Healthy Paleo Lunch and Dinner for Families.

Paleo Lunch and Dinner Ideas: 14 Family-Friendly Recipe Cards

Eating paleo as a family doesn’t have to be time-consuming or dull. These Paleo Lunch and Dinner Ideas come as easy-to-read recipe cards, each with prep/cook times, servings, broken-out ingredients, step-by-step instructions, nutrition highlights, and a handy chef’s tip. Whether you’re meal-prepping for a busy week or cooking dinner tonight, you’ll find straightforward, delicious, and fully paleo-compliant meals the whole family will love.

🥗 Paleo Lunch Ideas

1. Turkey & Avocado Lettuce Wraps

• Time: 10 min prep
• Servings: 4 wraps

Ingredients:

• 200 g sliced roasted turkey
• 1 ripe avocado
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
• 8–10 bibb lettuce leaves
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Pinch sea salt

Method:

1. Mash avocado with lemon juice and salt until creamy.
2. Lay out lettuce leaves; spread 1 tbsp avocado mash on each.
3. Top with turkey, tomatoes, and onion; roll into wraps.

Chef’s Tip: Warm turkey slices briefly for a “grilled” taste.
Nutrition: ~250 kcal | 20 g protein | 18 g fat | 5 g carbs2. Mediterranean Tuna Salad

• Time: 5 min prep
• Servings: 2–3 bowls

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of wild tuna (in water), drained
• ½ cucumber, diced
• 10 Kalamata olives, halved (pitted)
• ½ red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Method:

1. In a bowl, combine tuna, veggies, and parsley.
2. Whisk oil and vinegar; pour over salad and toss.

Chef’s Tip: Serve over mixed greens or in avocado halves.
Nutrition: ~300 kcal | 25 g protein | 20 g fat | 6 g carbs
3. Zucchini Noodle Pesto Chicken

• Time: 15 min prep + 5 min cook
• Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 small zucchinis, spiralized
• 150 g grilled chicken strips
• ¼ cup paleo pesto (basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil)

Method:

1. Sauté zucchini noodles in 1 tbsp olive oil for 2–3 min.
2. Remove from heat; stir in pesto and chicken. 

Chef’s Tip: Add extra pine nuts for crunch.
Nutrition: ~350 kcal | 30 g protein | 24 g fat | 8 g carbs4. Chicken Apple Salad

• Time: 10 min prep
• Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 200 g cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 apple, diced
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 2 tbsp walnuts, chopped
• 2 tbsp paleo mayo
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until coated.
2. Chill 5 min before serving (optional).

Chef’s Tip: Swap walnuts for almonds if preferred.
Nutrition: ~280 kcal | 22 g protein | 16 g fat | 12 g carbs5. Egg Roll in a Bowl

• Time: 5 min prep + 10 min cook
• Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 400 g ground chicken
• 3 cups shredded cabbage & carrots
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos

Method:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground chicken with garlic and ginger, breaking it up with a spatula, until fully cooked and no longer pink (about 5–6 minutes).
2. Add the cabbage and carrot mix along with the coconut aminos. Stir well and cook until the vegetables are tender but still crisp, about 4–5 minutes.
3. (Optional) Drizzle a little warm toasted sesame oil before serving for extra flavor.

6. Avocado & Shrimp Salad

• Time: 5 min prep
• Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 200 g cooked shrimp
• 1 avocado, diced
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• Pinch sea salt

Method:

1. Gently toss all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Season to taste with lime and salt. 

7. Beef & Veggie Stuffed Peppers

• Time: 10 min prep + 20 min bake
• Servings: 4 halves

Ingredients:

• 400 g ground beef
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 large bell peppers, halved & seeded

Method:

1. Brown beef with zucchini and spinach; stir in paste and paprika.
2. Stuff pepper halves; bake at 180 °C for 20 min.

Chef’s Tip: Top with fresh herbs before serving.
Nutrition: ~340 kcal | 26 g protein | 20 g fat | 12 g carbs

🍗Paleo Dinner Ideas

8. Garlic Herb Roast Chicken & Veggies

• Time: 15 min prep + 1 hr roast
• Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (1.5 kg)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp each rosemary & thyme
• 3 carrots, cut into chunks
• 2 parsnips, cut into chunks
• 1 large sweet potato, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. Rub chicken with garlic, herbs, and oil.
2. Roast at 200 °C for 1 hr; add veggies to the pan after 15 min. 

9. Salmon with Avocado-Mango Salsa

• Time: 10 min prep + 12 min cook
• Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets (150 g each)
• ½ mango, diced
• 1 avocado, diced
• ¼ red onion, minced
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime

Method:

1. Season and bake the salmon at 190 °C for 12 min.
2. Toss salsa ingredients; spoon over cooked salmon.

Chef’s Tip: Use leftover salsa on grilled chicken, too.
Nutrition: ~400 kcal | 32 g protein | 26 g fat | 12 g carbs
11. Spaghetti Squash Bolognese

• Time: 10 min prep + 45 min cook
• Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 400 g ground beef
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes (400 g)
• 1 tsp Italian herbs
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Method:

1. Roast squash halves at 190 °C, cut-side down, for 40 min.
2. Sauté onion and garlic; add beef, and brown. Stir in tomatoes and herbs, simmer 10 minutes.
3. Scrape squash into noodles; top with sauce.

Chef’s Tip: Sprinkle chopped basil for freshness.
Nutrition: ~380 kcal | 26 g protein | 22 g fat | 18 g carbs12. Mexican-Style Lettuce Taco Bowl

• Time: 10 min prep + 8 min cook
• Servings: 3

Ingredients:

• 300 g ground turkey
• 2 tbsp paleo taco seasoning
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 4 cups chopped lettuce
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Sliced jalapeños (optional)

Method:

1. Cook turkey with seasoning; stir in tomatoes.
2. Layer lettuce, turkey mix, avocado, and jalapeños in bowls.

Chef’s Tip: Swap turkey for ground beef if preferred.
Nutrition: ~330 kcal | 25 g protein | 20 g fat | 12 g carbs13. Coconut Curry Chicken

• Time: 10 min prep + 20 min cook
• Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 500 g chicken thighs, chopped
• 1 can of coconut milk (400 ml)
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Method:

1. Sauté onion and garlic; add chicken and curry powder, cook 5 min.
2. Pour in coconut milk; simmer 10 min. Stir in spinach until wilted. 

14. Grilled Steak with Chimichurri

• Time: 10 min prep + 12 min cook
• Servings: 2

Ingredients:

• 2 sirloin steaks (200 g each)
• ½ cup parsley
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. Grill steaks to desired doneness (approx. 6 min per side for medium).
2. Blitz parsley, oregano, garlic, vinegar, and oil into chimichurri.
3. Slice steak; drizzle with sauce. 

Conclusion & Next Steps

These Paleo Lunch and Dinner Ideas are designed to simplify your meal planning, save you time, and help your family thrive on nutrient-dense, delicious food. Ready to take it further?

FAQ

• Can I prep these recipes ahead?

Absolutely—most dishes (like the tuna salad and slaw) can be prepped 1–2 days in advance. Store components separately for the best texture.

• What if someone in my family is allergic to nuts?

Omit pine nuts and walnuts, or swap in seeds (e.g., pumpkin seeds) for crunch.

• Where can I find more Paleo meal ideas?

Check out our Paleo Snack Ideas or join our 7-Day Paleo Meal Plan for full menus and shopping lists.