7 High-Protein Recipes for Holiday Detox & Reset

Okay, so you’ve survived the holiday gauntlet—the cookies, the cheese boards, the third slice of pie you definitely didn’t need but ate anyway because, well, holidays. Now you’re staring at January feeling bloated, sluggish, and ready for a major reset. But here’s the thing: detox doesn’t mean surviving on sad green juice and misery. Nope, we’re talking about high-protein recipes that actually taste incredible, keep you full, and help you feel human again.​

These recipes are all about balance—lean proteins, tons of veggies, healthy fats, and zero deprivation vibes. They’ll help you bounce back from holiday overload while keeping your energy steady and your taste buds happy. No weird cleanses, no starvation, just real food that makes you feel like you’ve got your life back together :)​

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1. Turmeric Detox Scramble with Spinach and Mushrooms

Why It’s Awesome

Eggs are packed with choline, which helps your liver do its detox thing, and turmeric brings serious anti-inflammatory power. This breakfast is quick, savory, and ridiculously satisfying.gymplus+1​

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Optional: avocado slices for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and mushrooms, cooking for 2-3 minutes until mushrooms soften.
3. Toss in spinach and cook until wilted.
4. Whisk eggs with turmeric, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a bowl.
5. Pour eggs into the skillet and scramble gently until just cooked.
6. Top with avocado slices if you’re feeling fancy.

Why You’ll Love It

This packs around 24 grams of protein and the turmeric gives it this gorgeous golden color that feels super Instagram-worthy. I once made this without the cayenne and honestly, it was just missing that little kick.​

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2. Coconut-Braised Chickpeas with Sweet Potatoes and Greens

Why It’s Awesome

Creamy, cozy, and loaded with plant-based protein and fiber—this is comfort food that also happens to be incredibly good for you. It’s one of those dishes that tastes way fancier than the effort you put in.goodtaste​

Ingredients

• 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
• 1 can coconut milk
• 4 cups kale or spinach
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp curry powder, 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot and sauté onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add curry powder and cumin, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Toss in sweet potato cubes and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add chickpeas and coconut milk, bringing to a simmer.
5. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
6. Stir in kale or spinach and cook until wilted.
7. Season with salt and pepper, then garnish with cilantro.

Why You’ll Love It

Around 18 grams of protein per serving and that coconut milk makes everything taste indulgent without being heavy. Pro tip: Don’t bother drying the greens completely before tossing them in—they’ll cook down faster.​

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3. Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles

Why It’s Awesome

This is basically shrimp scampi but with half the calories and zero food coma. Light, fresh, and ready in under 20 minutes—what’s not to love?​

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper
• Fresh parsley for garnish
• Optional: Parmesan for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and garlic, cooking for 1 minute.
4. Toss in zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes until just tender.
5. Add shrimp back to the pan, squeeze lemon juice over everything, and sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan if desired.

Why You’ll Love It

You’re looking at 30 grams of protein and tons of vitamin C from the lemon. I’ve made this with store-bought zucchini noodles and it’s just as good—no fancy spiralizer required.​

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4. Fat Flush White Bean and Veggie Soup

Why It’s Awesome

Beans are the unsung heroes of detox—packed with protein, fiber, and basically magic for your digestive system. This soup is hearty enough to feel like a real meal but light enough to reset your system.goodtaste​

Ingredients

• 1 lb Great Northern beans (or 2 cans, drained)
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cups kale, chopped
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Parmesan rind (optional but highly recommended)
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot and sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in broth, beans, bay leaves, Parmesan rind, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
5. Stir in kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
6. Remove bay leaves and Parmesan rind before serving.

Why You’ll Love It

This clocks in at around 20 grams of protein per serving and that Parmesan rind adds this sneaky umami depth that makes the whole thing taste ridiculously good. IMO, this is one of those soups that tastes even better the next day.​

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5. Mediterranean Tofu Scramble

Why It’s Awesome

If you’re not into eggs or just want to switch things up, this tofu scramble is your new best friend. It’s savory, veggie-packed, and shockingly easy to customize.​

Ingredients

• 1 block extra-firm tofu, drained and crumbled
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 tsp turmeric (for color and flavor)
• 1 tsp nutritional yeast (optional but adds a cheesy vibe)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt, pepper, and oregano
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and red bell pepper, cooking for 2-3 minutes.
3. Crumble tofu into the skillet and stir in turmeric, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, and oregano.
4. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add cherry tomatoes, olives, and spinach, cooking until spinach wilts.
6. Serve warm, maybe with whole-grain toast or avocado.

Why You’ll Love It

Around 22 grams of protein and those Mediterranean flavors make it feel way more interesting than regular scrambled eggs. I sometimes toss in whatever veggies I have lying around and it always turns out great.​

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6. Curry Lentil Soup with Ginger and Turmeric

Why It’s Awesome

Lentils are insanely affordable, packed with protein and fiber, and cook down into this creamy, comforting soup that feels like a warm hug. Plus, ginger and turmeric are detox rockstars.​

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups red lentils, rinsed
• 1 can coconut milk
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot and sauté onion for 3-4 minutes.
2. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in curry powder, turmeric, and cumin, toasting the spices for 1 minute.
4. Add lentils, coconut milk, and vegetable broth.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils are soft.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then serve with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

Why You’ll Love It

This delivers around 18 grams of protein and those warm spices make your kitchen smell absolutely incredible. I’ve doubled this recipe more times than I can count because it’s perfect for meal prep.​

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7. Spiced Chicken Tenders with Roasted Veggies

Why It’s Awesome

Yes, you can have chicken tenders during a reset. These use almond and coconut flour instead of regular breading, so they’re lighter but still crispy and totally crave-worthy.​

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into strips
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups mixed veggies (broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix almond flour, coconut flour, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
3. Dip chicken strips in beaten eggs, then coat in the flour mixture.
4. Place chicken strips on one side of the baking sheet.
5. Toss veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread on the other side of the sheet.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through, until golden and cooked through.

Why You’ll Love It

Around 35 grams of protein and the almond flour keeps them crispy without the heavy feeling of traditional breading. I usually make a double batch and eat these for lunch all week—they reheat perfectly.​

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The Reset You Actually Want

Look, holiday eating is part of the fun, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying yourself. But if you’re ready to feel lighter, more energized, and less sluggish, these seven high-protein recipes are your ticket back to feeling good. They’re packed with nutrients, loaded with flavor, and zero percent about deprivation. So grab your grocery list, stock up on lean proteins and veggies, and give yourself the reset you deserve. Because honestly? Future You is going to thank Present You for choosing recipes that are this delicious and this good for you.​