30+ Recipes to Jump-Start Your Mediterranean Diet Journey

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Not only is the Mediterranean diet good for your gut, but it's also incredibly easy to follow and will help you meet your weight-loss and health goals.

This diet doesn't force you to cut a bunch of stuff out of your day but instead focuses on eating clean and fresh. Your meal plates should typically have half a plate of veggies or fruit, a quarter of protein, and a quarter of whole grains. And don't forget your healthy fats! You need those too. And while this diet has a lot of lean, healthy proteins and not much dairy, you can still have minimal servings of cheese, red meat, and wine, though probably no more than once a week.

For some recipe ideas to get you going on this diet, we pulled together more than 30 options that are great pieces to each meal. Most of them require other portions, whether it's the meat or the grains, to make a complete meal, but once you get the hang of what all you need for a meal to come together, you'll have no trouble following along!

Mini Frittata Egg Bites
Tasty Yummies

Mini Frittata Egg Bites

Start your day with these mini egg bites paired with a serving of brown rice.

Get the recipe: mini frittata egg bites

Kale Caesar Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Kale Caesar Salad

This Caesar salad can be topped with your protein of choice and served with a grain like couscous for balance.

Get the recipe: kale Caesar salad

Tomato Lentil Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Jaime Young

Tomato Lentil Soup

Serve this delicious soup with a side salad that has lots of veggies and is topped with lean chicken and olive oil and vinegar.

Get the recipe: tomato lentil soup

Banana Steel-Cut Oatmeal
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Banana Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Give your morning a fruity wake-up call with this yummy slow-cooker oatmeal.

Get the recipe: banana steel-cut oatmeal

Farro Kale Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Farro Kale Salad

This hearty salad goes well with a nice cut of lean chicken and a cup of fruit.

Get the recipe: farro kale salad

Baked Salmon
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Baked Salmon

Throw everything onto a sheet pan to cook this dish, and serve it with a side of couscous or brown rice.

Get the recipe: baked salmon

Chicken Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Chicken Salad

Top a slice of whole-wheat bread with this delicious chicken salad for a satisfying lunch.

Get the recipe: chicken salad

Yogurt-Filled Cantaloupe
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Yogurt-Filled Cantaloupe

For a refreshing breakfast, try this yogurt-filled cantaloupe with a slice of whole-wheat toast.

Get the recipe: yogurt-filled cantaloupe

Pesto Pasta Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Katie Sweeney

Pesto Pasta Salad

Throw some grilled chicken or tofu on top of this pasta salad for a complete meal.

Get the recipe: pesto pasta salad

Asian Chicken Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Asian Chicken Salad

Drizzle this salad with some olive oil and serve it with a side of grains.

Get the recipe: Asian chicken salad

Burrito Bowl
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Burrito Bowl

Build this burrito bowl starting with brown rice, and top it with avocado.

Get the recipe: burrito bowl

Cod With Asparagus
POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Cod With Asparagus

The juice from this dish will soak right into whatever grains you serve it with to create a comforting meal on a cold day.

Get the recipe: cod with asparagus

Spiced Carrot Soup
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Spiced Carrot Soup

Have a slice of whole-wheat toast with this soup to soak up all the tahini goodness.

Get the recipe: spiced carrot soup

Warm Artichoke and Mushroom Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Camilla Salem

Warm Artichoke and Mushroom Salad

Serve this salad with some lean chicken and wild rice.

Get the recipe: warm artichoke and mushroom salad

Persian Rice With Dates and Pistachios
Little Ferraro Kitchen

Persian Rice With Dates and Pistachios

Throw together a big salad with lots of veggies and some grilled chicken and olive oil on top, and serve it with this rice dish on the side.

Get the recipe: Persian rice with dates and pistachios

Turkey Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers
Food Faith Fitness

Turkey Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

This dish provides your hint of cheese you're allowed on the Mediterranean diet.

Get the recipe: turkey quinoa stuffed bell peppers

Greek Chicken Tacos
Slow Cooker Gourmet

Greek Chicken Tacos

Grab whole-wheat tortillas for these tacos and load them up with veggies and grilled chicken.

Get the recipe: Greek chicken tacos

Ratatouille
Little Ferraro Kitchen

Ratatouille

This hearty vegetable dish just needs a side of grains and a portion of protein to make a well-rounded meal.

Get the recipe: ratatouille

Thai Steak Salad
Little Ferraro Kitchen

Thai Steak Salad

Try serving this salad over a bed of wild rice for some added texture and nutrition.

Get the recipe: Thai steak salad

Baked Fish With Zucchini Noodles
Inspiralized

Baked Fish With Zucchini Noodles

This complete meal just needs a grain added, like a slice of whole-wheat bread.

Get the recipe: baked fish with zucchini noodles

Broccoli Salad
Food Faith Fitness

Broccoli Salad

Either toss this with some chicken and brown rice or have that in addition to this salad to round out your meal.

Get the recipe: broccoli salad

Chicken Spinach Strawberry Salad
Delightful Mom Food

Chicken Spinach Strawberry Salad

Have a slice of whole-wheat bread on the side of this bright salad.

Get the recipe: chicken spinach strawberry salad

Thai Beef Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Thai Beef Salad

Throw some avocado on top of this protein-packed salad and you're all set.

Get the recipe: Thai beef salad

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Lizzie Fuhr

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Add some tofu or chicken to this salad for a balanced meal.

Get the recipe: Mediterranean quinoa salad

Bento Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Bento Salad

This salad has everything you need except a grain, but we recommend brown rice.

Get the recipe: bento salad

Quinoa Cabbage Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Quinoa Cabbage Salad

You can either toss some chicken into this salad or serve it on the side.

Get the recipe: quinoa cabbage salad

Kale Sesame Chicken Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Kale Sesame Chicken Salad

A side of whole-wheat bread to help you get these greens onto your fork is the perfect addition to this salad.

Get the recipe: kale sesame chicken salad

Sesame Ginger Kale Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Leta Shy

Sesame Ginger Kale Salad

This salad just needs a dash of protein to be your entire meal!

Get the recipe: sesame ginger kale salad

Flat-Belly Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Flat-Belly Salad

To keep this salad super healthy, add some grilled chicken on top and just a touch of wild rice.

Get the recipe: flat-belly salad

Watermelon, Feta, and Arugula Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Watermelon, Feta, and Arugula Salad

Whatever protein and grain you're in the mood for will pair perfectly with this bright, summery salad.

Get the recipe: watermelon, feta, and arugula salad

Cilantro Lime Broccoli Slaw
Good Life Eats

Cilantro Lime Broccoli Slaw

Just add a drizzle of olive oil to this and your protein of choice and you're all set.

Get the recipe: cilantro lime broccoli slaw

Kale, Almond, and Orange Salad
Cookin Canuck

Kale, Almond, and Orange Salad

This fun salad just needs a portion of protein and a portion of grains to make a whole meal.

Get the recipe: kale, almond, and orange salad

Chickpea Avocado Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Chickpea Avocado Salad

Serve this on whole-wheat bread or an English muffin and have some scrambled eggs on the side for a filling breakfast.

Get the recipe: chickpea avocado salad

Cucumber, Black Bean, Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Cucumber, Black Bean, Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

Try crumbling hard-boiled eggs over this salad and serving it over a bed of brown rice.

Get the recipe: cucumber, black bean, corn, tomato, and avocado salad

Watermelon Salad
POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

Watermelon Salad

This refreshing salad can be served with a grain of your choice.

Get the recipe: watermelon salad