The journey towards health and well-being is one that is often marked by changes in diet and lifestyle. In recent years, this has manifested in an increased interest in meatless diets, driven by a myriad of motivations from health considerations to environmental and ethical concerns. More and more people are taking the plunge into a plant-based lifestyle, navigating the waters of vegetarianism, veganism, and even the flexible terrain of flexitarianism.

This shift towards meatless diets has encouraged a rethinking of meals and has led to the development of countless delicious and nutrient-rich recipes, proving that eliminating meat from one’s diet does not equate to a life of bland, tasteless food. On the contrary, the variety and potential for creativity in preparing meatless meals are seemingly endless.

As the demand for quick and easy healthy meatless meals grows, so does the need for guidance on how to prepare these meals. Whether you’re a long-time vegetarian or someone just dipping their toes in the world of plant-based eating, this article aims to inspire you with a collection of nutritious, protein-packed, and great meatless dinner ideas.

 

Nutrition in Meatless Diets

While transitioning to a meatless diet, it’s crucial to ensure that your nutritional needs are being adequately met. While some may express concerns over getting sufficient protein, the reality is that a well-planned meatless diet can provide all the necessary nutrients the body needs, including ample protein.

  • Protein: The first nutrient most people think about when considering a meatless diet is protein. This macronutrient is essential for building and repairing tissues, making enzymes, and supporting immune function. While meat is often associated with being a prime source of protein, there are plenty of high protein plant-based foods that can provide a substantial amount. Peas, for example, are packed with protein. A cup of green peas contains about 8 grams of protein. Other sources of high protein veg food include lentils, chickpeas, tofu, quinoa, and a range of nuts and seeds.
  • Fiber: Plant-based diets are typically high in dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestive health and can help to lower cholesterol, control blood sugar levels, and maintain a healthy weight. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds are all excellent sources of fiber.
  • Vitamins and Minerals: A wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals. For example, leafy green vegetables are rich in calcium and iron, while fruits are an excellent source of vitamins such as vitamin C and A.
  • Healthy Fats: While eliminating meat from the diet, it’s still essential to include sources of healthy fats, which are needed for brain function, nutrient absorption, and cell growth. Avocados, nuts, seeds, and olive oil are all excellent sources of healthy fats in a meatless diet.

A well-planned meatless diet can provide all the nutrients needed for a balanced diet. The key is to consume a variety of foods to ensure you’re getting a wide range of nutrients. Whether you’re exploring high protein vegan meals, high protein vegetarian foods, or any other type of meatless meals, the possibilities for a nutritionally rich and flavorsome diet are plentiful.

 

Recipe Ideas for Healthy Meatless Dinners

Embracing a meatless diet does not mean you’re destined for a lifetime of salads and smoothies.Creative Pea is revolutionizing the plant-based food sector with our unique line of meat substitute products. Our products come dry, providing a valuable alternative to the frozen substitutes that have become the industry standard, and thus eliminating the need for refrigeration. This makes our products perfect for both everyday meals and outdoor activities like camping and hiking. Moreover, they are incredibly easy to cook with, fitting seamlessly into various recipes just like traditional meat. Here are some delightful, under 30 minutes meatless meals that you can make using our meatless products:

CHICKENFREE cinnamon kebabs

Ingredients :

100 g of ready-made chicken substitute mass (one cinnamon stick)

Chopped onion: 40 g

Chopped coriander: 10 g

Chopped garlic: clove and a half

Cumin: to taste

Cinnamon: to taste

Salt: to taste

Bread crumbs: 100 g

 

Method of preparation :

  1. Take the desired amount from the mass you prepared according to the instructions written on the back of the wrapper.
  2. Add chopped onion (you can fry it before if you want to strengthen the flavors), add chopped cilantro, chopped garlic, a little cumin, cinnamon and salt and mix well (I recommend kneading with your hand to get a uniform and homogeneous mass or with a spoon).
  3. Form meatballs in the shape of a kebab with greased hands, insert a cinnamon stick into the kebab and roll in breadcrumbs.
  4. In a deep pot of oil at a temperature of 170 degrees, fry the kebab until golden.
  5. Can be served with fresh leaf salad, tahini or another sauce of your choice.
  6. Serve immediately hot.

 

Vegan chicken meatballs with mom’s taste

Ingredients :

350 g chicken-like mass is ready

Chopped onion: 100 g

Chopped coriander: 20 g

Chopped garlic: 3

Cumin: to taste

Salt: to taste

Pepper: to taste

Method of preparation :

  1. Take the desired amount from the mass you prepared according to the instructions written on the back of the wrapper
  2. Add chopped onion (you can fry it before if you want to strengthen the flavors), add chopped cilantro, chopped garlic, a little cumin, salt and pepper and mix well (It is recommended to knead with your hand in order to get a uniform and homogeneous mass or with a spoon)
  3. Form meatballs in the shape of balls with oiled hands
  4. Place in a pot

Sauce :

Tomato paste: 1 box 120 g

Sweet paprika: 10 g

Turmeric: 6 grams

salt/pepper to taste

Vegetable oil: 6 tablespoons

Method of preparation :

  1. Mix all the ingredients with a whisk until smooth
  2. Pour over the balls in the pot
  3. Bring to a boil, lower, and cook for about 10-15 minutes for the sauce to thicken.
  4. Serve hot 

 

Crazy vegan BEEFFREE Arais!

Ingredients :

3 halved pita breads

500 g mass prepared from the BEEFFREE mixture

A bunch of chopped parsley/coriander

1 finely chopped white onion (there is an option for fried onions if you want to strengthen the flavors)

3 crushed garlic cloves

1 flat teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 tsp Bharat

Olive oil for brushing the pita bread

 

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, mix the mass of the BEEFFREE mixture with the parsley, onion, garlic, salt, pepper and cumin.
  2. Put the mixture well with your hands for a minute or two, preferably manually like a dough.
  3. Using your hands, take a handful of the mixture and fill each pita half with greased hands. Tighten well on both sides of the pita so that the meat sticks and does not fall apart during cooking.
  4. Brush the pita with olive oil on both sides and grill on both sides in a pressure toaster or in a pan at medium/low heat, until both sides of the pita are brown and the meat inside is cooked.
  5. At the last minute, turn the pita on the open side towards the toaster/pan so that the meat will roast and brown a little.

 

Remarks:

– The arais can be prepared in a pressure toaster, a griddle pan, a regular pan and even a barbecue. Will work great with what you have at home!

– It is recommended to serve the arais with tomato, onion and coriander salad and tahini on the side .

For more ideas for healthy meat free  recipes, visit our Recipes page.

 

Tips for Planning Meatless Dinners

Planning is key in ensuring variety and balance in a meatless diet. Include a wide range of vegetables, grains, legumes, and proteins in your meals to ensure a spectrum of nutrients. Meal prepping can also be a great way to save time and ensure you always have high protein vegetarian meals at the ready.

Transitioning to a meatless diet can be a gradual process. Start by incorporating a few meatless dinners each week and gradually increase this as you discover more foods and recipes you enjoy.

 

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, meatless dinners can be just as varied, satisfying, and delicious as their meat-based counterparts. They offer a multitude of health benefits, and with sustainable meat alternatives like peas, they are a choice you can feel good about both nutritionally and environmentally. So why wait? Start exploring these delectable meat free high protein meals and experience the delight of meatless dining with Creative Pea.

Newer The Innovative Approach of Creative Pea, An Alternative Meat Company
Back to list
Older High Protein Vegetarian Meals: Creative Cooking with Peas