If you’ve ever tried to eat more protein and looked at the price of steak, salmon, or fancy “fitness” snacks… yeah. It adds up fast.

The good news: you can build high-protein meals for cheap by leaning on a handful of affordable staples—like beans, lentils, chicken thighs, canned fish, tofu, and yogurt—then cooking them in ways that feel satisfying (and not like punishment).

This guide will show you:

  • The cheapest protein sources (and how to use them)
  • Smart shopping tricks to cut your weekly bill
  • Easy meal-prep strategies
  • 7 cheap high-protein recipes you can rotate all month

What counts as “high protein” (without being extreme)?

You don’t need to chase massive numbers or turn every meal into a protein contest. A simple, realistic goal is:

  • 20–35g protein per meal
  • 10–20g per snack (optional)

That range works for most people and keeps meals balanced. Pair protein with carbs + fats + veggies so you stay full and energized.

The best cheap protein foods (ranked by budget-friendliness)

These are the “bang for your buck” options that show up in tons of budget meal plans:

1) Lentils + beans (dried or canned)

  • Super cheap, shelf-stable, and filling
  • Great for chili, curry, tacos, soups, salads
  • Protein bonus: they also bring fiber, which helps you feel full longer

2) Eggs (if you like them)

I’m including them because they’re usually cheap, but if you don’t like eggs, skip them completely—there are plenty of other options.

3) Chicken thighs, leg quarters, or whole chicken

  • Often cheaper than chicken breast
  • Stays juicy, forgiving to cook
  • Works in bowls, tacos, stir-fries, soups

4) Canned tuna, salmon, sardines

  • Easy protein with no cooking
  • Great for sandwiches, pasta, rice bowls

5) Tofu + tempeh

  • Usually cheaper than most meat
  • Soaks up flavor like a sponge
  • Perfect for stir-fries and sheet-pan meals

6) Greek yogurt / cottage cheese (if dairy works for you)

  • High protein and versatile
  • Can be savory (sauces/dips) or sweet (fruit/oats)

7) Ground turkey / ground chicken / lean ground beef (on sale)

  • Fast to cook
  • Easy to season and stretch with beans or rice

Budget rules that actually save money

Buy proteins when they’re cheapest

  • Check weekly flyers and stock up when chicken/ground meat goes on sale.
  • Freeze in meal-size portions (label with date).

Stretch “expensive” protein with “cheap” protein

Example: use ½ pound ground meat + 1 can beans in chili or taco filling.
You still get great texture, tons of protein, and the cost per serving drops hard.

Cook once, eat twice (or three times)

Make one big batch of a protein base, then remix it:

  • Taco filling → taco bowls → burritos → nachos (home version)
  • Chili → chili baked potato → chili mac

Flavor is free-ish

Not literally, but seasonings are cheaper than takeout. A few “core” seasonings make everything taste better:

  • Garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin
  • Italian seasoning, paprika
  • Soy sauce, hot sauce, mustard
  • Lemon/lime juice, vinegar

A simple “cheap high-protein plate” formula

Use this template and you can build meals from whatever’s on sale:

  1. Protein: beans/lentils/chicken/tofu/canned fish/yogurt
  2. Carb: rice, pasta, potatoes, oats, tortillas
  3. Veg: frozen mixed veg, cabbage, carrots, onions, spinach
  4. Sauce/seasoning: salsa, curry powder, soy/ginger, tomato sauce, yogurt sauce
  5. Crunch/extra (optional): pickles, slaw, toasted seeds, grated cheese

7 Cheap High-Protein Meals (with recipes)

Each recipe is designed to be meal-prep friendly, simple, and budget-focused. Protein amounts are approximate and depend on brands/portion sizes.

1) Chicken & Lentil Chili (big batch, big protein)

Why it’s cheap: lentils stretch the chicken and make it super filling.

Ingredients (6 servings)

  • 1 lb chicken thighs (boneless) or ground chicken
  • 1 cup dried lentils (or 2½ cups cooked)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2–3 cloves garlic (or garlic powder)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can tomato sauce
  • 2 cups broth or water
  • Chili powder + cumin + salt/pepper
  • Optional: frozen corn, bell pepper, jalapeño

Steps

  1. In a pot, brown the chicken (or cook ground chicken) with onion.
  2. Add garlic and spices; stir 30 seconds.
  3. Add lentils, tomatoes, sauce, and broth.
  4. Simmer 25–35 minutes until lentils are tender. Shred chicken if using thighs.
  5. Taste and adjust salt/spice.

Serve with: rice, baked potato, or a tortilla.
Budget tip: top with plain yogurt instead of sour cream.

2) Tuna & Chickpea “Power Salad” (no-cook, super fast)

Why it’s cheap: canned protein + pantry staples = zero waste.

Ingredients (2–3 servings)

  • 1–2 cans tuna
  • 1 can chickpeas, rinsed
  • 1–2 tbsp mayo or plain Greek yogurt
  • Mustard + lemon juice (or vinegar)
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder
  • Optional: diced pickles, celery, red onion

Steps

  1. Mash chickpeas slightly with a fork (leave some whole).
  2. Mix in tuna, mayo/yogurt, mustard, lemon, seasonings.
  3. Eat in a wrap, on toast, or over rice/greens.

Make it spicy: add hot sauce or chili flakes.

3) Crispy Tofu Stir-Fry (better than takeout, cheaper too)

Why it’s cheap: tofu + frozen veggies + rice is the budget trifecta.

Ingredients (4 servings)

  • 1 block extra-firm tofu
  • 1 bag frozen stir-fry veggies
  • 2–3 cups cooked rice
  • Sauce: soy sauce + a little sugar/honey + garlic + ginger (optional)

Steps

  1. Press tofu (wrap in towel, stack something heavy 10 minutes). Cube it.
  2. Pan-fry tofu until golden (or bake at 425°F / 220°C for ~25 minutes).
  3. Stir-fry veggies in a hot pan.
  4. Add sauce, then toss tofu back in.
  5. Serve over rice.

Extra protein: sprinkle peanuts or add edamame if it’s cheap where you live.

4) Greek Yogurt Chicken Wraps (high protein, creamy, not heavy)

Ingredients (3–4 servings)

  • 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftovers)
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • Lemon juice + salt/pepper
  • Optional: grapes or diced apple, celery, green onion
  • Tortillas or pita

Steps

  1. Shred chicken and mix with yogurt, mustard, lemon, seasoning.
  2. Add crunchy add-ins if you want.
  3. Wrap it up with lettuce or cabbage for crunch.

Budget tip: buy a whole chicken when it’s on sale; use it for wraps + soup.

5) “Protein Pasta” Beans & Meat Sauce (cheap, filling, family-sized)

Ingredients (6 servings)

  • 12–16 oz pasta
  • ½–1 lb ground turkey or beef
  • 1 can beans (white beans or kidney beans), rinsed
  • 1 jar pasta sauce (or canned crushed tomatoes + seasoning)
  • Onion/garlic (optional)

Steps

  1. Cook pasta.
  2. Brown meat with onion/garlic.
  3. Add beans and sauce; simmer 8–10 minutes.
  4. Toss with pasta.

Why it works: you still get that meaty vibe, but beans make it cheaper and more filling.

6) Lentil “Taco” Bowls (meal prep hero)

Ingredients (4 servings)

  • 1 cup dried lentils
  • Taco seasoning (or cumin + chili powder + salt)
  • Rice (or potatoes)
  • Toppings: salsa, shredded cabbage, cheese, yogurt

Steps

  1. Cook lentils (simmer 20–25 min until tender; drain if needed).
  2. Stir in taco seasoning + a splash of water; simmer 2 minutes.
  3. Build bowls: rice + lentils + toppings.

Upgrade: add corn, black beans, or leftover chicken if you have it.

7) Peanut Butter Overnight Oats (cheap high-protein breakfast)

Ingredients (1 serving)

  • ½ cup oats
  • ¾ cup milk (or soy milk)
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt (optional but boosts protein)
  • 1–2 tbsp peanut butter
  • Banana or frozen berries
  • Pinch of salt + cinnamon

Steps

  1. Mix everything in a jar.
  2. Refrigerate overnight.
  3. Eat cold or warm it up.

Budget tip: peanut butter is one of the cheapest “protein + calories” boosters around.

Cheap high-protein snack ideas (no weird diet stuff)

  • Yogurt + fruit + oats
  • Tuna on toast
  • Peanut butter sandwich
  • Roasted chickpeas (seasoned)
  • Cottage cheese + pineapple (if you like it)
  • Leftovers (seriously—leftovers are the ultimate budget snack)

One-week budget meal prep (simple version)

If you want a no-stress plan:

  1. Make one big pot of chili or lentil taco filling.
  2. Cook a pot of rice or roast potatoes.
  3. Buy one “fast protein” (tuna or tofu).
  4. Use frozen veg + cabbage for quick sides.

Then mix-and-match all week so you’re not eating the exact same plate every day.

Final tips to keep it cheap

  • Frozen veg is your friend (often cheaper, lasts longer, zero waste).
  • Cabbage is underrated: cheap, crunchy, and lasts forever in the fridge.
  • Store-brand beans/lentils/oats are usually just as good.
  • If you’re new to cooking, start with one-pan or one-pot meals and build confidence.