10+ Clean Eating Recipes to Boost Your Health and Energy
Clean eating recipes use fresh, natural ingredients without processed or artificial additives. These recipes help you make meals that feel good for your body and taste great.
You can enjoy simple, healthy foods that support your well-being and fit easily into your daily life.
When you choose clean eating recipes, you take a step toward better nutrition and mindful eating habits. You don’t have to be a chef or spend hours in the kitchen to prepare these meals.
Many clean recipes are quick, easy, and perfect for any skill level.
1) Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew
This simple stew is filling and healthy. Chickpeas add protein and spinach adds vitamins.
You mash some chickpeas to thicken the broth. Tomato paste boosts flavor without too much salt.
You only need one pot and about 30 minutes to cook it. This stew works for lunch or dinner and is easy to make vegan and gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 2 cans chickpeas
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Mash one can of chickpeas lightly and add both mashed and whole chickpeas to the pot.
- Stir in tomato paste and vegetable broth.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
Find more tips on making this stew at EatingWell.
2) Salmon Caesar Salad
You can make a tasty Salmon Caesar Salad that feels fresh and clean. Start with crunchy romaine lettuce as your base.
Add pan-seared or broiled salmon for protein and omega-3s. Use a lighter Caesar dressing made with Greek yogurt or mayo.
Add croutons for crunch, or leave them out for a lighter salad. Parmesan cheese brings extra flavor.
This salad is quick to prepare and works well for lunch or dinner. You get the classic Caesar taste with a clean eating twist.
Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup homemade or light Caesar dressing
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup croutons (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Season salmon with salt and pepper.
- Bake salmon for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
- Toss romaine with Caesar dressing in a bowl.
- Flake salmon into bite-sized pieces and add to salad.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and croutons on top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your healthy meal.
More details on making this salad can be found at this Salmon Caesar Salad recipe.
3) Zucchini, Corn & Egg Casserole
This casserole is a simple, tasty dish for breakfast or dinner. It uses fresh zucchini and sweet corn mixed with eggs to make a healthy, filling meal.
Add cheese and herbs for extra flavor. Bake until set and lightly golden on top.
This dish helps you use summer vegetables in a clean eating way. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis, chopped
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese or feta
- 1/4 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill or fresh chopped
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sauté zucchini and bell pepper until soft.
- In a bowl, mix eggs, cheese, corn, dill, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in sautéed veggies.
- Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until set and golden on top.
- Let cool a few minutes before serving.
For reference, you can see the Zucchini, Corn & Egg Casserole Recipe.
4) Chinese Chicken Salad
Chinese chicken salad is a fresh and healthy option for any day. It combines crunchy veggies like cabbage and carrots with cooked chicken.
The dressing uses sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. This gives the salad a simple, tasty flavor.
Add mandarin oranges or pumpkin seeds for sweetness and crunch. You can prepare the chicken ahead to save time.
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken thighs
- Green cabbage
- Shredded carrots
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Mandarin oranges
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sesame oil
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Ginger
Cooking Instructions
- Cook chicken thighs until 165°F (74°C) and let them cool.
- Chop cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cilantro.
- In a bowl, mix sesame oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger for the dressing.
- Toss chicken, veggies, mandarin oranges, and pumpkin seeds together.
- Pour dressing over salad and mix well before serving.
5) Healthy Egg Salad
You can make a tasty egg salad that’s healthier by swapping mayonnaise with Greek yogurt. This change makes it lighter but still creamy and full of flavor.
Add fresh herbs like dill and chopped celery for crunch and a bright taste. This egg salad has plenty of protein to keep you full.
Serve it on whole-grain bread or with fresh veggies.
Ingredients
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs.
- In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, dill, salt, and pepper.
- Add chopped eggs and celery, then stir gently to combine.
- Chill for 10 minutes before serving.
Learn more about making healthy egg salad at Eating Bird Food.
6) Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Carrot cake oatmeal breakfast bars are a great way to start your day with something tasty and healthy. They combine shredded carrots, oats, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup and bananas.
You get the flavors of carrot cake without added sugar or refined ingredients. The bars are easy to make and perfect for on-the-go breakfasts or snacks.
Add nuts, raisins, or seeds for more texture and nutrition. They bake into a soft, chewy treat that stays good for several days.
You can make these bars vegan and gluten-free by using plant-based ingredients and gluten-free oats.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ¼ cup raisins (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until combined.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 8×8-inch baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool before cutting into bars.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
For more ideas, check out carrot cake oatmeal breakfast bars recipes from Eat Yourself Skinny or Up Beet Kitchen.
7) Garlicky Green Beans with Caramelized Shallots
This recipe is a simple way to add flavor to green beans. The caramelized shallots bring a sweet, rich taste that pairs well with garlic.
Start by cooking the shallots slowly until they turn golden brown and soft. Then, add garlic and green beans for a crisp finish.
This dish works as a side for any meal. You’ll enjoy the mix of crunchy and tender textures.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup shallots, sliced
- 8 cloves garlic, sliced
- 15 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed
Cooking Instructions
- Heat butter and olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat.
- Add shallots and cook for 10-12 minutes until caramelized.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add green beans and sauté for 5-7 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm.
For more detail, see the full recipe for garlicky green beans with shallot.
8) Omelet with Fresh Vegetables
An omelet with fresh vegetables is a simple way to add more nutrients to your breakfast. Use mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, or any other veggies you like.
This meal is quick to make and keeps you full for hours. Using free-range eggs and fresh vegetables gives you a tasty, clean meal.
Add herbs for extra flavor. Cook with a small amount of olive or avocado oil to keep it healthy.
Chop your veggies small so they cook evenly. This omelet is easy to customize based on what you have in your fridge.
Ingredients
- 2 organic free-range eggs
- 4 small button mushrooms, sliced
- Handful of fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 small tomato, chopped
- 1 tsp olive oil or avocado oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
- Sauté mushrooms and tomato for 2 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook for another minute until wilted.
- Beat eggs and pour them over the vegetables in the pan.
- Cook until the edges set, about 3-4 minutes.
- Fold the omelet and cook for another minute.
- Serve warm with a little salt and pepper.
For more ideas, check out this Mixed Vegetable omelette recipe.
9) Quinoa & Black Bean Salad
This Quinoa & Black Bean Salad is a simple, healthy meal you can make ahead. It’s filled with protein from quinoa and black beans.
Fresh veggies add a light, tasty touch. You can eat it cold, making it perfect for lunch or a quick dinner.
The dressing uses lime juice, olive oil, and a little spice like cumin or red pepper flakes. The salad stays fresh in the fridge for several days.
Colorful bell peppers and cherry tomatoes add crunch and flavor. This salad is vegan and packed with nutrients.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Cook quinoa in 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Let cool.
- In a large bowl, mix quinoa, black beans, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.
- Chill in the fridge before serving.
10) Baked Lemon Herb Chicken
This baked lemon herb chicken is simple and healthy. You get fresh lemon flavor with herbs like rosemary and parsley.
Mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and your favorite herbs. Pour the mix over chicken breasts in a baking dish.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) to keep the chicken juicy and tender. This dish pairs well with veggies or a side salad.
The ingredients are easy to find and help you make a clean meal.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl.
- Add garlic, rosemary, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish.
- Pour the lemon herb mixture over the chicken.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Check that the chicken is cooked through.