The Paleo diet, inspired by the eating habits of our pre-agricultural ancestors, generally excludes grains, legumes, processed foods, and artificial ingredients. While often associated with lean proteins, it doesn't have to be an anti-vegetarian diet. It's entirely possible to embrace a Paleo lifestyle while increasing your intake of vegetarian meals. Finding Paleo vegetarian recipes can be a challenge, as common meat substitutes like beans and tofu are not Paleo-friendly. Look for meals that use eggs or nuts as a protein source.
Embracing Plant-Based Paleo: A Guide to Vegetarian Recipes
For those seeking to align their diet with both Paleo principles and a vegetarian lifestyle, the focus shifts to fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Those concerned about protein intake can explore options like lentils or beans, or add eggs for a vegetarian approach to Paleo.
Savory Sensations: Paleo Vegetarian Recipes to Satisfy
While Paleo + vegan dessert recipes are abundant, savory recipes are also incredibly nourishing.
Quick Pickled Vegetables
This is a go-to recipe for pickling vegetables, perfect for adding a tangy crunch to any meal.
5-Minute Paleo Salsa
This salsa is a long-time favorite, perfect for adding a burst of flavor to any dish. It's been enjoyed for over seven years.
Read also: Paleo Granola Recipes
Greek Hummus Wraps
These wraps bring joy and are reminiscent of summer.
Oregano Vinaigrette
This vinaigrette has been a summer staple, perfect for salads and more.
Meatless Dinner Ideas: Healthy, Gluten-Free, and Family-Friendly
These easy meatless dinner ideas are healthy, gluten-free, and family-friendly! It's important to create something that's not only nutritious but satisfying. Including protein and healthy fats in all meals makes them more satisfying.
Breakfast for Dinner: A Nostalgic and Speedy Solution
Serving breakfast for dinner feels nostalgic and special. Eggs cook fast, making it a great option.
Eggs in Bell Pepper Rings
Packed with protein and veggies, these eggs in bell pepper rings look beautiful on the table. Prep the veggies ahead for a quick weeknight vegetarian dinner.
Read also: Paleo Diet Delivered: What You Need to Know
Gluten-Free English Muffins with Eggs and Avocado
These Gluten Free English Muffins use a mix of almond flour and coconut flour, giving them a great texture. Eggs and avocado lend protein and healthy fats to the meal.
Poached Eggs with Spicy Chili Sauce over Polenta or Breakfast Potatoes
To make this Paleo, sub coconut aminos for the tamari and serve the poached eggs and spicy chili sauce over breakfast potatoes instead of the polenta.
Shakshuka
This take on shakshuka is a little spicy and savory, making it a great breakfast for dinner option.
Frittata
This frittata originated on low carb meal plans but also makes a delicious, high protein vegetarian breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Soups and Stews: Freezer-Friendly and Flavorful
It's easy to double a soup recipe and freeze half for later.
Read also: Paleo Mayonnaise Recipe
Creamy Vegan Chowder
This creamy chowder is dairy-free and completely vegan, using cashew cream to lend that signature chowder creaminess.
Red Pepper and Sweet Potato Soup
This red pepper and sweet potato soup is the perfect blend of sweet and savory.
Pantry-Based Vegetable Soup
This recipe relies completely on pantry and freezer ingredients and has become a favorite.
Vegetarian Chili with Dried Peppers
The depth of flavor dried peppers add to this vegetarian chili is amazing.
Coconut Milk Soup
Coconut milk gives this vegetarian paleo soup a richness that makes it super satisfying.
Salads: Nutrient-Packed and Hearty Main Dishes
These salads are nutrient-packed and hearty enough to act as a main dish.
Sweet and Crunchy Salad
With its sweet and crunchy ingredients, this paleo vegetarian recipe is great for kids. You can also offer it deconstructed, keeping a bit of each ingredient separate for the little ones. Alternatively, try serving it as a filling for wraps!
Harvest Kale Salad
This harvest kale salad makes the perfect easy, healthy vegetarian dinner. The simple orange dressing pairs so well with the fall ingredients.
Quinoa Salad
This quinoa salad comes together quickly with fewer than 10 ingredients.
Hearty Vegetarian Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This hearty vegetarian salad includes the best apple cider vinaigrette.
Chickpea Salad with Tahini Dressing
The tahini dressing totally makes this recipe. It's earthy, yet also bright from the lemon juice, and so full of flavor. The salad offers a variety of texture as well as vegetarian protein in the form of chickpeas. If you want to add even more protein, sprinkle the salad with hemp seeds.
Black Bean Chili Mac
Black bean chili mac is vegetarian comfort food at its finest. With warming spices and plenty of protein, it's satisfying without being heavy. Dice the veggies smaller to make it even more kid-friendly. You can also offer your kiddo's favorite toppings.
Pesto Pasta
Making your own pesto is easier than you might think and brings such a brightness to dishes like this one. This is one of those easy, healthy vegetarian dinners that's super satisfying to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Buddha Bowl with Almond Butter Dipping Sauce
The almond butter dipping sauce in this recipe is so good! The Buddha bowl itself is super versatile.
Stir Fry
This post includes three easy stir fry recipes, including a simple vegetarian option. Once you get the basics of stir fry down, it's such a versatile quick dinner option.
Veggie Burgers
There are a lot of lackluster veggie burgers out there!
Tacos
Living just outside of Austin provides delicious taco inspiration.
Mini Eggless Quiche
Made with chickpea flour, these mini eggless quiche make a great breakfast, lunch, or easy dinner.
Nachos
How fun are these nachos?
More Paleo Vegetarian Recipe Ideas
- Korean Bibimap Bowl: Paleo-friendly, vegetarian, and delicious, full of interesting flavors like carrots, beansprouts, scallions, and kimchi. Ready in just 20 minutes.
- 2-Ingredient Cauliflower Gnocchi: Toss in spinach cream sauce for a gluten-free pasta experience.
- Bang Bang Cauliflower Tacos: A flavorful appetizer or plant-based side dish.
- Cauliflower Roasted Steak: A perfectly seasoned, tender "steak" covered in chimichurri sauce.
- Ratatouille: Super-speedy to put together and freezes well.
- Sweet Potato Noodles with Cashew Sauce: A creamy and delicious dairy-free pasta sauce.
- Spicy Peanut Spaghetti Squash Ramen: A vegetarian and flavorful paleo version of ramen.
- Baked Avocado Fries: A snack, appetizer, or side dish.
- Indian Butter Cauliflower: A creamy, rich sauce that replaces chicken tikka.
- Roasted Veggie Breakfast Casserole: Packed with flavorful and nutritious vegetables.
- Zucchini Carrot Fritters with Paleo Sour Cream: A great way to deal with your zucchini glut.
- Sweet Potato Cauliflower Curry: Creamy coconut milk and flavorful spices make it the perfect easy weeknight supper.
- Paleo Veggie Burgers: A great option for those who want to eat meat, but are trying to include more meat-free days in their week.
- Broccoli Fried Rice: A tasty alternative to traditional curry accompaniments.
- Sweet Potato Au Gratin with Apples: Laced with cinnamon and cardamom.
- Rutabaga Noodles with Tahini Sauce: Light and refreshing noodles with a tahini sauce and cashew crumble.
- Roasted Herb Mustard Potatoes: A few minutes of preparation, 30 minutes in the oven, and a happy family.
- Cheesy Paleo Broccoli Casserole: A "cheesy" broccoli casserole that is paleo-friendly and dairy-free.
- Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad: The sunbutter sauce makes the perfect picnic accompaniment.
- Cauliflower Pitas with Avocado Crema: The avocado crema is so tasty.
- Sweet Potato Brownies: Gooey and fudgy, while containing no flour or refined sugar.
Vegetarian Paleo Pad Thai
A quick and simple recipe made with cabbage, carrots, and a flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1/2 head of cabbage, finely shredded
- 2 carrots, grated into matchsticks or ribbons
- Sauce:
- 3 tbsp coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (optional, omit for vegan)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Garnish:
- Sprouts
- Cashews
- Tofu, pan-fried (optional, not strictly paleo)
- Scrambled egg (optional, omit for vegan)
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- If using tofu, pan-fry tofu with a bit of salt and pepper in a pan for 10 minutes. Give your pan a stir every two minutes, until the tofu gets a golden crust on all sides.
- Finely shred cabbage with a sharp knife. Grate carrots into matchsticks on a mandoline, or into ribbons with a vegetable peeler.
- Preheat a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add coconut oil, onions, cabbage and carrots, and cook for about 7 â 10 minutes until crisp, stirring occasionally.
- While cabbage is cooking, mix all ingredients for the sauce together in a separate bowl.
- Pour sauce over cabbage and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- If using egg, make a scrambled egg for each person eating.
- Plate and garnish with sprouts, cashew, tofu and scrambled egg (if using), and slices of lime. Serve immediately. Keep the leftover vegetarian paleo pad thai mixture separate from the sprouts, cashew, tofu and scrambled eggs until serving time.
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