21 Delicious Whole30-Friendly Recipes (2024)

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Ariel Knutson

Ariel Knutson

Arie was the Features Director at Kitchn. She lives in Los Angeles.

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updated May 1, 2019

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21 Delicious Whole30-Friendly Recipes (1)

So you decided to jump on the bandwagon and try Whole30. Congratulations! Once you’ve read the guidelines to the program and prepped your kitchen, it’s time to get meal planning. You’ll find it very difficult to eat anything at all if you don’t have a plan and some ingredients prepped in the fridge.

The first rule of doing Whole30 is to always check the ingredient list on whatever you’re buying. You might know that Whole30 says you must abstain from eating grains, legumes, dairy, sugar, and alcohol for 30 days, but it gets more complicated when you break it down to the ingredient level. For example, things like bacon and marinara sauce seem innocent enough, but they might not be Whole30-compliant because they have added sugar or other additives.

I’ve gathered a list of Kitchn’s very best Whole30-friendly recipes so you don’t go hungry on your month-long journey. Almost all of these recipes require no substitutions (I’ll let you know when you need to use ghee for example, instead of butter), but you still need to check your ingredients at the grocery store to make sure everything works for Whole30.

1. Lemon Thyme Chicken Thighs

If you’re doing Whole30 for the first time, you’re going to need a bunch of easy chicken dinners that you can rely on. The key to this recipe is the lemon and a hot cast iron skillet.

2. Scrambled Eggs with Lazy Salsa

You can’t have bread or dairy for breakfast when you’re doing Whole30, so eggs will quickly become your go-to. This scrambled edition gets a kick from an easy salsa you can make the night before.

3. Vegan Sweet Potato Chowder

Make a big batch of this vegan soup and eat it all week. This is one of those recipes that only gets better after it sits in the fridge for a day.

4. Sheet Pan Chicken with Red Potatoes and Sage

For a simple dinner after a long day, put some chicken, sage, and potatoes on a sheet pan and pop it into the oven.

5. Pressure-Cooker Hawaiian Kalua Pig

Make a big batch of this pressure-cooker recipe once and put half of it in the freezer for later.

6. Fiona’s Green Chicken

This chicken recipe is all about the marinade. Remember to look for a Whole30-compliant fish sauce if you want to make this recipe.

7.

This crunchy, fresh salad is a little bitter from the grapefruit and a bit salty from the olives. It’s a great thing to pair with a meaty main.

8. Slow-Cooker Korean Short Ribs

Don’t feel like you have time to cook a big dinner tonight? Worried that you’re going to be eating chicken and vegetables yet again? Your slow cooker can help you solve that problem. With a little planning, these delicious ribs can be all yours.

9. 30-Minute Cacciatore Chicken

The pressure cooker ensures that you can have a delicious chicken dish in less than 30 minutes. When buying the ingredients for this recipe, make sure to find stewed tomatoes that don’t include added sugar.

10. Kohlrabi Bistro Salad

This French bistro-style recipe is an inspired way to eat a salad. The bacon and egg don’t hurt, either. When making this recipe, be sure to check for bacon and Dijon mustard that is compliant with the Whole30 program.

11.

Doing Whole30 doesn’t mean you have to give up sushi, but it does mean you need to get creative. These delicious hand rolls will make everyone happy at the dinner table.

12.

You’re going to become good friend with fish on your Whole30 journey. This simple olive oil salmon is an easy show-stopper for dinner.

13. Bryant Terry’s Fresh Herb Roasted Potatoes

Until 2014, white potatoes were not allowed to be consumed during Whole30. You can’t eat them fried or as chips, of course, but these roasted potatoes are totally OK to eat.

14. Asian Cauliflower Fried Rice with Kalua Pork

Of all the Whole30 recipes I’ve seen out there, this might be my favorite. It’s super comforting and full of vegetables (cauliflower, duh). If you decide to use bacon instead of pork, make sure it is Whole30-compliant.

15. Lemon-Herb Fish Fillets on Crispy Potato Rafts

How elegant does this dinner look? If you decide to make this recipe, just make sure to use ghee instead of butter.

16. Snap Peas with Meyer Lemon and Mint

Need something bright and fresh to add to your Whole30 menu? This is it.

17. Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Red Pepper and Corn

Sautéed veggies get a kick from a few squeezes of grapefruit and a splash of white balsamic vinegar. If you make this recipe, make sure to leave out corn which is not Whole30 compliant.

18. Roast Chicken with Fennel, Carrots, and Gremolata

Another delicious variation on the classic chicken and vegetable dinner. I love that this one gets creative with the fennel fronds.

19. Green Salad with Orange, Avocado, and Red Onion

A fresh, crunchy salad gets a kick with orange slices and creamy avocado. It’s a great thing to pair with hearty meat.

20. Tuna Puttanesca

This bright, bold recipe is all about the sauce. It’s filed with tomatoes, capers, olives, and anchovy.

21. Baked Halibut with Chimichurri

Serve this healthy weeknight dinner with a fresh salad.

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21 Delicious Whole30-Friendly Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is peanut butter allowed on 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.

Can you have hummus on Whole30? ›

Traditional hummus is made from garbanzo beans, which are a legume and not Whole30 compatible. However, there are some really yummy hummus-like dip recipes out there, using cauliflower, carrots, or even green peas as a base.

Can you eat avocado on Whole30? ›

Avocados are a staple of the Whole30 diet. They fill you up and satisfy with a rich, creamy flavor. Fill your fridge with them to combat cravings.

Is salt allowed on Whole30? ›

While salt of all kinds are allowed on the Whole30® program, it's best to find salt that is high quality and not stripped of its nutrients, like plain table salt is. It's true, table salt is highly refined, devoid of minerals and even contains anti-caking agents and sugar!

Can I eat bananas 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.

Is popcorn approved on Whole30? ›

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

What is the one bite rule on Whole30? ›

One bite of pizza, one spoonful of ice cream, one sip of beer within the 30-day period and you've broken the 'reset'—and have to start over again on Day 1,” Whole30 instructs.

Is Chick-Fil-A Whole30 approved? ›

While Chick-fil-A can be very keto-friendly, and many people consider it a healthier fast-food option, their Whole30 options are actually very limited. Unlike fast-food spots like McDonald's or Wendy's, there are no real meat options since Chick-fil-A strictly serves chicken.

What can I put in my coffee on Whole30? ›

You can drink it black, add unsweetened compatible nutpods, coconut milk, almond milk, or add cinnamon or vanilla beans to the brew. But remember, Whole30 guidelines exclude milk, cream, non-compatible milk substitutes, and added sweeteners—including date paste or stevia (more on that below).”

Are blueberries allowed on Whole30? ›

Fruits Whole30-approved favorites include: Apricots. Blackberries. Blueberries.

Is bacon allowed on Whole30? ›

You can also eat processed meats as long as they don't include any artificial preservatives or added sugars. So when your bacon craving strikes, stick to sugar-free uncured bacon. A hearty meat-based stew with some nutrient-rich avocado makes a great Whole30® meal.

Can I have almond milk on Whole30? ›

It's got only four ingredients: water, organic almonds, organic acacia gum, and sea salt. You've seen this in literally every grocery store, and now you know: Yes, you can drink it while doing Whole30. Silk's unsweetened vanilla carton is fair game, too.

What butter can you have on Whole30? ›

Clarified butter or ghee

Clarified butter and ghee are the only sources of dairy allowed during your Whole30, as they've had their milk solids rendered out. Plain old butter is not allowed, as its milk proteins could impact the results of your program.

What is a Whole30 substitute for butter? ›

But that doesn't mean you can't eat any butter when you're doing Whole30 or that you should start looking for some butter substitute. According to the program rules, the best—and only—way to eat butter when you're doing Whole30 is to eat clarified butter or ghee.

How do I get enough protein on my Whole30? ›

Our primary protein sources include legumes, lentils and peas; whole or minimally processed forms of soy like edamame, tofu, and tempeh; minimally processed meat alternatives such as Abbot's Butcher “beef” and “chorizo;” and whole forms of plant-based protein powders like pea, hemp, pumpkin, or chia.

What is a Whole30 substitute for peanut butter? ›

Almond butter is the most popular alternative to peanut butter when completing the Whole30 diet. It is a delicious, high-calorie, high-fat food that helps prevent oxidative damage, has magnesium that helps the nervous system, and contains iron that helps your blood deliver oxygen.

What foods are banned on the Whole30 diet? ›

Foods that you'll need to avoid on the Whole30 diet include:
  • Dairy.
  • Grains.
  • Junk foods.
  • Sodas or other drinks with refined sugar in them.
  • Foods with added sugars.
  • Baked goods and dessert.
Sep 13, 2023

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