Unlock the Secret to Delicious High-Protein, Low-Carb Meals That Boost Your Health!

For those seeking to optimize their health and well-being, high-protein, low-carb meals offer a powerful approach. These meals not only aid in weight management but also provide sustained energy and support muscle growth and repair. This article explores a variety of delicious and easy-to-prepare recipes that fit this nutritional profile.

Embracing High-Protein, Low-Carb Eating

The recipes here might be low in carbs, but make no mistake, they’re huge in flavor and goodness. The goal when making low-carb meals is to create healthy recipes that are still craveable and satisfying. Not to mention suitable for the whole family!

Featured Recipes

Protein-Packed Bowls

Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowls: These bowls combine sliced chicken, sweet potato, spinach, and avocado with a homemade peanut dressing for a healthy and satisfying dinner. The Peanut Chicken Protein Bowl is one to prep at the beginning of the week, then assemble and feast on all week long.
Salmon Quinoa Bowls: Ready in just 20 minutes, this bowl features quinoa as a base, topped with fresh arugula, cucumber slices, tender salmon, and a creamy dill and yogurt dressing. This recipe is not only a simple, quick dinner but it’s a texture lover’s paradise.

Savory Skillets and Stir-Fries

White Bean & Smoked Sausage Skillet: Seared smoked sausage is combined with a creamy sauce of shallot, garlic, kale, and cannellini beans, topped with homemade mini croutons. This white bean and sausage skillet is guaranteed to have you scraping your bowl clean and coming back for seconds.
Chicken Stir Fry: A go-to weeknight dinner for when time is short, this recipe can be customized to your liking. Make it as is for our best-ever version, then use it as a jumping-off point to create your own.
Sesame Tofu & Broccoli: Oven-baked tofu is tossed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sauce with crisp-tender broccoli, topped with sesame seeds and scallions. This vegetarian version of a Chinese-American favorite can be served with white rice.

Creative Takes on Classics

Cottage Cheese Baked Ziti: Cottage cheese, with its tangy flavor and high protein content, is swapped for ricotta in this one-pan recipe. Gone are the days when cottage cheese was just a bland diet food, filling up the scooped-out well of a cantaloupe. It's now used in, well, everything-whisked into eggs, blended into dips, added to sweet treats, and, in this one-pan recipe, swapped for ricotta.
High-Protein Marry Me Chicken: This one-pan wonder features a luscious creamy sauce, tender chicken, and plenty of flavor. Because this recipe is so good and the sauce is so magical, it’s easy to make protein-boosting adjustments.
Egg Roll Bowls: When craving crispy egg rolls but needing a more filling lunch option, turn to these bowls. Whether you’re low-carb, are looking for a creative lunch, or simply want to spice up your weeknight with an easy, budget-friendly dinner, these egg roll bowls are the way to go.
Low-Carb Turkey Gyro Bowls: Inspired by the popular gyro sandwich, this healthy bowl features spiced meat, fresh veggies, and tzatziki. With tender spiced meat, crunchy fresh veggies, tzatziki, and chewy pita, it's not hard to see why gyros are so globally beloved.

Seafood Sensations

Lemon-Brown Butter Salmon: This recipe offers a simple yet elegant way to enjoy salmon.
Miso Salmon & Farro Bowl: Miso, a Japanese cooking staple, adds toasty, savory, and slightly sweet notes that pair well with salmon. Take your Monday night dinner into a Tuesday afternoon grain bowl with this miso-glazed salmon and charred scallion farro bowl.
Salsa Verde-Poached Fish: Gently simmer cod fillets in homemade cilantro salsa verde for a tender, never-dry result. Plus, cilantro is full of folate and vitamin C.

Tofu Transformations

Sweet & Sour Tofu: The combination of savory, tangy, and sweet flavors pairs well with tofu. Because it’s mild in flavor, the sweet and sour sauce truly shines (even the tofu haters in your household will ask for seconds).
Teriyaki Tofu: Marinade tofu with teriyaki sauce and serve with broccoli and noodles or rice to make this easy veggie midweek meal. It takes under 30 minutes to make.

Chili and Stews

White Chicken Chili: White beans make it heartier than your average chicken noodle soup, green chilis and jalapeño add just the right amount of spice, and a dollop of sour cream lends a tangy creaminess. When we're craving something hearty and healthy, this chicken chili immediately jumps to mind.
Black Bean Chilli: This flavoursome vegetarian chilli is great for casual entertaining - just lay everything out and let people add their own toppings
Veggie protein chilli: A protein packed vegan chilli, perfect after a run or gym workout. This easy supper is simple to make and freezable if you want to batch cook

Other Recipes

Beef & Rice Stuffed Poblano Peppers: Fire-roasted tomatoes and spices like chipotle chiles, cumin, and oregano elevate the typical beef and rice stuffing. Bell peppers tend to be a bit sweeter and fruitier than poblano peppers, but poblanos really hold up to big flavors and rich foods.
Pizza Frittata: If you're craving pizza for breakfast but want a substantial meal, turn to this pizza frittata.

Additional Recipes and Ideas

Mediterranean Inspiration:
- Sheet-Pan Chicken and Vegetables: Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, this easy dinner features chicken and vegetables roasted on a sheet pan. It is much easier to have chicken and vegetables off the kabob, which inspired this sheet-pan dinner.
- Moroccan Lamb Lettuce Wraps: A tasty slow-cooked dish with creamy dressing and crunchy cucumber. This combination-with the creamy dressing and crunchy cucumber-makes a tasty slow-cooked dish. The wine and chili powder add even more flavor elements.
Salmon Dishes:
- Salmon with Roasted Vegetables: Include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets, or fresh green beans for a complete meal. You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans.
- Salmon Spinach Salad: A healthy and super-fast option for a workday dinner. This salmon spinach salad is really healthy and super fast. It's an absolute cinch to make after a long workday.
- Salmon en Papillote: Salmon cooked in parchment paper is easy to make, delicious, elegant, and impressive. Salmon en papillote, or salmon cooked in parchment paper, is so easy to make yet so delicious, elegant and impressive.
- Spicy Salmon Nori Wraps: Nori sheets are filled with brown rice and seasoned canned salmon for a filling meal. Each serving features 21 g of protein and 18 g of carbohydrates, so you can be sure you’re hitting your macro goals.
- Salmon Salad With Avocado and Sweet Grape Tomatoes: Not only is salmon high in protein, but it’s full of inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to boost heart health. Add almonds for crunch, avocado for healthy fat, tomatoes for a juicy dose of vitamins, and your favorite greens to up the fiber for a quick and satisfying dinner.
Shrimp Dishes:
- Chili Lime Shrimp: A dairy-free recipe that comes together in about 30 minutes with a bright, flavor-packed sauce. Easy, quick and family friendly, this chili lime shrimp recipe is dairy free and comes together in about 30 minutes. The secret is the bright flavor-packed sauce. Serve over greens, store-bought slaw or cauliflower rice.
- Shrimp and Zucchini Noodles: A smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect.
- Shrimp, Avocado, and Egg Chopped Salad: If you’re not into beef, pork, or chicken, shrimp is a great high-protein, low-calorie choice to throw on top of fiber-rich greens. Add healthy fat, more protein, and flavor with avocado and eggs and you’ve got yourself a very filling salad.
- Roasted Shrimp Parmesan: We’re not convinced there’s a better dinner than succulent shrimp and gooey cheese. This incredibly straightforward dinner comes together in minutes and uses fresh herbs and tomato to bring brightness to cheese-covered shrimp and crispy torn bread crumbs.
Chicken and Turkey Dishes:
- Chicken and Broccoli: Serve with couscous or rice for a complete meal, or add sliced mushrooms or carrots for extra veggies. I've had this chicken and broccoli recipe for so many years, I don't remember when I first made it. Serve it with a side of couscous or rice for a complete meal, or add some sliced mushrooms or carrots for extra veggies.
- Chicken in Spanish Cauliflower Rice: A paleo-friendly dish that's loved by all ages. Everyone from my dad to my little nephew loves this chicken in Spanish cauliflower rice.
- Turkey Medallions with Tomato Salad: Enhanced by the bright flavor of a simple tomato salad. The turkey is enhanced by the bright flavor of a simple tomato salad.
- Chicken With Fried Cauliflower Rice: This dish has just 18 grams of carbs with a solid 34 grams of protein. Plus, it packs tons of veggies: peppers, carrots, onion, garlic, scallions, peas, and cauliflower.
- Grilled Chicken With Coconut-Lime Slaw: Zest up your weeknight chicken cutlet with a limey, coconutty slaw. This dinner will be on the table in just 20 minutes and packs a ton of flavor and protein with very few carbs.
- Citrusy Grilled Chicken Salad: Divide the orange-lime dressing to use for both the salad and the chicken. Half the work, double the flavor!
Other Protein Sources:
- Tuna and Cheddar Wraps: This nutritious lunch has 29 grams of protein, crunchy butter lettuce, juicy grape tomatoes, and melty sharp Cheddar that your taste buds will adore. Red pepper gives it a kick without overpowering the meal.
- Curried Fish Jicama “Tacos”: Halibut, cabbage, and coconut flakes fill jicama wraps in this take on tacos, with 25 grams of protein and just 8 grams of net carbohydrates.
- Grilled Ahi Tuna Over Mashed Cauliflower: Start with sushi-grade tuna, which pairs perfectly with creamy mashed cauliflower and crunchy leafy greens.
- Halibut with Brussels Sprouts: Halibut with soy sauce, ginger and pepper is a favorite.
- Cod with Artichoke Mixture: I like to serve this dish over a bed of greens, pasta or quinoa. A squeeze of lemon gives it another layer of freshness.
- Arctic Char With Golden Beet Slaw and Walnuts: The flaky, pink fish tastes like salmon and offers a similar nutrient profile: It’s packed with beneficial omega-3s, selenium, and vitamin D.
- Sauteed Trout With Green Pumpkin Seed Salsa: Sauces are a great way to introduce flavor and extra nutrients when going low-carb. Pumpkin seeds pulsed with spices, fresh herbs, tomatillos, and lime juice fit the bill.
- White Wine and Tomato Mussels: Serve up this hearty seafood stew with crusty bread for the ultimate party pleaser. Fresh herbs like basil and parsley bring a bed of mussels to life along with vibrant tomatoes and white wine for super-delicious flavor, protein, and just a few carbs.
- Fresh Pork with Summer Vegetables: Fresh summer vegetables are paired with lean pork and tasty Greek olives for a healthy and quick dinner that's great for family or friends.
Vegetarian Options:
- Zucchini Noodles: The first time I substituted zucchini noodles for regular pasta, it was because I was trying to reduce carbohydrates and calories. Now I make them because we love the flavor and texture they bring to dishes. This dish is just as delicious if you substitute shrimp for the chicken.
- Spinach Tomato Frittata: This veggie-packed frittata is quick (15 minutes, tops) and offers 23 grams of protein. Bonus: It’s great for meal prep and it’ll taste just as good for breakfast the next morning!
- Portobellos With Cannellini and Chimichurri: Make salads infinitely more interesting with roasted or grilled veggies. Baked portobello mushrooms add a ton of satisfying flavor to every bite.
Salads:
- Garden Salad: Making this salad is a lot like putting in a garden. I plant everything in nice, neat sections, just as I do with seedlings.
- Summer Salad: We love all the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available in the summer. This salad is one of our favorite because it packs in so much great produce, plus it's quick and easy on a warm summer day.
- Beef Salad: This light and loaded beef salad even satisfies my meat-loving husband.
- Salad with Poached Eggs: Salad for breakfast? Absolutely. You can prep everything except the dressing and chill it overnight. In the morning, dress the salad and poach the eggs.
Other Dishes:
- Stuffed Zucchini: When I worked in the school library, my co-workers were my taste testers. They approved this healthy and happy spin on stuffed zucchini.
- One-Skillet Fish: I love quick and bright meals like this one-skillet wonder. The way it tastes, you'd think it takes a lot more effort, but it goes from prep to dinner table in half an hour. The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp.

Quick and Easy Meals

30-Minute Meals: Several recipes emphasize quick preparation, fitting into busy weeknight schedules.
One-Pan/One-Pot Recipes: These minimize cleanup and streamline the cooking process. Save on the washing-up with this easy one-pot garlic chicken.

Emphasizing Fresh Ingredients

Many recipes highlight the use of fresh vegetables, herbs, and lean proteins to maximize nutritional value and flavor.

Recipes from Other Sources

Chicken & chorizo jambalaya: A healthy Cajun-inspired rice pot recipe that's bursting with spicy Spanish sausage, sweet peppers and tomatoes
Kibbeh: Make a traybake inspired by a traditional baked kibbeh recipe, but far quicker to pull together for an easy weeknight supper
'Marry me' chicken: Win someone over with this creamy chicken casserole. It's a great family meal served with mash, or new potatoes, and green beans
How to cook a tomahawk steak: This rib-eye steak, with a longer bone left in, is ideal for special occasions or sharing. It's named for its resemblance to a tomahawk axe
Crispy chilli turkey noodles: Crisp-fried turkey mince in a chilli, soy and garlic sauce atop udon noodles makes for a savoury 20-minute meal that's low in fat but big on flavour
Chinese chicken curry: Cook our easy, healthy chicken curry in under an hour. Serve this replica of your favourite takeaway dish with fluffy rice for a wholesome family meal
Chicken satay curry: Love satay chicken skewers? This creamy, peanut-packed curry brings all those flavours into a comforting dinner. Serve with rice and a squeeze of lime
Chicken pasta bake: Enjoy this gooey cheese and chicken pasta bake for the ultimate weekday family dinner. Serve straight from the dish with a dressed green salad
Beef stew: A traditional braised beef casserole with thick, rich gravy and chunky veg - an ideal recipe for cheap cuts, as slow-cooking guarantees a tender dish
Salmon risotto: Creamy rice and tender salmon make a comforting dinner. Stir through lemon juice and parmesan before serving this easy, delicious meal that's full of omega 3 and high in protein
Tandoori trout: Oily fish such as trout is a great source of vitamin D, so why not serve up this spicy fillet with a cooling chutney? A healthy main meal the whole family can enjoy
Pasta with salmon & peas: Make this salmon pasta in under 20 minutes for a dinner the whole family can enjoy. Kids will love the fun-shaped pasta while packing in fibre and omega-3
Lentil & cauliflower curry: An earthy spice pot that's low in fat and calories. Use your favourite curry paste along with mustard seeds, turmeric and coconut yogurt
Vegetarian bolognese: Make the most of vegetarian mince for this easy veggie bolognese that's low in fat and calories. Cook a large batch ahead and freeze for easy family dinners
Slow-cooker chicken casserole: Treat the family to this wholesome slow cooker chicken casserole with a creamy but light sauce. This warming dish delivers comfort while being low-fat
Vegetarian carbonara: Enjoy this healthier veggie carbonara with mushrooms and courgettes for an easy family meal. It takes just 30 minutes, so is ideal on busy weeknights
Jamaican bully beef: Enjoy this Jamaican classic, also known as corned beef. Corned beef became a staple during wartime due to its affordability and long shelf-life
Manchurian chicken: Enjoy this popular Hakka (Indo-Chinese) shallow-fried chicken dish with a little chilli heat and some sweetness
One-pot garlic chicken: Save on the washing-up with this easy one-pot garlic chicken.