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 Whole30 all the time? ›

The bottom line

However, you must avoid sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol, and processed food additives. Although it would be difficult and very restrictive to maintain long term, the Whole30 is designed to be done only for 30 days.

What do you do after 30 days on Whole30? ›

Reintroduction basics
  1. Take it slow. Reintroduction takes at least 10 days, but can take up to 30 (or more). ...
  2. One at a time. Reintroduce each food or beverage group one at a time, like a scientific experiment. ...
  3. Reintroduction days. ...
  4. Challenge your system. ...
  5. Choose low-sugar options. ...
  6. Take breaks between groups.

Is peanut butter Whole30? ›

Though peanuts and peanut butter aren't allowed on the Whole30 program, other nuts and nut butters are. Cashew butter is loaded with nutrients like healthy fats, magnesium, manganese, and copper. Its smooth, sweet taste pairs well with apples ( 1 ).

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.

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 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 is the one bite rule on Whole30? ›

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.

Do you actually lose weight on Whole30? ›

Whole30 has gained a reputation as an effective program for weight loss and overall health improvement. Many individuals have reported successful weight loss outcomes while following the Whole30 guidelines. One key aspect of the Whole30 program is the elimination of processed foods and added sugars.

Do you gain weight back after Whole30? ›

Many people will lose weight on a diet like Whole30, but weight loss isn't the only goal. The diet can also help if you are at risk for diabetes, and help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. But after a 30-day wonder diet like Whole30, it's likely weight will return if you don't follow a few rules.

Are bananas ok on Whole30? ›

What about bananas? Yes, both pickles and bananas are allowed on Whole30. Yet if they are a potential trigger food for you (for instance, the sweetness of bananas sets off a craving for other treats or makes you want to binge on the fruit), then you may consider including them on your “don't eat” list.

Can you eat Chick Fil A on Whole30? ›

Chick-fil-A

If you think the grilled chicken nuggets are A-OK, think again. They're off-limits because they contain ingredients like cornstarch, molasses, and soybean oil. Even the fruit cups contain added sugar, and the salads have ingredients like soybean oils and cornstarch.

Is popcorn approved on Whole30? ›

IS POPCORN WHOLE30? No — popcorn is made from a whole grain (dried corn AKA popcorn kernels), and grains are eliminated on the Whole30 diet.

Why no butter on Whole30? ›

As Melissa and Dallas Hartwig, the founders of Whole30, explain,the milk solids are the problem with conventional butter, not the fat.

What are the cons of the Whole30 diet? ›

The cons of Whole30: Very restrictive, which may make eating out or socializing difficult. May be difficult to get adequate calcium for bone health.

Does Whole30 heal your gut? ›

The Whole30 is an excellent way to help heal your gut since the foundation of the program is pure whole foods. In addition, there are several gut healing foods and supplements known for their ability to improve digestive health that you may wish to consider.

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

You won't have to count or restrict calories, track your food, or limit your portions. You'll eat real, whole foods to satiety, inspired by hundreds of delicious, satisfying, and diverse recipes.

How many times a day do you eat on Whole30? ›

–Jess, Missouri Dear Jess, First, remember that our “three meals a day” recommendation is just that—a recommendation, based on most people's general needs and fitting into most people's regularly scheduled lives.

Can you do the Whole30 and not lose weight? ›

This is also a concern for many people who go through Whole30 and do not lose as much weight as they expect. As I mentioned at the beginning of our Whole30 challenge, Whole30 is not intended as a weight loss diet. It oftentimes happens because when you clean up your eating, excess fat naturally falls off.

Is Whole30 unhealthy? ›

The Whole30 diet could make your blood sugar levels fluctuate. It can also cause inflammation in your gut, and hurt your health. If you have diabetes or irritable bowel syndrome, you might want to avoid the Whole30 diet.

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