7 Protein-Packed Veggie Bowls That Will Keep You Full For Hours

Maybe it was a garden salad, a beanless vegetable soup or a smoothie without any nut butter or milk. At some point, we've all had a veggie-based meal that was so low in protein it left us reaching for a snack sooner rather than later.

But rest assured, not all plant-based meals are like that. Take these bowls, for example. Yes, they're 100% meatless, so they're light and loaded with nutrients. But they're also packed with protein in the form of beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds and whole soy, along with small amounts of Greek yogurt, eggs and cheese. So they'll keep you full for the long haul.

Seriously, we're talking stick-to-your-ribs satisfying. Try them for lunch, dinner or breakfast and see for yourself:

Photograph courtesy of Well Plated

Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl

Can a vegan bowl really serve up a whopping 28 grams of protein per serving? Absolutely—and Erin of Well Plated proves it's possible. To pull off her recipe at home, top quinoa with extra firm baked tofu. Since the bulk of what you're eating is soy—not water—it's higher in protein than soft or firm varieties. Then, add a generous helping of high-protein veggies and a drizzle of herb-flecked tahini sauce. Now, you've got a satisfying lunch or dinner that will keep you full for hours.

Photograph courtesy of Brittany Mullins/Eating Bird Food

Sweet Potato and Kale Brown Rice Bowls

Canned chickpeas, brown rice and creamy ginger peanut sauce are the main high-protein players in this simple bowl from Eating Bird Food. But they come with a surprising supporting cast: kale and sweet potatoes, which deliver around 3 grams of protein each per serving. Put them together, and the result is a bowl with an impressive 21 grams of pure, plant-powered protein.

Photograph courtesy of Cotter Crunch

Plant Powered Balance Bowl

The crunchy spiralized carrots aren't the only thing that makes this bowl from Cotter Crunch stand out. It just so happens to serve up 18 grams of protein per serving, thanks to the cumin-dusted black beans, quinoa and jasmine rice mix, and flaxseed topping.

Photograph courtesy of Jessica in the Kitchen

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Bowl

There's a lot to love about Jessica in the Kitchen's Mediterranean-inspired bowl. Not only is it almost entirely no-cook, but it also comes together in under 20 minutes. Not to mention, it's also loaded with filling, high-protein ingredients like quinoa, hummus and feta—and serves up 14 grams per serving. Talk about a winning dish!

Photography courtesy of Fit Mitten Kitchen

Thai Tempeh Buddha Bowl

Looking to expand your plant-based protein repertoire beyond the usual beans, grains and tofu? Try tempeh. The fermented soybean cake has a rich, nutty flavour—and it's loaded with protein and fibre. Try it in Fit Mitten Kitchen's bowl made with freekeh, avocado, chopped veggies and cashew curry sauce. All in, the dish has a whopping 20 grams of protein per serving.

Photograph courtesy of Lively Table

Kale and Lentil Breakfast Bowl

At 19 grams of protein per serving, Lively Table's kale, lentil, egg and yogurt bowl makes for a seriously satisfying savoury breakfast. You can even pack it up for lunch—just swap the fried eggs for hard-boiled ones instead.

Photograph courtesy of The Pig and Quill

Sesame Balsamic Tofu Bowls with Chili Mango and Sunflower Cilantro Pesto

The Pig and Quill's sweet and savoury bowl sounds straight up gourmet. But it comes together in just 30 minutes. Even better? When you serve it with 1/2 cup cooked brown rice and garnish it with 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds, it packs nearly 20 grams of protein per serving.