16 Whole30 Side Dishes

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

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:

• Ollie’s Cracklin’ Chicken or Air Fryer Cracklin’ Chicken
• Instant Pot Cheater Pork Stew or Slow Cooker Cheater Pork Stew
• The Perfect Steak
• Rack of Lamb
• Paleo Crab Cakes

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!

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!

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!

Whole30 Instant Pot Autumn Mash

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

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Whole30 Whole Roasted Cauliflower

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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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).

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