30 clean eating recipes to fuel your body from the inside out! These gluten-free, healthy, fresh and colorful clean eating recipes are totally craveable.
Hello and happy new year! I hope you had a wonderful, low-key week and are feeling rested, recharged, and inspired to live your best life in 2018. Yesterday, after ordering an entire carafe of iced coffee from his favorite coffee shop to last him throughout the day, Ben declared, “new year, same me!” Either works, I guess!
Anyway, we are officially home and settled after visiting my in-laws out east for a week after Christmas. Thank goodness we left before the bomb cyclone hit.
- Jan 1: 2018 is going to be the best year EVER!!
- Jan 2: Prepares for bomb cyclone.
Stay safe, east coast friends.
I’d hoped to have a brand new recipe to share with you today but this week has been a doozy with some crazy travel experiences, canceled preschool due to weather, and getting everything back in order at home. I figured it’s ok though because instead of sharing one new recipe today, I’m featuring 30 of my favorite clean eating recipes.
Earlier this week I asked my Facebook followers what kind of recipes they’re looking for in the new year. Instant pot was a popular request, but since I’m on a strict 1-in-1-out kitchen appliance policy at the moment, I’m going with the next most popular request – CLEAN, HEALTHY RECIPES.
And ohh I so feel you. I think I’m officially done with resolutions for the remainder of my life, but atthisstage of my life, this year in particular, I have a deep desire to get back to healthy, clean eating. It’s no surprise that as a Mom of two little boys, I’m tired. Pretty much all the time, and when I’m tired I reach for the Skittles, the crackers, the chips. I’m done with it though, you guys! I vow to reach for the raspberries, carrots, and apple slices this year, and will try my best to share more clean eating recipes here on IGE in 2018. Ones you’ll actually want to make and eat, too, because if it isn’t craveable and delicious – what’s the point?
Now, what does “clean eating” mean? There’s no official definition but it focuses on eating whole foods that are minimally or un-processed. Free fromgluten, low to no refined sugar and, to some, free from dairy. Love me some cheese though, so that will definitely stick around. #YOLO
I’ll stop blabbing now and get to the recipes. Like I said, 30 of them! Fresh, healthy, colorful, and satisfying. Lots of vegetables and herbs. Tons of citrus. Salads, stir fries, soups and more. Breakfast ideas, lunch, and dinner too. We are cooking from this list all month long – will you join us?
Did you make a new year’s resolution this year?
Herb and Caper Crusted Salmon
FRESH is what I think of when I thinkHerb and Caper Crusted Salmon. This 20 minute recipe will make you look forward to getting your omega 3s each and every week. Look for wild-caught Alaskan salmon over farm-raised/Atlantic salmon (I think Atlantic salmon tastes “fishy”.)
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Thai Peanut Chicken and Sweet Potato Noodles
Thai Peanut Chicken and Sweet Potato Noodlesis myall-time favorite spiralizer recipe. It truly tastes like a decadent take out dish but is a cinch to make at home. Spiralize the sweet potato noodles a few days ahead of time to save time, too.
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Best-Ever Green Smoothie
The first time Lincoln triedBest-Ever Green Smoothie, back when he was 2 years old, he cried because I drank too much of it. My bad! That said, even vegetable haters will suck this super healthy smoothie down…then ask for seconds!
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Very-Veggie Spaghetti Squash
Very-Veggie Spaghetti Squashis a meatless meal that’s craveable. Sometimes I serve it with chicken or roast shrimp, but truly the flavors and ingredients are filling and satisfying enough on their own.
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Greek Zoodles
Greek Zoodlesblow my mind! When I created this 20 minute recipe I figured it’d be good, but it turned out even better then I ever imagined. The fresh and healthy combo of warm zoodles, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and sun dried tomatoes with a zip of lemon is SO good.
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Senegalese Soup
Clean eating doesn’t always mean raw dishes and cold salads (thank God.) Case in point: Senegalese Soup. This soup is chock full of healthy vegetables simmered in the most savory, delicious broth. RIDICULOUSLY good. (Psst: this recipe is vegan, too!)
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Greek Cucumber and Arugula Salad
When I pulled this recipe to share with you and I realized it had over 2.5 million pins on Pinterest!! Greek Cucumber and Arugula Salad is a great healthy side dish for dinner, or refreshing light lunch. Love, love, love this recipe and the lemon-oregano dressing is to die for.
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Avocado, Egg and Spinach Sweet Potato Toasts
I admit I scoffed at the sweet potato toast trend when it popped up a few years ago…until I tried it myself. This is such a clean and easy way to pack healthy, vitamin-rich carbs into your diet vs eating plain old bread for breakfast. Avocado, Egg and Spinach Sweet Potato Toastscombine all my favorite morning flavors.
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Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowls
Vegetable Fajita Tostada Bowlsare like a party in a bowl. Purchase vegetarian refried beans for the cleanest ingredient list (or make your own) and whether you include a handful of blue corn tortilla chips is up to you. I say go for it – a little crunch goes a long way.
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BBQ Salmon BLT Salad
BBQ Salmon BLT Saladis another great way to enjoy salmon. Sprinkle with a 4 ingredient BBQ-inspired rub (which includes a little bit of brown sugar that you could probably omit or just swap for coconut sugar) then pan sear and serve atop fresh vegetables. A little bit of bacon goes a long way to give this salad great flavor, too. Again, look for wild caught salmon at the grocery store or market.
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Avocado and Shortcut Beet Hummus Toast
I can’t take credit forAvocado and Shortcut Beet Hummus Toast – I tried this healthy breakfast combo at a blogging retreat and recreated it right when I got home. SO GOOD you guys. The microgreens and sea salt on top really make it. Feels fancy but is easier to whip up then scrambled eggs.
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Italian Chickpea Salad
If you’ve never tried or gotten into chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans) Italian Chickpea Saladwill be your gateway recipe. I couldn’t adore this recipe more – tons of vegetables and herbs that is truly fun to eat.
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Garlicky Tomato-Basil Shrimp with Zoodles
Garlicky Tomato-Basil Shrimp with Zoodlesis another zoodle recipe that turned out even better then I thought it would. True, this recipe is best in the summer, but if you can find good, fresh tomatoes near you then you’ve got to give this healthy, filling recipe a try.
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Southwestern Chopped Salad
Almost every restaurant in existence has a version of Southwestern Chopped Saladon their menu, but I think mine’s better then them all. #humble Seriously though, I can’t eat this crispy, crunchy, filling salad fast enough. The 2 ingredient dressing is MONEY.
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Very-Veggie Cauliflower Hash Brown Breakfast Bowl
If you find yourself with extra time in the morning, there’s no better way to set a healthy tone for the day then with aVery-Veggie Cauliflower Hash Brown Breakfast Bowl. Plus, a mountain of fresh guac tends to make waking up a bit easier.
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Chicken Power Bowls with Crispy Baked Garbanzo Beans
Bowls, bowls, bowls! Eating clean is never more fun then when you add tons of healthy ingredients into a bowl, drizzle it with dressing, then call it a meal. Chicken Power Bowls with Crispy Baked Garbanzo Beans is incredibly filling on account of the addition of beans, nuts, chicken, and eggs, but most importantly it has great flavor. Love the crispy garbanzo beans in here, especially.
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Fresh Summer Rolls with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce
Summer rolls are a great dish to order out if you’re trying to eat healthy, but they’re just as easy to make at home. I use my spiralizer to swap rice noodles for spiralized cucumber so Fresh Summer Rolls with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauceare truly clean, crispy, and soooo refreshing. Do not skip the spicy peanut dipping sauce (could use almond butter too,) which won’t blow your face off.
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Avocado and Chicken Caprese Salad
Avocado and Chicken Caprese Salad‘s claim to fame is that The Pioneer Woman once commented on Instagram about how pretty it was. WHEE!!! Luckily it tastes even better. Healthy veggies, boatloads of basil, chicken for staying power, and a little fresh mozzarella which you COULD skip but why the heck would you.
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Earth Bowl Salads
Earth Bowl Saladsare a riff on SweetGreen’s version and are faaaabulous. Roasted broccoli combine with creamy white cheddar cheese and crunchy walnuts to make a healthy and memorable meal.
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Kale and Wild Rice Bowls with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
Another SweetGreen recreation!Kale and Wild Rice Bowls with Honey Balsamic Vinaigretteare the perfect combination of creamy and crunchy, fresh but decadent tasting on account of the chevre that warms from the heat of the wild rice base.
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Easy Homemade Burrito Bowls
Easy Homemade Burrito Bowlshave been a winner with readers since I first posted the recipe back in 2014. It’s ALL about the cilantro-lime rice, which would be easy to swap with cauliflower rice if you please.
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Restaurant Style Chicken Tortilla Soup
Restaurant Style Chicken Tortilla Soupis just like your favorite restaurant’s version – slightly thick and not too limey. I hate when Chicken Tortilla Soup is too limey, don’t you? This quick and healthy recipe is perfection topped with fresh pico de gallo and avocado.
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Large Batch Homemade Taco Seasoning
We make a TON of taco-inspired recipes at my house (Taco Chili, Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet, and plain ol tacos to name a few,) so having Large Batch Homemade Taco Seasoningis a must. I created the recipe because even “healthy” packaged taco spice mixes have unnecessary added starches and anti-clumpers, and WAY too much salt. This is one of the most popular recipes on IGE for good reason.
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Caramelized Sweet Potato and Kale Fried Wild Rice
AlthoughCaramelized Sweet Potato and Kale Fried Wild Riceis labeled as a side dish, it makes a terrific light main or lunch and reheats incredibly well. Full of wild rice, sweet potatoes, and kale sizzled in a homemade balsamic dressing, this recipe makes eating healthy interesting!
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Slow Cooker Black Bean and Rice Soup
It’s nearly impossible to fit any more vegetables intoSlow Cooker Black Bean and Rice Soup! Again, you could swap the rice for cauliflower rice to make this recipe even more “clean”.
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Marinated Vegetable Salad
I am so obsessed withMarinated Vegetable Salad – it’s all about the super tangy dressing. Since all the vegetables are really hearty, the recipe holds up really well in the fridge. Use as the base to a lettuce salad or enjoy all on its own.
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Wild Rice Harvest Bowls with Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette
Wild Rice Harvest Bowls with Fig Balsamic Vinaigretteare my most popular fall recipe but the healthy ingredients are great to enjoy any time of year. These bowls are filling and satisfying on account of all the different flavors and textures going on. MMM!
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Thai Crunch Salad with Thai Peanut Dressing
I just posted Thai Crunch Salad with Thai Peanut Dressingbut it is already going gang busters! Super easy, crunchy, and filling, this salad is tossed with the most irresistable Thai Peanut Dressing. Again, you could absolutely swap in almond butter to make it more clean.
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Sausage, Sweet Potato Noodles and Broccoli Skillet
Ok, ok – I had to sneak ONE recipe using sausage in this list of clean eating recipes. I think the amount of sweet potatoes and broccoli in Sausage, Sweet Potato Noodles and Broccoli Skilletmore than makes up for it, and the spicy sausage adds a bit of satisfying decadence.
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Easy Chicken and Rice Soup
Like I said, clean eating doesn’t have to be mean only cold vegetables, thank goodness! Easy Chicken and Rice Soupis my family’s go-to recipe for a healthy, filling meal that warms our hearts, bellies, and souls. I call it clean comfort food.
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