The Top 20 Vegetables With the Most Protein

Whether you're plant-based, plant-leaning, or plant-forward, you're probably trying to incorporate more plants into your diet, so you likely have the same question: How can I get more protein from plant sources? There's a simple answer: Vegetables! Contrary to the popular belief that you have to eat lots of animal protein to get enough protein into your diet, one of the best ways to get protein is by eating vegetables.

Meat contains protein because animals are fed a diet of plants that are high in protein, so if you cut out the middleman –– or middle cow, or middle chicken –– you can get the same amino acids that are the building blocks of protein just by going direct-to-the-source: vegetables.

How Much Protein Do You Need Per Day?

Women should eat approximately 45 to 55 grams of protein per day, or more if they are super active, whereas men need anywhere from 55 to 75 grams. This daily recommendation depends on your weight and activity level, so check out the best way to calculate your needs using this handy tool from Calculator.net.

The answer might surprise you for how much protein you really need, since you are likely getting more than enough, according to experts. Protein deficiency is rare in the U.S.