Whole30 Recipe Roundup: Best of Summer - The Whole30® Program (2024)

Our @whole30recipes Instagram feed brings you delicious, Whole30 compatible recipes all day, every day. And, in our series, The Best of @Whole30Recipes, we bring our favorites to the blog.

It’s summertime in the U.S., which means tons of fresh produce and light, bright flavors. We’ve rounded up a selection of our recent favorite recipes posted on our @Whole30Recipes feed lately that we think embody summertime cooking.

[Tweet “Eight light + refreshing summertime recipes, collected from our Whole30 Recipes contributors “]

Choose your favorite from the list below and give it a go this week. Or if you’re feeling extra adventurous, try them all! We made sure to include tasty dips and sauces; creative ways to enjoy fresh veggies; and a few “throw it on the grill” favorites.

Cauliflower Hummus and Crudite from Kari’s Full Soul

Whole30 Recipe Roundup: Best of Summer - The Whole30® Program (1)

Ingredients
1 large head cauliflower cut into florets
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons tahini
Juice of one lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Fresh Italian parsley and olive oil for garnish
Vegetable crudites for dipping

PREHEAT the oven to 400. Wash and chop the cauliflower into small florets. Add parchment to the baking sheet, place the cauliflower on the baking sheet with a touch of olive oil. Place in the oven for 30 minutes.

PLACE the cauliflower in a high speed blender or food processor. Blend on high until it starts to form a creamy paste. Stop the machine and push down the excess on the sides, add the lemon juice, and tahini and the olive oil. Blend until completely smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender to get everything incorporated, in the end you should have a creamy dip.

GARNISH and enjoy with your favorite veggies.

Pistachio Lemon Pesto from The Whole Cook

Ingredients
3 cups packed fresh basil
1/4 cup shelled pistachios
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup olive oil, extra virgin

Instructions
ADD basil, pistachios, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to a food processor or high powered blender.
TURN ON the blender and slowly pour in your olive oil.

BLEND until pistachios are no longer chunky and sauce is smooth. For a thick pesto 1/3 cup of olive oil is perfect. You can use up to 1/2 cup if you prefer a thinner consistency.

BLT Cole Slaw from The Whole Smiths

Ingredients
6 C. shredded cole slaw
1 C. shredded carrots
1/4 C. chopped basil
8 slices of cooked compatible bacon
1 C. cherry tomatoes halved
1 C. a whole30 compatible mayonnaise (see the demo in my stories for an easy one)
1/4 C. white balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. dry mustard powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
ADD four slices of bacon to a high powered blender or food processor and pulse until you have bacon bits. Chop other 4 pieces roughly and set aside

IN a small bowl, whisk mayonnaise, white balsamic vinegar, mustard powder and salt until fully combined

ONCE whisked, add bacon “bits” to dressing and stir to combine

IN a large bowl add slaw mix, carrots, basil, tomato halves and roughly chopped bacon. Pour dressing over and toss to coat.

Lemon Pickled Cauliflower from Kari’s Full Soul

Ingredients
1 head cauliflower
2 cups water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup lemon juice
Sliced lemon
1 tablespoon fennel seed
4 bay leaves
½ tablespoon sea salt

Instructions
CUT up the cauliflower and place in the mason jars with sliced lemons and bay leaves.

POUR the water, vinegar, lemon juice, fennel seed and sea salt into a pot. Turn on high and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2 minutes until salt is dissolved.

LADLE the hot liquid into the mason jar. Let cool and sit before putting the lid on. Once only slight warm add the lid. If you seal it right away while still hot it can seal and preserve them for longer storage as well.

LET the mason jar sit on the counter until completely room temperature, then place in the fridge. Let sit for 2 hours and they will be good to start eating, but they are best when they sit overnight.

THEY will last in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Mexican Chicken Burgers from Every Last Bite

Ingredients
For the Patties
500grams ground chicken
1/2 a red onion, finely minced
1 tbsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 clove garlic
1 egg
3 tbsp almond flour
juice and zest from 1 lime
1 jalapeño finely diced
1/4 cup cilantro roughly chopped

For the Salsa
2 large tomatoes seeded and chopped
1/2 a red onion finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeño finely chopped
juice from 1 lime
pinch of salt

For the Burger Toppings
2 lettuce leaves
5 slices butternut squash
1 tsp olive oil
1 avocado

Instructions
IN a bowl combine the salsa ingredients and stir. Taste and add more lime juice or jalapeño as desired. Set aside.

COMBINE all of the ingredients for the patties in a bowl, blend well with your hands and then form 5 to 6 patties.

MASH the avocado with a fork until its broken into small chunks.

PEEL the butternut squash and slice into approximately 1/2 inch thick rounds. Lightly brush the circles with olive oil

HEAT a grill to medium high heat. Grill the butternut squash for approximately 3-4 minutes per side until grill marks appear and the squash is slightly tender.

GRILL the patties for approximately 6 minutes per side until cooked through.

TO serve top a butternut squash circle with lettuce, a chicken patty, smashed avocado and salsa. Serve warm.

Salmon Poke Bowl from The Nourishing Home

Ingredients
For the Salmon Poke Bowl
6-8 oz sushi-grade salmon, diced
1 1/2 cups cooked cauli-rice
Toppings: Diced avocado, julienned carrots and cucumber
Optional: 1 pack seaweed, torn into small bits

For the Poke Sauce
3 Tbsp coconut aminos
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp rice vinegar
1/4 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp fresh grated ginger
2 Tbsp thinly sliced green onions
Pinch or two of red pepper flakes

Instructions
IN a small bowl, whisk together the poke sauce ingredients. Add the diced salmon and toss well to combine; set aside.

IN a serving bowl, add the precooked cauli-rice, veggies and seaweed (if using).

TOP with the salmon; drizzling the extra poke sauce over the top of the bowl. Enjoy!

Note: If sushi-grade salmon isn’t available in your area, or you’re not into raw fish, no worries! You can always grill up a filet of wild-caught salmon, add it to the bowl of veggies and drizzle with this scrumptious poke sauce.

Garlic Balsamic Chicken Kabobs from The Whole Cook

Ingredients
For the Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/8 cup olive oil, extra virgin
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp dried basil

For the Veggies
2 zucchini
2 yellow squash
2 white or yellow onions
2 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
Salt & pepper

Instructions
CUT chicken breasts into large chunks. Toss the chicken in a large ziploc bag with marinade ingredients. Squeeze out excess air and zip closed. Marinade for 30 minutes or more.

SLICE zucchini, squash, and onion into large chunks. (My squash and zucchini slices are about 1 inch thick.) Coat your veggies with the olive oil, salt, & pepper. (I do this by spreading mine out on a baking sheet and tossing with my fingers.)
SKEWER your veggies and chicken. GRILL on medium heat for 5 -7 minutes, flip, and grill other side for another 5-7 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Serve!

OPTIONAL: If you’re feeling extra fancy (I know sometimes I do) you can whip up a balsamic glaze to drizzle on top of the kabobs as you’re plating. Just add 1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar to a small pot. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low. You’ll end up with small bubbles around the perimeter as it gently simmers. Let it continue simmering for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally as it thickens. Drizzle over kabobs and you’re sure to wow guests!

Sparkling Cold Brew from Little Bits Of

Ingredients
1 part cold brew concentrate
2 parts plain sparkling water

Instructions
POUR cold brew concentrate over ice then top with sparkling water.

Whole30 Recipe Roundup: Best of Summer - The Whole30® Program (2024)

FAQs

What is the W30 diet? ›

On Whole30, you can eat meat, vegetables, fruit, tree nuts and seeds, and healthy fats. However, you must avoid sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, alcohol, and processed food additives. Although it would be difficult and very restrictive to maintain long term, the Whole30 is designed to be done only for 30 days.

What carbs can you eat on Whole30? ›

While there are no refined sugars in the Whole30 diet, there are plenty of carbs: vegetables, fruit, even nuts have them. For an entire month I happily consumed plants, protein and fat. Breakfast became coconut yogurt layered with blueberries, chia seeds and hemp hearts.

What is the 30 day reset diet? ›

The Whole30 program is an intense, 30-day dietary detox that requires you to hyper-focus on whole, minimally-processed, easy-to-digest foods. Notably, you can't have sugar, alcohol, grains, beans, soy, dairy, processed snack foods, or additives (or “healthified” versions of processed snack foods) on the plan.

Can you eat eggs on Whole30? ›

What can you eat on Whole30? Eat real food. As defined by Whole30, that includes meat, seafood, eggs, vegetables, fruit, healthy fats (like olive and coconut oils, and ghee), herbs, spices, and seasonings.

What is a con of the Whole30 diet? ›

Some downsides include Whole30 side effects like digestive problems, worsened food cravings, and reduced nutrient intake. The diet restricts certain foods and food groups, which, if followed long-term, can result in nutrient deficiencies.

Can you eat potatoes on Whole30? ›

Yes, you can eat potatoes of all colors under the new Whole30 guidelines, white varieties included. Mash 'em up, roast them, or throw them in the skillet to enjoy. Just don't eat them commercially deep-fried or in packaged chip form to stay Whole30-compliant.

Can you eat bananas 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 bacon on Whole30? ›

Bacon can be a delicious addition to your Whole30 meals, but you'll need to find bacon without added sugar. Look for Whole30 Approved sugar-free bacon from Applegate, ButcherBox, or Pederson's Natural Farms.

Do you lose weight on Whole30? ›

Whole30 is a 30-day elimination diet designed to reset your eating habits and improve your relationship with food. While weight loss is a common outcome for many participants, it's not the primary focus of the program.

How did Jessica Simpson lose weight? ›

One of the primary modalities that Jessica employed was the use of low intensity aerobic exercise in the form of walking. She walked 14,000 steps per day in order to create a significant enough calorie deficit to begin losing weight. What's not super important is the fact that she walked specifically 14,000 steps.

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 ).

Can you eat oatmeal on Whole30? ›

Since yogurt, cereal, toast, and even oatmeal are off the table, breakfast tends to be the toughest meal on the program. A few of us here at Greatist HQ completed the Whole30, so we can attest to that. Eggs get old — fast.

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.

What foods are allowed on Whole30? ›

Foods you'll eat while on the Whole30 diet include:
  • Meat.
  • Seafood.
  • Eggs.
  • Vegetables.
  • Fruits.
  • Juices.
  • Some legumes, like green beans, sugar snap peas, and snow peas.
Sep 13, 2023

What foods are banned on the Whole30 diet? ›

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

For 30 days, say goodbye to grains, legumes (including soy and peanuts), dairy products, added sugars (including artificial sweeteners and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup), alcohol, and any processed foods or additives.

Do you lose weight on Whole30 diet? ›

That said, plenty of people who try the Whole30 diet do end up losing some weight. “The benefit of Whole30 is that it encourages eating whole foods, which are foods in their most natural state,” says Sara Haas, RDN, a nutrition expert with formal training in the culinary arts.

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