These easy Whole30 dinner recipes will make your healthy month a breeze and downright delicious! They’ll show you how to cook with wholesome ingredients, hearty proteins, healthy fats, and flavorful herbs and spices.
What is Whole30?
In case you missed my list of Whole30 breakfast recipes or Whole30 lunch ideas, let me quickly tell you what Whole30 is all about. It’s a program that’s designed to remove inflammatory foods and identify any foods that might have a negative impact on your individual body. By eliminating this specific list of foods for 30 days, you’ll know which ingredients you may have sensitivities for.
But for many people, finding compliant recipes gets a little tricky. Especially when you find out that added sugars are in so many products! So when it comes time to prep for lunch and dinner, don’t get into a rut. I’ve put together for you a list of foods that are Whole30 approved, as well as easy and delicious recipes to make. Now let’s get started!
Light and Filling Whole30 Salad Recipes
Salads are simply the best for a light and healthy throw-together meal. These Whole30 recipes are surprisingly full of flavor and texture — while still following the guidelines. Side note: be sure to omit any honey or other sweeteners in the dressings!
Mandarin Chicken Salad
If you prep some shredded chicken ahead of time, this salad comes together in a snap. Simply toss together spinach, sweet mandarin oranges, avocado, cucumber, green onion, and a fresh vinaigrette (without sweeteners).
Salmon Avocado Salad
All the salmon needs is a quick sear on the stovetop! Then top it on a full bed of spinach, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado. Just omit the honey from the lemon vinaigrette!
Curried Egg Salad
Gotta love a classic egg salad for a fresh and easy meal, especially when you wrap it with butter lettuce leaves! But this version adds a tasty spiced twist.
Pulled Pork, Cabbage, And Arugula Salad
Prep a batch of my slow cooker pulled pork (recipe below) and you’ve got endless meals to make, including this cabbage salad! It’s the best combo of cabbage, carrots, arugula, cilantro, sliced almonds, pulled pork, and a tangy citrus lime vinaigrette.
Smoked Salmon and Avocado Salad
It’s always a good idea to keep a package of smoked salmon in your fridge when you’re on Whole30. That way you can easily throw together meals like this salad!
Kale Salad With Apples And Chicken
Whether it’s autumn or not, this kale salad hits the spot for a meal that’s simultaneously sweet and salty. Just omit the honey from the apple cider vinaigrette.
Shrimp, Asparagus, and Avocado Salad
Switch up your salad protein with shrimp! It tastes great when paired with spinach, asparagus, avocado, green onions, and a light vinaigrette for a spring-forward meal.
Need a quick side salad to add to your meal? Here are a few deliciously easy options!
Dinner-Worthy Soup Recipes
There’s nothing like cozying up with a bowl of soup. Don’t worry though, these Whole30 recipes are perfectly filling for a stand-alone meal and are ridiculously rich with flavor!
Sweet Potato Soup
If sweet potatoes are your jam, you’re going to love this creamy sweet potato soup. It’s the most delicious blend of sweet potatoes, carrots, fresh ginger, and spices.
Cabbage Soup
This is probably the best light and healthy soup ever. But you can also beef it up with extra protein like diced chicken or ground turkey!
Zucchini Soup
If you’re a big zucchini fanatic like I am — this will be your new favorite Whole30 recipe.
Potato Leek Soup
The perfect soup for when you’re craving a homey, creamy, and savory soup. Bonus — it’s loaded with good-for-you veggies!
Beet Soup
During beet season, grab the best-looking beets to make this ultra-velvety soup! You will be surprised by how flavorful it is.
Carrot Ginger Soup
I’d say this soup is quite healing with a mix of carrots, ginger, onion, and spices. Plus, it’s a delicious contrast of warm, zesty, and sweet!
Poached Chicken And Winter Vegetable Soup
Nothing beats a big pot of chicken and vegetable soup. So here’s your reminder to keep this Whole30 recipe on hand!
Roasted Red Pepper And Tomato Soup
Give your average tomato soup a flavor kick by adding roasted red peppers into the mix! The results are smoky, savory, and so delicious.
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
It might sound bland, but it’s quite the latter. The onion, garlic, and spices really give this Whole30 soup (that’s also low-carb) some oomph!
Cucumber Melon Gazpacho With Ginger Shrimp
If it’s summer where you are, gazpachos should be at the top of your list. This one is my favorite blend of cucumbers, honeydew, and loads of fresh herbs, and topped with chilled ginger shrimp.
The Best Whole30 Chicken Dinner Recipes
Amp up your protein by adding these delicious Whole30 chicken recipes to your dinner routine. They’re simple, yet loaded with flavor.
Chicken Fajitas
I love how quick and easy this is to make with the help of my homemade fajita seasoning. You can eat this on its own or even make lettuce wraps!
Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
Greek marinated chicken roasted with bright veggies is the perfect all-in-one Whole30 recipe. Just make sure to omit the feta cheese!
Whole30 Chicken Broccoli Casserole
This casserole is a favorite around here for Whole30 meal prep! It’s loaded with juicy chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, onion, and my homemade vegan alfredo sauce.
Easy Roast Chicken
Think of this as a homemade version of juicy rotisserie chicken — in the best way possible! Plus, it’s great for meal prepping. You can enjoy it in different ways throughout the week.
Ultimate Chicken Salad
With the roast chicken above (or with easy poached chicken), this creamy chicken salad is a must-make. Just make sure to use a Whole30-approved mayonnaise or my homemade mayonnaise!
Best Baked Chicken
Here is everything you need to know about making perfectly juicy chicken breasts in the oven! And if you want to switch up the seasonings, you can make my herb-baked chicken breast.
Coconut Curry Chicken
You can always count on a curry dish for an easy, healthy, and super flavorful Whole30 dinner idea. Just pair it with cauliflower rice!
Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
These are hands down the best-baked chicken thighs ever. They’re perfectly golden and crispy on the outside, with super juicy insides.
Parsnip Noodle Chicken Alfredo
Did you know you can spiralize parsnip into pasta-like noodles? It’s the perfect base to make a chicken alfredo that’s veggie-forward.
Greek Chicken Kabobs
Pop open the grill (or use an indoor grill) for these juicy chicken kabobs! They’re doused in a lemon herb marinade, skewered with colorful vegetables, and served with a side of fresh vegan tzatziki sauce.
Mexican Chicken Zucchini Noodles
Zucchini noodles are my favorite Whole30 (and gluten-free) alternative to pasta noodles and can be served in so many ways. Like this Mexican version that’s loaded with pico de gallo, spices, and cilantro! Just omit the queso fresco.
Basil Chicken With Kumquats
Seared basil-seasoned chicken with blistered kumquats? Now tell me that doesn’t sound good.
Flavorful Pork and Beef Recipes
I’ll show you the many different ways to cook pork and beef, and how to assemble them into crazy good Whole30 recipes.
Fennel Pork Meatballs
Meatballs are the best for an easy yet versatile dinner. And these are loaded with pork, fennel, onion, and fresh herbs!
Carnitas
When the Mexican food cravings hit, this juicy and tender carnitas recipe always ticks the box. Bonus — it’s unbelievably easy to make right in a slow cooker!
Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
On days when you want a more “fancy-ish” dinner, grilled skirt steak always hits the spot. Especially when it’s served with this homemade chimichurri sauce (it’s seriously the best!).
Barbacoa
If you’re more of a beef person, swap the carnitas for beef chuck roast! This is perfect for making Mexican style plates or bowls with cilantro lime cauliflower rice, pico de gallo, and guacamole!
Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Stuffed zucchini boats get a Mexica spin with ground beef, then topped with your favorite taco toppings such as cilantro, salsa, red onion, and avocado!
Carne Asada
Nail the best carne asada with this recipe, plus my carne asada marinade.
Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash
When you’re knee-deep in butternut squash season, I predict this Whole30 dinner will be on repeat. The stuffing is filled with Italian sausage, apples, onion, spinach, dried cranberries, pecans, and fresh herbs.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
A classic pulled pork recipe that’s incredibly juicy and tender! Just pop it into the slow cooker, and you’ve got endless pulled pork meals for the week.
Zucchini Noodle Spaghetti Bolognese
Another way to make the most of zucchini noodles is to serve it up as bolognese pasta! And yes — this recipe makes the best homemade bolognese sauce.
If you’re a fan of lamb, here are two delicious dinner ideas!
Easy Whole30 Seafood Recipes
If you’re more of a seafood person, you’re in luck as well. Salmon, shrimp, and many other kinds of seafood are highly recommended for a Whole30 diet. Just make sure you’re not adding in heavy creams and sauces that are not Whole30 compliant.
Salmon Salad
If you’re looking for a unique salmon dish, don’t skip this salmon salad. Slow-roasted and flaky salmon pieces get tossed with red onion, radishes, celery, fresh herbs, and the best creamy dressing.
Shrimp Fajitas
Yep, you can use my fajita seasoning to make shrimp fajitas! This dish is great on its own or added to a bowl with other Tex-Mex ingredients.
Baked Tuna Meatballs
Did you know that you can turn canned tuna into deliciously savory meatballs? Just don’t forget the vegan tzatziki sauce on the side for dipping!
Shrimp Salad
Add a creamy twist to cooked shrimp! This salad mixes chilled jumbo shrimp with celery, red onion, and the tastiest creamy herb dressing.
Air Fryer Salmon
Got an air fryer? I’ll show you how to perfectly air-fry salmon with the best seasoning! The results are golden, moist, and utterly tender.
Tuna Salad
I love to make this classic tuna salad when I’m meal-prepping for the week. You can eat it with a spoon, wrap it in butter leaf lettuce, or make tuna stuffed avocados! And if you’d like a veggie boost — make my broccoli tuna salad that puts broccoli rice to work!
Salmon Patties
Another fun way to use baked salmon is flaking it to make these salmon patties! Just remember to use Whole30 mayo for both the patties and the lemon dill sauce.
Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Come grilling season, these shrimp skewers are a no-brainer!
Scallops With Citrus Ginger Sauce
Here’s your reminder to grab a bag of frozen or market-fresh scallops to make this recipe! The citrus ginger sauce is amazing!
Dijon Baked Salmon
This baked salmon is another fan favorite recipe around here when doing a Whole30.
Roasted Branzino With Citrus Pesto
If you ever get your hands on a beautiful branzino, this will be a stunning dinner! Especially with that citrus pesto sauce on top.
Zucchini Pasta With Lemon Garlic And Shrimp
Now, this is the definition of a quick and easy Whole30 recipe! Just pan-sear lemon garlic marinated shrimp, then give it a quick toss with zucchini noodles and fresh parsley.
Vegetable Sides to Round Out your Meal
Whenever you need an accompanying veggie side dish to the proteins above, these Whole30 recipes will give some extra flavor and texture to your meals!
Sauteed Cabbage
A humble and budget-friendly head of cabbage has so much to give when cooked. The leaves become buttery soft, slightly sweet, and perfectly caramelized. Just make sure to use ghee instead of butter!
Fried Cabbage
And if you want to take sautéed cabbage to the next level, sauté it with bacon, garlic, onion, and stone ground mustard for a deliciously smoky dish.
Balsamic Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Give roasted Brussels sprouts some oomph with bacon bits and the most easy balsamic glaze!
Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower
This is the combo you didn’t know you needed. Za’atar spiced roasted cauliflower with sweet dates and toasted pine nuts!
Chimichurri Potato Salad
Chimichurri sauce isn’t just meant for steak. It can also be tossed with potatoes for an elevated side dish.
Garlic Sauteed Spinach
This is my favorite for a super zippy side dish. The spinach leaves become super tender and flavored with lots of garlic.
Blistered Tomatoes
When it’s tomato season, grab a bunch of cherry tomatoes to blister them with garlic and herbs! They become extra savory and juicy.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted sweet potatoes are always a great meal prep ingredient to have. They can easily be reheated for a quick side dish, or even made into meals like this sweet potato hash!
Garlic Ginger Bok Choy
Don’t forget about bok choy! The leaves are full of nutrients and taste amazing when sautéed with garlic and ginger.
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Not only are baked sweet potatoes a delicious side dish on their own, but great for stuffing with your favorite proteins and other veggies!
If you try any of these recipes during your Whole30 journey, leave a comment below (or on the recipe page) and let the community know how you liked it! Want to see how I do Whole30? Watch my Whole30 What I Eat in a Day video!
50+ Easy Whole30 Dinner Recipes
Get ready for Whole30 dinner recipes that are easy, nutritious and delicious! One of my favorites? This must-make Whole30 casserole recipe that creamy, cheesy and flavorful – without any cream or cheese! Shredded chicken is mixed with sautéed mushrooms and broccoli, then topped with my Vegan Alfredo Sauce for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner.
-
Make the Vegan Alfredo Sauce and set aside. This can also be made the day before and stored in the fridge.
-
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
-
Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and diced onion and stir for 3 minutes. Add the broccoli florets (make sure they’re in bite-sized pieces and not too large) and stir for another 3 minutes or until the broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green.
-
Place the shredded chicken in a 9×13-inch casserole dish, covering the bottom. Add the sautéed mushrooms, onions and broccoli in a flat layer on top.
-
Stir the chicken broth into the Vegan Alfredo sauce, then pour on top of the broccoli in the casserole dish. Use a spatula if needed to make sure everything is well coated.
-
Cook the casserole for 20-25 minutes. The sauce should be bubbling and slightly reduced and thickened. Garnish with fresh rosemary if desired and serve immediately.
Calories: 417.1kcal, Carbohydrates: 27.3g, Protein: 42.8g, Fat: 17.4g, Saturated Fat: 3.4g, Cholesterol: 76.9mg, Sodium: 593.9mg, Fiber: 8.3g, Sugar: 7.1g
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Originally posted January 2020, but updated to include new information.