Crush your Whole30 in the most delicious way possible with one (or more!) of these tried-and-true Whole30 Dinner Recipes. These are our very best reader approved recipes for easy weeknights dinners and indulgent weekend cooking!
Dinner can be a chore in the best of times. And on a Whole30? It can feel like a doozy.
But fear not! “What’s for dinner?” might be the question, and these tried-and-tested reader favorite Whole30 Dinner recipes are the answer! You’ll find a variety of clean, no-fuss meals for easy weeknight dinners, kid-friendly favorites, and indulgent comfort foods.
Savor savory beef stew, fix your craving for Taco Tuesday, find a 15-minute meal for one of those nights, and fill your freezer with one-pot wonders that easily double. Got a need? This list will fill it!
Whole30 Dinner “Rules”
Dinner should be a meal we look forward to, Whole30 or not. It’s a chance to unwind from our hectic days and connect with our loved ones over a shared meal. Our rules for curating the BEST Whole30 dinner recipes serve that purpose:
- They are EASY. No expensive tools, fancy techniques, or hours laboring over the stove. Most recipes are ready in under an hour (save the slightly longer ones for a lazy Saturday). We’ve noted “perfect for weeknights” on meals that can be prepped, cooked, and served in under 45 minutes.
- They are COMPLETE. If it’s not a one-pot meal or single skillet wonder, you’ll find appropriate side dishes that pair perfectly.
- They are GENEROUS. Need to plan for leftovers? Is having a freezer stash a sanity saver? Is Sunday meal prep your jam? We’ve got meals for that! We’ve noted “great for leftovers” or “freezer friendly” for meals you can double and freeze or count on for leftovers.
- They are REAL. Real recipes, for real people using “regular” ingredients you can find at your local grocery store.
- They’re mostly FAMILY FRIENDLY. The majority of our Whole30 recipes are kid-tested and approved. Who needs to cook two dinners? Not you dear reader! We‘ve noted “kid-friendly” for recipes my (picky eater!) children eat without complaint.
One Month’s Worth of the BEST Whole30 Dinner Recipes
The Best Whole30 Beef Stew
A proper beef stew should braised low and slow for hours. You’ll create layers of deep flavor by simmering seared pieces of chuck roast with onions, leeks, and garlic in a seasoned broth. Add the vegetables in the last hour to ensure they’re perfectly bite-tender. This is a recipe made for Sunday supper, and the leftovers are even better the next day.
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- Perfect for weekend cooking
- Great for leftovers
- Freezer friendly
- Kid-friendly
Extra Veggie Beef Chili
Take your chili game up a (healthy-ish) notch with this veggie packed, no bean twist! Flexitarian-style Whole30 Chili is brimming with a rainbow of colorful vegetables with just enough beef to please even the most carnivorous chili-lover in your life. Loaded with nutrient dense real foods, make this chili for game day, meal prep, or any hungry crowd.
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- Easy to double
- Great for leftovers and meal prep
- Freezer friendly
- Kid-friendly
Instant Pot Italian Pot Roast
Pot Roast via your Instant Pot is the solution for a cozy, crave-worthy family dinner in just a fraction of the time it takes to make it the traditional way. Browning smaller chunks of meat and seasoning the liquid with balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, and fresh herbs results in an incredibly flavorful pot roast - you won't believe it wasn't slow cooked for hours!
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- Great for leftovers (makes 8 servings)
- Perfect for weekend cooking
- Kid-friendly
Whole30 Turkey Burgers
Serve it with: Baked Sweet Potato Fries
You will love these easy paleo turkey burgers! Packed with veggies then pan-seared to perfection, they're a delicious low carb recipe packed with flavor!
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- Perfect for weeknights (35 minute meal)
- Kid-friendly
- Great for leftovers
Whole30 Steak Bites with Sweet Potatoes and Peppers
This recipe for Whole30 steak bites is packed with tons of flavor and huge pops of vitamins thanks to colorful sweet potatoes and bell peppers. It's an easy, approachable weeknight dinner recipe that's ready in under 45 minutes.
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- Perfect for weeknights (45 minute meal)
- One-skillet recipe
Whole30 Hamburger Soup
Classic hamburger soup is made by simmering ground beef with veggies and a starch in a savory tomato-based broth. This Whole30 compliant version incorporates bell pepper, yukon gold potatoes, and fresh green beans, making it both colorful and nutrient dense. The resulting dish is more stew than soup, and is a hearty stick-to-your-ribs dinner that the entire family loves.
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- Great for leftovers (serves 6)
- Easy to double
- Freezer friendly
- Weekend cooking or ambitious weeknight (ready in 1 hour)
- Kid-friendly
Instant Pot Whole30 Tacos
Serve it with: Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice or Avocado Salad
Dozens and dozens of readers agree - my slow cooker cilantro lime chicken is simply awesome. Now you can enjoy the magic of this juicy, tangy, spiced-to-you-liking taco chicken from the comfort of your pressure cooker. Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken is just as flavorful in a fraction of the time, and it's the perfect protein for making Whole30 Tacos.
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- Perfect for weeknights (30 minute meal)
- Good for leftovers (serves 6)
- Easy to double
- Great freezer stash
- Kid-friendly
Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet and creamy sweet potatoes are the perfect companion to spicy taco meat. These taco stuffed sweet potatoes are a filling, delicious, and nutritious dinner that's ready in 30 minutes, and also totally kid-approved.
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- Perfect for weeknights (30 minute meal)
- Kid-friendly
Healthy Tuscan Chicken over Spaghetti Squash
This healthy tuscan chicken is a one-skillet dinner recipe that's loaded with classic Italian flavors. Tossed in a creamy dairy free sauce with tons of vegetables, this healthy take on the classic delivers big bold flavor with none of the guilt. Serve it over roasted spaghetti squash for a low carb, Whole30 compliant meal, or over your favorite base (like whole grain pasta, polenta, or creamy cauliflower puree).
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- Easy to double
- Makes great for leftovers
Korean Beef Bulgogi
Serve it with: Cauliflower Rice
Bulgogi is a traditional Korean recipe made by marinating paper thin slices of beef in sweet-and-sour marinade. It's then tossed with carrots and onions and stir-fried over high heat until crispy and caramelized. This healthy Whole30 version is an incredibly easy recipe packed with bold authentic taste that's ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a stress-free weeknight dinner or fake-out Friday!
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- Great for weeknights (make the marinade in the morning or the night before)
- Kid-friendly
Apple Chicken with Cider Mustard Sauce
Serve it with: Cauliflower Rice
Chicken with Apples and Cider Mustard Sauce. It sounds so fancy, right? I know. And it very well might be, but this apple cider chicken recipe is also easy, relatively quick (45 minutes), and a one-pan family friendly delight. There are so many ways to enjoy the bounty of apple season, and if you're in need of a savory fix after your eleventy-billionth apple pie, this is the dinner recipe for you!
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- Great for weeknight cooking (45 minute recipe)
- Kid-friendly
Ground Beef Picadillo
Serve it with: Cauliflower Rice
Like most homestyle comfort foods, there are a million and one ways to make picadillo. Some call for oven roasted tomatoes, some call for a sofrito base, some add capers or chili powder. I've adapted this picadillo recipe from several variations over the years into a fast and kid-friendly weeknight dinner that my family loves. I keep the prep time low by blending a spicy tomato sauce using canned fire-roasted tomatoes. They're a quick way to add depth and flavor without any extra work.
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- Easy to double
- Makes great leftovers
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Serve with: Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
Pulled pork has never been quicker thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. If you've been sitting on the skeptic bench, I'll happily extend a hand and welcome you to the wonderful world of 90-minute pressure cooker pulled pork. With just a few simple tricks you'll be making Instant Pot Pulled Pork that will rival even the best slow braised recipes.
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- Excellent freezer stash (makes 12 servings)
- Great for leftovers and meal prep
- Perfect for weekend cooking
Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken
Serve it with: Cauliflower Rice
Healthy sweet and sour chicken is the back-pocket recipe you need for harried weeknights or fake-out Fridays - it's ready in just 25 minutes, and the short and sweet list of ingredients are staples you probably already have in your fridge and pantry. Serve it over cauliflower rice for a veggie-packed Whole30 dinner, or reach for steamed white rice if you're feeling frisky.
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- Perfect for weeknight cooking (25 minute meal)
- Kid-friendly
- Easy to double
- Great for leftovers
Instant Pot Beef Ragu
Serve it with: Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Because there is no single origin for beef ragu, it's an excellent choose-your-own-adventure recipe. To make this classic Italian comfort food Whole30, the liquid is a combination of beef broth with a splash of balsamic vinegar. Chuck roast becomes impossibly tender and intensely flavored with carrots, onions, garlic, and crushed tomatoes. My family loves it served over creamy cauliflower mash, but it's also terrific with roasted spaghetti squash.
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- Perfect for weekend cooking
- Great for leftovers
- Excellent freezer stash
Seared Salmon with Cucumber Mango Salsa
Serve it with: Garlic Green Beans, Sautéed Kale, and/or Roasted Asparagus
This fresh and tangy cucumber mango salsa is one of my favorite toppings for simple pan-seared salmon. It's a fast and easy condiment that is packed with colorful, seasonal vegetables. This is weeknight whole foods cooking at it's simplest and most delicious.
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- Perfect for weeknights (20 minute meal)
Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Serve it with: Apple Cider Vinegar Coleslaw
This slow cooker apple cider pulled pork recipe is an easy and versatile fall recipe. It's sweet but not cloying, savory but still cidery, and ready for the slow cooker in just 20 minutes.
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- Great for leftovers (serves 12)
- Excellent freezer stash
- Good for weeknight cooking (prep in the morning)
- Kid-friendly
Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus Skillet
Simple one-skillet meals, like this Lemon Garlic Chicken and Asparagus, are my weeknight workhorses! This recipe requires just a handful of real whole foods, one pan, and 30 minutes. It's simple and filling and it tastes awesome.
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- Great for weeknights (35 minute meal)
- Kid-friendly
- Easy to double
- Great for leftovers
Beef Kofta Meatballs
Serve it with: Cauliflower Tabbouleh
These Lebanese beef kofta spiced meatballs are a modernized version of the classic. Made with a flavorful spice mixture and fresh herbs, they are an addictive snack or a satisfying meal served with tabouleh or rice.
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- Perfect for weeknight cooking (35 minute meal)
- Good for meal prep
- Kid-friendly
Chicken Shawarma Salad
Chicken shawarma salad is an incredibly flavorful, fresh, and elegant weeknight paleo dinner. Each bite is crisp, bright and bursting with flavor. The marinade takes just minutes and can be prepped the night before, making for an easy and fast dinner.
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- Perfect for weeknight cooking (make the marinade in the morning!)
- Great for meal prep
Instant Pot Chicken Curry
Serve it with: Cauliflower Rice
Instant Pot chicken curry is ready in just 30 minutes, and since the flavor walks on the milder side, it's perfect for discerning palettes (both kids and adults!). Preparing a dish like curry in the Instant Pot is all about the layering, so you'll start by toasting the spices, then infusing the base with alliums, and finally cooking the chicken. Coconut milk and lime juice bring balance to the final texture and marry the flavors perfectly.
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- Perfect for weeknight cooking (30 minute meal)
- Kid-friendly
- Easy to double
- Excellent freezer stash
Sweet Potato Hash
Serve it with: Fried Eggs and Sautéed Spinach
Sweet potato hash is a classic - budget-friendly whole food ingredients loaded with healthy vitamins and minerals in a tidy and delicious package. It's earned a permanent spot in our breakfast rotation year round. Instead of oven roasting the sweet potatoes, this one-pan method results in perfect pan roasted potatoes in just a fraction of the time.
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- Great for weeknight cooking (25 minute recipe)
- Kid friendly
- Easy to double
- Great for leftovers
Rosemary Steak
Serve it with: Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Garlic Green Beans
Flank steak is the perfect cut for for feeding a crowd quickly and deliciously. It's relatively affordable for its size (especially compared with pricier cuts like sirloin or rib-eye), and when cooked properly, it's tender and juicy. A quick marinade pairs perfectly with this lean cut, and truly improves the flavor without adding too much fuss.
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- Great for weeknight cooking (make the marinade in the morning)
- Kid-friendly
Balsamic Chicken Thighs
Serve it with: Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad or Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables
This chicken is so simple I almost feel guilty calling it a "recipe", but here we are. A simple marinade of balsamic vinegar, coconut aminos, and dried herbs infuses boneless skinless chicken with flavor, then creates a sticky but not-too-sweet crust once grilled. Be sure to marinate at least 30 minutes. If you're staring into a crazy week and need very quick dinner, prep the marinade in the morning and let it hang out in the fridge all day.
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- Great for weeknight cooking (make the marinade in the morning)
- Kid-friendly
- Great for meal prep and leftovers
Whole30 Italian Meatballs
Serve it over: Zoodles or Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
Paleo and Whole30 Italian-style meatballs are a true love. They're the antidote to whatever ails you, and the ultimate comfort food. You'll sear them on the outside to form a good crust (and create extra flavor) then finish cooking in our Whole30 marinara sauce (of your favorite compliant store-bought version). You can freeze them individually or in the sauce, or just nosh on the leftovers for the rest of the week.
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- Perfect for weekend cooking
- Excellent freezer stash
- Kid-friendly
Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa
Serve it with: Tossed Green Salad
This avocado salsa is so easy to make with just 5 ingredients and a little salt and pepper. It's fresh, flavorful and so easy! Serve on top of perfectly grilled chicken for a delicious meal.
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- Perfect for weeknight cooking (20 minute meal)
- Kid-friendly
Ground Turkey Hash with Squash and Peppers
Savory turkey hash has quickly become my favorite breakfast meal prep of all time. It's ready in about 30 minutes, and is naturally paleo, whole 30 and gluten-free. Topped with a simple fried egg, it's a warm, filling and nutritious breakfast that's ready each morning in just under 5 minutes.
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- Great for weeknight cooking (30 minute meal)
- Easy to double
- Perfect for leftovers and meal prep
Instant Pot Carnitas
Serve it with: Mexican Cauliflower Rice or Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
Is there anything better than perfectly seasoned, tender-yet-crispy shreds of pork stuffed into a blistered taco shell? Few things, my friends, few things. Instant Pot Carnitas are much quicker than the classic method, and yield all of the aforementioned benefits. Citrus juices (orange and lime) add subtle flavor and help tenderize the pork, which is seasoned with plenty of garlic, cumin, and oregano (use Mexican oregano if you have it). This dish is ready in an hour and will easily feed your belly and soul for a week.
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- Excellent freezer stash (makes 12 servings)
- Kid-friendly
Baked Halibut with Peach Salsa
Serve it with: Lemon Garlic Asparagus, Garlic Green Beans
Light, flaky and delicious, properly prepared halibut is a treat. But it can also be expensive! So proper cooking is a must. The delicate but meaty flavor of halibut is perfect for bold flavors, like this tangy peach salsa.
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- Perfect for weeknights (15 minute meal!)
Ranch Chicken Poppers
Serve it with: Ranch Potatoes and Garlic Green Beans
Ranch chicken poppers are ready in about 30 minutes using a very short list of whole food ingredients. They're pan seared for a crisp golden crust, then finished in the oven. Serve them on their own as an appetizer or over greens for a yummy Whole30 dinner salad. Be sure to dunk or drizzle generously with ranch dressing.
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- Great for weeknights (30 minute recipe)
- Kid-friendly
- Excellent freezer stash
- Great for leftovers
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