Rigsby Peloton fan club, or a busy parent, we could all use a bit more protein in our lives. Not only is protein important for recovering from exercise and building muscle, its digestion and absorption is metabolically costly. If you’ve heard of the thermic effect of food, 20-30% of calories in protein consumed are used for digestion. That’s 5-10x more than carbs or fat!

Science aside, proteins just soothe the soul and keep your belly full. And that’s key for happy living and fat loss all the same. So, in this post, you’ll find 30 awesome high protein meal prep recipes to help you get more protein in your diet and enjoy every bite doing it.

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (1)

1. Air Fryer Chicken Bites/Nuggets

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (2)

With flavors like lemon pepper, cajun, garlic parmesan, and a Chick-Fil-A grilled nuggets copycat, these air fried chicken morsels are a guaranteed crowd pleaser. They’re super easy to make and go great with just about anything.

  • Calories: 150
  • Protein: 27g
  • Carbs: 0g
  • Fat: 5g

Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Bites

2. Baked Almond Chicken

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (3)

Whether you’re running through Whole30 or just need a lower carb protein option for meal prep, this almond chicken should satisfy any and all crunchy fried chicken cravings.

  • Calories: 300
  • Protein: 31g
  • Carbs: 6g
  • Fat: 17g

Recipe: Paleo Almond Chicken

3. Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (4)

If you’re a fan of shredded chicken, this is a must try recipe. It calls for chicken thighs so every bite is ultra tender, and I have a ton of recipes to make with it like nachos, sliders, stuffed sweet potatoes, and BBQ chicken mac and cheese.

  • Calories: 165
  • Protein: 18g
  • Carbs: 3g
  • Fat: 9g

Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken or Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

4. Veggie Chicken Soup

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With sweater weather right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start perfecting your soup roster. I know this veggie packed chicken soup will always have a place in my high protein meal prep rotation. You could say it’s chicken soup for the meal prepper’s soul.

  • Calories: 235
  • Protein: 30g
  • Carbs: 23g
  • Fat: 3g

Recipe: Veggie Chicken Soup with Butternut Squash

5. Smoked Chicken Breast

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This recipe makes a huge batch of tender, smoky sliced chicken. It’s one of my all time favorite chicken recipes. And while the base recipe makes Mexican seasoned smoked chicken, you can use any seasoning blend or rub you’d like.

  • Calories: 180
  • Protein: 26g
  • Carbs: 8g
  • Fat: 4g

Recipe: Traeger Smoked Chicken Breast

6. Twice Baked Potatoes

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (7)

You may be wondering why a carb source like potatoes would be on a roundup of high protein meal prep ideas, but the inclusion of center cut bacon and fat free Greek yogurt gives these twice baked potatoes a big protein boost.

  • Calories: 195g
  • Protein: 11g
  • Carbs: 21g
  • Fat: 8g

Recipes: Traeger Smoked Twice Baked Potatoes or Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes

7. Baked Tacos

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (8)

There’s nothing better than popping a few of these tacos in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring them back to life. You can use all kinds of filling options and have a crispy, crunchy snack on hand at all times.

  • Calories: 120
  • Protein: 11g
  • Carbs: 10g
  • Fat: 4g

Recipe: Crispy Baked Tacos

8. Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (9)

With options to make a big ol’ batch in a smoker or baked in the oven, these buffalo chicken stuffed peppers are a meal prep must. They satisfy all the cheese, salty cravings while still packing a big veggie punch. And that, in my opinion, is what high protein meal prep is all about.

  • Calories: 230
  • Protein: 27g
  • Carbs: 13g
  • Fat: 8g

Recipes: Traeger Smoked Stuffed Peppers or Baked Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers

9. Protein Pancake Mix

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Okay, this recipe is technically cheating because you mix protein powder with other pancake mixes. But it makes THE best protein pancakes and waffles in town. And you can easily make things like high protein McGriddles or chicken and protein waffles.

  • Calories: 110
  • Protein: 7g
  • Carbs: 14g
  • Fat: 3g

Recipe: Homemade Protein Pancake Mix

And for more recipes like this, check out all my protein powder recipes.

10. Firecracker Chicken

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Ground chicken is a high protein meal prep superstar. It’s super low fat and takes on any flavor you can throw at it. In this case, it’s a sweet and spicy firecracker sauce that’s appropriately named for the flavor explosion that’s bound to occur. Pair it with rice, cauliflower rice, or wrap in an egg roll wrapper or baked wonton cup for a protein packed treat.

  • Calories: 185
  • Protein: 22g
  • Carbs: 0g
  • Fat: 11g

Recipe: Firecracker Ground Chicken

11. Ground Chicken Chorizo

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (12)

I’m really proud of this recipe. It transforms ultra lean ground chicken into something almost identical to fatty Mexican pork chorizo. You can make huge batches and toss in a pan to reheat for next level breakfast tacos, chorizo con papas, chorizo queso, and more.

  • Calories: 130
  • Protein: 21g
  • Carbs: 1g
  • Fat: 6g

Recipe: Mexican Chicken Chorizo

12. Mexican Chicken

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I usually pull this recipe out when we’re entertaining, but it works just as well as a high protein meal prep recipe. Similar to the BBQ chicken above, this recipe uses chicken thighs and light broiling to make tender and flavorful chicken with tons of crispy bits for texture. Whether you make tacos, salads, or eat it straight out of a container, it’s a real treat.

  • Calories: 200
  • Protein: 22g
  • Carbs: 2g
  • Fat: 11g

Recipe: Pulled Mexican Chicken Thighs

13. Air Fryer Orange Chicken

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (14)

You are going to love this Panda Express Copycat Orange Chicken recipe that is easy to make form pantry staples and great for meal prep and lunch boxes.

  • Calories: 203
  • Protein: 25g
  • Carbs: 15g
  • Fat: 4g

Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

14. Mexican Pork Tenderloin

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (15)

Similar to the smoked chicken breast above, this pork tenderloin packs a huge amount of flavor into an otherwise boring cut of meat. Pair it with a big batch of smoked charro beans and esquites, and you’ll have protein packed meals all week.

  • Calories: 175
  • Protein: 29g
  • Carbs: 7g
  • Fat: 3g

Recipe: Smoked Pork Tenderloin

15. Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (16)

You aren’t going to believe how simple it is to prepare this delicious Greek Chicken recipe for meals all week long using pantry staples you already own.

  • Calories: 307
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbs: 12g
  • Fat: 17g

Recipe: Greek Chicken Meal Prep Bowls

16. Greek Ground Chicken and Rice Skillet

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (17)

What’s not to love about Greek seasoned ground chicken, veggies, and high protein rice all cooked together in one skillet? This is a super easy recipe that goes perfectly with a Mediterranean salad and Greek yogurt Tzatziki sauce.

  • Calories: 280
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbs: 22g
  • Fat: 11g

Recipe: Greek Ground Chicken Skillet

17. Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (18)

These tender lemon pepper chicken thighs cooked with bright, zesty seasoning are easy to make and are full of flavor! They’re perfect for meal prep or a weeknight meal.

  • Calories: 474
  • Protein: 56g
  • Carbs: 6g
  • Fat: 27g

Recipe: Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

18. Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

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This healthier chicken salad is made with Greek yogurt in place of mayo and is an easy high protein meal to prep for the week ahead.

  • Calories: 122
  • Protein: 22g
  • Carbs: 3g
  • Fat: 2g

Recipe: Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

19. BBQ Chicken Meatballs

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (20)

How many meatballs is too many for meal prep? Like Lindsay Lohan would say, the limit does not exist. These things are super easy to make and reheat like a dream.

  • Calories: 95
  • Protein: 9g
  • Carbs: 5g
  • Fat: 4g

Recipe: Baked BBQ Chicken Meatballs

20. Greek Meatballs and Potatoes

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If you like sheet pan meals, these Greek meatballs should be right up your alley. The extra crispy potatoes are the perfect match, and you can even add more veggies to the sheet pan to make it a high volume meal prep option.

  • Calories: 370
  • Protein: 36g
  • Carbs: 39g
  • Fat: 11g

Recipe: Sheet Pan Meatballs and Potatoes

21. High Protein Pork Carnitas

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (22)

These Carnitas are loaded with protein and they’re great for meal prep. Add these carnitas to tacos, burritos and salads.

  • Calories: 245
  • Protein: 33g
  • Carbs: 4g
  • Fat: 10g

Recipe: Whole30 Pork Carnitas

22. One-Pan Cheeseburger Pasta

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (23)

Chickpea pasta is a high protein recipe superstar, but you have to get it just right for meal prep. And this recipe definitely gets it right.

  • Calories: 275
  • Protein: 25g
  • Carbs: 19g
  • Fat: 13g

Recipe: Ground Chicken Cheeseburger Pasta

And for more high protein pastas, check out my Banza pasta recipes.

23. Cajun Butter Chicken and Potatoes

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (24)

Cajun Butter Chicken and Potatoes are an easy one pan meal ready in under an hour and perfect for meal prep. These juicy chicken breasts and crispy potatoes are perfectly seasoned with a little kick!

  • Calories: 335
  • Protein: 39g
  • Carbs: 29g
  • Fat: 7g

Recipe: Sheet Pan Cajun Chicken and Potatoes

24. Honey Sriracha Ground Chicken and Broccoli

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (25)

Pan roasted broccoli meets sweet and spicy ground chicken in this dynamic duo of a recipe. Pro tip: Make double or triple, because it won’t last long.

  • Calories: 260
  • Protein: 30g
  • Carbs: 18g
  • Fat: 11g

Recipe: One-Pan Ground Chicken and Broccoli

25. Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (26)

Deconstructed stuffed peppers are a protein packed meal that’s full of flavor, perfect for meal prep!

  • Calories: 360
  • Protein: 20g
  • Carbs: 63g
  • Fat: 3g

Recipe: 30-Minute Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers

26. Spicy Vegetable Beef Soup

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (27)

You can make this soup on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker, and it’s packed with spicy chipotle beef and tons of filling vegetables. It doesn’t get more “meal prep friendly” than soup in my opinion. Not only does it reheat well, I think it’s even better as leftovers.

  • Calories: 185
  • Protein: 14g
  • Carbs: 23g
  • Fat: 4g

Recipe: Ground Beef Vegetable Beef Soup

27. Teriyaki Beef Meal Prep Bowls

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (28)

As one of my most popular social media recipes of all time, these meal prep bowls combine teriyaki ground beef with zucchini and mushrooms over a blend of jasmine and cauliflower rice. All that is topped off with a lower calorie yum yum sauce to make aesthetic bowls that are high volume, packed with protein, and reheat great for meal prep.

  • Calories: 330
  • Protein: 23g
  • Carbs: 35g
  • Fat: 9g

Recipe: Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry

28. Texas Style Pulled Beef

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With only five ingredients, this recipe is one of the easiest high protein meal prep recipes on the list. Everything goes in a slow cooker to make a Tex Mex spin on Mississippi pot roast. It’s perfect for making pulled beef tacos and quesadillas or leftover beef hash, omelets, nachos, and more.

  • Calories: 180
  • Protein: 18g
  • Carbs: 2g
  • Fat: 11g

Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Shoulder Roast

29. Creamy Italian Ground Chicken Soup

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (30)

This recipe went super viral on Instagram, and for good reason. Extra lean ground chicken is cooked with Italian seasoning, garlic, and Calabrian chiles before adding farfalle, green peas, and a cheesy lemon ricotta sauce. It’s thick, creamy, and packed with protein.

  • Calories: 370
  • Protein: 41g
  • Carbs: 33g
  • Fat: 10g

Recipe: Italian Ground Chicken Soup

30. One Pot Lemon Ricotta Ground Turkey Pasta

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (31)

This one pot pasta recipe combines jumbo pasta shells and a cheesy ricotta sauce with roasted broccoli and lemon pepper seasoned ground turkey. It has way better macros than it has any business having, and it’s one of the easiest recipes on this list to make.

  • Calories: 390
  • Protein: 36g
  • Carbs: 38g
  • Fat: 11g

Recipe: One Pot Ground Turkey Pasta

Wrapping Up

This was obviously a meat heavy list. If you need more plant based options, check out this 4 day high protein vegan meal plan or roundup of 40 vegan recipes high in protein. And if you have any questions about recipes on this list or anything macronutrient related, feel free to drop them in the comments below.

30 High Protein Meal Prep Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How can I get 30g of protein per meal? ›

What Does 30 Grams of Protein Look Like?
  1. Grilled Chicken Breast. ...
  2. Ground Beef Patty. ...
  3. Tuna Fish Packet. ...
  4. Hard-Boiled Eggs. ...
  5. Bacon. ...
  6. Cottage Cheese. ...
  7. Extra-Firm Tofu. ...
  8. All-in-One Shake.

How to get 40 grams of protein in a meal? ›

High Protein Meals With 40g Of Protein22 Jan
  1. Grilled Chicken with Quinoa and Roasted Vegetables. Ingredients: • 170g grilled chicken breast. • 185g cooked quinoa. ...
  2. Turkey and Black Bean Burrito Bowls. Ingredients: • ...
  3. Salmon and Quinoa Salad. Ingredients: • 170g baked or grilled salmon fillet.

How to get 35 grams of protein per meal? ›

What Does 30-35 Grams of Protein Look Like?
  1. 4-5 ounces of meat = a large chicken breast or fish fillet, or a medium-sized steak or chop (also at least 5-10g of fat) Four ounces of meat is about the size of a deck of cards.
  2. 1 ½ cups of low-fat cottage cheese or greek yogurt.
  3. 5-6 whole eggs.
Jun 18, 2018

What is the 30 30 30 rule for protein? ›

The 30-30-30 rule involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity, steady state cardiovascular exercise. Beyond these steps, the 30-30-30 method doesn't require any changes to other meals or behaviors, restrictions or counting calories.

What is the 30g protein breakfast myth? ›

Protein myth: the body can only absorb 30g protein per meal

According to research, the human body can absorb a virtually unlimited amount of protein.

What is the most filling high protein food? ›

On the satiety index, fish scores higher than all other protein-rich foods, including eggs and beef. Fish had the second highest score of all the foods tested ( 3 ). Another older study compared fish, chicken, and beef protein. The researchers found that fish protein had the strongest effect on satiety ( 25 ).

What is a successful high protein diet? ›

Pick good protein choices such as:
  • Soy protein.
  • Beans.
  • Nuts.
  • Fish.
  • Lean chicken with no skin.
  • Lean beef.
  • Pork.
  • Low-fat dairy products.

What is an example of a high protein meal? ›

Foods that are highest in protein typically include lean meat, poultry, and seafood. But you can also get protein from eggs, beans, nuts, seeds, and soy products.

What does a 30g protein breakfast look like? ›

Here is a list of foods that provide roughly 30 grams of protein: 1.5 cups of Greek yogurt (opt for unsweetened and add your own toppings) 1 cup cottage cheese. 5 large eggs, or 2-3 eggs mixed with extra egg whites.

What equals 30 grams of protein? ›

Foods that provide around 30 grams of protein include 3.5 ounces of cooked chicken breast, 4 ounces of cooked salmon, 1 cup of nonfat Greek yogurt, and 5 large whole eggs. The serving size needed to reach 30 grams of protein varies depending on the food.

How do I eat 30g protein each meal? ›

Step One: Eat 30 Grams of Protein
  1. Three scrambled eggs, topped with cheese.
  2. A fruit smoothie made with protein powder.
  3. Greek yogurt topped with nuts.
  4. Cottage cheese with pineapple.
  5. High protein bread topped with nut butter or eggs and cheese.
  6. A bowl of quinoa topped with tofu, eggs, beans, or cheese.
Nov 27, 2023

What do 100 grams of protein look like in a day? ›

100 grams of animal protein

Four eggs (24 grams of protein) Three beef meatballs (15 grams) Two slices (2 ounces) of turkey bacon (10 grams) 3 ounces of turkey breast (24 grams)

Is 30g of protein enough to build muscle? ›

Eat protein throughout the day.

Your first meal of the day — hopefully for everyone that's breakfast — should have at least 30 grams of protein. That's really important, especially if you're trying to maximize muscle growth,” Wardlaw says. “Then aim for another 30 grams with each meal.

Is 30 grams of protein a lot for one meal? ›

General recommendations are to consume 15–30 grams of protein at each meal. Studies show higher intakes — those more than 40 grams — in one sitting are no more beneficial than the recommended 15–30 grams at one time. Don't waste your money on excessive amounts.

What would equal 30 grams of protein? ›

Foods that provide around 30 grams of protein include 3.5 ounces of cooked chicken breast, 4 ounces of cooked salmon, 1 cup of nonfat Greek yogurt, and 5 large whole eggs. The serving size needed to reach 30 grams of protein varies depending on the food.

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