Clean Eating Recipes for Dinner
Clean eating is gaining more and more popularity, but this diet is actually nothing special. It is everything about coming back to the roots and emphasizing whole foods that carry nutritional values. You don’t have to experiment with some exotic foods; just concentrate on whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables.
The primary goal is to minimize processed foods as much as you can and learn to enjoy the natural taste of food. This doesn’t mean eating salads for the rest of your life, so I listed a bunch of dinner recipes that are clean eating-friendly to inspire you.
Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Asparagus
Sheet pan dinners are a classic, and this one is incredibly simple to whip up. It is just shrimp and asparagus coated in an amazing spice blend and lemon juice. Yum!
Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Glazed Salmon
Salmon glazed in whole-grain Dijon mustard, maple syrup, lemon, garlic, and thyme is spot on! You can go for any veggies you like as a side, though I like potatoes and asparagus.
Twelve Superfoods Salad
I love crispy salads that marry fruits and vegetables like this one! It is an interesting fusion of quinoa, edamame, dried cherries, grapes, blueberries, feta, walnuts, and the most amazing salad dressing with orange juice.
Mediterranean Beets Cabbage and Chickpea Salad
You will find loads of amazing recipes in Mediterranean cuisine, as it actually emphasizes the use of whole, nutritive-rich ingredients. You can make this salad by combining chickpeas, cabbage, arugula, olives, beets, feta, avocado, and lemon-basil-based dressing.
Hummus Bowl
I like the idea of making a hummus bowl and having all my favorite toppings on one plate. I like couscous the best in this combination, as it pairs wonderfully with multicolor cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and feta. P.S. Go for whole-grain pita bread!
Honey Garlic Shrimp
Heavily seasoned shrimps are kind of classic, right? However, when you want to eat clean, choose low-sodium sauces for this. Opt for any side dish you fancy, from quinoa over grilled veggies to a simple, fresh salad.
Kimchi Brown Rice Bliss Bowl
Kimchi is a true superfood, loaded with all the gut-healthy stuff. This recipe is vegan, and it calls for tempeh, but you can go for any protein source you feel like. Drizzle peanut sauce on top to round the flavors.
One Pot Roasted Pepper Whole Wheat Pasta
If you adore pasta (like I do), your first mission when transferring to clean eating is to find fine-quality whole-wheat kind that actually tastes good and is not overly grainy. I love roasting peppers, tomatoes, and garlic before making a sauce, as it has a richer taste.
Vegetarian Pizza
You can get wholemeal pizza dough in the store or simply make it yourself; it is not a big change, to be honest. Top it with loads of veggies and some organic cheese if you can get your hands on it.
Cabbage Soup
If you hate the aroma and taste of cooked cabbage, skip this recipe, as both of them are really strong. This soup is like an antioxidant bomb – loaded with veggies, herbs, and garlic; plus, it has an extremely low number of calories per portion, about 100.
Spicy Lentil Soup
If you have never had a lentil soup before, you’re missing on so much! This is a light but still hearty and filling dish. What’s even better, red lentils are fantastic to pair with some “heavier” spices like curry, cumin, turmeric, and a true game-changer – cinnamon.
Butternut Squash Stew
Butternut squash is a fine base for stews and soups, as it gives a nice silky, rich texture when cooked through. I love the ingredient selection in this recipe: chickpeas, tomatoes, kale, and loads of spices.
Earth Goddess Buddha Bowl
Barley, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and shiitake mushrooms all have earthy, almost woody undertones, but they pair flawlessly. Fresh veggies are a must, as they give the missing crunch and freshen up the flavor.
Rainbow Bowl
This bowl is loaded with all different ingredients: couscous, Romaine lettuce, sweet potato, black beans, feta, cucumber, and a few more. However, the best part of this salad is the raspberry vinaigrette from scratch that skyrockets the overall flavor!
Grilled Fish Bowl
I find grilling the best method to prepare fish – it is super juicy, soft, and with a signature charred smack. Load the bowl with brown rice, red cabbage, black beans, and tomatoes, with creamy guacamole on top.
Veggie Paleo Turkey Meatloaf Muffins
If you want to be fancy, prepare these mini meatloaves for dinner! This recipe calls for a blend of minced turkey and pork and loads of hidden veggies, actually – onion, carrots, mushrooms, and zucchini. Check it out!
Ground Beef Tacos
This recipe for tacos asks for ground beef, but you can definitely go with any leftover meat you have, like shredded chicken. Of course, choose whole wheat tortillas and load them with veggies for micronutrients and fiber.
Fresh Spring Rolls
Rice wrappers loaded with veggies, mangos, herbs, shrimp, and vermicelli noodles are overflowing with micronutrients and fiber. The textures here are incredible, especially because you have a touch of the juiciness of mango.
Burgers
If you have wholemeal burger buns on hand, this is the quickest dinner option. You can use storebought or make them at home in bulk and store them in the freezer. Who says you can’t enjoy a juicy burger and eat clean?!
Hey, chefs, thank you for these fantastic recipes. Clean eating definitely doesn’t have to be boring!
