Vegan High Protein, Low Calorie Recipes (2024)

For today’s video, we’re going to be making THREE low calorie-dense meals that are also highly filling and high protein! Make sure to check out the video below to see how to make these, and don’t forget to scrolls down for the written recipes!

Time for another round of high protein, low calorie recipes! Over the last year or so, I lost around 10 pounds and one of the important things that I learned during my weight loss journey is the importance of being smart about my food choices, not just in eating low-calorie meals but eating meals that are also satisfying, filling, and delicious! There’s no point eating low-calorie, bland meals if you’re going to be starving all the time, right?

Excited for these low calorie, high volume, high protein meals? Don’t forget to watch the video above and scroll down to start making these recipes!

Vegan “Chicken” Potato Soup

Amount per serving (Calories: 293 | Total fat: 6g | Protein: 19g | Carbohydrates: 40g)

This may look like a complicated recipe but guys, I’m telling you, all you have to do is throw all your ingredients into one pot, let it boil, and that’s it! Delicious and savoury, this vegan “chicken” potato soup could easily be your next favourite comfort food!

Vegan High Protein, Low Calorie Recipes (1)

Ingredients (around 4 servings):

  • 1/2 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 large carrot or 2 medium carrots, peeled & chopped
  • 1 large potato, peeled & chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 6 cups water
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tbsp black pepper
  • 1 veggie stock cube
  • 100g dry Soy Curls OR 1-2 cans of chickpeas (rinsed + drained)
  • 85g dry pasta of choice
  • Salt + pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Chop up onions, carrots, potatoes, and celery.
  2. Heat up oil in a large pot over medium high heat and cook onions and garlic for a few minutes.
  3. Add veggies and cook. Add water, turn heat up, and let it come to a boil. Meanwhile, rehydrate soy curls in a separate bowl by soaking them in water.
  4. Add nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and veggie stock cube to the soup. Mix well and allow to boil.
  5. When the soup boils, add in the pasta and rehydrated soy curls (drained). Mix and let it cook on medium low heat for 20 minutes or so, or until potatoes and pasta are completely cooked.
  6. Serve in a bowl and enjoy! Keep in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Fried Rice with Cauliflower

Amount per 2 servings: Calories: 444 | Total fat: 16g | Protein: 32g | Carbohydrates: 46g

So recipe no.2 for my high protein, low calorie recipes is this Fried Rice with Cauliflower meal~

Notice that I did not say “cauliflower fried rice” — that’s because I do not believe in completely eliminating actual rice! Let’s just say I’m Asian and I do not believe that cauliflower can be a substitute for rice – I mean, come on, rice is life! However, I still think cauliflower would make a fantastic addition to fried rice, to really add a ton of volume to your meal but also add those fantastic nutrients. Also, I added in some tofu for extra protein — YUM!

Vegan High Protein, Low Calorie Recipes (3)

Ingredients (2-4 servings):

  • 300g of cauliflower head (around 2 cups)
  • 1/2 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 350g (1 block) firm or extra firm tofu
  • 3 tbsp Scrambled Tofu Seasoning
  • 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1-2 cups cooked brown rice
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • Chopped green onions + sesame seeds (optional garnish)
Vegan High Protein, Low Calorie Recipes (4)

Instructions:

  1. Place cauliflower into a food processor and process until consistency is crumbly. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  2. In a large pan or wok, heat oil over medium high heat. Cook onions and garlic and saute for a couple of minutes.
  3. Add in crumbled up tofu and let it cook for 3-5 minutes or until the tofu has browned a little.
  4. Add in scrambled tofu seasoning and mix well.
  5. Add in the frozen mixed vegetables, cauliflower, and cooked rice. Mix until everything is well combined.
  6. Add soy sauce and mix again. Turn off the heat and mix in some toasted sesame oil.
  7. Transfer some into a bowl, top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, and enjoy!

Buffalo Tofu, Roasted Cauliflower & Sweet Potatoes

Amount per serving: Calories: 486 | Total fat: 25g | Protein: 22g | Carbohydrates: 46g

Hey, vegan weight loss recipes shouldn’t have to be complicated! This is a very simple recipe (as you can see) which is perfect as a light but highly satisfying and well-balanced meal for dinner. Simply get your oven to do all the work!

Vegan High Protein, Low Calorie Recipes (5)

Ingredients (around 3 servings):

Sweet potatoes + cauliflower:

  • 500g sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 head cauliflower
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 2 tsp italian seasoning
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Buffalo Tofu:

  • 1 block extra firm tofu
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 4-5 tbsp vegan buffalo sauce (I used Frank’s Hot Sauce)
Vegan High Protein, Low Calorie Recipes (6)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Chop cauliflower and sweet potato into bite-sized pieces. Transfer into a lined baking sheet.
  3. Chop tofu into smaller bite-sized pieces and press to eliminate water if desired (see video for context). Set aside.
  4. Pour oil onto the cauliflower and sweet potatoes and mix using your hands.
  5. Add in seasoning and mix until everything is well-coated. Bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the sweet potatoes are completely cooked..
  6. In a medium sized mixing bowl, add in the tofu, oil, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Mix well.
  7. Add in cornstarch and mix until all the tofu pieces are coated. Spread out the tofu pieces on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes until crispy on the outside, flipping halfway through.
  8. Put tofu back into the mixing bowl and add desired amount of buffalo sauce. Toss until well-coated and bake again for another 2-3 minutes.
  9. Plate everything and serve with a side of celery sticks or other vegetables. Enjoy!

📌Looking for more vegan high protein, low calorie recipes? Check out these other videos!

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Vegan High Protein, Low Calorie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How to eat high protein low calorie vegan? ›

Some plant-based foods are high in protein but low in calories. To put this another way, high-protein, low-calorie means few carbohydrates and fats. Eating plenty of these foods, especially leafy green vegetables and legumes, or beans, will help fill you up with plenty of protein and vitamins, but with few calories.

How can vegans get 120g of protein a day? ›

The easy way for vegans to get enough protein every day
  1. Adding protein powder to your smoothie. ...
  2. Eating a whole-wheat bagel with peanut or almond butter for a snack. ...
  3. Including beans in your pasta dishes (you'll find plenty at our vegan recipes page). ...
  4. Lots of lentils. ...
  5. Hummus on a whole wheat pita for a snack.

How to get 140g of protein a day vegan? ›

10 High Protein Vegan Snack Ideas
  1. Edamame Beans.
  2. Mixed Nuts.
  3. Soy Yoghurt with Fruit and Seeds.
  4. Pint of Soy Milk.
  5. Peanut Butter on Granary Toast.
  6. Hummus with Vegetable Sticks or Rice Cakes.
  7. Homemade Vegan Protein Bars.
  8. Vegan Protein Smoothie (such as Pea+ Protein)
Jan 20, 2023

How can a vegan get 100g of protein a day? ›

100 grams of vegan protein
  1. ¼ cup of protein granola (10 grams of protein)
  2. One scoop of plant-based protein powder (20 grams)
  3. 1 ounce of nuts (5 grams)
  4. Two tablespoons of peanut butter (7 grams)
  5. Two tablespoons of chia seeds (about 10 grams)
  6. One tablespoon of hemp seeds (4 grams)
  7. Two slices of rye bread (10 grams)
May 11, 2024

How can a vegan eat 3,000 calories a day? ›

Plant-based sources of protein, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fruits can be incorporated to meet the calorie and nutritional needs of a 3,000-calorie diet for those following vegetarian or vegan lifestyles.

How to get 200g protein a day vegan? ›

Vegan Substitutes to Consume 200g Protein a Day
  1. Tofu.
  2. Quinoa.
  3. Chickpeas.
  4. Lentils.
  5. Tempeh.
  6. Seitan.
  7. Beans such as black beans and kidney beans.
  8. Plant-based protein powders such as pea protein and soy protein powders.
Dec 6, 2023

What is the biggest source of protein for vegans? ›

Here's a look at some of the best protein-rich vegetarian and vegan foods, and the nutritional benefits they can offer.
  • Tempeh. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Nut Butters. ...
  • Hemp Seeds. ...
  • Tofu.
Jan 23, 2024

What does 30g of protein look like vegan? ›

Tofu can often be a staple source of protein for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet: 1 1/2 cups of cooked tofu can provide 30 grams of protein along with some healthy fat. Because tofu is made from soybeans, it's considered a complete protein even though it's from plants.

Can you eat too much vegan protein? ›

Eating too much protein (and any type of nutrient) may do more harm than good to your health. Including a moderate amount of protein every day and enjoying a variety of plant-based foods may be more beneficial in the long run than focusing on short-term gains.

What veggies have the most protein? ›

Among the highest protein vegetables are chickpeas, corn, spinach, artichoke hearts, and edamame. To get all of the amino acids your body needs, aim to eat a variety of foods, such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables throughout the day.

How do plant-based athletes get enough protein? ›

Common sources of plant-based proteins include soy products (tofu, edamame, soymilk, etc.), lentils, chickpeas, beans, quinoa, chia seeds, flax seeds, nuts, peanut butter, peas (including snap peas, snow peas, split peas, or black-eyed peas), mushrooms, green leafy vegetables, and various grains.

How much protein should I eat to lose weight? ›

If you're trying to build muscle, aim for 69-102 grams of protein per day. If you're trying to lose weight, shoot for 68-82 grams of protein per day.

What is poor man's protein? ›

Pulses belong to the leguminous crop family and are regarded as "poor man's meat" because they are high in protein, high dietary fiber, and low in fat. They also contain a wide range of minerals. These are abundant in proteins but do not contain complete proteins.

What to eat instead of meat for protein? ›

5 Protein-Packed Foods for Healthy, Meatless Meals
  • Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein. ...
  • Tree Nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds and pecans — don't confuse them with peanuts, which are legumes. ...
  • Legumes. Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Yogurt.

Do vegans struggle to get protein? ›

Protein deficiencies among vegetarians and vegans are uncommon , especially for those following a healthy, well-planned diet. Still, some people may be interested in increasing their plant protein intake for a variety of reasons.

How can I eat low calories but high-protein? ›

The healthiest lower energy-dense choices are foods that are high in protein but low in fat and calories, such as:
  • Beans, peas and lentils, which are also good sources of fiber.
  • Fish.
  • Lean meat and poultry.
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese.
  • Egg whites.

How to get 50 grams of protein on a vegan diet? ›

High-protein vegan foods
  1. Quinoa. ...
  2. Pulses. ...
  3. Tofu. ...
  4. Nuts and seeds. ...
  5. Chia seeds. ...
  6. Buckwheat. ...
  7. Oats. ...
  8. Brown and wild rice.
Apr 5, 2023

How to get 300g of protein a day vegan? ›

If you're looking to increase your protein intake as a vegetarian, try to add more of the following to your daily diet:
  1. Baked beans.
  2. Lentils (red, green, yellow, or brown)
  3. Chickpeas.
  4. Kidney beans.
  5. Garden peas.
  6. Runner beans.
  7. Broad beans.
  8. Butter beans.
May 17, 2021

How to eat 30g protein per meal vegan? ›

High-protein vegan meals
  1. Veggie protein chilli. A star rating of 4.8 out of 5. ...
  2. Teriyaki tofu. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  3. Tofu steaks with chips. A star rating of 0 out of 5. ...
  4. Vegan lentils with soy & ginger tofu. A star rating of 4 out of 5. ...
  5. Tofu scramble. ...
  6. Marinated tofu. ...
  7. Chickpea stew with tomatoes & spinach. ...
  8. Vegan lasagne.

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