Protein is the secret to feeling fuller for longer and building muscle faster. But boosting your protein intake doesn’t just mean eating more chicken or lentils. I have 20 awesome protein bowl recipes that will not only give you an extra shot of protein but will also change up your routine.
20 Protein Bowl Recipes That Are Perfect for Busy Days
1. High Protein Caribbean Bowl
This protein bowl is packed with flavor and nutrients. It’s a mix of jerk chicken, Caribbean-style quinoa and peas, pineapple salsa and freshly sliced avocado.
The jerk rub is a tasty mix of cayenne pepper, coconut sugar, oregano, chili powder, paprika, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon and pimientos.
2. Protein Yogurt Bowl
A chocolatey peanut butter protein bowl that’s easy to prepare and a healthy choice for breakfast.
Just mix a cup of plain Greek yogurt with a scoop of protein powder (chocolate flavor is best), a tablespoon of peanut butter and a pinch of cinnamon for flavor.
Add whatever toppings you want to complete the dish: fruit, nuts, more peanut butter, honey – you name it. Walnuts or pecans would be perfect for this dish and will add a little more protein and healthy fat.
Related: 15+ High Protein Breakfast Without Eggs
3. Smoked Salmon and Egg Protein Bowl
Here’s a tasty protein bowl you can eat for breakfast or lunch. It pairs smoked salmon with hard-boiled eggs, pea sprouts, cucumbers and sliced red onion. Top with capers, lemon juice, cream cheese and everything bagel seasoning.
This bowl is so colorful and nutritious that it will quickly become a regular part of your food rotation.
4. Dietitian’s Breakfast Bowl
I love simple but delicious protein bowl recipes like this one. It combines sweet potatoes with cottage cheese, avocado and baby spinach. Top with freshly squeezed lemon juice, salsa or everything bagel seasoning for a balanced breakfast that will keep you fueled all morning.
5. Sweet Potato “Beef” Bowl
This viral protein bowl is just over 400 calories and boasts 35g of protein. The best part? It’s vegetarian.
Spiced beef-less ground beef pairs with roasted sweet potatoes, cottage cheese, fat free feta, microgreens and avocado.
Top with some hot honey for a bit of spice and you’re ready to enjoy.
6. Creamy Chocolate Protein Smoothie Bowl
This protein bowl mixes chocolate protein powder with almond milk to make a creamy base. Then, you’ll add your favorite toppings: bananas, fresh berries, granola, peanut butter, cacao nibs and chia seeds.
Feel free to mix things up and add whatever toppings you want. We like to add coconut flakes and nuts as well.
7. Buddha Bowl
Packed with plant protein, this Buddha bowl is customizable and delicious. The protein comes from the quinoa and kidney beans.
Sundried tomatoes, sweet potatoes, sauerkraut, fresh greens, avocado, olives and spices add so much flavor and nutrients to this dish. I like to add a dollop of hummus on top just for fun.
8. High Protein Miso Bowl
Miso adds a delicious umami flavor to this dish. The base of the dish starts with edamame (protein-rich), kale, red cabbage, cilantro, peanuts and a variety of spices and herbs (including sumac).
The miso sauce combines white miso (which is milder than red) with tamari, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger and maple syrup. Top with green onions and enjoy. You can also add soba noodles for a richer dish.
9. Protein Korean Beef Bowl
Looking for Asian-style protein bowl recipes? You’ll love this Korean beef bowl. It pairs lean ground beef with bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, garlic and ginger. Serve over rice and top your bowl with soy sauce.
This super-simple dish is delicious and will leave you feeling full all afternoon.
10. Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowls
Protein-rich chickpeas, peanuts and fresh veggies make this bowl delicious and healthy. Start with a base of brown rice and top with your chickpeas, carrots, cucumbers, red cabbage, ginger and spices. Then, make a creamy sauce with peanut butter, lime juice, honey and soy sauce.
The great thing about this dish is that you can customize it however you want.
You can use chicken instead of chickpeas or add whatever veggies you prefer.
Related: 15 Protein-Packed Quinoa Salad Recipes to Fuel Your Body
11. Roasted Chickpea & Veggie Bowl
Another protein-rich, tasty chickpea bowl that you can enjoy any time of the day. Along with chickpeas, you’ll also add roasted Brussels sprouts, broccoli, sweet potato and spices.
Top it all off with a homemade dressing of Dijon mustard, tahini, water, apple cider vinegar, date syrup (or maple syrup) and lemon juice.
Easy and delicious!
12. High Protein Vegan Breakfast Bowl
Here’s a vegan breakfast bowl that’s loaded with protein thanks to the scrambled tofu. And it also packs in some delicious breakfast favorites, like roasted potatoes, avocado, sweet peppers and cherry tomatoes.
Nutritional yeast, turmeric, chili powder and spices make the tofu look and taste just like regular eggs.
13. High-Protein Chicken Enchilada Bowls
A tasty dish that’s great for a weekday lunch or weekend dinner. Boneless chicken breast, black beans and brown rice add a ton of protein (along with the cheese). But you’ll also love that this dish is low-carb. Instead of regular rice or tortillas, it calls for cauliflower rice.
Cabbage adds more nutrients, along with sweet corn.
Top your bowl with a tasty red enchilada sauce and shredded cheese.
14. Brat Protein Bowl
Here’s one of my favorite “hodgepodge” protein bowl recipes. It’s a vibrant dish loaded with kale salad, quinoa, sliced brat and a little bit of hummus.
The salad mixes chopped kale with blueberries, corn, red onion and feta cheese.
The dressing? It’s a delicious blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
15. The Best High Protein Taco Cottage Cheese Bowl
How delicious and colorful is this dish? It’s super simple to make and rich in protein. Seasoned ground beef, black beans, cottage cheese, shredded cheese and your favorite toppings make this bowl perfect for any meal.
I like to add sweet corn, avocado slices, cilantro and freshly squeezed lime.
Not a fan of beef? You can use chicken instead and it will be absolutely delicious. Skip the meat and just add more black beans for a vegetarian version.
16. Salmon Quinoa Bowl
Fresh salmon adds a ton of protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids to the dish. Start with a bed of quinoa and add your cooked salmon, broccoli and bell pepper.
Top the dish with a lemon tahini sauce made from tahini, parsley, dill, garlic, lemon juice, maple syrup and spices.
17. Tzatziki Chicken Bowls with Cucumber Salad
This tzatziki chicken bowl is the perfect lunch to pack for work or enjoy on a Saturday afternoon. It calls for chicken thighs rather than chicken breasts, which adds some tasty fat to the dish.
You’ll start by marinating the chicken in a creamy sauce made from yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, olive oil, oregano, cumin and salt for one hour.
While you’re waiting for the chicken, you can make the tzatziki sauce. You don’t have to make the sauce yourself, but it’s 100% worth it and tastes better than store-bought varieties.
Then, cook the chicken and prepare the cucumber salad. Assemble your bowl and enjoy. I like to add pickled onions to my dish for an extra kick of flavor.
18. Cottage Cheese and Sweet Potato Bowl
Here’s one of those simple protein bowl recipes that you’ll quickly fall in love with. It pairs lean ground beef with roasted sweet potato, avocado, cottage cheese, garlic and spices for a delicious meal.
Top with hot honey and chili flakes to complete the dish.
Each serving has 40g of protein and just over 500 calories. And the best part? It only takes about 30 minutes to prepare. It’s the perfect meal for a busy day when you need something nourishing that doesn’t take hours to prepare.
Related: 17+ High-Protein Vegetables to Eat on a Regular Basis
19. Protein Pancake Bowl
Who doesn’t love pancakes? This protein-packed pancake bowl has a whopping 25 grams of protein and just a handful of ingredients.
Kodiak pancake mix saves you time and gives you a ton of protein to start, but you’ll also add egg whites for an extra boost. A banana and a pinch of cinnamon will add sweetness and flavor.
Just mix your ingredients together and bake for 18-22 minutes until the pancake is cooked through.
Once your pancake is ready, you can add whatever toppings you want: maple syrup, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, fresh berries, jam, peanut butter, chia seeds – you name it.
20. Vegan Fall Farro Protein Bowls
This dish is perfect for any time of the year – not just fall. It’s a delicious mix of farro, chickpeas, sweet potato, fresh greens, tempeh strips, carrots, almonds and hummus.
The tempeh adds even more protein on top of the chickpeas and farro.
You can substitute any ingredients you don’t like. For example, you can use beets instead of carrots for more color and an earthy flavor. Instead of nuts, you can use pumpkin seeds. Double the chickpeas if you’re avoiding soy.
The hummus will add creaminess and a hint of protein to the dish. Choose a flavor you love or make your own.
