High protein comfort food isn’t just for bodybuilders or for logging numbers on a diet app. It’s about plates that keep you full, energized, and happy. Protein curbs hunger, helps muscles recover, and makes meals more satisfying. Around here, we just call that hearty New Mexican cooking. 

At Sadie’s of New Mexico, our menu has always been built on big portions, comforting flavors, and plenty of protein to go around. From slow-cooked carne adovada in red chile to ribeye steaks hot off the grill, our plates prove that comfort food can be both filling and protein-packed.

In this post, we’ll break down what makes a high protein food, share some of our favorite protein-rich dishes, and show you a few easy ways to “power up your plate” when you order at Sadie’s.

Explaining What Makes a High Protein Meal

There’s a reason you’re hearing more about protein these days—it’s not just a fitness trend. Protein really does help your body feel its best. It repairs muscles, keeps you fuller for longer, helps healthy aging, and gives steady energy instead of sugar highs and crashes.

A high protein diet plan is excellent for retaining muscle, building up more mass, and can help with weight loss. No wonder folks are chasing foods that have high protein that both taste good and keep them satisfied!

So what counts as a high protein meal? 

Some experts say it’s when 25–30 grams of protein are on the plate or when about 20-30% of your calories come from protein. Sounds technical, but in practice, it just means filling your plate with hearty servings of one or two protein-rich foods.

Here in New Mexico, that comes naturally. Meals with brisket, chicken, beans, or cheese are already packed with protein, no calculator needed. 

Choosing plates with generous protein portions naturally brings your meal into that “high protein” range so you leave full and energized.

Protein-Packed Plates at Sadie’s of New Mexico

Who says comfort food can’t double as a protein boost? At Sadie’s, the same cheesy, chile-smothered plates you crave also happen to be loaded with protein. Every full plate comes with papitas, frijoles, and a garnish of lettuce and tomato.

Whether you’re starting your morning with a burrito or sitting down to a steak dinner, we’ve got plenty of good sources of protein to keep you satisfied. 

New Mexican Style Protein Breakfast Plates

Start the day strong with a high protein breakfast that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Our Breakfast Burrito can be made lighter as a bowl or enjoyed wrapped in a warm tortilla. It’s filled with scrambled eggs, papitas, and aged cheddar cheese, then made heartier with your choice of protein—bacon, chorizo, ham, sausage, pork belly chicharrónes, or carne adovada. Depending on your filling, you’re looking at 25–40g of protein per burrito.

For a classic take, Huevos Rancheros brings two or three eggs on a tortilla with beans, papitas, and plenty of chile, with the option to add more protein on top. Topped with chile and your choice of add-on meats, this breakfast can easily hit 25–35g protein without feeling heavy.

And if you’re in the mood for eggs folded and cheesy, the Sadie’s Original Omelette is stuffed with tomatoes, onions, and cheddar. Add sausage, ham, or carne adovada and you’re looking at 30–40g protein on your plate.

Brisket & Steak for Meat Lovers

When you’re craving meaty, rich flavor, our steak and brisket plates deliver. 

Brian’s Favorite Rib Eye Steak is a 12 oz ribeye charbroiled to perfection and served with beans, papitas, chile, and sides that round out the plate. That steak alone has around 85–90g of protein, plus beans and cheese on the side if you want more.

Our Award-Winning Green Chile Cheeseburger is an 8 oz patty smothered in cheese and chopped green chile, served on toasted French bread for a New Mexican twist on a classic. This burger plate clocks in at 50–65g protein.

And if you want a burrito that eats like a feast, the New-Mexi-Cali Burrito combines shredded brisket, French fries, and chile con queso inside a flour tortilla, topped with red chile and avocado crema. With beans added, this burrito runs about 40–50g protein.

Healthy Chicken Favorites

Chicken makes for a lean, protein-rich option that’s anything but boring at Sadie’s. 

The Green Chile Chicken Birria Tacos are loaded with flavor, served alongside calabacitas and rich chicken consommé for dipping. They pack about 25–35g protein per taco.

Or try the Chicken BLTA, a hearty sandwich stacked with bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and asadero cheese on toasted French bread—it’s comfort food with a protein punch. All told, you’re getting around 40–45g protein in one hearty sandwich.

Classic Ground Beef & Billy’s Beef

If beef is your go-to protein, we’ve got options to match. 

Our Enchilada Dinner can be stacked or rolled, with tortillas layered around cheese and your choice of shredded chicken or Billy’s Spicy Beef, always served with beans and papitas. Order two or three of these enchiladas and you’re in the 50–65g protein range.

For something simpler but just as satisfying, Sadie’s Tacos let you choose between Billy’s Spicy Beef, chicken, or beans in grilled taco shells, paired with classic sides that keep the plate balanced. A plate of three tacos with beans on the side lands around 50–55g protein.

Pork With a Kick: Carne Adovada

Carne adovada is New Mexican comfort food at its finest, and it’s naturally loaded with protein. 

Brian’s Spicy Carne Adovada Ribs bring marinated pork spare ribs baked until tender, topped with cheese and onions. You’re easily hitting 45–55g protein with beans added.

 For a traditional take, Sadie’s Carne Adovada features lean pork cubes slow-baked in red chile until they’re melt-in-your-mouth perfect. This dish packs about 40–50g protein per serving, plus sides to round it out.

Vegetarian Protein Boosts

Protein doesn’t always mean meat. 

Our Stuffed Bean Sopaipilla fills a golden fried sopaipilla with beans, with even more beans and papitas on the side for a meal that’s filling and satisfying. It adds up to 35–45g protein thanks to beans and cheese.

Or try the simple but classic Cheese Enchiladas with the cheese and beans adding a decent amount of protein to the mix, about 35-40g protein.

Of course, one of the best parts about eating at Sadie’s is how customizable everything is. Want to boost your plate with even more protein? Mama Sadie’s got a few tricks for you.

How To Power up Your Plate at Sadie’s

The secret to a great protein food is knowing how to tweak it to your liking. At Sadie’s, almost every plate can be upgraded or personalized, which means you get more flavor and more fuel.

• Add frijoles → about 15g protein on the side
• Swap proteins → trade ground beef for brisket (~20g) or add extra chicken (~25g)
• Go blue corn → 20% more protein than regular corn plus earthy flavor
• Choose smart sides → beans or salad instead of fries for lasting energy

The beauty of Sadie’s plates is that they’re already hearty. But with a few thoughtful swaps and add-ons, you can turn your favorite comfort food into a nutritious meal that keeps you going strong on your high protein meal plan.

Sadie’s Is Your Home for High Protein Comfort Food

At Sadie’s of New Mexico, we believe comfort food should fill you up in more ways than one. We don’t just want to fill your stomach, we also want to fuel your soul. Your high protein diet doesn’t have to be boring with our hearty, naturally protein-rich, chile smothered plates.

Protein isn’t just a trend here, it’s part of what makes New Mexican cooking so satisfying. From beans and cheese to brisket and steak, our menu is full of hearty dishes that leave both your body and heart satisfied.

Visit Sadie’s the next time you’re craving high protein comfort food and skip the bland meals today!