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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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 vegetarian? ›

The program is also effective for omnivores or vegetarians looking to explore or test a vegan diet. By eliminating animal protein for 30 days, then reintroducing it (if you choose), you can quickly identify the protein sources and carbohydrate sources that best suit your goals.

What fruit is Whole30 approved? ›

Fruit, including strawberries, watermelon, apples, oranges, and bananas. Seafood, such as fish, oysters, shrimp, and mussels. Unprocessed meats, including beef, chicken, and pork. Nuts and seeds.

Are carrots allowed on Whole30? ›

While some key groups of foods are excluded while on a Whole30 meal plan, there are still plenty of delicious things you can eat. Vegetables: All veggies, including carb-rich potatoes, are allowed during Whole30.

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 ).

Can you eat hummus 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.

Are bananas OK on Whole30? ›

You can enjoy all types of whole fruits including berries, apples, citrus fruits, and bananas. Eating whole fruit is always acceptable, or you can dress up your vegetables with a splash of lemon juice or some chopped apple.

Can you have oatmeal on Whole30? ›

When you're on Whole30, toast, cereal, and oatmeal won't fly. But that doesn't mean you have to eat a plate of boring scrambled eggs each and every day. These casseroles, egg cups, breakfast stacks, and more will have you looking forward to your morning meal—and full way beyond your morning commute.

Can you have coffee on Whole30? ›

Here's their official stance on coffee: “Yes, you can have your coffee. You're welcome. You can drink it black, add unsweetened compatible nutpods, coconut milk, almond milk, or add cinnamon or vanilla beans to the brew.

Is almond milk okay 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.

Can you ear potatoes on Whole30? ›

Are Potatoes Whole30? Yes! As of January 2021, all varieties of potatoes are included in the Whole30 diet. Yet, the catch is that fries and chips are not included in the diet as they are not considered to be “real” or whole foods.

How to get protein on Whole30? ›

Hit the dairy case for organic, pastured eggs - even at $5 a dozen, they're still one of the cheapest sources of protein. Good choice: If you just can't afford grass-fed or pastured meat, go for ruminant animals (beef, lamb, goat, elk, bison, venison), fish and eggs first; chicken and pork second.

Is Chick Fil A Whole30 approved? ›

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.

What is not allowed on Whole30? ›

Whole30 Rule #1: Eliminate alcohol, grains, dairy, and more!

By eliminating these common digestive irritants, many people report benefits like increased energy levels, better sleep, improved digestion, and fewer or less intense cravings.

What diet is closest to Whole30? ›

The Whole30 and paleo diets are similarly structured around whole foods and offer comparable benefits, including weight loss. That said, they may also limit your nutrient intake and be difficult to sustain. While Whole30 is initially stricter, its first phase is time-limited and soon eases in its restrictions.

Are veggie burgers Whole30 approved? ›

Whole30 Loaded Veggie Burgers that are gluten-free, paleo and Whole30-approved! A healthy and easy plant-based burger!

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. Pescatarian: Includes plant foods and seafood.

Can I have tofu on Whole30? ›

The Plant-Based Whole30 program eschews all animal products but allows for legumes and minimally processed soy—think tofu, tempeh, and edamame. Textured soy products (TVP, used in many plant-based meats) and soy protein isolate (found in many protein powders) are not allowed.

Can you eat beyond meat on Whole30? ›

According to the Plant-Based Whole30 website, the following plant-based meat replacement brands are NOT compliant with their program: Impossible Foods: Many products contain soy protein isolate/concentrate and added sugar. Beyond Meat: Most products contain rice protein or flour, some contain gluten.

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