20 Best Dishes for Muscle Gain and Weight Loss | High-Protein Recipes | Eati
Building muscle and losing fat at the same time requires one thing above all: consistently eating enough protein while keeping total calories controlled. These 20 dishes each deliver 34–48g of protein in 280–490 calories — the macro profile that supports body recomposition whether you're cutting, maintaining, or slowly bulking. Every recipe links to a full breakdown with ingredients, step-by-step instructions, macro tables, and meal-prep tips.

Grilled Chicken, Rice & Broccoli
Calories: 485 kcal Protein: 48g Fat: 6g Carbs: 55g A high-protein dish delivering 48g of protein in 485 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Baked Salmon with Sweet Potato
Calories: 450 kcal Protein: 42g Fat: 14g Carbs: 30g A high-protein dish delivering 42g of protein in 450 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
Calories: 380 kcal Protein: 40g Fat: 14g Carbs: 18g A high-protein dish delivering 40g of protein in 380 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Tuna Steak with Quinoa
Calories: 420 kcal Protein: 45g Fat: 9g Carbs: 38g A high-protein dish delivering 45g of protein in 420 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Shrimp Stir-Fry with Vegetables
Calories: 350 kcal Protein: 38g Fat: 8g Carbs: 28g A high-protein dish delivering 38g of protein in 350 calories. Perfect for fat loss days — low calorie density with a high protein punch. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Lean Beef Steak with Asparagus
Calories: 420 kcal Protein: 45g Fat: 18g Carbs: 5g A high-protein dish delivering 45g of protein in 420 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Chicken & Quinoa Power Salad
Calories: 440 kcal Protein: 42g Fat: 12g Carbs: 40g A high-protein dish delivering 42g of protein in 440 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Ground Turkey & Cottage Cheese Bowl
Calories: 390 kcal Protein: 44g Fat: 10g Carbs: 22g A high-protein dish delivering 44g of protein in 390 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Baked Cod with Roasted Vegetables
Calories: 310 kcal Protein: 36g Fat: 6g Carbs: 25g A high-protein dish delivering 36g of protein in 310 calories. Perfect for fat loss days — low calorie density with a high protein punch. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Greek Yogurt Chicken Wrap
Calories: 430 kcal Protein: 40g Fat: 10g Carbs: 42g A high-protein dish delivering 40g of protein in 430 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Egg White Omelet with Turkey & Spinach
Calories: 280 kcal Protein: 38g Fat: 8g Carbs: 6g A high-protein dish delivering 38g of protein in 280 calories. Perfect for fat loss days — low calorie density with a high protein punch. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Ground Turkey Chili
Calories: 360 kcal Protein: 38g Fat: 8g Carbs: 30g A high-protein dish delivering 38g of protein in 360 calories. Perfect for fat loss days — low calorie density with a high protein punch. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry
Calories: 380 kcal Protein: 44g Fat: 8g Carbs: 26g A high-protein dish delivering 44g of protein in 380 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Tuna Avocado Salad
Calories: 320 kcal Protein: 34g Fat: 14g Carbs: 10g A high-protein dish delivering 34g of protein in 320 calories. Perfect for fat loss days — low calorie density with a high protein punch. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Lemon Herb Baked Salmon
Calories: 390 kcal Protein: 40g Fat: 20g Carbs: 4g A high-protein dish delivering 40g of protein in 390 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
Calories: 360 kcal Protein: 36g Fat: 10g Carbs: 30g A high-protein dish delivering 36g of protein in 360 calories. Perfect for fat loss days — low calorie density with a high protein punch. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Chicken Breast & Sweet Potato
Calories: 420 kcal Protein: 40g Fat: 5g Carbs: 48g A high-protein dish delivering 40g of protein in 420 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Protein Pancakes with Banana
Calories: 380 kcal Protein: 36g Fat: 8g Carbs: 42g A high-protein dish delivering 36g of protein in 380 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
Calories: 400 kcal Protein: 38g Fat: 10g Carbs: 38g A high-protein dish delivering 38g of protein in 400 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Lean Beef & Vegetable Bowl
Calories: 430 kcal Protein: 42g Fat: 14g Carbs: 30g A high-protein dish delivering 42g of protein in 430 calories. Balanced macros for muscle gain and body recomposition. Full ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and meal prep tips in the complete recipe.
Why These Dishes Support Muscle Gain and Fat Loss
Every dish on this list shares the same nutritional profile: high protein, controlled calories, and a macro balance that supports both building muscle and losing fat. Here's why that combination works: Protein is the non-negotiable: Muscle tissue is built from amino acids supplied by dietary protein. Research from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition shows that 1.6–2.2g of protein per kg of body weight per day maximises muscle protein synthesis during both bulking and cutting phases. For a 75kg person, that's 120–165g of protein daily. Every dish on this list contributes 34–48g per serving — making it easy to hit that target across 3–4 meals. Calorie control for simultaneous fat loss: The dishes range from 280–490 calories per serving, well under the 600–800 calories often found in restaurant equivalents. That gap is your deficit. Eat these dishes, stay in a 300–500 calorie daily deficit, and your body has no choice but to break down stored fat for energy — while the protein preserves your muscle mass. Carbs and fat at the right level: Carbohydrates fuel training sessions and replenish glycogen post-workout. Fat supports hormone production including testosterone. Neither should be eliminated — both are included in appropriate amounts in every dish on this list. The key is that protein is always the anchor, and total calories stay controlled. Tracking makes the difference: The fastest way to build muscle and lose fat simultaneously is to know exactly what you're eating. Use Eati to log these dishes — the app calculates macros instantly from a text description or barcode scan, so you always know where you stand. Download Eati on the App Store and start tracking today.
Macro Cheat Sheet: All 20 Dishes Ranked by Protein
Use this table to pick the right dish for your current goal: Highest protein (40g+): • Grilled Chicken, Rice & Broccoli — 485 cal, 48g protein • Tuna Steak with Quinoa — 420 cal, 45g protein • Lean Beef Steak with Asparagus — 420 cal, 45g protein • Ground Turkey & Cottage Cheese Bowl — 390 cal, 44g protein • Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry — 380 cal, 44g protein • Baked Salmon with Sweet Potato — 450 cal, 42g protein • Chicken & Quinoa Power Salad — 440 cal, 42g protein • Lean Beef & Vegetable Bowl — 430 cal, 42g protein • Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles — 380 cal, 40g protein • Greek Yogurt Chicken Wrap — 430 cal, 40g protein • Lemon Herb Baked Salmon — 390 cal, 40g protein • Chicken Breast & Sweet Potato — 420 cal, 40g protein Moderate protein (34–39g): • Shrimp Stir-Fry with Vegetables — 350 cal, 38g protein • Egg White Omelet with Turkey & Spinach — 280 cal, 38g protein • Ground Turkey Chili — 360 cal, 38g protein • Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw — 400 cal, 38g protein • Baked Cod with Roasted Vegetables — 310 cal, 36g protein • Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers — 360 cal, 36g protein • Protein Pancakes with Banana — 380 cal, 36g protein • Tuna Avocado Salad — 320 cal, 34g protein Lowest calorie options (under 360 cal): • Egg White Omelet with Turkey & Spinach — 280 cal, 38g protein • Baked Cod with Roasted Vegetables — 310 cal, 36g protein • Tuna Avocado Salad — 320 cal, 34g protein • Shrimp Stir-Fry with Vegetables — 350 cal, 38g protein Best for post-workout (high protein + carbs): • [Gr Use the TDEE calculator to set your daily calorie target, then pick dishes that fit your remaining budget.
How to Build a Full Day of Eating Around These Dishes
A complete muscle-gain and fat-loss meal plan uses 3–4 of these dishes per day, spaced 3–4 hours apart. Sample daily plan for a 75kg person targeting fat loss (2,000 cal, 160g protein): Breakfast (goal: 35–40g protein, 300–400 cal): • Egg White Omelet with Turkey & Spinach — 280 cal, 38g protein Lunch (goal: 40–45g protein, 400–500 cal): • Grilled Chicken, Rice & Broccoli — 485 cal, 48g protein Afternoon snack (goal: 20–25g protein, 150–200 cal): • Cottage cheese with berries — 200 cal, 22g protein (separate recipe) Dinner (goal: 35–40g protein, 350–420 cal): • Lemon Herb Baked Salmon — 390 cal, 40g protein Day total: ~1,955 cal, ~168g protein. That's a 300–500 cal deficit for most people while fully covering protein needs. Sample plan for muscle gain (2,600 cal, 180g protein): • Breakfast: Protein Pancakes with Banana — 380 cal, 36g protein • Lunch: Tuna Steak with Quinoa — 420 cal, 45g protein • Pre-workout: Chicken Breast & Sweet Potato — 420 cal, 40g protein • Dinner: Lean Beef & Vegetable Bowl — 430 cal, 42g protein • Evening: Greek yogurt with protein powder — ~300 cal, 40g protein Day total: ~1,950 cal from dishes + ~650 cal from snacks = 2,600 cal, ~203g protein. Track everything in Eati — snap a photo, type what you ate, or scan a barcode — and the app shows you where you stand against your targets in real time.
Track your macros for every dish on this list in seconds. Log meals by text, photo, or barcode in Eati and always know where your protein and calories stand.
Download EatiConclusion
Pick 3–4 dishes from this list, batch cook on the weekend, and track every serving in Eati. Consistent protein at the right calorie level is the entire game — and these 20 dishes make it easy to hit your numbers without overthinking food.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods are best for muscle gain and weight loss at the same time?
Foods that are high in protein and moderate in calories are best for simultaneous muscle gain and fat loss. The top options include chicken breast, salmon, tuna, lean beef, shrimp, egg whites, turkey, and cod — all of which appear in this list with 34–48g of protein per serving in under 500 calories.
How much protein do I need to build muscle while losing fat?
Research supports 1.6–2.2g of protein per kg of body weight per day to maximise muscle protein synthesis while in a calorie deficit. For a 75kg person, that's 120–165g daily. Spreading that across 3–4 meals of 35–45g each covers the target — which is exactly what each dish on this list is designed to support.
Can I lose fat and build muscle eating 400–500 calories per meal?
Yes. A 400–500 calorie meal with 40g+ of protein is the ideal macro profile for body recomposition. It provides enough calories to fuel training and recovery while staying in a daily calorie deficit of 300–500 calories when meals are spaced throughout the day. Track total daily intake with Eati to confirm your deficit.
Which dish has the most protein per calorie?
The egg white omelet with turkey and spinach has the best protein-to-calorie ratio at 280 calories and 38g of protein — about 13.6g of protein per 100 calories. Baked cod with roasted vegetables is second at 310 cal / 36g protein (11.6g per 100 cal).
How many meals per day should I eat for muscle gain?
Most research supports 3–4 protein-containing meals per day for maximum muscle protein synthesis. Each meal should contain at least 25–40g of protein to fully stimulate the anabolic response. More frequent, smaller meals offer no measurable advantage as long as total daily protein and calories are met.
Free Tools to Reach Your Goals
Use our calorie calculator, TDEE calculator, and macro calculator to set your daily targets. Explore all fitness & weight loss tools.