From the archive: back in December 2011, the original post shared a handful of paleo recipe blogs that had completely re-energized a busy home cook's kitchen. Some of those early sites are gone now, so we've rebuilt the list as an updated editorial roundup for 2026 — part tribute, part fresh bookmark list.

There's something wonderful about stumbling into a new way of cooking. The original 2011 post described that feeling well: a rush of inspiration and a sudden urge to recreate every recipe in sight. Even if you never eat strictly paleo, these sites are worth a visit for the photography alone — real food, cooked simply, tends to look (and taste) pretty great.

The 10 sites we'd bookmark today

  1. Nom Nom Paleo — Michelle Tam's site is still the gold standard for paleo family cooking: step-by-step photos, pressure cooker shortcuts, and weeknight recipes that actually fit a busy schedule.
  2. PaleOMG — Juli Bauer's long-running blog covers comfort-food paleo with a sense of humor. The casserole and skillet sections are particularly strong.
  3. Primal Palate — A huge searchable recipe archive plus paleo-friendly spice blends. A great starting point when you have an ingredient and no plan.
  4. The Clothes Make the Girl (archived) — One of the two sites the original 2011 post singled out. Melissa Joulwan's writing later lived on through her Well Fed cookbooks, which are still easy to find and still excellent.
  5. Everyday Paleo (archived) — Sarah Fragoso's site was the inspiration for the fried apples recipe below. The original blog is no longer active, but its family-first approach shaped a whole generation of paleo home cooks.
  6. Paleo Parents (archived) — A beloved 2011-era site focused on raising kids on real food. Its recipes for lunchbox ideas and kid-friendly dinners were ahead of their time.
  7. Mark's Daily Apple — Technically "primal" rather than strict paleo, but the recipe section and the practical, no-drama approach to eating well earn it a permanent spot on this list.
  8. Balanced Bites — Diane Sanfilippo's site leans into meal prep, freezer-friendly cooking, and realistic weeknight planning — very much in the spirit of this blog.
  9. The Paleo Mom (archived) — Sarah Ballantyne's deeply researched site answered the "but why?" questions. Much of the science content has moved on, but her cookbooks remain solid references.
  10. Robb Wolf — One of the original voices of the paleo movement, still publishing. Good for the big-picture context behind the recipes.

If you're curious what the paleo switch looked like in practice for this blog back then, our post about going primal in late 2011 tells that story — chili included. And if you want something more indulgent but still family-tested, the BBQ cheese meatloaf remains one of the most-cooked recipes in our archive.

From the original post: Paleo Fried Apples

The 2011 post ended with a tiny recipe that readers loved — a skillet of cinnamon fried apples inspired by Everyday Paleo. It works as a warm breakfast topping, a side for roast pork, or a simple dessert, and it's far cheaper than anything store-bought.

Ingredients

  • 3–4 small apples, thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • A dash of pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons coconut milk

Instructions

  1. In a medium sauté pan, heat the coconut oil over medium heat.
  2. Add the apples and sauté for about 5 minutes, until they start to soften.
  3. Sprinkle in the cinnamon, mix well, then stir in the coconut milk and vanilla just until warm.
  4. Serve right away — on its own, over oatmeal, or alongside pancakes.

The original post also dreamed aloud about turning these apples into a Christmas crisp — and honestly, that's still a fine idea. Top the warm apples with a crumble of chopped nuts, a little more cinnamon, and a spoonful of coconut milk, and you have a grain-free dessert that feels like the holidays.

Fifteen years later, the paleo blogosphere looks different — some pioneers have moved on, and new voices have taken their place. But the core idea from that 2011 post holds up: find cooks whose food makes you hungry, borrow their ideas, and make them your own. That's what a good recipe blog is for.