We call it the caveman diet, but let’s be honest—Paleo isn’t just about raw meat, bone broth, and grunts. And though we might be trying to eat a little more like our early ancestors, we’re not exactly trying to live (or cook) like them.
The humble caveman probably didn’t have to plan meals around 9 a.m. meetings, late nights at the office, or Tinder dates to impress. But we do, which is why we rely on one of the greatest inventions of modernity to keep ourselves well-fed without spending the whole day in the kitchen (or crouching over a fire). We’re talking about the stir-fry.
With a single skillet, you can whip up a five-star meal in a matter of minutes. So whip out your frying pan and show us what evolution gave you by making these Paleo stir-fry recipes.
1. Chicken and Vegetable Lo Mein
What this dish lacks in gluten, it makes up for in flavor. Garlic, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, and chicken come together in a single skillet to give you all the savory satisfaction. The only thing that would make it better? Slurping it down straight out of the carton.
2. Cashew Satay Spiralized Vegetable Stir-Fry
In our book, a caveman can never eat too many cashews. Packed with zucchini noodles, creamy cashew butter, napa cabbage, and lots of spices, this vegan zoodle dish can be thrown together in under 20 minutes. And if you’re still not cashed out, as they say, toss some whole or halved cashews on top for added crunch.
3. One-Skillet Paleo Mediterranean Chicken Stir-Fry
Calling all olive lovers! Fill your skillet with sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, Roma tomatoes, and kalamata olives for a flavor-packed Mediterranean meal you can whip up in mere minutes.
4. Whole30 Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry
So hungry you could eat a whole cow? We’re not suggesting you do that, but this super-savory beef stir-fry will probably do the trick. Go ham on the beef, sauté in garlicky broth, and serve over warm cauliflower rice and bok choy. It’s a simple, hearty, and Whole30-compliant dish that you can whip up fast.
5. One-Pan Shrimp Stir-Fry
Let’s get a little fancy for a sec. This shrimp stir-fry may look like it takes many hours and hundreds of pans, but it’s really a one-skillet job. Featuring sugar snap peas, carrots, and zucchini noodles, you’ll get a boost of vitamin A and C as well as those good, fishy omega-3s.
6. Leftover Turkey Stir-Fry
Whether you’ve just finished Thanksgiving dinner or just happen to love turkey, this is the stir-fry for you. Simple, hearty, and wholesome, this dish just gets better when you throw in whatever other leftover veggies and sides are hanging out in your fridge.
7. One-Pot Cauliflower Rice Paella
Paleo paella might seem impossible, but with cauliflower rice on your side, you can do anything. When sausage, shrimp, and bell peppers meet smoked paprika and turmeric, something magical happens.
8. Sweet Potato Hash With Kale and Bacon
No matter the time of day, we’ve always got room in our hearts (and stomachs) for bacon. This sweet potato hash is a one-pan ordeal that’s simple enough to make while you’re still waking up, filling enough to hit the spot during *clean* boozy brunch, and fast enough for those long days when you need dinner in your stomach ASAP.
9. Whole30 Drunken Noodles
Nope, we aren’t under the influence of noodles—this is a grain-free, Paleo, Whole30-compliant version of the traditional Thai noodle dish, and it’s just as good. We’re talking zucchini noodles, chicken, and bell pepper slathered in that sweet, garlicky, basil-and-ginger sauce you know and love.