If you want to make smarter choices, whether to lose excess weight, gain muscle, or change your diet to focus more on protein, this is an excellent list of meal options that pack a protein punch. Some of these are low-carb and keto-friendly, and some are for the carb-lovers out there, but all of them are delicious and contain at least 25g of protein per serving.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepboard are incredible tools for various conditions, and can aid in satiation and suppressing hunger for people trying to lose weigh. Contact your doctor and a certified nutritionist for diet recommendations suitable to your medical conditions.
In general, it is recommended that while taking a GLP-1 you eat a well-balanced diet that focuses on protein, healthy carbs, and keeping yourself in a healthy calorie deficit.
Wild Rice Hotdish Soup – 47g
This soup is hearty, filling, and full of wild rice, which is a great way to add more protein into a dish. It has the chew and taste of something that shouldn’t be this protein-heavy, but it is indeed a great way to pack an additional protein punch.
Get the recipe: Wild Rice Hotdish Soup – 47g
Chicken Wild Rice Casserole – 33g
Another wild rice dish that can add a lot of flavor and variety to your everyday meal plans. This is a great one to make ahead of time too! We make this on our Traeger grill for a touch of wood-fired flavor, but the recipe works just as well in the oven and can be adapted for the Instant Pot too.
Get the recipe: Chicken Wild Rice Casserole – 33g
Chicken Burrito Bowl – 26g
Smoked chicken breast is the star of this show, but it is competing heavily for the limelight with all of the bold, delicious burrito-inspired flavors that come with this recipe! Sub in cottage cheese for the sour cream if you want an even bigger protein punch.
Get the recipe: Chicken Burrito Bowl – 26g
Beef and Broccoli – 42g
This dish uses thinly sliced steak sold in bulk from Costco to make a quick, delicious beef and broccoli meal. If you don’t mind some carbs, serve on rice. If you do mind, use cauliflower rice or eat it plan. There’s no starch necessary to make this recipe great.
Get the recipe: Beef and Broccoli – 42g
Bruschetta Chicken – 71g
Bright and bursting with fresh tomato flavor, this recipe is tender, delicious, and filling too. Make it on the pellet grill or in the oven, both will be delicious! Highlighted with a balsamic glaze, but if you want to skip the sugar just drizzle with straight high-quality balsamic vinegar.
Get the recipe: Bruschetta Chicken – 71g
Philly Cheesesteak Casserole – 54g
Serve this in a sub bun for those who like bread, or eat it without if you’re trying to live that low-carb life. This recipe is rich, filling, and keto-friendly! All the flavors of a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, made in bulk for a crowd. Another recipe that can use that big pack of thin-sliced steak from Costco, or you can slice your own.
Get the recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Casserole – 54g
Keto Greek Chicken Bowl – 33g
Greek marinated chicken breasts are cooked on the grill before being diced into bite-sized chunks and tossed with all of the Greek salad vegetables you can handle. Great flavors make this a welcome addition to any meal plan, whether you are counting macros or not!
Get the recipe: Keto Greek Chicken Bowl – 33g
Kalbi Short Ribs – 60g
Marinated short ribs get a quick grill before being served on top of a bed of rice or riced cauliflower alongside bell peppers and onions. This is an excellent way to dip your fingers into Korean BBQ inspired flavors and cooking.
Get the recipe: Kalbi Short Ribs – 60g
Grilled Swordfish Steak – 54g
Swordfish is a great fish for people who aren’t big fish fans. The texture is more meaty than fishy, and it takes on flavors really well. We seasoned this simply and grilled it quickly and the end result is a succulent piece of fish that’s packed with protein and goes perfectly next to a big pile of steamed vegetables or a big greek salad.
Get the recipe: Grilled Swordfish Steaks
Spicy Broccoli Shrimp Stir Fry – 38g
If you love a good stir fry, this is a great recipe to keep in your back pocket. This stir fry sauce works well with just about any protein and vegetable combination, but we love using shrimp so that it cooks quickly and is low-fat too. You’ll want to eat this stir fry sauce with a spoon, but you’ll have to settle for just letting it coat every nook and cranny of the shrimp and broccoli you’re about to enjoy.
Get the recipe: Spicy Broccoli Shrimp Stir Fry
Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry – 67g
Simple but bold Korean flavors turn regular ground beef into something amazing. Great served on top of rice, or you can sub in high-protein noodles or riced cauliflower if you are watching the carbs. The sauce is something you can use on a lot of different dishes too!
Get the recipe: Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.