Add more vegetables to your Whole30 meals with any of these 16 Whole30 side dishes!

A collage of 16 Nom Nom Paleo Whole30 Side dishes. The red banner at the bottom says paleo, Whole30, gluten free

Stumped on how to make your Whole30 fun, flavorful, and not boring? Pair a simple protein with  tasty and colorful vegetable side dishes!

One of the most common questions I get asked when I post a meaty recipe is: What side dish do I serve with it?

Well, today is your lucky day! I’ve compiled 16 Whole30-friendly side dishes that will satisfy the entire family.

Are Potatoes Whole30?

White potatoes are Whole30 approved! Some might argue that they’re not Paleo, but my personal template for Paleo eating focuses on nutrient-packed whole foods that don’t hurt me. For me, potatoes fall into that category.

I’ve been eating potatoes for years. After checking out Bill and Hayley’s post on the Paleosity of potatoes, listening to the safe starch debate, and soaking in Mat Lalonde’s talk about nutrient density at the 2012 Ancestral Health Symposium (during which Mat pointed out that peeled potatoes are actually more nutrient dense than sweet potatoes, save for the beta-carotene in the latter), I decided that potatoes are a-OK on my plate.

Your circumstances may be different; for instance, if you’re on a super-low-carb protocol at the moment, you’re probably not looking to down a bowl of spuds.

What do you serve with these Whole30 side dishes?

You can really pair any protein entree with these side dishes, but if you’re stumped, here’s a list of all my Whole30 recipes!

Some of my favorite easy Whole30 main dishes include:

Here’s 16 Whole30 Side Dishes!

Whole30 Instant Pot Crispy Potatoes

These Instant Pot Crispy Potatoes are a fast and easy way to get these delicious spuds on your dinner table. You can also keep the pressure-cooked potatoes in the fridge for up to four days and fry them up to order!

An overhead shot of a platter topped with Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Crispy Potatoes

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Crispy Potatoes by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Crispy Potatoes

4.73 from 33 votes
Let me show you how to use an Instant Pot to make potatoes with crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors in no time flat!
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Whole30 Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Try this spicy, sweet, and savory Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe—from start to finish, it can be made in just 30 minutes! Perked up with a dash of cayenne pepper, lime juice, and fresh cilantro, this vegan, Whole30, and paleo mash goes well with everything!

An overhead shot of a a hand scooping vegan and paleo Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes from a black bowl.

An overhead shot of a a hand scooping vegan and paleo Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes from a black bowl.

Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Vegan, Paleo, Whole30)

4.88 from 16 votes
This spicy, sweet, and savory Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe that can be made in 30 minutes from start to finish! Perked up with a dash of cayenne pepper, lime juice, and fresh cilantro—this vegan, Whole30, and paleo mash goes well with everything!
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Whole30 Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash

Missing pasta? This is the easiest and fool-proof method to turn spaghetti squash into long strands of low carb spaghetti!

An overhead shot of a bowl of Instant Pot spaghetti squash topped with stir-fried ground pork and cilantro leaves.

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Spaghetti Squash by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Spaghetti Squash

4.71 from 51 votes
Instant Pot spaghetti squash is a fabulous vehicle for an umami-packed sauce. And did you know you can pressure cook it in just minutes in an Instant Pot?
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Whole30 Instant Pot Autumn Mash

This colorful veggie mash puts boring mashed potatoes to shame! No Instant Pot? Here’s the stovetop version!

A spoon scooping Instant Pot Autumn Mash out of a gray bowl.

Instant Pot Autumn Mash by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Autumn Mash

4.86 from 7 votes
One of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving side dishes is Roasted Garlic Autumn Root Vegetable Mash. Why? ’Cause it’s a feast for both the eyes and tastebuds. My original stovetop version is crazy delicious, but now that I’m a certified Instant Pothead, I was determined to create a shortcut to veggie mash nirvana using my Instant Pot. After some tinkering, I’ve come up with a simpler way to make my Autumn Mash in an electric pressure cooker!
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Whole30 Instant Pot Beets

When you use an Instant Pot to pressure cook beets, you can have fork-tender, finger-staining vegetables in 30 minutes, from start to finish! You can even use these cooked veggies to make Beet Hummus!

A bowl of quartered beets that were cooked in an Instant pot.

Instant Pot Beets by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Instant Pot Beets

4.75 from 4 votes
When you use a pressure cooker to steam beets in an Instant Pot, you can have fork-tender, finger-staining vegetables in 30 minutes, from start to finish!
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Whole30 Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

I love to clean out my fridge and use whatever veggies I have on hand to make this soup. Top it with meatballs (like my wonton meatballs or Asian meatballs) for a complete meal!

A side view of Instant Pot Vegetable Soup in a white bowl.

Overhead shot of a bowl of Instant Pot Vegetable Soup, a Whole30-friendly vegetable side!

Instant Pot Vegetable Soup

4.85 from 19 votes
Instant Pot Vegetable Soup is a fast, healthy, and easy Whole30-friendly vegetable side dish and you can clean out the fridge, too!
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Whole30 Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Everything tastes better with bacon, and Brussels sprouts are no exception! Make these in your oven or air fryer for ultimate deliciousness.

An overhead shot of a rimmed baking sheet filled with Roasted Brussels sprouts with Bacon.

An overhead shot of a rimmed baking sheet filled with Roasted Brussels sprouts with Bacon.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon (Whole30, Keto, Air Fryer)

4.89 from 17 votes
This Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Bacon recipe is a perfect Paleo side dish for fall! It's perfect for your Thanksgiving table as well!
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Whole30 Instant Pot Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

These garlic cauliflower mashed potatoes can be made in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. No one will suspect that you’re serving low carb mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes!

An overhead shot of a bowl filled with garlic caulflower mashed potatoes.

An overhead shot of a bowl filled with garlic caulflower mashed potatoes.

Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes (Whole30, Keto)

4.96 from 23 votes
This Whole30 and keto garlic cauliflower mashed potatoes recipe is nomtastic and super easy to make in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop!
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Whole30 Roasted Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic

Roasted green beans tossed in a zesty garlic and lemon marinade will be your new favorite way to cook them!

A bowl filled with roasted green beans with lemon and garlic and two lemon slices.

A bowl filled with roasted green beans with lemon and garlic and two lemon slices.

Roasted Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic

4.60 from 15 votes
Roasted green beans with lemon and garlic is the quick and easy vegetable side you’ve been looking for! This Whole30- and keto-friendly side dish can be on the table in about 20 minutes and it pairs well with everything. 
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Whole30 Roasted Curried Cauliflower

The curry gives plain Jane cauliflower a nice smokiness and the lime gives it an acidic kick. Plus, you can also make it in an air fryer!

An overhead shot of a bowl of Roasted Curried Cauliflower

An overhead shot of a bowl of Roasted Curried Cauliflower

Roasted Curried Cauliflower (Whole30, Keto, Air Fryer)

4.82 from 11 votes
Roasted Curried Cauiflower is the best vegetable side dish! The curry gives it a nice smokiness and the lime gives it a nice kick!  
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Whole30 Baked Sweet Potatoes

This fool-proof method to make baked yams and sweet potatoes is a game changer! Meal prep a bunch of them and store them in the refrigerator so you can grab one whenever you get a craving for something naturally sweet!

Overhead view of a baked sweet potato on a plate topped with toasted almond slices and pomegranate arils.

An overhead shot of a perfectly cooked baked sweet potato

Baked Sweet Potatoes (Yams)

4.83 from 23 votes
This fool-proof method to make baked yams and sweet potatoes is a game changer! Meal prep a bunch of them and store them in the refrigerator so you can grab one whenever you get a craving for something naturally sweet!
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Whole30 Fried Green Plantains

Fried green plantains a.k.a. patacones or tostones are my favorite crispy treat to slather on guacamole and salsa (like with my mango avocado salsa)! They also make a delicious and crunchy bread-alternative in paleo-friendly sandwiches!

Fried Green Plantains (Patacones or Tostones) by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo

Fried Green Plantains (Patacones or Tostones) by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo

Fried Green Plantains (Patacones or Tostones)

4.75 from 4 votes
Fried green plantains a.k.a. patacones or tostones are my favorite crispy treat to dip in guacamole and salsa! Use them as "bread" in paleo sandwiches!
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Whole30 Whole Roasted Cauliflower

This roasted cauliflower only uses 3 ingredients, and it’s vegan, paleo, Whole30, and keto-friendly!

An overhead shot of Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a cast iron skillet in the oven

An overhead shot of a bowl of Roasted Curried Cauliflower

Roasted Curried Cauliflower (Whole30, Keto, Air Fryer)

4.82 from 11 votes
Roasted Curried Cauiflower is the best vegetable side dish! The curry gives it a nice smokiness and the lime gives it a nice kick!  
View Recipe

Whole30 Instant Pot Atakilt Wat

This Ethiopian cabbage stew is guaranteed to spice up your veggie side dish game! No Instant Pot? Here’s the stovetop version!

An overhead shot of a brown bowl filed with Atakilt Wat, Ethiopian cabbage stew.

An overhead shot of a brown bowl filed with Atakilt Wat, Ethiopian cabbage stew.

Instant Pot Atakilt Wat (Ethiopian Cabbage Stew)

4.80 from 15 votes
Atakilt wat, a comforting Ethiopian vegetable stew, can be made faster and tastier in an Instant Pot. Not only will this quick-and-easy recipe get on the table sooner, but it’s also low carb, Whole30, and vegetarian-friendly!
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Whole30 Crispy Swoodles with Bacon

I transform sweet potatoes into crispy swoodles with a spiralizer, roast them, and toss ’em with crispy bacon bits. It’s so, so good!

A white bowl filled with Crispy Swoodles (sweet potato noodles) and bacon.

Crispy Swoodles with Bacon by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Crispy Swoodles with Bacon

4.88 from 16 votes
This crunchy combo of bacon, roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, and onions—finished off with fresh herbs and lime juice—will win over your pickiest eaters.
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Whole30 Mexican Cauliflower Rice

Thinking of doing a taco night soon? Here’s a great veggie side dish that can substitute your tortillas and rice!

A bowl of mexican-inspired cauliflower rice.

Mexi-Cauli Rice by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com

Mexi-Cauli Rice (Mexican Cauliflower Rice)

4.94 from 16 votes
This simple Whole30 Mexican Cauliflower Rice is made from pantry staples and cauliflower rice. My fave low carb vegetable side for Mexican-inspired home-cooked meals!
View Recipe

Want more Whole30 vegetable side dish recipes?

I’ve got them all listed right here on my recipe index! Also, check out my roundup of 9 Whole30 Salads to get more plant-based ideas!

Other Whole30 Tips

Completing a Whole30 doesn’t have to be hard. That’s why I’ll be posting Whole30-friendly recipes to my Facebook page all month long to keep you inspired! I’ll also be popping in frequently to my personal Nomster’s Facebook group to answer any questions. Don’t forget about my cookbooks that have paleo and Whole30-friendly meals as well as my iOS app!


Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).


 

About Michelle Tam

Hello! My name is Michelle Tam, and I love to eat. I think about food all the time. It borders on obsession. I’ve always loved the sights and smells of the kitchen. My mother was (and is) an excellent cook, and as a kid, I was her little shadow as she prepared supper each night. From her, I gained a deep, abiding love for magically transforming pantry items into mouth-watering family meals.

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