This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Easy paleo recipes will make following a paleo diet more manageable in order to have it become part of your healthy lifestyle. You’ll find healthy recipes for dinner and lunch, a bunch of side dishes, and plenty of paleo snacks and desserts, many of which are also Whole 30 compliant recipes, and even low carb and vegan options.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small percentage from any purchases you may make if you click on them.
Easy Paleo Recipes and Whole 30 Recipes
What is the Paleo Diet?
I’m sure most people have heard of it by now, but it’s approaching eating similar to how cavemen ate. Most adopt a paleo lifestyle for weight loss and maintenance, but others are trying to understand how their body reacts to certain foods, and remove those to which they might have allergies or food sensitivities. And some feel this diet provides optimal energy for athletic performance and strength training.
There’s no calorie counting, and you’ll fill up on meat, vegetables, fruit, eggs, nuts, and other healthy fats. Grains, legumes, dairy, processed foods, and refined sugar are on the list of foods you can’t eat on a paleo diet. Do you have a sweet tooth? While the paleo diet is not specifically a low carb diet, it is typically lower in carbs than the standard American diet, but you can still at reasonable amounts of fruit, sweet potatoes, dates, and even make some paleo-friendly desserts with small amounts of natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, and coconut sugar.
Whole 30 takes things a but further, removing even those natural sweeteners and encouraging those following this 30-day diet to avoid making baked goods or other treats, even using only Whole 30 compliant ingredients like bananas for sweetening. The idea is to focus on whole foods to reset the body and metabolism, and learn how different foods affect your body and health.
This all might sound difficult, but with some planning, a well-stocked pantry and fridge, and a go-to collection of easy paleo recipes, you will be all set.
Easy Paleo Recipes for Dinner or Lunch
Slow Cooker Orange Sesame Chicken is an Asian-inspired crockpot recipe with sweet and tangy flavors that are better than takeout. There’s also Instant Pot directions.
Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Pulled Chicken {also Whole 30 & low carb} proves that your slow cooker is a great way to make easy paleo recipes, like this one that it fresh and flavorful with only five ingredients plus salt and pepper. Serve it over cauliflower rice, whipped cauliflower, or zoodles.
Jambalaya Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes {also Whole 30} load up those sweet taters with a rice-free easy mixture of shrimp, chicken, andouille, and Cajun spices. Just skip the cheese and leave out or use a Paleo-friendly Worcestershire sauce.
Pressure Cooker Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken {also Whole 30} is an easy and healthy way to enjoy this family-favorite dish, and besides your Instant Pot, there are also directions to make it in your slow cooker.
Grilled or Baked Orange Saffron Chicken Legs {also Whole 30 & low carb} are soaked in an easy marinade to infuse these juicy drumsticks with exotic citrus flavors and a pinch of that special spice. You can grill them or bake them in the oven.
Avgolemono Greek Chicken Zoodle Soup {also Whole 30} lightens up and adds more veggies the classic Mediterranean comfort food, swapping the traditional rice for zucchini noodles you make with your spiralizer. Go a little lighter on the carrots if you are looking for a low carb option.
Slow Cooker Steak Pizzaiola {also Whole 30 & low carb} couldn’t be easier since all you need is London broil, peppers, onions, and tomato sauce, but be sure to use a paleo-friendly homemade or storebought sauce with no added sugar.
Baked or Grilled Tandoori Chicken Legs {also Whole 30 & low carb} start with a simple marinade that gives these drumsticks mild but flavorful Indian-inspired flair.
Smoky Glazed Buffalo Chicken Tenders {also Whole 30 and low carb} are sticky, smoky, and spicy, with only four ingredients, and they make an easy dinner or even an appetizer.
Orange Saffron Slow Cooker Roast Chicken {also Whole 30 and low carb} has exotic aromas and flavors that turn a basic roast chicken into a gourmet meal, and paleo crockpot recipes make life easy, even on busy weeknights.
Butternut Squash Soup with Sage and Thyme {also Whole 30} can be made on the stove or in your Instant Pot for some easy, velvety smooth healthy comfort food.
Greek Beef Kabobs {also Whole 30 and low carb} have a simple marinade that lets you travel to Greece (or even just your favorite Mediterranean restaurant) without going any further than the grill in your backyard or grill pan on your stove.
Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Roast Chicken {also Whole 30 and low carb} is a flavorful, healthy chicken dinner that is fancy enough for dinner guests, yet simple enough to become one of your favorite everyday staples.
Maple Sesame Glazed Salmon is a sweet and savory Asian-inspired fish recipe that even the non-seafood eaters will love. Swap the soy sauce or tamari for coconut aminos.
Flu Buster Vegetable Soup {also Whole 30} is a super creamy (without any cream) soup full of delicious, antiviral goodness that will fill you up with healthy veggies and just a hint of spice. If you want to add a creamy topping, skip the Greek yogurt and use some full fat coconut milk.
Sundried Tomato Rosemary Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak {also Whole 30 and low carb} has a five ingredient marinade that makes this steak super tender and flavorful. It’s delicious sliced thinly and used to top a salad.
Easy Paleo Recipes for Side Dishes
Balsamic Roasted Vegetables {also Whole 30, vegan, and low carb depending on veggies used} are so simple to make, and the combination of balsamic vinegar and roasting until the veggies are nicely browned make them taste incredible.
4 Variations of Homemade Ketchup {also Whole 30 & vegan options} can be stirred together in minutes, without the added sugar and preservatives in the storebought varieties. Just be sure to buy or make paleo-friendly sauces for the Worcestershire, Balsamic, and Buffalo varieties. The basic homemade ketchup is perfect as-is.
Mango Avocado Salsa {also Whole 30 & vegan} can be used as a dip for plantain chips, and it’s a fresh and vibrant topping to jazz up chicken, fish, or even eggs.
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash {also vegan} is a simple four-ingredient veggie side dish that’ll convert even Brussels-haters, especially if you use some bacon dripping in place of the olive oil *hint hint*.
Pineapple Pecan Glazed Green Beans make it super simple to dress up basic beans to give them a sweet and savory twist with a bit of crunch.
Browned Butter Cauliflower Rice {also Whole 30 & low carb} adds a ton of flavor to plain old boring cauliflower rice, which is a paleo staple, but you will have to swap the butter for ghee.
Browned Butter Whipped Butternut Squash {also Whole 30} is another way to use that browned butter (or ghee) to add rich flavor to a simple vegetable side dish.
Basic Roasted Cauliflower {also Whole 30, vegan, & low carb} proves that sometimes sometimes getting back to basics is the best. Those crispy bits are the best part.
Julia Child’s Ratatouille {also Whole 30, vegan, & low carb} shows that even the queen of French cuisine can master a paleo-friendly recipe filled with glorious veggies.
Basic Roasted Butternut Squash {also Whole 30 & vegan} brings you back to basics for a veggie side, or a delicious addition to salads, frittatas, and more.
Easy Paleo Recipes for Snacks and Desserts
Strawberry Banana Coconut Smoothie {also vegan} will satisfy those cravings for something cold, rich, and creamy.
Flourless Chocolate Almond Cookies are crisp and chewy and just what you need to satisfy those cravings for a sweet treat, because sometimes you need easy paleo recipes for dessert. Just be sure to use coconut sugar for the bit of sweetness in this recipe.
Triple Berry Coconut Chia Pudding Parfaits {also vegan} are as yummy as they are pretty with those layers of beautiful berries and coconut chia cream.
Cherry Lime Chia No-Bake Energy Bars {also vegan} are perfect when you need easy paleo recipes for a snack, and there are naturally sweet and no-bake snack. Read labels and get dried cherries with no added sugar.
Coconut Almond Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies are a totally acceptable way to satisfy those chocolate cravings, as long as you use chocolate that is at least 70% cacao (preferable at least 85%, like this one), contains no soy lecithin and preservatives, and has only paleo-approved ingredients.
No-Bake Apricot Chia Energy Bars {also vegan} are the most popular paleo energy bars on the site, and they take only a few minutes to make with just a handful of ingredients.
No-Bake Chocolate Cherry Pistachio Energy Bars {also vegan} pack the irresistible combination of cherries and chocolate into a healthy portable treat.
Apricot Coconut Energy Balls {also vegan} may look like those donut holes you used to love, but these will give you an energy boos instead of slowing you down.
Banana Caramel Cashew No-Bake Energy Bars {also vegan} have a natural caramel flavor from dates and super ripe bananas for a treat that tastes almost like a blondie, but no baking, no grains, and no added sugar.
Mango Coconut Chia No-Bake Energy Bars {also vegan} are yet another of my easy paleo recipes for portable snacks, and this one brings a total taste of the tropics.
