8 High-Protein Vegetables

3. Lentils

From string beans to chickpeas, beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein. When it comes to legumes, lentils are among the winners. They contain about 18 grams of protein per cup when cooked, and at 230 calories per serving, they're great for anyone watching their calorie intake.

Lentils are also a great source of dietary fiber and contain a high amount of the micronutrients folate, thiamin, phosphorus, and iron. Toss them into a cold salad, use them in a soup, or even mold them into a protein-packed meat-free patty.

Protein content: 17.9 g per cup (boiled)

4. Broccoli

Looking for fat-free protein gains? You might want to check out the green veggie that looks like a miniature tree. Often thought of as simply a side dish to accompany beef or chicken, one cup of chopped broccoli has 2.6 grams of protein all on its own. And unlike your standard animal-based protein, a cup of these green florets also packs over 100 percent of your daily need for vitamins C and K.

Broccoli is also a good source of folate, another important vitamin that has been shown to decrease the risk of certain types of cancer.

Protein content: 2.6 grams per cup

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