35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (2024)

35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (1)

The Minimalist Baker

We love Whole30 for jumpstarting a New Year’s reset, clearing up our skin or detoxing after an indulgent vacation. But with dairy, grains, legumes and sugar all strictly verboten, Whole30 can easily get heavy on the animal protein. The good news? It doesn’t have to. There are tons of snacks and meals you can indulge in that are totally meat-free, like smoothie bowls, green shakshuka, sheet-pan eggs with asparagus and even creamy curried cauliflower-kale soup. Whether you’re a strict vegetarian or just going easy on the meat, here are 35 Whole30 vegetarian recipes you’ll love.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Grilled Watermelon Steaks

No barbecue is complete without a few thick slabs of spiced watermelon on the grill.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (3)

Half Baked Harvest

2. Creamy Thai Carrot Sweet Potato Soup

When it comes to flavor, a little red curry paste goes a long way.

Kerri Axelrod

3. Green Smoothie Bowl

Packed to the brim with protein and vitamins and ready in 15 minutes.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (5)

Pinch of Yum

4. Broccoli Salad with Creamy Almond Dressing

No mayo here. This take is lighter, but just as tangy and crunchy.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Rainbow Vegetable Skewers

No filter necessary—they’re as naturally gorgeous as they are delicious.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (7)

Healthy Nibbles and Bits

6. Harissa Portobello Mushroom 'Tacos'

We’ve got Taco Tuesday covered (guacamole and pico included).

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles

This genius recipe subs cucumber spirals for wheat noodles.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

8. Zoodle Stir-Fry

Lo mein fiends, rejoice. (Sub coconut aminos for soy sauce if you’re strictly on Whole30.)

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9. 15-Minute Gazpacho with Cucumber, Red Pepper and Basil

Put your farmers market haul to good use.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (11)

Cotter Crunch

10. Curried Cauliflower Kale Soup

Save this one for a chilly night.

35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (12)

The Minimalist Baker

11. Roasted Rainbow Vegetable Bowl

The key is to roast the veggies until they’re totally soft and caramelized.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12. Green Shakshuka

Our take on the Israeli dish swaps tomato sauce for spinach and fresh herbs.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13. Ratatouille

Adorable cartoon rat (sadly) not included.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

14. Cold Lemon Zoodles

Eight ingredients + 20 minutes = the most refreshing dinner ever.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

15. Egg and Veggie Breakfast Bowl

Salad for breakfast? Eggs for dinner? We’re down.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (17)

The Bojon Gourmet

16. Summer Vegan Green Goddess Salad

Thanks to nutritional yeast, you won’t miss the Parmesan.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17. One-Pan Eggs and Asparagus and Tomatoes

You love 30-minute dinners. Dirty dishes? Not so much.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (19)

The Modern Proper

18. Coconut Curry Zoodle Ramen

Sorry, dairy. Full-fat coconut milk has this creamy dream covered.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

19. Clean-Eating Bibimbap Bowls

Just skip the honey in the sauce to keep it Whole30 compliant.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (21)

What’s Gaby Cooking

20. Citrus Farmers Market Salad

Complete with lemon-shallot vinaigrette.

35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (22)

Simple Veganista

21. Vegan Mushroom Soup

You can’t have alcohol on Whole30, so just sub vegetable stock for wine.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

22. Crispy Roasted Artichokes

Good luck not inhaling the whole batch in one sitting.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (24)

I Heart Umami

23. Whole30 Vegan Curry

Turmeric, coriander and cumin, oh my!

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

24. Cauliflower Fried Rice

This low-carb takeout favorite only takes 25 minutes to prepare.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (26)

Well Plated by Erin

25. Whole30 Vegetarian Power Bowls

Tahini is the secret to the lemon-garlic dressing.

Amanda Frederickson/Simple Beautiful Food

26. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Sriracha and Lime

Bookmark it for Thanksgiving (or any old Tuesday).

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Abra Berens/Chronicle Books

27. Blistered Green Beans with Tomatoes, Walnuts and Summer Squash

Taste the rainbow.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

28. Roasted Mixed Nuts

You can never have too many 15-minute party apps up your sleeve.

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Simon Smith/Vegan 100

29. Cheesy Raw Vegan Zucchini Lasagna

Think veggies smothered in pesto and cashew “cheese” sauce.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

30. Dairy-Free Butternut Squash ‘Fondue’

Just as silky-smooth and decadent as the real thing.

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Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Heath Goldman

31. Tandoori-Inspired Roast Cauliflower Bowls with Tahini

Skip the steamed basmati rice and you're in business.

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Katherine Gillen

32. Sheet Pan Curried Butternut Squash Soup

We'd make squash season last forever if we could.

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Nicole Franzen/Food: What the Heck Should I Cook?

33. Roasted Beet and Citrus Salad

Sweet beets, tangy citrus, peppery arugula and lots of walnuts.

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Erin Kunkel/Malibu Farm Sunrise to Sunset

34. Malibu Farm’s Vegan Chop Salad

It sure blows kale Caesar out of the water. (Skip the chickpeas if you just started Whole30.)

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Erin Kunkel/Malibu Farm Sunrise to Sunset

35. Open-Face Salad Omelet

Eggs are always there when you need dinner in a flash. Skip the prosciutto to keep it veg.

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35 Whole30 Vegetarian Recipes to Try (2024)

FAQs

Can you do Whole30 as a vegetarian? ›

The Plant-Based Whole30 was launched in March 2022, after two years in development. The Plant-Based Whole30 does not include any animal protein and fats. It uses beans, lentils, peas, soy, compatible protein powders, nuts, and seeds to ensure adequate protein; and includes only plant-based fat sources.

Is quinoa allowed on Whole30? ›

No grains. While plenty of diets restrict simple carbs, Whole30 eliminates even whole grains. This means no wheat, corn, oats, bran, or even brown rice. It also forbids pseudo-cereal grains, including amaranth, buckwheat, and protein-rich quinoa.

What foods are off limits on Whole30? ›

What Can't You Eat?
  • Added real or artificial sugars.
  • Alcohol.
  • Carrageenan—a type of plant-based sugar—or sulfites.
  • Commercially-prepared chips or French fries.
  • Dairy products, except for clarified butter or ghee.
  • Foods recreated with allowed Whole30 ingredients (e.g., coconut milk ice cream)
  • Grains.
Dec 13, 2023

What fruit is Whole30-approved? ›

Let's start with a food list of what you can eat on Whole30: All vegetables, including potatoes. Fruit, including strawberries, watermelon, apples, oranges, and bananas. Seafood, such as fish, oysters, shrimp, and mussels.

What vegetables are not allowed on Whole30? ›

Green beans. Most peas (sugar snap, snow, green, yellow, and split peas) Ghee or clarified butter.

Is tofu allowed on Whole30? ›

Using tofu as a protein option during your Plant-Based Whole30 can be a great option to help you meet your protein goals. Tofu comes in different forms that can be used in a variety of preparations. Tofu is made from soybeans, and is a high-protein plant-based food that's low in carbohydrates.

Is hummus OK on Whole30? ›

Traditional hummus is made from garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas), which are a legume and Plant-Based Whole30 compatible. Just read your labels to make sure your hummus doesn't contain dairy or other ingredients that aren't a fit for the Plant-Based Whole30.

Can you eat Chick Fil A on Whole30? ›

Chick-fil-A

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.

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.

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 have peanut butter 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. Its smooth, sweet taste pairs well with apples ( 1 ).

Is almond milk allowed 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.

Are pickles OK on Whole30? ›

Acetic acid is a sour agent, preservative, and flavor enhancer commonly added to vinegar, pickled foods, salad dressings, and sauces. It is compatible with your Whole30.

Are blueberries Whole30 approved? ›

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

Are veggie burgers Whole30 approved? ›

These vegan veggie burgers are made with a blend of delicious veggies, including sweet potato, mushrooms, and onions. They're free of grains, gluten, eggs, and dairy. For Paleo/Whole 30 approved, just omit the bun and mayo.

What is the difference between Whole30 and plant-based Whole30? ›

The Original and Plant-Based Whole30 programs differ only in their protein and fat sources, and in the length of time the programs have been available. The Original Whole30 includes high-quality animal protein and encourages the use of some animal fats while eliminating legumes, including peanuts and soy.

Can you be a partial vegetarian? ›

Semi- or partial vegetarian: Includes plant foods and may include chicken or fish, dairy products, and eggs. It does not include red meat.

How to lose 30 pounds vegetarian? ›

Several strategies can help promote weight loss on a vegetarian diet, including:
  1. Filling half of your plate with non-starchy vegetables. ...
  2. Incorporating protein at every meal and snack. ...
  3. Opting for complex carbs. ...
  4. Watching your portions of high-calorie foods. ...
  5. Eating mostly whole foods. ...
  6. Limiting highly processed foods.
Sep 10, 2019

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