18 Delicious Whole30 Dinner Recipes (2024)

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Designed to be a month-long reboot for your body, the Whole30 meal plan aims to cleanse and renourish your system by detoxing from packaged and processed foods.

It seems easy enough, but Whole30’s off-limits food groups — like dairy, grains, legumes, and processed sugars — can present challenges. That’s why we’ve gathered our favorite Whole30 dinner recipes that showcase all you can eat on the plan.

Think turkey, chicken, beef, pork, seafood, eggs, and tons of veggies. These recipes transform Whole30-approved ingredients into delicious dinners, using clever swaps like coconut oil, coconut amino acids, nut and seed butters, and vegetable “rices.”

If you missed our Whole30 breakfast recipe roundup, here’s a simple refresher of what the program is all about.

You might likeThese Whole30 Essentials Will Have You Thriving (Not Just Surviving)

1. Thai chicken with spicy “peanut” sauce

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A Thai-inspired stir-fry sounds healthy (veggies! meat! dairy-free!), but it can be a minefield of Whole30 no-no’s, like soy sauce, honey, and peanut butter.

This recipe gets around those roadblocks, by subbing in coconut aminos (we buy a bottle of Bragg) for the soy, a mashed date for honey, and sunflower butter for the legumey stuff.

2. Roasted lemon chicken with potatoes and rosemary

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Classic one-dish roasted chicken and potatoes doesn’t need much tweaking to become Whole30 compliant. Translation: It’s a great way to ease yourself into the plan.

Lemon, garlic, and rosemary, a can’t-be-beat combo that evokes the Mediterranean, turns this into a succulent dinner that’ll make you forget you gave up anything.

3. Chicken balance bowl

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This fresh bowl has all our salad favorites — chicken, sweet potato, and avocado — and a sauce so good you’ll want to make extra and keep it in the fridge for tomorrow’s salad.

Just double-check that jar of tahini has no added sugar, so it’s Whole30 compliant. A delicious dinner whipped up in 30 minutes? We’re sold.

4. Mango chicken with coconut cauliflower rice

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This recipe makes two clever swaps: cauliflower “rice” instead of the real grain, and tapioca flour to bread the chicken. Add ginger and trusty coconut aminos to round out this healthier version of a take-out classic. Genius.

5. Jalapeno turkey burger

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Truth: ground turkey can be blah. But not this recipe. Here, the meat is mixed with jalapeños and spices. Cooke them up, then top with guacamole, a poached egg, and salsa. No need for buns, cheese, and ketchup for these flavor bombs.

6. Grilled salmon with mango salsa

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Grilled salmon topped with mango and red pepper salsa is irresistible. There’s no restrictions on healthy fats on the Whole30 meal plan.

7. White fish fillet with braised fennel

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Thin fillets of flounder or sole work well in this dish. A fiber-rich coleslaw, and yummy slices of naturally sweet fennel make this a meal to share. The veggie components of this elegant dinner can be prepared ahead.

Cook the fish last. It will just take minutes.

8. Shrimp and asparagus stir-fry

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This is one of those great 15-minute meals to have in your back pocket at the end of the day. You can use frozen shrimp and asparagus. (Freezer restock alert.)

This brothy stir-fry uses coconut oil, and the shellfish and spears are simply seasoned with lemon, ginger, and garlic.

9. Blackened Cajun mahi mahi

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Shake up your own Cajun rub from your spice rack, or buy a prepared mix, for this blackened steak. Sear it on the stove (we love our cast iron pan), top it with sliced avocado and you’ve got the perfect entrée for an 80s themed dinner party.

10. Skillet beef fajitas

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This sizzling Tex-Mex favorite is packed with veggies and has a spicy kick. Just throw everything in a hot cast-iron pan. And make sure your veggie broth is Whole30-approved.

11. Sweet potato and pineapple beef bowls

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A hearty salad bowl based on spicy ground meat — paired with sweet, juicy fresh pineapple and mango — sings with flavor. It’s gotta be fresh. Canned fruit can have a lot of sugar.

12. Hearty vegetable soup

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This recipe makes six servings, packed with potatoes, ground beef, and chunky tomato sauce. Filling and nutritious, and ready to freeze. Hello, easy weeknight meal.

13. Pork roast with sweet potatoes, apples, and onion

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This Whole30 makeover of the classic pork and apple combo uses fresh fruit for a naturally sweet side to the roasty protein. Diced sweet potato adds satisfying carbs rich in beta-carotene.

14. Lamb, mint chimichurri, and butternut “rice”

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Cauliflower isn’t the only veggie you can morph into rice-like granules. Butternut squash also makes an awesome substitute for the grain. Here it’s made all buttery and wonderful with ghee.

With tender, grilled lamb, drizzled with a fresh, minty chimichurri, this is dinner party-worthy stuff.

15. Tomato basil beef goulash with eggplant

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Hungarian goulash takes a page out of an Italian cookbook in this blogger’s version. Here the dish’s trademark paprika is swapped out for basil and garlic.

Whisking in the cream from the top of a can of coconut milk makes it extra luscious while keeping to the Whole30’s no-dairy rule.

16. Paleo eggs in hell

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Eating Whole30 doesn’t mean having to splurge on pricey meats and seafood. This eggs for dinner one-pan meal turns a modest ingredients into something heavenly, if your idea of heaven is a little spicy.

Leave out the bread the blogger uses to sop up the sauce. Use a spoon!

17. Zucchini noodles with everything pesto and fried eggs

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When spiralized zucchini is lathered in dairy-free pesto and topped with a fried egg, the zoodles are awesomely delicious. One warning: pine nuts can be expensive. It’s fine to sub in walnuts.

18. Slow cooker ratatouille soup

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With a whopping eight kinds of veggies, this may as well be called “the one-stop stew for your daily recommended fiber and vitamin intake” (although “ratatouille soup” gets right to the point).

This recipe makes a large batch that will cover dinner for days. Thank you, freezer.

The Whole30 diet plan opts for fresh, unprocessed foods. These 18 Whole30 dinner recipes showcase all the good things you can eat on the plan, like turkey, chicken, beef, pork, seafood, eggs, and lots of veggies.

With the clever swaps in these recipes, you won’t even miss grains, legumes, and sugar.

18 Delicious Whole30 Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat too much on Whole30? ›

However, it is possible to eat too much fat on a Whole30, and that can negatively affect your hunger levels, energy, and digestion. We see this most often when people mindlessly snack on nuts and seeds.

What to make for dinner with barely any food? ›

11 dinner recipes for when your fridge is empty
  • Spaghetti in cherry tomato sauce. ...
  • Harissa chickpeas with silverbeet. ...
  • Bacon, mozzarella and baked bean jaffles. ...
  • Pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines) ...
  • Peas and broad beans with prosciutto. ...
  • Orecchiette with hot-smoked salmon, peas and beurre blanc sauce.

What to make for dinner with bare minimum? ›

Some of my favorite recipes include the Fish Stick Tacos you see on the book cover, Slow Cooker Deep Dish Pizza, Broccoli and Shrimp Orzo, Spicy Sloppy Joes, Crispy Chicken Salad, and Cacio e Pepe Mac 'n' Cheese (sooo easy and good).

Is there portion control on Whole30? ›

Some people refer to the Whole30 program as a diet, but it's not a diet in the traditional sense. Rather, it's a nutritional program. So it doesn't involve exercise, portion control, or calorie or macronutrient (carbohydrates, protein, or fat) counting.

What is the one bite rule on Whole30? ›

Just One Bite

Here's the rule in a nutshell: If you think your less healthy treat is going to be so delicious, so incredible, so worth it, and then you take your first bite and discover it's not… STOP EATING.

What is the hardest day of Whole30? ›

On Days 10 and 11, you are statistically the most likely to quit your Whole30. (That's why they're “the hardest days.”) By this point, the newness of the program has worn off, and though you've made it through most of the unpleasant physical milestones, you've yet to experience significant benefits.

What to do if you're hungry but have no food? ›

Pouring yourself a big glass of water and drinking it may help to quell any cravings or hunger. To stay hydrated, women should consume 2.7 liters and men should consume 3.7 liters of fluids daily. If you don't want to drink plain water, you could add a slice of lemon or a sprig of mint.

How to eat when you're broke? ›

You will want to purchase cheap foods that are filling! Oatmeal, rice, beans, bread, and other starches are filling and will keep you full until your next meal. Beans and rice are also super versatile foods, and you can take them and transform them into easy meals you will actually enjoy!

What to make for dinner when unsure? ›

Rice Bowls are so easy and versatile. You can top them with whatever little bits of meat, cheese, beans, and veggies you have on hand. Depending on which rice you buy, dinner can be ready in 20 to 45 minutes. Cook some rice, assemble your toppings, and get to good eating!

What can I cook in 30 min? ›

Our Best 30-Minute Recipes
  • Chili and Cheese Pockets.
  • Easy Beef Stew in Biscuit Cups.
  • 2-Ingredient Chicken and Dumplings.
  • Biscuit Hamburgers.
  • Garlic Cheddar Biscuit Turkey Club.
  • Cheesy Chicken-Bacon Ranch Crescent Rolls for Two.
  • Cheesy Southwest Chicken Crescent Rolls for Two.
  • Crispy Chicken-Bacon-Ranch Crescent Rolls.

Why do I feel so bad on Whole30? ›

Some downsides include Whole30 side effects like digestive problems, worsened food cravings, and reduced nutrient intake. The diet restricts certain foods and food groups, which, if followed long-term, can result in nutrient deficiencies.

What are the negatives of Whole30? ›

The cons of Whole30:
  • Very restrictive, which may make eating out or socializing difficult.
  • May be difficult to get adequate calcium for bone health.
  • Restricts many cultural foods.
  • May be time intensive due to food label reading, meal planning and meal prep.
Dec 23, 2020

Can I eat as much as I want on Whole30? ›

Unlike many other diets, there is no need to track calories, measure portions, or count points. Also, weighing yourself is strictly reserved for days 1 and 30 of the program. Following the Whole30 diet involves eating as much as you'd like from the approved list of foods while avoiding certain foods for 1 month.

What happens if I cheat on Whole30? ›

Since the Whole30 diet is more of a food challenge than a long-term change, there are some hurdles. The Whole30 diet has strict rules. The overall goal is to restrict your eating. So, if you “cheat” on a day of your challenge, they recommend you start again from day one.

How much should I eat on Whole30? ›

There's no counting macros, calories, or anything else on Whole30, and while you're encouraged to eat until you're full, there are no restrictions on how much you can eat. You're also not allowed to weigh yourself or take measurements during the experience to keep the focus on how you feel rather than a size or number.

Why am I so hungry all the time on Whole30? ›

If you're still hungry on the Whole30 diet, you might not be consuming enough fat. In some cases, the hunger could be a result of your body and brain not reacting well to the restrictions and limitations of the diet.

References

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