Lent Dinner Ideas (And Breakfasts)

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Lent Dinner Ideas (And Breakfasts)

Over the years I’ve adopted different eating traditions thanks to family and religious practices. Like our Christmas Eve tradition of eating 7 different types of fish. Lent is another one of those times when many are searching for some meatless Lent dinner ideas.

What is Lent?

But first, what is Lent exactly? In the Catholic and Christian faiths, Lent is a period of fasting, prayer, and giving in anticipation of Easter. It lasts for 40 days and involves not eating meat (except seafood) on certain days. Different people observe it in different ways, but meatless Fridays are a key component.

Flesh meats like chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, and bison aren’t allowed during the Lenten season. However, fish and animal products like broth, eggs, and dairy are typically allowed.

Traditionally, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are fasting days. It depends on the person, but generally, this means cutting back on food and not giving it up entirely. Even if your family doesn’t practice Lent, sometimes it’s nice to have a few meat-free dinner recipes that help stretch the budget.

Getting Protein

I’m a big advocate for getting enough protein. It’s important not just for muscle repair, but for all of our tissues and organs to work. We can cut out certain food groups like carbs and still survive. But protein is something we can’t function without for long.

It can be hard to find meat-free recipes that are still higher in protein. In general, animal foods are a complete protein source, offering all of the essential amino acids (EEA) we need. Plant foods, like beans, lentils, and grains, are incomplete proteins. This means that they only have some of the EEAs we need and need to be combined.

A lot of Lenten meals are comfort foods like grilled cheese sandwiches, pasta recipes, and macaroni. They can be heavier on carbs and not as nutrient dense. While eating lower protein every now and then won’t have too much of an impact, it can add up.

These weeknight dinner ideas, lunch Lent recipes, and breakfast ideas skip the meat but not the protein. Many of the recipes below are grain-free and they’re all gluten-free.

Easy Recipes for Breakfast

A lot of breakfasts feature eggs, making it easier to find meatless recipes for breakfast. Instead of sausage patties or bacon, opt for protein smoothies and omelets. For carb-heavy recipes like muffins, pair them with a protein smoothie or scrambled eggs for more protein. Adding a scoop of collagen powder into coffee or tea is another great way to pack in more morning protein.

Lent Dinner Ideas

If you’re looking for a mouthwatering meatless dinner for Friday night then here you go! This list includes main dish and side dish ideas. Lunch for me is often a mix of veggies and canned sardines which are already Lent friendly. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and the point of Lent is to cut back anyway.

Soup Recipes

Miscellaneous Lent Dinner Ideas

These recipes don’t fit neatly into any of the other categories, but they’re still delicious and Lent-friendly. They’re great for lunch or dinner!

Salad Recipes

I typically top my salads with healthy meat like fish, chicken, or beef. During Lent, opt for fish and add some beans for more protein (if you can eat beans). Salmon or milder tasting fish like flounder are good options.

Fish Recipes

Instead of farm-raised fish like tilapia, I opt for wild-caught. Options like tuna and halibut have more mercury than some fish, so I don’t eat a lot of them. We do a lot of sardines and salmon recipes around here though. These are a great way to pack in plenty of healthy proteins and fats during Lent.

You can check out all of my seafood recipes here or choose from the options below.

The Bottom Line On Lent Dinner Ideas

It takes a little more creativity to get enough healthy protein in during Lent, but it’s not impossible. Seafood, beans, eggs, and dairy (if tolerated) are all great options. You can also stir in a scoop of whey protein, plant-based protein, or collagen powder into certain foods and drinks.

Does your family observe Lent? What are some of your favorite go-to meals? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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