16 Low-Cal Dinner Recipes

Writer and expert11 days ago

It’s not unusual to assume that if you want to reduce your calories you have to say goodbye to all of your favourite foods. This is absolutely not the case.

Here’s 18 recipes that will fill you up for just 500 kcals, or less. Soon, these recipes will be making it into your weekly rotation. And if it's breakfast inspo you're looking for, try these.

1. Sweet Chilli Glazed Salmon

Salmon and rice took the world by storm earlier this year when Emily Mariko’s revealed her deconstructed sushi on TikTok. We loved it, but one thing was missing — a sweet chilli glaze. Say no more…

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
483kcal	29g	54g	16g

2. Chicken Gyros

In my view, you can never go wrong with anything inspired by Greece. And these gyros are further proof.

Packed full of succulent spiced chicken, salad, some chips, and a boatload of tzatziki for good measure, you just can’t go wrong with this recipe.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
407kcal	37g	44g	7g

It’s possible to make every night pizza night when you have this recipe in your repertoire. It’s perfect for a lazy night alone in front of the TV, or get your friends round for a pizza-making dinner party. Either way, it’s delicious and macro-friendly.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
418kcal	56g	31g	9g

4. Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl

Say goodbye to bland, dry chicken and rice and hello to your new favourite alternative. It’s amazing what a bit of teriyaki can do to liven up a meal.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
472kcal	41g	47g	13g

5. Naked Chicken Burrito Bowl

Perhaps not as indulgent as a regular burrito, but this naked chicken burrito bowl makes up for it and more — it’s got less calories for one, and it’s definitely easier to eat when you’re scrolling TikTok. Oh, and it’s delicious, too.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
378kcal	30g	35g	8g

6. Vegan Lentil Bolognese

You can never go wrong with pasta. That’s for any meal of the day, in my opinion. This macro-friendly dish will have you looking forward to your next serving as soon as you’ve finished. Plus, it’s vegan!

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
486kcal	21g	86g	6g

7. Tofu Teriyaki Noodles

Crispy tofu is top tier every day, but the perfect choice for a high-protein, meat-free Monday. Sizzling flavour, veggies galore, and plenty of plant-based protein. Sign me up.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
462kcal	17g	67g	14g

8. Chicken & Chorizo Paella

A taste of the Mediterranean no matter where you are. Rich flavours and highly satisfying, it’s not a holiday in Spain, but it’ll do.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
404kcal	31g	52g	7g

9. Creamy Garlic Chicken

With a whopping 45g of protein this is a sure-fire way to help you hit your daily goals. Winner winner chicken dinner. Literally.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
387kcal	45g	32g	7g

10. Chicken Chow Mein

A Chinese takeaway classic, and macro-friendly. Packed full of veg, protein, and noodles — there’s a reason it’s one of the nation’s favourites.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
476kcal	33g	59g	10g

11. BBQ Chicken Calzone

A folded pizza is a great excuse to load it to the brim with sauce and toppings. This one is stuffed full with rich BBQ sauce and plenty of chicken to help you hit your macro targets

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
358kcal	27g	33g	14g

12. Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos

The perfect dinner if you’re trying to cut back on meat — and you’ll never look back. Far from the soggy cauliflower you might remember from school dinners, it’s crunchy and coated in delicious buffalo sauce.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
278kcal	11g	33g	15g

13. Vegan Fajitas

There’s nothing quite like a fajita. Who knew portobello mushrooms made the perfect alternative to chicken?

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
439kcal	12g	35g	15g

14. Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

I don’t know about you but I'm always looking for new recipes to chuck in the air fryer. I just know these honey sriracha chicken skewers are about to become a weekly occurrence.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
356kcal	35g	47g	4g

15. Beef Crunch Wraps

For the days when you can’t seem to let go of the thought of tucking into some fast food try this instead. Follow the recipe to a tee if it sounds like a bit of you, or customise it with some extra chillies or even guac.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
467kcal	32g	37g	20g

16. Crispy Honey Beef Noodles

A dinner you’ll be looking forward to all day — crispy beef strips, crunch veg and a tasty sauce. Here’s some advanced notice to make extra for your lunch the next day. Thank me later.

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat
429kcal	30g	44g	14g

Take home message

If you take anything away from this listicle, let it be that macro-friendly does absolutely not mean bland. With a little inspiration, you can stay on top of your macros and still satisfy your tastebuds.

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