Concentrate supplementation has been an important strategy to improve dairy cow production and farm profitability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different protein supplements on intake, performance, and feed efficiency of crossbred dairy cows grazing on tropical pasture. Twelve crossbred (Holstein × Gyr) dairy cows were allocated to 4 treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Treatment periods were 14 d of adaptation and 7 d used for sample and data collection. Crossbred dairy cows (BW = 500 ± 10.0 kg, body condition score = 3.5 ± 0.20, parity = 3.5 ± 1.30, milk yield = 20 ± 1.5 kg/d) were kept in Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum). The treatments consisted in different sources of supplement: T1: soybean meal (SM, control); T 2: sunflower meal (SFM); T3: peanut meal (PM); and T4: cottonseed meal (CSM). Cows individually received concentrate (1.0 kg for each 3 kg of milk produced) according to their milk production. Protein supplements were offered immediately after each milking (6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) in individual stalls (12.5 m²). The DMI, CP, NDF, and total digestive nutrient, as well as the efficiency of concentrate (milk kg/kg DMI concentrate) and feed conversion efficiency (milk kg/kg DMI) were not affected by treatments (P > 0.05). On the other hand, cows fed PM had higher 3.5% fat-corrected milk compared with cows fed SBM, CSM, and SFM (22.96 vs. 21.06, 20.57, and 21.05 kg/d, respectively, P < 0.01). Milk total solids, protein, fat, and lactose contents were similar between groups (P > 0.01). The overall average somatic cell count of milk for crossbred dairy cows was 318,000 cells/mL. Dairy cows fed PM showed higher levels of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) compared with SBM, CSM, and SFM groups (14.4 vs. 12.7, 12.9, and 13.2 mg/dL, respectively, P < 0.01). The higher MUN of dairy cows fed PM might be related to its rumen degradability compared with diets based on SBM, SFM, and CSM. The protein supplements evaluated in this study can be used to replace soybeans meal in concentrates for dairy cows grazing on tropical pasture.