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Whole30 Taco Recipes: Salad, Soup, Seasoning & More!

Written by Korina Sanchez on August 20, 2019

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Are you a lover of tacos, taco salads, taco soups, and every other variation of tacos? Do you love following a Whole30 diet? If so, you're going to want to bookmark this post and keep it on hand for weeknight dinners—each taco recipe included here is full of delicious flavor and is compliant with Whole30!

taco seasoning

What is Whole30?

Whole30 is a diet lifestyle that eliminates foods that are known to be inflammatory and can be damaging to our health. This diet became popularized in 2009 and, since that time, has been followed by millions of people to determine foods that trigger a negative response, reduce bodily inflammation, and teach people how to properly read food labels and understand the foods they are eating.

On a Whole30 diet, you altogether eliminate grains, dairy, sugar, soy, legumes, alcohol, sulfites, and MSG for a full 30 days. After the 30-day timeframe has expired, Whole30 teaches you how to properly reintroduce these foods back into your diet so you are able to determine which food or foods are triggering a negative response in your body.

Some people, however, feel so much better after following Whole30 for 30 days that they chose not to ever reintroduce these foods into their diet.

Are Tacos Whole30 Compliant?

They absolutely can be! So long as you know the rules of Whole30, you can easily make delicious and wholesome taco dishes that your whole family will love. In this post, we'll share our favorite Whole30-compliant taco recipes with you.

What Protein to Use in Whole30 Tacos

Including protein in your meals is a very important attribute of the Whole30 diet. For these Whole30 tacos, a variety of proteins are used to create a balanced and satiating meal. From Chicken Tacos in Lettuce Wraps to Ground Turkey Taco Bowls With Cauliflower Spanish Rice, to Mahi Mahi Tacos with Tropical Salsa, and so much more, the recipes in this post provide a wide array of protein options that you’re sure to love!

How Long Do Whole30 Tacos Last in the Fridge?

We would recommend consuming premade Whole30 tacos within 2-3 days of cooking unless otherwise noted in the individual recipe. Be sure to refrigerate the taco recipe in an airtight container so it remains fresh and flavorful!

Enjoy These Whole30 Taco Recipes!

All of the recipes included here are tasty, made with real food ingredients, and are completely compliant with your Whole30 diet. Make sure to bookmark this post so you can easily refer back to it!

1. Whole30 Taco Seasoning

Did you know that most store-bought taco seasonings contain sugar and other ingredients that are not compliant with a Whole30 diet? Skip the store-bought taco mixes and make this easy yet flavorful Whole30 taco seasoning that’s both keto-friendly and gluten-free! This seasoning is the perfect way to marinate meat and vegetables in, as well as give broths a Tex-Mex kick.

Preparation-wise, it's really super simple and takes 5 minutes to whip up! But what makes this homemade taco seasoning recipe incredible is how you can adjust its heat level to suit your personal preference. Like your dishes imbued with higher Scoville heat units? You can opt for something like powdered cayenne pepper. Want it mildly spicy? Omit the cayenne and simply use chili powder.

However way you want to prepare this, there's a good chance you already have all the ingredients you need just sitting in your cupboard, so why not prep a batch to sustain your healthy taco obsession?

Per serving: 22 calories, 0g fat, 0g net carbs, 0g protein

Get the recipe from Sustainable Cooks.

2. Chicken Tacos in Lettuce Wraps

What if I told you that Whole30 chicken tacos exist and they're here to stay? Well, it's true and they're the answer to your major taco needs! Take this recipe for chicken tacos in lettuce wraps, for example. They're delicious, time-efficient, and does not skimp on flavor! It's an amazing dish that will perfectly complement your meal prepping repertoire.

Now, you can choose to cook the chicken ahead of time by using either an Instant Pot or slow cooker, and then whip up the avocado crema by blending the ingredients together before leaving it to chill in the fridge. To be honest, most of your manual labor will come from assembling your toppings onto a lettuce leaf, so it’s well worth the effort considering the nutritional value this meal brings. But who's complaining? This recipe is loaded with nutrients, like Vitamin A, C, calcium, and iron, and, lest we forget, yields a whole30-compliant taco!

Per serving: 366 calories, 23g fat, 6g net carbs, 27g protein

Get the recipe from 40Aprons.

3. Ground Turkey Taco Bowls with Cauliflower Spanish Rice

Tacos aren't confined to just tortilla wraps (which are off-limits when following a Whole30 diet anyway)! This recipe will show you how delicious it is to dig straight into your favorite filling and even serve it over rice - cauliflower rice, that is, of course! This Whole30 taco bowl recipe is not only Whole30 compliant but is also totally kid-friendly. Yep, this is something your kid will want second helpings of, so there’s that added perk!

This takes roughly 15-20 minutes to make, so it's going to save you on those nights that you are exhausted after work, yet want a wholesome, balanced, and Whole30 meal on the table for the family. All you need to make this happen are your 2 key elements: the taco meat and the cauliflower Spanish rice. Once you have that ready, all that’s left is to assemble them in a bowl and voila! A meal that will win you, your family, and friends' hearts!

Per serving: 347 calories, 23g fat, 12g net carbs, 43g protein

Get the recipe from Wholesomelicious.

4. Whole30 Taco Bowls

Taco bowls have won the heart of several different diet types. What's not to love? They're satiating, they make eating vegetables so much easier, and they’re easy to customize. This keto taco bowl recipe, for instance, is low-carb, paleo, and is a perfect choice for those on a Whole30 diet.

It only takes 30 short minutes to make this for lunch or dinner, which makes it a perfect option for whipping up and enjoying on busy weeknights! This recipe yields 4 total servings, but feel free to make a bigger batch for leftovers for tomorrow's lunch!

Per serving: 347 calories, 23g fat, 12g net carbs, 43g protein

Get the recipe from Life Made Sweeter.

5. Whole30 Taco Salad

Cure your taco craving with this tasty Whole30 taco salad that comes with a rich and creamy cilantro lime dressing. It has all the healthy goodness of juicy and protein-packed ground beef, romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, and avocado! Top it off with some dressing and you're in for a wonderful and balanced meal. It's filling, flavorful, and fits perfectly to your busy meal prep schedule as it only takes a little over 30 minutes to make!

Per serving: 918 calories, 85g fat, 7g net carbs, 29g protein

Get the recipe from Steph Gaudreau.

6. Easy Taco Casserole

The beauty of making this taco casserole is that it's not only easy and Whole30-compliant, it's also low-carb and keto-friendly!

This recipe uses a combination of hearty and healthy ingredients that makes this easy taco dish all the more enjoyable. In just 45 minutes, you'll have 6 servings that are perfect for lunches during a hectic workweek. This casserole is easily one of the most convenient meals you can prepare without compromising nutrition points. How's that for a great paleo taco recipe?!

Per serving: 715 calories, 59g fat, 10g net carbs, 31g protein

Get the recipe from Real Simple Good.

7. Whole30 Taco Soup

This recipe is what happens when a taco and a bowl of chili come together!

By the looks of it, I already have a pretty good feeling that you'd fall in love with this recipe, but just in case you're still undecided if this dish is for you, here are 3 reasons to cook this up for dinner tonight:

  1. You get the best of both worlds: tacos and chili.
  2. It doesn't take much effort to prepare this satisfying keto taco soup, which means you have more time to do more of the other things you said you would!
  3. It's crave-worthy, comforting, AND actually good for you. What's not to love?

Also, if you're wanting to eat tacos without having it crumble before you, a bowl of this is the answer to your taco woes.

The bottom line is that this is a Whole30 taco soup recipe that keeps on giving. No downside, just a healthy and delicious paleo meal.

Per serving: 322 calories, 23g fat, 8g net carbs, 16g protein

Get the recipe from Cassidy’s Craveable Creations.

8. Instant Pot Taco Stuffed Pepper Soup

If you have an Instant Pot sitting around in your kitchen and need a dish that stores well in the freezer, then you'll want to take note of this taco soup recipe.

You don't need to order out to enjoy a cozy weeknight meal with your family. You can use a variety of meat to fill in your protein needs and the bell peppers don’t skimp on providing you with some much-needed vitamins and minerals. What's more, is that it only takes 20 minutes to whip this up making it perfect for family night!

Per serving: 212 calories, 11g fat, 11g net carbs, 19g protein

Get the recipe from Tasty Thin.

9. Mahi Mahi Tacos with Tropical Salsa

Okay, so you love fish tacos more than any other protein? We can see why. Fish is full of nutrients and is an ingredient that Whole30 suggests including in your weekly meal plan. With that in mind, we have just the recipe to meet your fish taco needs!

This mahi mahi tacos with tropical salsa recipe is both Instagram- and craving-worthy. It's healthy and has a multitude of flavor and texture elements that will keep you coming back for more, who can resist?!

You can enjoy these with some tangy lime juice, or spice it up with Sriracha mayo, OR you can opt to let the salsa whisk your taste buds away to the tropics. Your taco, your call!

Per serving: 343 calories, 16g fat, 23.4g net carbs, 23g protein

Get the recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen.

10. Fish Taco Lettuce Wraps

Just because you can’t have corn tortillas while on a whole30 diet doesn't mean you can’t have fish tacos, right? I mean, take a look at these fish taco lettuce wraps, for instance! There are so many delicious and fresh ingredients in this recipe that it's clear that this takes Whole30 fish tacos to a whole new level!

To make this, you mostly just have to chop the veggies and fruits, cook some fish, and then assemble. Yeah, that's all there is to it! It's hard to believe that such simple preparation can deliver flavors so complex, that it makes all your effort worth it!

Per serving: 688 calories, 43g fat, 34g net carbs, 32g protein

Get the recipe from Clean Eating Mag.

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