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I collected a list of 40 of the Best Easy Whole30 dinner recipes to make sure that you can easily find a delicious dinner to make every day of the challenge with a few extras to spare. This list is perfect for those who have been wanting to start the Whole30 Challenge, but aren’t sure what you would eat. Besides recipes, this post describes some of the differences between Whole30, Keto and Paleo. Overall, doing a round of Whole30 is a great way to learn how certain foods may be affecting you. It’s also an excellent way to see just how much you are capable of doing when you set your mind to it. You got this!
Where are these Whole30 dinner recipes from?
I wanted you to have the best Whole30 Recipes I could find. Several of them are personal favorites from here on my own site (and if you love shrimp, I really hope you’ll give my Easy Keto Garlic Shrimp Scampi Recipe a try)! Many of the other recipes come from other keto and paleo bloggers I’ve discovered over the years.
With so many easy Whole30 dinner recipes waiting for you to try, there’s no better time to take the challenge!
What is Whole30?
Whole30 is what is known as an “elimination diet.” For 30 days, you eliminate all artificial foods and known inflammatories from your diet. This includes all sugar and artificial sweeteners, all grains, legumes, and alcohol.
As outlined on their website and in the program rules, he thinking is that these foods have all been shown to have ill effects on the body in many people – inflammation, intestinal issues, skin conditions, and much more.
So, eliminating them from your diet gives you the opportunity to see how you feel without them. Then you are one step closer to learning which foods may be interfering with your health.
Before finding keto, I did Whole30. Those 30 days helped me to understand how food impacted my body. While everyone’s experience is different, some benefits for me were:
- More energy
- My eczema flare-ups went from annoying to clearing up
- Proving to myself that I had the willpower to avoid certain foods
Over time, I’ve come to realize that I am not alone in this experience and that many Keto fans have followed Whole30 a time or two, as well. And for those that do, I hope they find these dinner ideas will be very helpful.
What can you eat on Whole30?
While on Whole30, you’ll enjoy a wide variety of meat, eggs, poultry, seafood, fish, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats. There are so many delicious ways to prepare these foods, starting with the recipes in this list.
What’s the difference between Whole30 and Keto?
As I mentioned in my what is keto post, the keto diet is specifically designed to put your body into a state of ketosis (fat burning) by reducing carbs to below a designated amount – generally 20-30 grams of net carbs or less per day.
While milk is too high in sugar (lactose) to be considered “low carb”, dairy such as butter and cheese is allowed. Most fruits are also eliminated for those following the ketogenic way of eating, except in very small amounts, because they are too high in carbs.
Whole30 eliminates all dairy except for ghee (clarified butter). However, you are allowed fruit and you won’t be spending any of your time counting carbs.
What’s the difference between Whole30, Paleo, and Keto?
Paleo allows added sugar from real, all-natural sweeteners, while Whole30 does not. Beyond that, the Whole30 & Paleo are very similar, with neither allowing grains, legumes, or dairy.
Many people who complete Whole30, tend to follow a paleo way of eating after the initial challenge. Those who crave dairy tend to eat more keto-friendly or low-carb foods.
Common Substitutes to transform Keto & Low Carb Recipes into Whole30 Recipes
Here is a list of common swaps that people who are eating keto-friendly and low-carb foods might make.
- Heavy Cream: Coconut Cream
- Butter: Ghee, Coconut Oil, or Olive Oil
- Mayo: Whole30 Mayo, such as this dairy-free mayo
- Soy Sauce: Coconut Aminos
Conquer Whole 30 with these 30+ Days of Whole30 Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
Salmon Steak Sheet Pan Dinner – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
If you’re looking for a quick meal, then this sheet plan dinner fits the bill. You simply line salmon steak or salmon filets on a sheet pan with your preferred vegetable and top them with a garlic lemon sauce. You bake this in the oven for about 15 minutes.
Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker Pot Roast – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
When you cook pot roast in a pressure cooker, wonderful things happen. The meat cooks up tender and juicy and full of flavor. Serve it up with your favorite keto side dishes, like my sautéed green beans with garlic for a feast that will have you saying, “what diet?”
Quick Seared Scallops (Keto, Whole30, Paleo) – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
Scallops are so delicious and versatile, they are a great addition to your Whole30 eating plan. These tender bits of seafood have a reputation for being difficult to cook. But, my recipe will have you feeling ready to cook scallops for Chef Gordon Ramsay!
Air Fryer Whole Chicken – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
If you don’t have an air fryer, I highly recommend one (in fact, they’re on my keto must-haves list). This whole chicken cooks up tender, moist, and completely delicious in about an hour in an air fryer. And, that crispy skin is so amazing – you may never want to eat chicken any other way again.
Easy Keto Garlic Shrimp Scampi Recipe – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
Seafood is one of the healthiest things you can eat on Whole30 (or Keto) and my Garlic Shrimp Scampi recipe is one of the best ways to enjoy it. Simply substitute the butter with ghee to keep this recipe Whole30 compliant. Serve it up with some steamed veggies or a baked sweet potato for an irresistible meal.
Easy Beef Top Sirloin Steak Recipe With Ranch Dressing Mix – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
One of the more challenging things for people on Whole30 is that they feel too restricted. But, with Whole30 dinner recipes as flavorful as this Ranch Spiced Top Sirloin, restriction is a non-issue. My homemade ranch spice mix is incredible, especially when mixed into fresh whole30 compliant mayo as a garnish for your beef.
Easy Indoor Grill Chicken Kabobs – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
Whether you cook them up indoors or outdoors, grilled Chicken Kababs are delicious and fun to eat. But, my recipe is designed to be cooked indoors so you can have them anytime, regardless of the weather. This tasty keto recipe is easily Whole30 compliant (although, to be safe, check the label on your Italian Seasoning – you’ll be amazed on Whole30 at how many things have added sugar).
Air Fryer Salmon – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
Salmon is versatile and delicious, and cooking it up in the air fryer is definitely one of my favorite ways to enjoy it. Toss your salmon into a salad or serve with Whole30 compliant sides for a meal that will have you feeling completely pampered.
BLT Avocado Salad – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
If you like salad for dinner the way I do, this BLT Avocado salad is the way to go. To make it Whole30 compliant, you’ll want to leave the dairy out of the dressing recipe and just use a Whole30 mayo. But you won’t even miss it!
Cilantro-Garlic Marinade (Whole 30 Compliant) – What a Girl Eats
I know that this Cilantro-Garlic Marinade isn’t exactly a dinner. But this scrumptious marinade adds incredible flavor to any meat or vegetable you add it to. Once you taste it, you’ll probably want to try it on almost everything you eat.
Korean Ground Beef – This Mom’s Menu
This Korean ground beef is delicious and versatile. Serve it on top of a salad or cauliflower rice or alongside steamed veggies. Simply leave out the Stevia and use coconut aminos in place of soy sauce to make it Whole30 compliant.
Keto Instant Pot Thai Shrimp Soup – Beauty and the Foodie
This Thai Shrimp Soup cooks up so creamy and delicious, you’ll be amazed that there is no dairy in it. The secret is coconut milk and ghee. Flavorful and refreshing, this soup is pure Whole30 comfort food in a bowl.
Keto Instant Pot Chunky Chili– Beauty and the Foodie
You might think that you have to give up on chili when eating Whole30, but this Instant Pot Chunky Chili will change your mind. Rich in veggies and garnished with chopped avocado, this chili is so good, you won’t even miss the beans or dairy-based toppings!
Chicken Fajita Whole30 Stuffed Peppers Recipe – Wholesome Yum
Stuffed peppers are wonderful, but the standard variety with rice and cheese are a big no-no on a Whole30 eating plan. These Chicken Fajita Peppers are stuffed with chicken and veggies and topped with good things like diced avocado and green ovens. You can even add cauliflower rice to these if you prefer!
The Best Broiled Lobster Tail Recipe – Wholesome Yum
Going out for seafood is always fun, but might not be easy when you are trying to stay Whole30 compliant. This broiled lobster tail will satisfy those seafood cravings without blowing your diet. No worries if you’ve never made it before – this recipe gives you all the guidance you need for scrumptious lobster every time!
Low Carb Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana – My PCOS Kitchen
Whenever I find a good copycat recipe, I feel like I am getting away with something. This recipe for Zuppa Toscana soup is a great copycat of the Olive Garden version. Simply substitute almond or coconut milk for the cream and leave out the parmesan to make this keto soup Whole30 compliant.
Kale and Sweet Potato Stuffed Turkey Breast – Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Although it is incredibly healthy, kale is one of those acquired tastes that most people would prefer not to acquire. But when combined with sweet potatoes and rolled up inside a moist and tender turkey breast, you might be surprised how good kale can be! This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving – and the rest of the year, too!
Thai Style Meatballs-Keto – All Day I Dream About Food
If you love meatballs, you’ll be thrilled to learn that these Thai meatballs are not only tantalizing – they are great for your keto or Whole30 way of eating. I would recommend doubling this recipe so you don’t run out too fast!
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings – Dr. Davinah’s Eats
Buffalo wings are incredibly popular, but the sauce often contains hidden sugar, making it a problem when eating keto or Whole30. These air fryer wings are one great solution. This recipe has another one for blue cheese dressing, but you’ll need to skip this for Whole30.
Kid-Friendly Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken – Fearless Dining
Lemon chicken is savory and refreshing and this version of it is easy to make, too. You cook it up in a crockpot, making it mouthwatering and tender. Bonus – it makes your house smell amazing, too!
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast – This Mom’s Menu
If you’ve never brined turkey, you’ll appreciate the directions that come with this recipe for Slow Cooker Turkey Breast. Flavorful, moist, and amazing, you may decide you need to eat turkey much more than once or twice a year!
Asian Tuna Cakes – Peace, Love, and Low Carb
Tuna (and other fish) cakes are usually dependent upon bread crumbs or crackers, making them off-limits for keto or Whole30. But, these Asian Tuna Cakes have all the comforting flavor and texture you crave – while supporting your keto or Whole30 lifestyle.
Easy Cauliflower Celeriac Soup With Bacon – Cook Eat Paleo
Before eating Whole30 or keto, I didn’t give much thought to the versatility of cauliflower. Now, I have an entire post dedicated to cauliflower recipes. Not only is it a great substitute for rice and potatoes, it makes this soup rich and creamy. Healthy and comforting, this is a wonderful meal to sip from a mug on a chilly night.
Fillet of Fish with Loaded Coleslaw and Braised Fennel – The Healthy Foodie
Fish can be an intimidating food to cook if you aren’t familiar with it. But this Whole30 compliant fillet of fish meal will have you feeling like a chef in no time. So delicious and healthy, your family will love this, too.
Air Fryer Chicken (Stuffed with Veggies)– The Typical Mom
When you put a whole chicken in a cast iron dutch oven and bake it, incredible things happen. Stuffed with veggies and resting on potatoes, this one-pot meal is healthy and comforting. Keep it Whole30 compliant by leaving out the rice (and the wine). With so many veggies, you won’t even miss it.
Apple Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner – Tastes of Lizzy T
Baking your meal on a sheet pan is a simple way to prepare healthy food for you and your family. Chicken leg quarters are inexpensive and delicious. Combined with baked apple and onion slices, this tasty meal will make your Whole30 eating plan even more enjoyable!
Stuffed Pepper Soup – Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
This stuffed pepper soup is full of delicious flavors and is hearty enough to comfort you on a cold evening. Leave out the coconut sugar and substitute cauliflower rice for the grain to make it Whole30 compliant.
Salmon Salad With Avocado and Spinach – All Day I Dream About Food
I love this meal because it’s so fresh and tantalizing. It’s a salad, but to me, it barely needs dressing. I just want to wrap the salmon up in spinach leaves and enjoy! If you want to have dressing, there are several dairy-free options in this keto salad dressing recipes post.
Easy Instant Pot Ribs (Whole 30) – Cook Eat Paleo
The instant pot is the secret to the incredible tenderness of these ribs. Juicy, delicious, and Whole30 compliant dinner recipe (when you leave out the coconut sugar), these ribs are sure to have you smiling.
Sausage and Vegetables – I Heart Naptime
When you find a good Whole30 sausage that you like, one great way to enjoy it is by baking it together with sliced potatoes, broccoli, and bell peppers. Drizzle everything with olive oil, season, and roast on a sheet to get all those flavors mingling together in all the best ways!
Orange and Five-Spice Roasted Chicken Legs – This Mom’s Menu
Whether you use chicken legs or another part of the bird, you will love the taste of this wonderful recipe. Simple and yummy, you may find it hard to believe that this is actually allowed on your Whole30 eating plan. Psst – it is!
Blackened Dijon Chicken – Peace, Love, and Low Carb
There’s nothing better than finding a food that you love and knowing that it’s really good for you. This Blackened Dijon Chicken is easy to make and packed with flavor. It pairs wonderfully with everything from salad to sweet potatoes, too!
Lemon Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner – Tastes of Lizzy T
Another wonderful way to make a sheet pan full of chicken, this dish is made with chicken leg quarters roasted alongside sliced sweet potatoes and zucchini, garnished with lemon and herbs. Refreshing and tasty, there’s also something really fun about dinner on a sheet pan!
Plantain Nachos – Hip 2 Save
These tasty nachos are Whole30 compliant but make you feel as if you are cheating. Instead of chips, enjoy your toppings on thin slices of plantain without missing out on either flavor or fun! This is a great Whole30 dinner recipe for the end of the week!
Chicken and Apple Sausage Vegetable Skillet – Belle of the Kitchen
When you cook up sausage with a combination of onions, mushrooms, peppers, and other veggies, you end up with a one-skillet meal that you can’t resist. The aromas alone will have you ready to eat – and the fact that it is Whole30 compliant dinner recipe is simply a bonus!
Crock Pot Turkey Bolognese Sauce With Zucchini Noodles – Cook Eat Paleo
There’s nothing better than homemade pasta sauce – even when the “pasta” is spiralized zucchini. This turkey bolognese sauce is easy to make in your crockpot, saving you time on busy evenings. The easier it is to stick to your eating plan, the better, right?
Skillet Pork Chops With Apples and Onions – Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
These skillet pork chops look so good and I bet they taste even better. Pork is always delicious with apples, and onions add another depth of flavor. I’d pair this with some cauliflower – either mashed or riced – and enjoy the feast!
Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs – Cook Eat Paleo
Chicken thighs are one of the best pieces of the chicken. They have a ton of meat on them, and a high fat content, too, making them a great addition to your keto or Whole30 diet. And when you cook them up in your instant pot, you can use the meat in all kinds of quick and tasty Whole30 compliant dinner meals!
Pesto Zucchini Noodles (Dairy-Free and Whole30) – Hip 2 Save
Spiralized zucchini is a great substitute for pasta when you get a craving. Mix it together with dairy-free pesto sauce and chunks of grilled chicken for a quick and delicious dinner that may soon become one of your favorite meals.
Mexican Chicken Soup – I Heart Naptime
Crockpot meals are so easy to make, and this soup is no exception. Made with fresh and healthy ingredients, it is tasty and Whole30 compliant, too. Recipes like this make those 30 days look downright easy!
Deconstructed Cabbage Roll Soup – Peace, Love, and Low Carb
Cabbage is versatile and good for you. When cooked up in this keto and Whole30 friendly soup, it creates a dish that is rich, flavorful, and filling. Imagine – soup that comforts your spirit while taking good care of your body!
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