20 best quick paleo dinners for busy weeknights! These easy healthy meals are ready in 30 minutes or less and are gluten-free, dairy-free, Whole30 and family-friendly. You’ll find plenty of simple, budget-friendly, and kid-approved options, plus meals that are perfect for leftovers — because healthy eating should be quick, practical, and delicious.
School is BACK and that means I have about 20-30 minutes to make dinner each night.
I’m not much of a prepper – to be honest – so I like minimal prep, quick simple dinners that the kids won’t refuse to eat or toss in the trash 🙂
Or let’s face it – now that they’re older they’ll just leave it there and grab their own snacks instead. So we need GOOD ones!
My kids have always been fans of meatballs, burgers, chicken cutlets, and shrimp with simple sides like salads, cauliflower rice and roasted veggies.
What Makes These Quick Paleo Dinners Perfect for Busy Weeknights
- Either minimal prep time or easy to prep-ahead ingredients {see below!}
- One skillet or one pot recipes
- Easy clean up
- Quick cooking ingredients
- Any leftovers will save well for lunch the next day
30-Minute Paleo Dinners for Meal Prep
Some of the sides – like roasted veggies and potatoes – I DO prep ahead of time and even cook ahead of time so I can just do a quick reheat while the rest of the meal cooks.
Weeknights mean I don’t have time anymore to sit and wait for potatoes to roast for 35 minutes!
So, that part gets done on Sunday, along with any recipes that involve baked potatoes (like chicken pesto stuffed sweet potatoes!)
I store baked potatoes or sweet potatoes in the refrigerator and then just reheat them in the oven, which only takes about 10-15 minutes.
If you’re really low on time – the microwave will suffice for things like that as well – no microwave shame necessary! We are feeding our families and we do what we can!
Family-Friendly Paleo Dinners Even Kids Will Eat
As moms it’s no secret that almost everything we do is for our kids. So if we’re taking the time and energy to make a healthy meal every night, it definitely helps if they actually want to EAT the meal!
I organized these recipes by protein – seafood (shrimp or salmon), chicken, beef. That way if you know your kids love chicken you can head right to that section and pick out a new favorite.
Whole30-Friendly Quick Dinners
Since my journey into paleo cooking and eating began with the Whole30, the vast majority of my dinner recipes are Whole30 compliant.
For those that use sweetener like honey or maple syrup, you can always sub in your own date paste OR store bought date syrup. I love this one from Amazon which contains just one ingredient – organic medjool dates.
How to Stock Your Kitchen for Fast Paleo Weeknight Dinners
There are some ingredients I always have on hand to make shopping and prepping for quick paleo dinners a breeze:
- arrowroot and tapioca flours
- blanched almond flour
- coconut aminos
- maple syrup, honey, date syrup
- canned coconut milk
- chicken broth or stock
- seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder etc.
- Frozen cauliflower rice and other frozen veggies, for easy sides
- homemade mayo or store bought paleo friendly mayo (for sauces!)
- paleo friendly ketchup
- dijon or brown mustard
- any other condiments your family loves!
Quick Paleo Seafood Recipes
From shrimp skillets to salmon cakes and egg roll in a bowl, you’ll find a few new seafood recipes for your family.
One Skillet Salmon with Spinach Artichoke Sauce
Spicy Shrimp Egg Roll in a Bowl
Quick Paleo Beef Recipes
From burger bowls to takeout inspired flavors, you’ll find something for everyone!
Burger Bowls with Fries {Make the fries ahead of time and reheat!}
Ground Beef Stir Fry – 15 minute meal!
One Skillet Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Mexican Cauliflower Fried Rice
Quick Paleo Chicken Recipes
Chicken is everyone’s favorite, right? From takeout inspired favorites to quick skillets and chicken meatballs, everyone loves easy chicken recipes!
Chicken Pesto Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Egg Roll in a Bowl with Chicken
Lemon Garlic Chicken Zucchini Skillet
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Thanks for putting together all these great easy ideas and recipes! I used to love to cook but as a homeschooling mom of 4 it’s really become quite exhausting and I lack motivation. I have recently switched to paleo (just myself, not my family) for health reasons and it’s been a struggle. I am very glad to have found your blog!
You are dumbass who can’t even spell beginner. Why would I listen to a moron?
This comment is really uncalled for. Typos happen. I hope you figure out how to be less miserable.
I usually cook Tuscan Garlic Shrimp, Honey Garlic Salmon, and Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice for my family. Play a small world cup – an exciting sport game online.
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All these weekend dinner dishes are looking so delicious. A must try recipe for you. I bet that dinner was amazingly delicious.
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This recipe really looks so yummy. I really want to try this.