20 High-Protein Vegetarian Meals Made with Plant-Based Ground

The easiest high-protein vegetarian meals start with a protein-dense base, like plant-based ground, beans or tofu, then add grains and vegetables around it. Every recipe below is vegan (so it's vegetarian too) and starts with a pack of The Better Butchers plant-based ground, which brings 17 to 21 g of protein per 100 g serving.

Below: 20 of our recipes grouped by craving, a quick guide to which ground to use, and simple ways to add more protein to any dinner.

What are good high-protein vegetarian meals?

Good high-protein vegetarian meals put a protein source at the centre of the plate instead of on the side. Here are 20 that do exactly that.

Bowls and rice

• High-Protein Vegan Korean Beef Bowls (Natural): sweet, savoury ground over rice.
• High-Protein Vegan Burger Bowl (Natural): everything you love about a burger, piled into a single-serving bowl.
• Chorizo Bibimbap Bowl (Chorizo): smoky chorizo, rice and crisp vegetables with a spicy kick.
• Japanese Taco Rice (Chorizo): Okinawa's Tex-Mex classic, with chorizo over rice, lettuce and tomato.
• Smoky Chorizo Fried Rice with Gai Lan (Chorizo): day-old rice, gai lan and chorizo in one pan, in about 25 minutes.

Pasta

• Quick and Easy Vegan Bolognese (Italian): a jar of sauce, a pack of ground and dinner is ready in minutes.
• High-Protein Vegan Stuffed Shells (Italian): jumbo shells, a savoury filling and plenty of sauce.
• Vegan Chili Mac with Mini Shells (Chorizo): two comfort classics in one pot.
• Vegan Butternut Squash Lasagna (Italian): layers of tomato sauce, tofu ricotta and squash for a weekend bake.

Tacos and handhelds

• Vegan Chorizo Tacos with Mango Salsa (Chorizo): smoky tacos with a sweet, fresh salsa, ready in 25 minutes.
• Vegan Chorizo Tostadas with Cilantro Lime Crema (Chorizo): crispy shells, refried beans and chorizo under a bright, herby crema.
• Ethiopian-Inspired Mushroom Tibs Tacos (Natural): warm spices and mushrooms in a soft tortilla.
• Vegan Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza) (Italian): thin, crispy flatbread with spiced ground, finished with parsley and lemon.
• Easy Vegan Italian Flatbread Pizza (Italian): one pack makes two flatbreads, topped with fresh arugula.

Fresh and bright

• Plant-Based Thai Larb (Natural): lime, fresh herbs and toasted rice powder.
• Vegan Stuffed Avocado Salad (Chorizo): a chorizo and black bean salad piled into avocado halves.
• Vegan Loaded Sweet Potatoes (Italian): roasted sweet potatoes with ground, spinach and green goddess dressing.

Cozy one-pot dinners

• Smoky Vegan Chili with Mushrooms (Natural): ground plus beans, so the protein comes from two places.
• Spicy Vegan Ramen (Natural): creamy sesame-miso broth with a crispy ground topping.
• Vegan Khao Soi Noodle Curry (Chorizo): creamy coconut curry noodles from Northern Thailand.

Short on time tonight? Our 5 high-protein vegan meals for weeknights come with quick methods you can follow without a full recipe.

What plant-based foods are high in protein?

Beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, nuts and seeds are the classic plant-based protein foods. Canada's Food Guide recommends choosing protein foods that come from plants every day, and notes they can provide more fibre and less saturated fat than other types of protein foods.

Plant-based ground fits the same job. Ours is made from a protein blend of pea protein and oyster mushroom, so it slots into dishes that usually call for ground meat.

How do you add more protein to a vegetarian dinner?

Build the meal around one main protein, then add a second one alongside it. A few easy ways:

• Start with the ground. One pack makes a protein-rich base for tacos, pasta sauce or a grain bowl.
• Add beans or lentils. Stir black beans into tacos or lentils into a pasta sauce. Canada's Food Guide suggests ideas like beans in a burrito or lentils in a soup, stew or casserole.
• Top it smart. A spoonful of seeds, a handful of edamame or cubes of tofu all add more.
• Pick protein-friendly grains. Quinoa works well in bowls and stuffed vegetables.

How does The Better Butchers ground fit in?

Our grounds keep it simple. Natural has five ingredients: Water, Protein blend (pea protein, oyster mushroom), Mushroom extract, Chicory root powder, Salt. That's it, and it brings 21 g protein per serving. Italian and Chorizo are pre-seasoned and bring 17 g protein per serving.

All three are made without soy and gluten. They may contain cashews, so check the label if tree nuts are a concern.

New to cooking it? Our guide to cooking plant-based ground covers it: a little oil in a hot pan, about 5 minutes, until it's browned at the edges and crumbly. You'll find the grounds in 350+ stores across Canada (find a store) or online.

FAQ

Are these meals vegetarian or vegan?
Both. Every recipe on this list is vegan, which means it's also vegetarian. Some call for vegan cheese or vegan mayo, so pick your favourite brand.

How do you get 30 g of protein in a vegetarian meal?
Pair two protein foods. A 100 g serving of our Natural ground has 21 g of protein, and 175 mL (3/4 cup) of cooked lentils adds about 13 g, according to Health Canada's nutrient data. Together that's over 30 g on one plate.

How much protein is in The Better Butchers ground?
Natural has 21 g of protein per 100 g serving (one third of a pack). Italian and Chorizo each have 17 g per serving.

Is the ground made with soy or gluten?
No. All three grounds are made without soy and gluten. They may contain cashews.

What's the easiest high-protein vegetarian dinner to start with?
Tacos. Brown the Chorizo ground in a hot pan, add your toppings, and dinner is done in about 25 minutes.

How do I cook plant-based ground?
Heat a little oil in a pan, add the ground and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it up, until it's browned at the edges and crumbly. Our cooking guide has more tips.

Where can I buy it?
The Better Butchers is sold in 350+ stores across Canada and online at thebetterbutchers.com.

Made one of these? Tag @thebetterbutchersmeat so we can see it.

Shop the grounds: Natural, Italian or Chorizo

Sources

• Eat protein foods, Canada's Food Guide, Health Canada
• Nutrient Value of Some Common Foods: Legumes, Nuts and Seeds, Health Canada