21 Balanced Lunch Ideas With A Ton Of Protein And No Meat

Hummus is a vegetarian-fave for a reason. This veggie-filled sandwich has 19 grams of protein and a whole lot of flavor.

Get the recipe: The Ultimate Hummus and Veggie Sandwich

Edamame are a tiny protein powerhouse — and sprinkling them on top of (equally protein-rich) soba noodles gives this bowl 21 grams of protein.

Get the recipe: High-Protein Buddha Noodle Bowl

You can never go wrong with tacos — and this veggie-loaded option that packs 21 grams of protein is no exception. Want to boost the fiber even more? Add chunks of sweet potato.

Recipe: Black Bean & Sautéed Spinach Tacos

With 18 grams of protein and plenty of vitamin A from the spinach, this bowl is as nutritious as it is beautiful. And the quinoa + avocado combo will keep you full for hours.

Get the recipe here: Cucumber Quinoa Salad

If you're working from home and need a fast and nutritious lunch, you can't get much quicker than veggie scrambles. They're not just for breakfast, and this one has 18 grams of protein.

Recipe: Vegetable Scramble with Hummus and Avocado

The eggs and cheese that decorate this lovely bowl of veggies really add up! There are 17 grams of protein in this dish — and it's perfect for meal-prepped lunches.

Get the recipe: Roasted Fennel, Asparagus, and Red Onions with Parmesan and Hard-Boiled Eggs

Packed with black beans, nutritional yeast, and oats, these patties are rich in protein. Just one patty has 23 grams! Prep them the night before for a hearty lunch the next day.

Get the recipe: Spicy Black Bean Burgers

This masterpiece of plaintains, rice, beans, and a Greek-yogurt based sauce has 16 grams of protein.

Get the recipe: Spicy Brazilian Burrito Bowls

A slice of avo-toast is usually considered a light breakfast, but with some spinach, tomatoes, and egg piled on top, this toast will give you 16 grams of protein. That certainly makes for a satisfying lunch.

Get the recipe: Avocado Toast with Eggs, Spinach, and Tomatoes

This green goddess isn't just gorgeous; it also has 20 grams of protein.

Get the recipe: English Peas, Favas, and Burrata

This refreshing salad — with its corn, quinoa, and chickpeas — has 20 grams of protein in every bowl.

Get the recipe: Grilled Corn and Summer Vegetable Quinoa Salad

If you're looking for a creamy spread to slather on toast that's *not* hummus, try this black bean variation. Two of these tasty tartines will add 31 grams of protein to your daily intake.

Get the recipe: Black Bean Hummus Tartine

This pasta salad has spinach, olives, Parmesan, bowties, and 25 grams of protein.

Get the recipe: Tuscan Pasta Salad

This bowl is vegan, but the tempeh, kale, seeds, sweet potato, and quinoa pack in 35 grams of protein!

Get the recipe: Maple Mustard Tempeh Buddha Bowl

With all those vegan meat and cheese substitutes, a slice of this lasagna will give you 15 grams of protein.

Get the recipe: Vegan Lasagna

Njahi beans (AKA hyacinth beans) and coconut cream bring 27 grams of protein to this curry. Don't worry if you can't find njahi beans — you can easily substitute them for pretty much any bean you like!

Get the recipe: Curry & Coconut Cream Njahi

The seeds, lentils, and farro in this salad offer 40 grams of protein.

Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Arugula Salad

Parmesan, lentils, and pepitas? This is a protein powerhouse! With 23 grams of protein, it's hearty and refreshing at the same time.

Get the recipe: Lentil Kale Salad with Parmesan

While this has 21 grams of protein on its own, you could also dollop some creamy Greek yogurt on top to get even more.

Recipe: Broccoli & Cheddar Baked Potato