With the holidays behind us, we’re all looking for ways to enter the new year on a healthier note. Whether it’s a resolution or simply to try a new way of eating, the Whole30 Program has become a popular way to experiment with eliminating certain food groups in an easy-to-follow, structured way.
The Whole30 program offers great motivation to get into the kitchen. After all, eliminating food groups doesn’t mean you have to eliminate flavour. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite recipes that make navigating the program easy, featuring exciting flavours that Whole30 followers and non-Whole30 followers alike will love. While the ingredients in these recipes are typically Whole30 compliant, we always recommend double-checking the labels on individual recipe components before purchasing them. Let’s get cooking!
BACALAO
This traditional holiday dish layers salt cod, tomatoes, potatoes and garlic to create a rich stew studded with briny olives. Be sure you give yourself enough lead time to rinse the salt cod—once you do, this protein-filled dish comes together quickly and easily.
SPICED SEAFOOD STEW
Jam-packed with scallops, shrimp and mussels, this Moroccan-inspired stew feels anything but restrictive. The seafood stock is bolstered by cumin, cinnamon and cayenne pepper, giving it a nice balance of brine and heat. Simultaneously filling but light, this is a recipe you’ll return to again and again.
PEPPERED HERB RIB ROAST
When we say it’s peppered, we mean it. The crust relies on a Peppercorn Melange that brings black, white, green and pink peppercorns together for crust that does double duty by seasoning the whole cut of beef. Throw in some mashed sweet potatoes or root vegetables on the table and you’ll have a dinner-party ready dish.
PERUVIAN ROAST CHICKEN BREAST
Forget bland chicken breasts—these boast a ton of taste thanks to Peruvian Amarillo chili pepper. If you haven’t had it, the Amarillo is a fruity, spicy chili that plays well with cumin, paprika and lime juice. Throw the chicken in the marinade the night before and you’ll have a creative weeknight dinner in less than 30 minutes the next day.
TURMERIC ROASTED CAULIFLOWER WITH TOMATOES
Cauliflower is the workhorse of the vegetable world, able to take on a variety of flavours and easily combine with other ingredients. Turmeric gives this dish its vibrant colour, while cherry tomatoes and cayenne pepper add acid and heat. This internationally-inspired dish makes a great side to your favorite Whole30 protein or could stand on its own as a light dinner.
ZESTY LEMON KALE CHIPS
Once you’ve tried these easy kale chips, you’ll never go back to the store-bought variety. Sprinkled with our lemon-pepper mix, paprika and sesame seeds for extra crunch, these will quickly become your new afternoon craving. You can use curly or Tuscan kale in this recipe, just be sure to keep an eye on them during cooking and remove them right when they begin to crisp—they will continue to cook and crisp up more as they cool on the pan.
BASIL SHRIMP
For a super quick weeknight dinner, look no further than basil shrimp. A quick sauté of ginger, garlic, black pepper and shrimp is followed by fish sauce, basil and chili oil. Served with limes on the side to cut the spice and saltiness; we love to serve this over a Whole30-approved cauliflower rice.
THYME ROASTED TURKEY
We love to make this holiday centerpiece for a festive dinner at any time of year. The best part? It’s Whole30-compliant! Just combine garlic, paprika, thyme, pepper and salt in a quick rub, then brush the turkey with the Whole30-approved oil. Two hours later, you’ll have a great, protein-packed dinner. Be sure to hang on to those pan juices to make a quick sauce or to simply drizzle over the turkey for extra flavour.
