Lidl High-Protein Ready Meals
Lidl High-Protein Ready Meals are convenient, pre-packaged meals designed to support a high-protein diet. Aimed at the fitness community and busy individuals, they offer balanced nutrition with a focus on muscle maintenance and recovery.
Pros
Huge range of flavours
High protein content
Some great tasting meals
Cons
Plastic packaging
High sugar content
If you’re like me and always on the lookout for convenient, high-protein meals that don’t cost a fortune, Lidl’s high-protein ready meals probably caught your eye.
At £2.95 per meal, they still seem like a bargain for anyone wanting to hit their protein goals without spending a fortune.
But are they actually any good?
I put them to the test, and after trying multiple meals, I’ve got some thoughts. Some good, some bad.
If you’re wondering whether these ready meals deserve a spot in your fridge, keep reading.
Table of Contents
Initial Thoughts
I’ll be honest. When I first saw these meals in Lidl, I wasn’t expecting much.
Supermarket ready meals can be hit or miss, especially the so-called “healthy” or “high-protein” ones.
Sometimes they taste like cardboard, other times they’re loaded with weird ingredients.
But at £2.95 per meal, I figured it was worth a shot. Getting between 27g and 44g of protein per meal at that price is impressive.
I picked up a selection, including:
- Lasagne
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Thai Green Curry
- BBQ Pulled Pork
- Chilli Con Carne
- Harissa Chicken
- Chicken Tikka
- Teriyaki Chicken
After cooking them up and giving them a try, I was pleasantly surprised.
Well, mostly.
The Good (What I Like)
The Price is Still a Bargain
At £2.95 per meal, it’s hard to complain.
If you compare that to a meal deal or a takeaway, you’re getting way more protein and a more balanced meal for a fraction of the cost.
They Taste Good
For me, the Lasagne and Spaghetti Bolognese were standouts. Rich in flavour and surprisingly enjoyable for a supermarket ready meal.
The Thai Green Curry was another winner, packed with flavour and a nice bit of spice.
Even the BBQ Pulled Pork, Chicken Tikka, and Chilli Con Carne were solid options.
They won’t blow your mind, but for the price, they’re tasty and satisfying.
The Protein Content is Impressive
Depending on the meal, you’re getting anywhere from 27g to 44g of protein, which is fantastic.
That’s more than most meal prep services offer, and they charge double the price.
The Calorie Range is Flexible
The meals range from 300 to 600 calories, so whether you’re cutting or bulking, there’s something that fits your goals.
I believe the lasagne is the highest calorie option, but honestly, it’s worth it.
A Good Variety of Meal
Lidl has done a decent job of offering different options. You’ve got:
• Lasagne
• Spaghetti Bolognese
• Thai Green Curry
• BBQ Pulled Pork
• Chilli Con Carne
• Harissa Chicken
• Chicken Tikka
• Teriyaki Chicken
Hopefully, Lidl keeps expanding the range. A peri-peri chicken or steak and rice option would be a nice addition.
The Bad (What I Don’t Like)
The Packaging Worries Me
This might sound a little paranoid, but I do worry about microplastics leaching into the food.
Ready meals are often packaged in plastic containers, and when heated, there’s always a chance that tiny plastic particles get into your meal.
With microplastics being linked to hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and other health issues, it’s something I try to be mindful of.
In an ideal world, Lidl would offer an alternative, maybe cardboard-based trays like some premium ready meals use.
However, Lidl aren’t alone in this and thousands of products still come in plastic.
Some Ingredients Raise Questions
One thing I noticed is that some of these meals use seed oils, which are a controversial topic in the health world.
Some studies say they’re fine, while others suggest they can cause inflammation and oxidative stress when consumed regularly.
Now, I’m not saying seed oils are terrible, but I do try to limit them where possible.
It would be nice if Lidl swapped them out for olive oil or butter, but at this price point, I get why they don’t.
Again, it’s not something Lidl specific as seed oils are in a huge number of processed foods.
High Sugar Content
Although I found the meals to be convenient, the sugar content of some bothered me.
For example the Pulled BBQ Chicken had 20.5g of sugar in the entire meal. It’s a huge amount and I definitely felt it tasted too sweet for my liking when eating.
Product Range Changes
The Beef & Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese was one of my favourites but over time it changed to just “Spaghetti Bolognese”.
I say “Improved Recipe” but gone were the salad leaves and the chunky sauce, replaced with something akin to baby food and missing any added texture or greenary.
While the calorie count dropped considerably, so did the protein going from 28g to just 20g. Very disappointing.
Not Every Meal is a Winner
While most of the meals were solid, the Harissa Chicken just wasn’t for me.
The flavour was a bit off, and I didn’t enjoy the texture. Maybe it’s just personal taste, but I wouldn’t buy that one again.
Overall Thoughts
Lidl’s high-protein ready meals are a great budget-friendly option for anyone looking for convenience, protein, and decent taste.
For £2.95 per meal, you’re getting:
✔ A solid 27g to 44g of protein
✔ A good variety of meals
✔ Decent calorie ranges to fit different goals
✔ A tasty and satisfying meal without much effort
Downsides? Well, I have concerns about microplastics and some of the ingredients, but that’s me being picky. For the price, you really can’t expect gourmet, organic meals.
Final rating? A solid 8/10. I’ll definitely be buying them again, and if Lidl expands the range, even better.
FAQ
Are Lidl’s high-protein ready meals healthy?
They’re definitely better than most cheap ready meals. High in protein, moderate in calories, and generally well-balanced. The only concerns are seed oils and plastic packaging, but in terms of macronutrients, they’re solid.
Which meal has the most protein?
The BBQ Pulled Pork and Lasagne seem to be on the higher end, with around 40g or more per meal.
Which one is the best tasting?
For me, Lasagne and Spaghetti Bolognese are the winners. The Thai Green Curry is also great if you like a bit of spice.
Are they good for weight loss?
Yep. The calorie counts range from 300 to 600 calories, so depending on your goals, they can fit nicely into a cutting or maintenance diet.
Will I keep buying them?
Absolutely. They’re cheap, convenient, and tasty, perfect for busy days when I don’t have time to cook.
Summary
Lidl’s high-protein ready meals are a great option for anyone on a budget who still wants high protein and decent taste. They’re not perfect, but they’re way better than I expected.
Would love to see Lidl expand the range and maybe tweak some ingredients, but overall, a solid 8/10 and definitely worth trying.
And who knows, maybe next time they’ll bring out a buffalo chicken or steak and rice option. Here’s hoping.
Good review! I tested it myself – it’s very cheap and performed well. Before microwaving, I transfer the food to a regular plate, which should be safer and reduce the risk of microplastics.
However, one thing worries me: the packaging is very easy to open, add something to the food, and close again without leaving any signs of tampering. From a safety perspective, it doesn’t seem secure against manipulation.
There’s also no guarantee that someone hasn’t already opened the packaging in the store, letting air in, which could accelerate spoilage and shorten the product’s shelf life.
Hi Rafal,
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it’s really appreciated.
That’s actually an awesome idea for heating the food and reducing the possibility of microplastics when heating. It’s such a simple idea but I didn’t even think of it 😂
I usually get the Thai Green Curry and Chicken Tikka — they’re both okay taste-wise, though I think the old Thai Green Curry recipe from a while back was much better. The Harissa Chicken, on the other hand, I really didn’t like at all… not sure what that’s supposed to be, honestly! Definitely won’t buy it again unless it’s the only thing left on the shelf and I really need to eat.
I tried the Spaghetti Bolognese for the first time today — it’s fine, but it kind of tastes like the meat and tomato sauce were cooked separately and then mixed together, so the flavour feels a bit off. I’d still buy it again though.
Haven’t tried the Teriyaki Chicken yet. Also, I don’t try the pork options.
Hi Aura,
Thank you for the really detailed feedback. I appreciate you taking the time as it helps others make a decision based on flavours you’ve tried and I haven’t.
I did find that sometimes receipes change which is annoying because you’ll often get one you like only for it to change enough for you not to like it. I don’t tend to eat these so much these days, but if I need a quick and easy lunch they do hit the spot (and the macros)
I like these. I usually buy two a week to supplement my meal prep and they make a nice change. Chicken Katsu, Teriyaki Chicken and the fairly new Chicken Shawarma are probably my favourites. Decent price but you do need to rummage to the back of the shelf to get the longer best before date ones! Great review.
Thanks for taking the time to give your views Martin. I’m interested in the new M&S range, but the price is a bit off-putting. They’re not specifically high protein as far as I know, but they’re full of good nutrients and without any rubbish, have you tried them?