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

Is there a vegetarian version of the Whole30? ›

The Plant-Based Whole30 is a 100% plant-based version of our original 30-day reset, designed for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone curious about adopting a plant-based diet. The program combines the proven benefits of an elimination diet with the science of behavior change.

Can you eat cucumbers on Whole30? ›

Pickled Cucumbers are a great condiment! With this quick and easy pickled cucumber recipe, you will want to keep these well-stocked in your refrigerator for all your Whole30 meals. They are a great way to use up all those summer kitchen garden cucumbers, and you can enjoy this dish well into winter.

Can you eat broccoli on Whole30? ›

Pair this delicious and hardy vegetable with a few other Whole30-approved items in this Brussels Sprout, Asparagus, and Broccoli Saute. 22. Broccoli. Your family will love these broccoli recipes.

Are carrots allowed on Whole30? ›

Vegetables: All veggies, including carb-rich potatoes, are allowed during Whole30. A healthy mix of different vegetables both cooked and raw is recommended.

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.

Can I eat tofu on Whole30? ›

Is soy allowed on Whole30? Soy is not allowed on the regular Whole30, but minimally processed forms of soy are allowed on the Plant-Based Whole30 – like tofu, tempeh, natto, and miso. Soy sauce and tamari are not allowed.

Can you 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.

Why are potatoes OK on Whole30? ›

Potatoes of all varieties are real, nutrient-dense foods. (It's a myth that all white foods are nutritionally barren.) The original exclusion of white potatoes was pretty arbitrary on our end—which we fully admitted in the Whole30 program rules.

Why can't you eat peas on Whole30? ›

However, the plan has one caveat: “Green beans, sugar snap peas, and snow peas are allowed. While they're technically a legume, these are far more 'pod' than 'bean,' and green plant matter is generally good for you.”

Is peanut butter okay 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 ).

Why is ghee allowed on Whole30? ›

While the Whole30 program rules don't allow dairy, ghee is allowed because when made properly, the lactose is removed from the butter making it as close to dairy free as possible. You can purchase ghee in many stores or add it to your next Thrive Market order, but it's very easy to make your own from scratch.

Can you eat quinoa 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 beans can you eat on Whole30? ›

As of now, the exception to the official Whole30 Program Rules will state: Certain legumes Green beans and most peas (including sugar snap peas, snow peas, green peas, yellow peas, and split peas) are allowed.

Can you have blueberries on Whole30? ›

Basically, all fruits and veggies are acceptable on Whole30, so your favorite apples, bananas, berries, and the like are fair game. The same can't be said for your green breakfast smoothie, however.

Can you eat chickpeas on Whole30? ›

Unfortunately, chickpeas are still not allowed on the Whole30® plan. You might also know chickpeas by their other name, garbanzo beans. While all peas are legumes, not all legumes are peas.

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.

Is there such thing as half vegetarian? ›

The Flexitarian Diet is a semi-vegetarian style of eating that encourages eating less meat and more plant-based foods. Because there are no specific rules or suggestions, it is an appealing option for people who are looking to cut back on animal products.

Are veggie burgers Whole30 approved? ›

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

Are lentils Whole30 approved? ›

On the Whole30 diet, you can't have: dairy (say good-bye to cheese), legumes (so no beans, pea, chickpeas, lentils peanuts or peanut butter, soy sauce, tofu, and anything else soy-related), grains (wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, and even gluten-free grains like quinoa, buckwheat, and amaranth), added sugars (from ...

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