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Fill your plate with these High Protein Side Dishes to complement your dinners and help you meet your protein goals! From arugula burrata salad to crispy air fryer asparagus fries, find your new favorite high protein side dish here.
Jump to:
- Easy High Protein Meals
- High Protein Side Dish Recipes
- Air Fryer Asparagus Fries
- Mushroom Risotto
- Pesto Gnocchi
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Broccoli Salad with Apples
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Veggies Au Gratin
- Papas con Chorizo
- Smothered Potatoes with Sausage
- Cauliflower Rice
- Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms
- Arugula Burrata Salad
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- High Protein Side Dishes FAQs
- High Protein Side Dish Recipe Tips
- Broccoli in Air Fryer: High Protein Side Dishes
Easy High Protein Meals
These days, I've been looking for ways to pack my plate with more protein! Having a high protein meal is important for workout days, when you need a little extra pick-me-up, or dinner nights where the rest of your meal might be lacking in protein and need a little boost.
This collection has all my personal favorite high protein side dishes on it, plus some tips for how to come up with your own high protein sides in a pinch. If you're looking to fit more protein into your menu planning, you've come to the right place to get started!
High Protein Side Dish Recipes
Air Fryer Asparagus Fries
These amazing air fryer asparagus fries are protein-packed and pair with everything from burgers and steak to chicken, pork, and even seafood. I love serving them with a dipping aioli on the side.
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Mushroom Risotto
Risotto is one of my personal favorites, and what could be better than it doubling as a high protein side dish? You'll love how easy this mushroom risotto is, too!
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Pesto Gnocchi
If you're not counting your carbs, this pesto gnocchi is one of the best high protein side dish recipes you can make. It is so delicious and packed with protein! I love making this as a side dish for all kinds of meals, like bruschetta chicken or vegetarian stuffed mushrooms.
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Stuffed Mushrooms
Speaking of stuffed mushrooms, if you love them as much as I do (which is a lot), you won't want to miss out on this easy stuffed mushrooms recipe. It has a good serving of protein and makes a great side dish!
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Broccoli Salad with Apples
This is an amazing high protein side dish you can serve on an average weekday or even as a side dish for the holidays! It's versatile, tasty, and incredibly easy to make.
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Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Yes, it's true - potatoes make a good high protein side dish! This is our creamiest mashed potatoes recipe, packed with protein and super flavorful. Try it with steak or roast beef!
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Veggies Au Gratin
Try this amazing veggies au gratin, and I guarantee you will want to make it all the time. I first made this for the holidays, but ever since trying it, I look for every reason to make it again. It's a high protein side dish and it's gorgeous on the table, too!
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Papas con Chorizo
This simple sheet pan recipe is a high protein side dish with potatoes and chorizo, plus peri peri sauce. It's super tasty and is perfect for serving as a side dish or an appetizer!
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Smothered Potatoes with Sausage
Smothered potatoes with sausage will fill you up but keep you going! This is an especially perfect high protein side dish pairing for pork and chicken.
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Cauliflower Rice
Cauliflower rice on its own isn't necessarily protein-packed, but it's a high protein alternative to rice that pairs very well with other high protein side dishes and main courses - so if you want to replace rice, use this cauliflower rice recipe!
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Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms
Sauteed mushrooms are a great way to add a little extra protein to any meal. These garlic mushrooms are my personal favorite!
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Arugula Burrata Salad
My Arugula Burrata Salad is a totally irresistible high protein side dish I know you're going to love. Give it a try - I know you'll love it!
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Air Fryer Broccoli
This amazing high protein side dish should not be missed! It's easy to make and quick, too. Air fryer broccoli pairs well with just about every meal.
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High Protein Side Dishes FAQs
What vegetables have the highest protein?
Beans, like edamame or pinto beans, have high amounts of protein, as well as spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, arugula, brussels sprouts, bok choy, broccoli and potatoes.
What side dish has the most protein?
For a high protein side dish, try an easy salad recipe with cheese, deli meat, and protein-packed greens such as arugula and/or kale. My arugula burrata salad recipe with prosciutto is a great choice, as is my broccoli apple salad with deli turkey.
High Protein Side Dish Recipe Tips
- For an easy high protein side dish in a pinch, saute spinach or mushrooms (they pair well together, too!), or roast asparagus, broccoli, or even a side of red potatoes. A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt is all you need to make amazing roasted vegetables that are packed with protein.
- Avocado, cherries, raisins, blackberries, peaches, and grapefruit are great high protein fruits that also pair well with side dish salads. Choose one and theme your salad around it, mixing in protein-filled salad greens like arugula.
- Cheese has plenty of protein, so let it be your best friend when making high protein side dishes! Sprinkle parmesan over your salads, stuff mushrooms with cheese, or enjoy creamy burrata with arugula like my personal favorite salad recipe above.
Try my Side Dishes for Hamburgers next!
Did you try this recipe? Let us know in the comments below, and leave a rating! We love to hear from you.
Broccoli in Air Fryer: High Protein Side Dishes
Enjoy high protein side dishes, like this amazing broccoli in air fryer recipe, that make it so much easier to add more protein to your meal plan!
Equipment
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 3 Broccoli crowns
- 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Using a knife or kitchen scissors, cut bite-sized florets from the whole broccoli crowns, and place them in a mixing bowl.3 Broccoli crowns
- Add in the olive oil, salt, and pepper, then toss well to coat all florets evenly. Broccoli takes extra tossing as the leaves soak up oil.2 Tablespoons Olive oil, 1 teaspoon Black pepper, 1 teaspoon Salt
- Transfer the coated broccoli to your air fryer's tray or basket in an even layer, then cook at 400°F for 8 minutes. Remove the basket and toss the broccoli, then return to the fryer and let cook another 8 minutes.
- Once finished, let cool and serve!
Notes
- Broccoli clings to oil, so make sure to mix it very thoroughly to ensure each floret is coated.
- This recipe has only the most basic seasonings, perfect for you to add your own favorite flavors!
- Make sure not to cut the florets too small, or they might slip through the holes in the basket. Similarly, if they're too big, they might not evenly cook. Bite-sized is perfect!
Nutrition
Calories: 218kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 13gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 732mgPotassium: 1448mgFiber: 12gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2844IUVitamin C: 407mgCalcium: 217mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Hi! I’m Isabel Laessig, also known as Family Foodie, creator of Sunday Supper Movement and author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook. Sunday Supper is my mission to bring family back around the dinner table. Join me in making family meal-time a tradition to celebrate!
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