24 Recipes To Make You A Lean, Mean, Clean-Eating Machine (2024)

Clean Eating is simple. Essentially, clean eating is about eating more healthy foods and fewer unhealthy, heavily processed or refined foods and foods with added sugars and unhealthy fats. When we talk about healthy clean eating recipes, we're talking fresh, whole ingredients, organic and eaten in season when possible, and prepared in unfussy ways that highlight natural flavors.

You've heard Michael Pollan's maxim: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." That's kind of the essence of clean eating, too. And if you're doing the Mediterranean Diet, you're already eating clean.

Clean eating is eating close to nature, without too much human or industrial interference along the way.

Here's a simple way to determine if food fits the clean-eating concept. Consult the label. For starters, if it has a label, it may not be clean. But if it's a can of beans or tomatoes with only one or two ingredients, that's clean. Longer ingredient lists filled with unpronounceable words? Not so much.

There's no rigid regime to follow. Organic produce and grass-fed meats are preferred. Breads are brown and made from whole grains. Healthy fats are favored, including olive and nut oils. Added sugars, salt, and additives are out, as are trans-fats and highly processed and refined foods. Simple ingredients, simple preparations. You get the idea.

Now let's grab a glass of red wine, sit down with friends and family, and enjoy some simple clean eating recipes.

Clean Eating Dinner Recipes: Main Dishes

Tomato Basil Salmon

Clean eating salmon recipes benefit from being healthy and, generally speaking, simple to prepare -- since the best salmon recipes treat the fish with a light touch. "This quick salmon dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner," says CHEDDAR97005. "Serve with a side of sauteed spinach and a glass of pinot noir."

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Plum Sauce

This delicious, colorful roasted pork tenderloin dish works great with any stone fruit. It's one of our favorite clean eating meat recipes.

Alaskan Cod and Shrimp with Fresh Tomato

"This meal is very yummy, juicy, easy to cook, and convenient," says maddy cruise. "My fiancee loves this recipe and wants it everyday. Try it!"

Clean Eating Chicken Recipes

Simple Lemon Herb Chicken

Here's another in a long list of easy clean eating recipes for beginners and expert cooks alike. "This is a simple, quick and delicious dish," says Carolyn. "All you need are a few spices and, of course, the chicken! Add more or less spice according to your taste. Enjoy!"

Grilled Rosemary Chicken Breast

Another big hit among the clean eating chicken breast recipes. "This easy, quick, and light dish has exceptional flavor," says Semigourmet. "The rosemary plays perfectly with strong garlic flavor and a hint of lemon for bright fresh flavor."

Greek Island Chicken Shish Kebabs

"Excellent served with pita bread, a garlicky tzatziki, and a Greek salad," says Dolce Cuoco. "Lamb can be substituted for the chicken, and many variations on vegetables can be used."

Summer Chicken Burgers

Avocado clean eating recipes are always a favorite! These mouthwatering grilled chicken burgers feature caramelized onion, provolone cheese, and avocado slices.

Find more of our favorite clean eating chicken recipes.

Clean Eating Soup Recipes

Lentil Soup

Always a favorite vegetarian clean eating recipe, this hearty lentil soup is "chock full of veggies and very yummy," says Marie.

Very Easy Mushroom Barley Soup

"I love mushroom barley soup and I was originally making one that took about 3 hours to cook," SANDI149. "This one is so simple and easy and takes a third of the time. If you like mushroom barley soup, you will really like this. It's perfect for a cold winter night."

Complete Your Clean Eating Meals: Side Dishes

Bilo Walter's Easy Herb Potatoes

Grill or bake red potatoes with Vidalia onion wedges and carrots marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic salt, and rosemary.

Fresh Green Bean Salad

"A crisp, fresh-vegetable salad with a simple oil-and-vinegar dressing," says Coyote House.

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

Cauliflower is tossed with olive oil and garlic sprinkled with Parmesan and broiled until tender and golden brown.

Greek-Style Lemon Roasted Potatoes

"A great complement with souvlaki," says koko. "All you need is a great Greek salad for a full meal!"

Butternut Squash with Grapes

In this savory side dish, butternut squash, seedless red grapes, and sweet onions are roasted with pine nuts and sage leaves.

Grilled Green Beans

So easy. Simply season green beans with salt and minced garlic, then toss on the hot grill.

Clean Eating Salad Recipes

All Kale Caesar

Here's a quick and easy kale Caesar with a tangy anchovy-infused dressing and ribbons of nutritious kale. "This kale salad recipe is very quick and simple," says thisgirllikesfood2003. "Pour remaining dressing into a container, cover, and refrigerate up to 2 weeks."

Cranberry and Cilantro Quinoa Salad

Toss cooked, cooled quinoa with toasted almonds, dried cranberries, colorful bell peppers, and red onions and dress with a curry powder, cilantro, and lime juice dressing.

Zucchini Mint Salad

A refreshing zucchini salad dressed with a fresh mint, lemon juice, and olive oil dressing.

Crunchy Cauliflower and Tomato Salad

Cherry tomatoes and crunchy cauliflower combine for a festive salad with a light, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and olive oil dressing.

Mediterranean Bean Salad

"This is an easy, healthy salad that is a great side dish to BBQ chicken, beef or fish," says sourdough girl. "It can also be easily adapted to a Tex-Mex style by changing the lemon to lime, parsley to cilantro and adding ground cumin and/or chili powder!"

Clean Eating Breakfast Recipes

Megan's Granola

A tasty homemade granola with oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.

Tomato and Egg Stir Fry

A quick-and-easy egg and tomato stir fry in avocado oil.

Mini Frittatas with Quinoa

Simple savory bites of quinoa, zucchini, ham, egg, and cheese.

Homemade Peanut Butter

Peanut oil and honey roasted peanuts whirled around in a food processor until smooth -- it's so easy to make your own peanut butter.

Want more clean eating diet recipes? Check out more of our Best Clean Eating Recipes.