60+ High Protein Dinner Ideas (Quick & Easy!) (2024)

High Protein Dinner Ideas: Table of Contents

High Protein Chicken

Seafood Recipes

High Protein Vegetarian Recipes

About these Recipes

Slow Cooker High Protein Recipes

One of my favorite kitchen tools, the slow cooker, makes getting enough protein a cinch. For high protein recipes that use the slow cooker, check out my list of over 60 high protein slow cooker recipes.

Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

With only 4 ingredients, this green chili chicken enchiladas recipe is easy to make, yields super flavorful results, and is an excellent make ahead meal.

Ingredients: chicken, salsa verde, Mexican cheese blend, tortillas

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Vibrant Lemon Chicken Marinade

This easy and vibrant lemon chicken marinade gives chicken a ton of fresh flavor thanks to just a few easy-to-find ingredients like lemon, garlic, and herbs. The ultimate in simple sauces, just 5-minutes of prep yields the most juicy, flavorful chicken you've ever tasted and elevates a basic high-protein meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, sugar, dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic, chicken.

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Chicken Enchilada Skillet

This quick chicken enchilada skillet comes together simply with just a handful of ingredients and is sure to be a new family favorite!

Ingredients: shredded chicken, olive oil, onion, bell pepper, red enchilada sauce, black beans, tortillas, cheese, chicken broth.

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Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup (Slow Cooker & Stovetop!)

This easy, creamy, and comforting chicken tortellini soup recipe requires minimal prep yet produces super flavorful, protein-packed, filling results every time. A true one-pot wonder, it comes together simply in the slow cooker or on the stovetop!

Ingredients: onion, celery, carrots, Italian seasoning, salt, chicken broth, boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cheese tortellini, cream.

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Slow Cooker Satay Chicken

Slow cooker satay chicken is a flavorful, versatile, and simple recipe that the whole family will love!

Ingredients: chicken, salt, peanut butter, coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce.

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Easy Chicken Vegetable Soup

This easy chicken vegetable soup recipe is simple to make with easy to find ingredients, yet tastes like it’s from your favorite restaurant. Includes stovetop and slow cooker instructions, too!

Ingredients: chicken tenders, chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, Russet potatoes, garlic powder, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, green beans, corn, peas, bay leaf, olive oil and salt.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Friends, these are the best slow cooker chicken tacos ever! I know there are a lot of slow cooker chicken taco recipes out there, but my recipe is simple, uses only 6 ingredients, and tastes incredibly fresh. The ultimate time-saving recipe, it's a dump-and-go recipe you'll turn to week in and week out.

Ingredients: garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, chicken, salsa.

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Easy Chicken Enchiladas

This easy chicken enchilada recipe is simple to prepare and yields super flavorful, delicious results every time!

Ingredients: shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, and shredded Mexican cheese blend.

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Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken (5-Ingredients!)

With a short list of simple, real food ingredients this slow cooker green chili chicken is an easy and flavorful meal prep protein. Plus, there are so many ways you can use this chicken, you won’t get bored!

Ingredients: chicken, tomatillo salsa, salt, cream cheese, diced green chilis

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Easy BBQ Chicken Bowl

Packed with color and flavor, these easy BBQ chicken bowls are perfect for a quick dinner or meal prep, and can be simply assembled with homemade or store bought ingredients. They’re so tasty, you’ll wanna make these again and again!

Ingredients: cooked chicken, rice, black beans, corn, green onions, cabbage slaw and bbq sauce.

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Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Slow cooker Greek chicken combines just 4 ingredients you likely have on hand to create a fresh, delicious meal you can use in a number of ways.

Ingredients: Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, chicken breast.

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Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Wildly simple to prepare and yielding the most succulent, juicy chicken you’ve ever tasted, this slow cooker whole chicken will have you ditching the store-bought rotisserie chicken in favor of this easy homemade classic.

Ingredients: whole chicken, spices, salt.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

This easy slow cooker chicken tortilla soup is simple to make with basic ingredients and is a quick-prep dump-and-go slow cooker recipe you'll love!

Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), chicken stock, corn tortillas, avocado oil, onion, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, fire roasted tomatoes with green chilis, garlic powder, mild chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, lime juice and salt.

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Easy Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken

Easy to make and oh-so satisfying, this crockpot cilantro lime chicken is perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas! It’s elevated by the most flavorful homemade cilantro lime sauce and can be made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs.

Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic cloves, cumin, avocado oil, honey (optional) and salt.

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Crockpot BBQ Chicken (2-Ingredients!)

This wildly easy 2-ingredient crockpot bbq chicken can be prepped in no time using store-bought or homemade sauce, yielding deliciously tender and versatile pulled chicken. Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks!

Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and chipotle BBQ sauce (or store bought barbecue sauce).

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Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup

Brimming with sweet corn, succulent chicken, and hearty potatoes, this easy slow cooker chicken and corn soup is a simple dump-and-go recipe. Since you can use fresh or frozen corn, this soup is perfect for any time of year!

Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), sweet corn (fresh or frozen), chicken stock, celery, carrots, onions, yellow waxy potatoes, garlic, cream cheese (traditional or plant-based) and salt.

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Chicken Asparagus Skillet

A handful of simple ingredients combine in this easy, creamy chicken asparagus skillet, made up of golden chicken, tender asparagus, and a luscious garlic lemon cream sauce that includes a dairy-free modification. This recipe makes the ultimate low-effort, one-pan meal you can enjoy any night of the week!

Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), asparagus, chicken broth, cream (or unsweetened non-dairy creamer), olive oil, butter (traditional or plant-based), lemon juice and salt.

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Skillet Chicken and Sweet Potatoes

This easy chicken and sweet potatoes skillet can be made quickly on the stovetop and then baked in the oven. Plus it includes a delicious honey butter & chipotle pan sauce everyone will love!

Ingredients: chicken thighs (or chicken breasts), sweet potatoes, avocado oil, honey, butter (traditional or plant-based), chipotle peppers (from canned in adobo sauce), garlic and salt.

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Easy Italian Chicken Zucchini Skillet

This Easy Italian Chicken Zucchini Skillet combines chicken, zucchini, tomatoes and classic Italian flavors for an easy, one-pot dinner you can make any night of the week. I love that it's naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, whole30 friendly and ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), zucchini, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken stock, butter (optional: traditional or dairy-free), fresh basil, red pepper flakes, garlic, Italian seasoning, olive oil and salt.

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Honey Orange Dijon Chicken Skewers

These Honey Orange Dijon Chicken Skewers are delicious in bowls, fresh salads or served as wraps – perfect for meal prep or easy dinners on busy weeks. The easy marinade combines citrus, sage, honey and dijon mustard & doubles as a sauce to drizzle on the chicken when it's hot off the grill!

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Quick & Easy Crustless Chicken Pot Pie

This crustless version of classic chicken pot pie has all of the comforting flavors of the original dish, but with much less effort required. This quick and easy dinner is ready within 30 minutes using one pan – a skillet! Naturally gluten-free and can easily be made dairy free.

Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), frozen vegetable blend, celery, onion, chicken stock, cream or canned coconut milk, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, olive oil, arrowroot powder and salt.

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Chicken Vegetable Pasta

A super fast last minute dinner idea, chicken vegetable spaghetti is a healthy, hearty pasta dish using spaghetti, chicken, and plenty of veggies, and comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), spaghetti (whole wheat or gluten-free), chicken stock, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh parsley, garlic, lemon juice, Parmesan (optional) and salt.

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6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken

This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. Plus this chicken recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, Paleo and Whole30 compliant too!

Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.

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Ground Turkey Enchiladas

This ground turkey enchiladas recipe is a delicious and healthy meal that’s easy to make and perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or as a make ahead meal. It’s a time saving main course that uses just a handful of ingredients and is sure to be a new family favorite!

Ingredients: olive oil, onion, ground turkey, salt, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, black beans, cheese, enchilada sauce, tortillas.

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Ground Turkey Pasta

This quick and easy ground turkey pasta comes together quickly in under 30 minutes, and is an easy dinner idea you’ll want to make on repeat!

Ingredients: pasta shells, olive oil, salt, onion, zucchini, carrot, ground turkey, garlic, Italian seasoning, marinara sauce, cream cheese.

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Easiest Turkey and Rice Soup (30-Minutes!)

Simple yet hearty and oh-so comforting, this easy turkey and rice soup is made with turkey and white rice, is so easy to prepare, and is ready in under 30 minutes! The perfect way to stretch leftover turkey meat into extra meals, too.

Ingredients: turkey, white rice, carrots, celery, onion, spices, stock, lemon juice.

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Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast (5-Minute Prep!)

Ingredients: boneless turkey breast, spices, butter, flour/gluten-free four.

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Easy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

This healthy ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a fast, easy last minute dinner idea that’s so tasty you’ll want to put into your regular weeknight rotation. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, so keep this one in your backpocket for busy weeks!

Ingredients: ground turkey, sweet potatoes, olive oil, garlic powder, shredded cheese (traditional or dairy-free), baby spinach, chipotle honey vinaigrette and salt.

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Turkey Taco Skillet

Solve weeknight dinner tonight with this quick turkey taco skillet! Made with simple pantry ingredients like ground turkey, it’s a lighter meal on its own or can be used as a delicious taco or burrito filling or delectable nacho topping.

Ingredients: ground turkey, onion, garlic powder, cumin, canned black beans, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, frozen corn, olive oil and salt.

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Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs

Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs are a quick 30 minute or easy make-ahead crockpot dinner with ground chicken, crushed pineapple, and a homemade naturally sweetened teriyaki sauce. Includes simple swaps to easily make this recipe nut-free!

Ingredients: ground chicken (or pork or turkey), green onion, garlic, ginger, coconut aminos, crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, honey, arrowroot powder (or corn starch), almond flour (or oat flour) and water.

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Buffalo Turkey Meatballs

Tender, juicy, and super delicious, buffalo turkey meatballs are a healthy appetizer or main dish, made with no breadcrumbs, and easy to prepare in the crockpot or in the oven.

Ingredients: ground turkey, grated onion, almond flour (or oat flour), nutritional yeast, granulated garlic powder, cayenne pepper sauce, butter (traditional or dairy-free) and salt

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Slow Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes

Made with ground turkey meat, tomato paste, ketchup, and simple spices, slow cooker turkey sloppy joes is a crowd-pleasing dinner that can also be made paleo and Whole30.

Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, onions, red bell peppers, water and salt.

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Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

These easy and healthy slow cooker turkey meatballs use ground turkey for an easy-prep meal that requires not pre-browning!

Ingredients: ground turkey, marinara sauce, basil, spinach, onion, garlic powder, nutritional yeast and salt.

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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili + More Slow Cooker Turkey Recipes

Easy and delicious slow cooker turkey chili, plus more slow cooker turkey recipes!

Ingredients: ground turkey, canned beans, bell peppers, onion, sweet potato, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices

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Ground Turkey and Green Beans Skillet 20-Minute

This ground turkey and green beans skillet with sauce comes together in 20 minutes using one pan! It's savory, satisfying, and packed full of Asian-inspired flavors. Asparagus or broccoli florets can easily be substituted for the green beans. My top tip? Double this quick and easy recipe. You'll want leftovers!

Ingredients: ground turkey (light or dark meat), green beans, garlic, ginger, honey, chicken stock, lime juice (or rice wine vinegar), tamari, arrowroot powder, olive oil, and salt.

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20-Minute Turkey Tacos with Peach Basil Salsa

So fresh and simple to prepare, 20-Minute Turkey Tacos with Peach Basil Salsa is a flavor-packed, easy weeknight dinner everyone will love.

Ingredients: ground turkey (dark or light meat), onion, garlic powder, cumin, corn tortillas, avocado, peaches, lime juice, basil, olive oil, jalapenos (optional) and salt.

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Ground Turkey Tacos with Sweet Corn Salsa

These super tasty ground turkey tacos are quick to pull together on a busy weeknight and is full of simple, yet super flavorful fresh ingredients.

Ingredients: olive oil, ground turkey, cumin, mild chili powder, garlic powder, salt, tomatillo salsa, corn tortillas, corn, red onion, lime juice, cilantro.

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Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef

This hearty and easy stuffed shells with ground beef recipe is the perfect make ahead meal that the whole family will love!

Ingredients: jumbo pasta shells, ground beef, garlic, onion, salt, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, egg, spinach, Italian cheese blend, parmesan cheese

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Slow Cooker Flank Steak

This ultra tender slow cooker flank steak recipe could not be easier to make, and yields the most delicious, tender flank steak for tacos, sandwiches and more!

Ingredients: flank steak, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, brown sugar, olive oil and salt.

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Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs

Easy crockpot recipes are my specialty, and these slow cooker meatballscould notbe simpler to make! The meatballs require no pre-cooking or pre-browning, and simmer low and slow in tomato sauce for a flavorful, hearty, family friendly dinner you’ll make again and again.

Ingredients: ground beef, parmesan, onion, garlic, Italian breadcrumbs (gluten free or traditional), egg, salt, marinara sauce.

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Southwest Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet

This easy Southwest Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet is a super simple and flavorful weeknight meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients: ground beef, sweet potato, canned diced tomatoes, mild chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, water, baby spinach, lime juice, olive oil, and salt.

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Crock Pot Taco Meat

Crock pot taco meat is an easy dump-and-go recipe made with just a few simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights or for feeding a party crowd.

Ingredients: ground beef, salsa, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, mild chili powder, and salt.

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Spicy Cabbage Soup

This spicy cabbage soup is packed with vegetables and can be made with ground beef or vegetarian, and can be made in the slow cooker or on the stovetop.

Ingredients: green cabbage, bell pepper, fire roasted tomatoes with green chilis, vegetable stock, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion, carrot, celery, ground beef (optional) and salt.

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Mexican-Inspired Shredded Beef

Perfectly spiced and incredibly easy to prepare, Mexican-Inspired Shredded Beef is super versatile and makes the best shredded beef tacos!

Ingredients: boneless beef chuck-eye roast, onion, tomato paste, cumin, mild chili powder, smoked paprika, lime juice and salt.

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Slow Cooker Taco Soup (Easy Prep!)

This easy, low effort recipe for slow cooker taco soup is made with cooked and crumbled ground beef. It’s hearty, filling and flavorful! Using canned black beans and pinto beans, plus frozen corn (or fresh corn if you have it) means this recipe requires minimal prep time. It's a terrific weeknight meal. Top it with fresh cilantro, crunchy tortilla chips, and shredded cheese before serving!

Ingredients: ground beef, black beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, diced green chilis, corn, chicken stock, lime juice, onion, olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, mild chili powder, smoked paprika and salt.

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Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce

Easy dinner recipes are my specialty, and this hearty and flavor-filled crock pot spaghetti sauce with ground beef, diced onions, and two types of canned tomatoes is a keeper! The slow-cooked meat sauce is rich in flavor and perfectly seasoned. It’s also great to make in large batches and perfect for freezing.

Ingredients: ground beef, onion, olive oil, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, honey (optional) and salt.

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Basil Beef and Cauliflower Rice Bowls

Fresh Thai-inspired flavors combine in Basil Beef and Cauliflower Rice Bowls,a simple,gluten- and grain-free weeknight recipe.

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Easy Fish Tacos with Honey-Lime Cabbage Slaw

Easy dinner ideas are my specialty—and this homemade honey-lime cabbage slaw for fish tacos delivers. Simple purple cabbage slaw elevates these fish tacos with slaw from an everyday dinner to a super-fast, flavor-packed dinner that’s ready in just 25 minutes! The slaw is a great topping idea for fish tacos and serves double duty as a veggie side dish too, if that’s what you prefer.

Ingredients: white fish (like rockfish, cod or tilapia), purple cabbage, lime juice, avocado, green onions, mayonnaise (or plain yogurt), honey, olive oil, cumin, mild chili powder, garlic powder, ground black pepper and salt.

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20-Minute Salmon Fish Tacos with Quick Cabbage Slaw

Follow these steps at home to make these easy salmon fish tacos with a simple cabbage slaw topping! In these 20-minute tacos, fresh or frozen salmon can be used.

Ingredients: salmon, cabbage, tortillas (or grain-free wraps or lettuce wraps), mayonnaise (or plain Greek yogurt), lime juice, and salt.

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Roasted Citrus Salmon Soba Noodle Bowls

A quick, simple marinade combines with juicy roasted salmon and luscious soba noodles for this amazingly flavorful bowl of goodness. Roasted Citrus Salmon Soba Noodle Bowls are the perfect dinner any night of the week!

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Tuna Pesto Pasta

This recipe for tuna pesto pasta creates a satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients: garlic, basil, almonds, parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, olive oil, pasta, tuna.

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Sheet Pan Ginger-Orange Salmon Bowls

Easy, quick, incredibly delicious, and made in just one pan, Sheet Pan Ginger-Orange Salmon Bowls are just the thing for dinner tonight! Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, grain-free, paleo, and Whole30 friendly

Ingredients: salmon, green beans, coconut aminos, orange juice, garlic, ginger, olive oil and salt.

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Sheet Pan Fajita Fish Tacos

Easy, fast, and made in just one pan, Sheet Pan Fajita Fish Tacos makes the perfect weeknight dinner!

Ingredients: white fish (like cod), bell peppers, onion, cumin, garlic powder, mild chili powder, olive oil, lime juice, and salt.

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Grilled Salmon Salad with Sweet Basil Vinaigrette

Protein-packed and full of flavor, Grilled Salmon Salad with Sweet Basil Vinaigrette is a simple weeknight dinner that’s special enough for entertaining.

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Easy Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

This easy slow cooker lentil soup is made with simple pantry ingredients like green lentils, celery, carrot and spinach making for a hearty vegan and vegetarian meal. Plus instant pot and stovetop directions!

Ingredients: Green (or brown) lentils, stock, onion, celery, carrot, diced tomatoes, garlic, red wine vinegar, spinach, salt and bay leaves.

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Easy Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Super easy and incredibly delicious, this easy slow cooker black bean soup leans on pantry ingredients like canned black beans for a simple, craveable, go-to dinner recipe. It’s a family favorite that you’ll wanna make again & again!

Ingredients: canned black beans, stock, celery, carrot, onion, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, lime juice, olive oil and salt.

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Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

This comforting and easy slow cooker split pea soup is super simple to prep in just 5 minutes, is a wildly easy, and is bound to become your new go-to split pea soup recipe!

Ingredients: split peas, vegetable broth, water, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, bay leaves, smoked paprika, red wine vinegar and salt.

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Crockpot Vegetarian Chili

This easy crockpot vegetarian chili recipe tastes delicious and is easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, three beans, vegetables, and spices. Gluten free and vegan!

Ingredients: black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, bell peppers, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices

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Autumn Lentil Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing

Autumn Lentil Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing packs so much flavor and texture into every bite, yet is surprisingly simple to make. It can be prepared ahead, too, making it perfect for a busy weeknight or a stunning addition to your holiday table.

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Slow Cooker Turmeric Lentil Chili

Made with pantry staples, Slow Cooker Turmeric Lentil Chili is incredibly simple to prepare and is packed with good-for-you ingredients. A vegetarian crockpot meal perfect for any night of the week!

Ingredients: kidney beans, lentils, stock, onion, tomato paste, coconut milk, cumin, turmeric and other spices

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