25+ High-Protein Low-Calorie Meals That Will Keep You Full

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This list of 25+ high-protein, low-calorie meals is full of options that are actually satisfying! Meals that taste good, keep you full, and fit into real life. It has options for a quick breakfast, something hearty for dinner, or a recipe that works for meal prep.

Table of Contents

Getting enough protein doesn't have to mean eating dry chicken or choking down another protein bar. Upping your protein without adding a ton of extra calories is one of the simplest ways to eat healthier, if you're tracking macros, trying to lose fat without losing energy, or just want meals that keep you full without weighing you down. 

Protein helps curb cravings, supports muscle, and makes lighter meals feel more satisfying, which means you're less likely to snack later or reach for something that throws you off track. That's why I put together this list of high-protein, low-calorie meals that don't just hit your goals. They actually taste good and keep you full!

 

Breakfast Recipes

Bowls

These Kofta Ground Beef Bowls with Garlic Tzatziki have all the delicious flavors of a Kofta kebab without all the hard work! These bowls are ready in 30 minutes and are packed with Mediterranean flavors in every single bite.

Korean Beef Bowls

296 CAL 20 MIN
Korean beef bowls with rice, cilantro, carrots, bell peppers, and sprouts in a bowl with spicy sauce.

These healthy Korean Beef Bowls with Vegetables are a quick and easy dinner made with lean ground beef, a sweet and spicy Korean sauce, and plenty of vegetables!

Salad Recipes

Cheeseburger Salad

251 CAL 20 MIN
Cheeseburger salad with ground beef, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl.

Cheeseburger Salad takes the best parts of a cheeseburger and transforms them into a fun and delicious salad. Made with lean ground beef, cherry tomatoes, dill pickles, and shredded cheese, this mouth-watering dish is perfect for healthy lunches or dinners.

This Blackened Steak Salad is made with juicy steak, creamy homemade dressing, and fresh veggies for a mouthwatering combination of flavors. This dish is easy to prepare and makes for the ultimate on-the-go lunch or healthy main course for dinner.

Slow Cooker

Meatballs aren't just for spaghetti and tomato sauce—they're a perfect canvas for bold flavors like curry, ginger, garlic, and coconut milk. These Slow Cooker Thai Green Curry Meatballs are packed with all the best Asian-inspired flavors and are seriously delicious.

Slow Cooker Spicy Pulled Pork

257 CAL 8 HOURS, 5 MIN
Slow cooker spicy pulled pork with shredded pork tenderloin in spicy barbecue sauce in a bowl.

Deliciously tender Slow Cooker Spicy Pulled pork made with a homemade spice rub, your favorite barbecue sauce, and jalapenos. A great spin on classic pulled pork sandwiches with some added heat!

Soups and Stews

This Slow Cooker Turkey Chili is made with lean ground turkey, kidney beans, pinto beans, tomatoes, and plenty of spice. It has all the traditional chili flavor you love, just made in the slow cooker for hands-free cooking.

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup

312 CAL 4 HOURS, 10 MIN
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup in tow bowls with shredded chicken, bell peppers, onions tortilla chips, and avocado.

A fun twist on a Tex-Mex favorite, this Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup is a new way to enjoy all the great flavors of fajitas. It's made in the slow cooker for easy prep.

Mexican-Inspired

Steak and Shrimp Fajitas are a simple yet flavorful meal that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum taste! Everything is made on a sheet pan for an easy, low-fuss Mexican-inspired dinner.

Steak Tacos

325 CAL 15 MIN
Overhead view of assembled steak tacos filled with grilled beef, onions, salsa, and fresh cilantro on a white oval platter.

Steak Tacos made with plenty of lime juice and a quick homemade spice rub can be grilled, broiled, or cooked in a skillet for an easy and healthy meal that is ready in less than thirty minutes.

Chicken Fajitas

294 CAL 30 MIN
Chicken fajitas in a cast iron skillet with charred chicken, bell peppers, onions, cilantro, and lime juice.

Learn to make sizzling Chicken Fajitas at home that will rival any restaurant! With just seven simple ingredients and 30 minutes, make this crowd-pleasing dish for a quick and easy dinner.

Low-Carb

Slow Cooker Banh Mi Pork

289 CAL 4 HOURS, 10 MIN
A platter of lettuce wraps filled with shredded chicken, carrot and cucumber julienne, topped with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro.

This crockpot version of classic Banh Mi Pork takes the traditional flavors of the Vietnamese sandwich to make a sweet, spicy, and savory tender pork dish that can be used in so many different ways. Topped with crunchy veggies, this dish is so good and so easy.

Garlic Grilled Shrimp are made with a flavorful lemon-garlic marinade and grilled to perfection in under 10 minutes. Serve this dish alongside your favorite sides, like grilled broccoli or a spring mix salad, for the ultimate summertime meal.

This Healthy Kung Pao Chicken recipe is a lighter take on the classic Chinese dish, offering tender chicken, crunchy peanuts, and bold flavors in a quick, easy, and healthier meal.

Baked Red Snapper

290 CAL 10 MIN
Baked red snapper with spice rub and lemon slices on a plate with sweet potatoes, lemon wedges, and parsley on the side.

This easy and healthy baked red snapper is ready in just 10 minutes! Made with a quick homemade seasoning blend. butter, and lemon for a meal that's packed with flavor and works with any side dish.

Chili Lime Chicken

280 CAL 45 MIN
Chili lime chicken breast sliced and served on a wooden cutting board with lime and cilantro.

Try Chili Lime Chicken for a quick, easy, and versatile dish that will soon be a staple in your meal rotation! Featuring grilled chicken breasts and a citrus and chili marinade, this recipe is packed with vibrant and bold flavors. It’s perfect for any occasion with sides like rice, grilled vegetables, and more!

Healthy Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan is a quick weeknight meal that is ready in less than 30 minutes and full of all the classic flavors, just healthier! Crispy chicken, marinara sauce, melted cheese - is there really anything better?

Burgers

Fish burgers might not be the first thing that comes to mind when craving a burger, but these tilapia burgers will surprise you! With bold seasonings and easy customization, they’re a simple, tasty way to enjoy fish in a new way.

These quick and easy Salmon Burgers are a great, healthier alternative to traditional beef burgers. Made with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, green onions, and fresh parsley, these tasty fish burgers are perfect for pairing with your favorite BBQ side dishes.

Skillet Meals

This ground turkey and butternut squash skillet recipe is wholesome, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes. Made with diced tomatoes, feta cheese, and Italian seasoning, this protein-packed dish is the ultimate healthy weeknight dinner.

Low-Calorie Side Dishes (Under 100 Calories)

Here are some easy side dishes to pair with these meals that won't add too many extra calories:

Frequently Asked Questions

Nope! Many of these meals use simple, everyday ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. While a few recipes include optional protein powder, most rely on natural protein sources like chicken, lean beef, shrimp, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese.

 

Absolutely. Many of these recipes are perfect for meal prep. Look for options like slow cooker recipes, skillet meals, and high-protein bowls that store well in the fridge or freezer.

 

Yes! These recipes are designed to be flavorful and satisfying for everyone, not just those counting calories or tracking protein. You can easily scale them up or add sides for bigger appetites.

 

Definitely. These recipes are flexible! You can swap proteins (like ground turkey for ground beef), change up the veggies, or use alternative grains to suit your preferences.

 

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