High-Protein Vegan Meals
Protein is not hard to get on a plant-based diet — it just requires knowing which ingredients to build meals around. Every recipe here uses high-protein staples like tofu, tempeh, edamame, lentils and chickpeas to deliver at least 20 grams per serving.
Recipes
Tips
- Tofu absorbs flavour best when pressed for 20 minutes and marinated before cooking.
- Combining legumes with whole grains (rice + lentils, bread + hummus) gives you all nine essential amino acids.
- Tempeh has more protein per gram than tofu and a firmer, meatier texture — worth trying if you haven't.
Learn to Cook Plant-Based Food Properly
Our Cook Like a Pro course is 19 modules of professional plant-based cookery from Michelin-trained chefs. Step-by-step video lessons, 76 recipes, and a certificate on completion.
See Cook Like a Pro →Frequently Asked Questions
How do vegans get enough protein? +
Through legumes (lentils, chickpeas, black beans), soy products (tofu, tempeh, edamame), seitan, and whole grains. Variety across the week ensures all essential amino acids are covered.
How much protein do I need per day? +
The UK reference intake is 0.75g per kg of body weight per day for adults. Active people and those building muscle typically aim for 1.2–1.6g per kg.
Which vegan food has the most protein? +
Seitan (wheat gluten) is the most protein-dense at around 25g per 100g. Tempeh comes second at around 19g per 100g, followed by tofu, edamame and lentils.
Can you build muscle on a vegan diet? +
Yes. Studies consistently show that plant-based athletes can build and maintain muscle mass with adequate total protein intake and strength training. Creatine and B12 supplementation are worth considering.
Related Guides
Browse the full collection
See every recipe in this collection, filtered by region and dietary preference.
View UK collection → · View US collection →