When you think high-protein dinner ideas, you probably think about roasts and tenderloins that take an hour or more to make. But on a busy weeknight, there’s still room to make a delicious and healthy, protein-filled dinner that’ll take a half hour or less to get on the table. Whether you’re a big steak-and-potatoes kind of eater or pursuing a plant-based diet, you’ll find something delicious to try for dinner tonight.
Skillet Pork Chops and Beans
Get a double punch of protein in this hearty meal, with both pork chops and cannellini beans represented. Another bonus? It’s a one-pot dinner, so you’ll have fewer dishes to handle at the end of the night.
Miso Chicken Noodle Soup With Kimchi
Consider this the ultimate high-protein meal. Shredded chicken, tofu, miso paste and an egg yolk combine for a hearty and quick-to-prep soup. Kimchi is one of our favorite fermented foods, bringing plenty of flavor and benefitting gut health.
Roasted Root Veggie Quinoa Bowls
Victor Protasio
High protein doesn’t have to equal meat or seafood. This vegan-friendly bowl features hummus, quinoa, and Brussels sprouts, which all offer protein. (And you can add a sprinkle of chia seeds or a few crispy chickpeas to increase the protein factor, too!)
One Pot Sausage Gnocchi Soup
Carson Downing, Props: Lexi Juhl, Food: Kelsey Moylan
You don’t have to simmer for hours for a tasty soup. Turkey sausage provides the big protein boost in this fast and easy dinner.
Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs With Salsa Verde
Sheet pans are the workhorses of many a quick and easy meal. This flavor-packed, high-protein dinner features a mix of onions and chicken thighs, with a healthy drizzle of salsa verde to spice it up.
Buttery Shrimp With Marinated White Beans
Another two-for-one protein dinner, this super-sophisticated recipe features shrimp seasoned with garlic, red pepper, and a touch of butter on a bed of lemony beans. (We call for cannellinis, but you can use gigante or cranberry beans if that’s what you have in your pantry.)
Smash Burger Tacos
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
No need to hit the drive-thru on a busy night. These healthier burger-taco hybrids can be on your table in a half hour.
Dense Bean Salad
The Washington Post/Getty Images
Want a fast, no-cook but high-protein dinner? This TikTok-famous salad idea can be tweaked to fit whatever you have lurking in your fridge and pantry—and unless you’re adding grilled chicken breast to up the ante, it takes just minutes to prep.
Chorizo Chilaquiles Verdes
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
This super easy dish can be a brunch, lunch, or dinner. Chorizo and eggs bring the bulk of the protein to the meal, but the pepitas, sour cream, and avocado garnishes can all boost this recipe’s protein count.
Southwestern Beef Chili With Corn
Ground beef and black beans bring the protein for this spicy dinner—along with any dairy toppings, like cheese or sour cream, that you’re including. We recommend doubling the recipe and freezing the extras for a night when you need a high-protein dinner, stat.
Za’atar Tofu Skewers With Tomato Salad & Hummus
Jennifer Causey
For those summer days when you don’t want to heat up your house, this high-protein dinner only requires a quick run of the tofu on the grill (outdoors!). A generous dollop of hummus adds another healthy dose of protein.
Sesame-Scallion Steak Lettuce Wraps
Jennifer Causey
Give steak a punch of flavor with a savory sesame scallion sauce for this easy-to-make lettuce wrap dinner.
Sheet Pan Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
Bacon adds a satisfying crunch (and a little extra protein) to the salad side on this one-dish wonder. Cooking the bacon on top of the sweet potatoes helps give them a delicious, smoky flavor.
Soba Noodle Salad With Chili-Glazed Shrimp
Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This lighter Asian-style salad comes together fast and with minimal cooking, making it perfect for summer nights when you definitely don’t want to heat up the kitchen.
Sheet Pan Salmon With Potatoes and Broccolini
Slap the ingredients on a pan, season with a little salt and pepper and a touch of Dijon and lemon, and dinner is served just 25 minutes later.
Chicken Paprikash Soup
The classic Hungarian dish is turned into a tasty soup that you can have ready in just 30 minutes. Shredded rotisserie chicken and pantry staples make this a dish you can keep in your back pocket for those days when you need something quick and easy.
Salt and Pepper Chicken
Jen Causey
This Chinese takeout classic can be homemade in less time than it takes you to place your order. Spring for some Szechuan peppercorns to really ensure an authentic touch.
Crispy Chicken Cutlets With Artichoke Dressing
You don’t even need a half hour to get this delicious dish to your table. A pair of sheet pans ensures that the crispy cutlets and the asparagus side dish are both cooked to perfection.
Grilled Pork Chops With Peach Arugula Salad
This simple, yet satisfying dinner is a taste of summer (even if you’re making it in the dead of winter). A perfectly grilled pork chop is balanced out by a light salad featuring peppery arugula and sweet peaches.
Tofu and Mushroom Lettuce Wraps
Fred Hardy
Shredded tofu and mushrooms give a meaty texture to this easy-prep dinner—and provide all the protein for a delicious vegetarian meal. Hoisin and sriracha ensure that this dinner idea has plenty of flavor.
Red Lentil Soup With Lemon And Dill
Victor Protasio
You don’t need hours of simmering for a delicious lentil soup. A touch of lemon adds tartness to the earthy red lentils, and a dab of Greek yogurt adds a little creaminess (and an extra protein boost).
Shrimp Linguine With Chorizo
Two proteins, one tasty dinner! Shrimp and chorizo add sweetness and spice to this dinner party-worthy dish.
Eggplant and Tofu Stir-Fry
This simple stir fry features two ingredients that soak up whatever flavors you infuse them with: tofu and eggplant. Hoisin, garlic, scallions, and chili peppers bring all the spice you need for a flavorful dish.
Black Bean Oat Burger
No need to resort to a processed pack of frozen veggie burgers. These homemade versions feature black beans and oats (which are one of the highest-protein grains!), and take just 20 minutes to make.
Steak-and-Potato Skewers With Orange Salsa
The meat-and-potatoes lovers may be willing to branch out beyond the basics for this fun dinner idea. Skewers of potatoes, steak, and peppers and onions are grilled, then served with a vibrant orange salsa on the side.
Tofu & Cabbage Salad With Coconut Dressing
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
No time to cook? No problem. Try this flavor-packed (and protein-packed) dinner that takes just 15 minutes from start to finish.
Roasted Curry Salmon With Tomatoes
Curry helps spice up a standard salmon dish. Add roasted tomatoes and a sprinkle of basil leaves for an additional punch of flavor.
Tofu Fried Rice
Fred Hardy
This fried rice dish moves away from traditional Chinese flavors for biryani-style spices like turmeric and cilantro. Tofu and a touch of yogurt make this a vegetarian high-protein dinner that you’ll want to add to your regular weeknight rotation.
Black Bean and Eggs-Over-Easy Tostadas
Fred Hardy
Mix up your breakfast-for-dinner game with this high-protein dinner idea that combines black beans, eggs—and of course, a drizzle of sour cream.
Quick Spring Lamb and Vegetable Stew
A tasty stew in under a half hour? It’s totally possible with this veggie-packed dinner! You’ll want a crusty baguette to sop up the juices.
Grilled Turkey-Zucchini Burgers
Turkey is a lighter way to add some protein to your dinners—but ground turkey is notoriously easy to dry out. The solution? Add in some shredded zucchini as some insurance for a moist burger every single time.
Coconut Chicken Cutlets With Mango Chutney Slaw
Fred Hardy
Want to freshen up your chicken dinner game? Try breading the chicken in a mix of coconut and panko crumbs, and serve it with a sweet-tart (and super healthy) slaw on the side.
Chicken Satay Lettuce Wraps
This tasty high-protein dinner features chicken and both ground peanuts and peanut sauce. (Fun fact: Peanuts are the highest protein nut out there!) If you really need to eat in a hurry, skip the chicken thighs and use rotisserie chicken instead.
Grilled Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a kid-friendly dinner favorite—and you can always get creative with the veggie component of this dish for the picky eaters in your crew. Here, a rotisserie chicken comes to the rescue, helping you get the whole meal on the table in 20 minutes flat.
Beef and Cabbage Skillet Supper
Warming spices like cinnamon and coriander are an unexpected touch in this delicious meal that’s ready in under a half an hour. You can opt for ground lamb or turkey if you want a slightly different option.
Curried Eggplant With Tomatoes and Basil
Chickpeas bring the protein to this easy and flavorful meatless high-protein dinner. While you can enjoy it year round, it’s especially delicious in the summer, when you can use in-season basil and tomatoes.
Spicy Chorizo-and-Pinto Bean Chili
Chili often requires a lot of simmer time, but not this fast and flavorful version, which combines chorizo and canned pinto beans for a double helping of protein.
Ginger Stir-Fry Beef With Green Beans
Stir fries are always a fast-dinner favorite. Chili garlic sauce and a generous amount of fresh ginger plack plenty of punch in this beefy dinner.
Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
The sheet pan comes to the rescue again! To make this 30-minute, high-protein meal even faster, buy pre-sliced peppers instead of doing the prep yourself.
Speedy Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches
This Vietnamese sandwich favorite is usually made on a steamed bun, but we sub in a hearty baguette instead. Crunchy veggies are the perfect counterpoint to your fast-cooked, spice-infused tenderloin. (Bonus: It’s a meal you can take on the go for your busiest nights.)
Sun-Dried Tomato Butter Salmon and Broccolini
Fred Hardy
Why not make your high-protein dinner a superfood powerhouse? Here, salmon (packed with omega-3s along with protein) is joined by antioxidant-rich broccolini, flavorful sun-dried tomatoes (plenty of lycopene and vitamins). You only spend 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes total to get this on the table.
Udon with Seared Beef & Zucchini
Greg DuPree
Beef provides the protein in this tasty take on a takeout classic. If you’re looking to make it meatless, tofu makes for a plant-based swap.
Skillet Steak and Radishes With Anchovy-Tarragon Butter
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
When you think of high-protein dinners, you’re probably thinking beef. Peppery radishes make a vibrant counterpoint to hearty steak in this fast-and-easy one pot meal.
Shrimp Tacos With Caramelized Pineapple
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
When you want a fast high-protein dish, look no further than shrimp, which can go from ice cold to fully cooked in just minutes. They make for tasty tacos—and here, they’re paired with caramelized pineapple for a sweet touch.
Ginger Meatball Ramen With Greens and Scallions
Upgrade your standard ramen with these super-sized ginger meatballs that help pack in the protein—and a hearty helping of bok choy to add some vitamins, too.
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