101 Healthy Gluten Free Dinner Ideas + Tips for Starting (Or Restarting) A Gluten Free Diet

Now that the crush of parties, decadent meals and obligatory fruit cakes (tough life!) is over for the time being, let’s give our bodies a break. January, for me, is always about getting back to the basics: healthy meals, ideally planned and shopped for in advance, and a month (or at least a few weeks) of feeling like I got this.

Eventually, life picks up again and I’m scrambling to get dinner on the table, but starting out the new year by re-establishing the healthy dinner routine never hurts.

Whether you need a break from all the sugar, or just want to get back to your normal, non-holiday-season routine, this list is for you. If you’re meal planning this month, having a list of recipes to choose from makes the job a lot easier (and saves you from going down the dreaded Pinterest rabbit hole). And especially if this is your first time starting a gluten free diet, it can be daunting! Having a big list to reference will help you stay on track.

How To Start A Gluten Free Diet

Recently, a family member asked me what was the best way to start a gluten free diet, and the advice I gave her is:

1. Meal plan.
2. Stick to recipes that are naturally gluten free.

Honestly, the easiest way to not eat gluten is to… not eat gluten. Easier said than done, I know. That’s why it is important to plan ahead – so you don’t accidentally, hangrily grab something that you are not supposed to be eating (and pay the price for it later. oof.).

That’s also why your plan is most likely to succeed, at least at first, if you just avoid potential gluten sources, assuming you can swap out problematic ingredients. Don’t put that burden on yourself; it’s hard enough to change how to eat without trying to dissect every single recipe before you make it!

It can be overwhelming trying to figure out where the pitfalls are, and what the best gluten free replacements are in recipes that call for pasta, crackers, or flour. So all of the gluten free dinners on this list are just that. You won’t see anything that calls for replacing the all purpose flour with a gluten free blend or anything that takes that much thought.

Easy, Naturally Gluten Free Dinners

Instead all of these gluten free dinners are based in what’s referred to as “naturally gluten free” ingredients – meaning in their normal state, they simply don’t contain gluten. They aren’t manufactured as an alternative to or substitute for  gluten containing ingredients (there is one exception, which is soy sauce. Make sure you are using gluten free soy sauce, aka Tamari, in the Asian-inspired recipes. Most of the recipes will remind you), and they can be paired with a simple gluten free starch like sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, or rice, and a vegetable, for a simple, well balanced meal!

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I know some of you don’t like these “round up” style posts, but other have told me that you find them helpful – and if you have an opinion, please don’t forget to share it with me (and tell me what else you like/don’t like/want to see here) in this year’s survey! For those of you who don’t like these, no worries! I’ll see you back here next time for a recipe.

For the rest of you, read on for a list of 101 gluten free dinner ideas, and feel free to jump right to the section you’re interested in, using the links below. Each recipe will also tell you whether it fits other diets (like paleo or Whole30) that you might be following this month!

Gluten Free Dinner Ideas

Skip to:

Chicken Recipes    |     Pork Recipes    |    Beef & Lamb Recipes

Seafood Recipes    |    Vegetarian Recipes    |       Crockpot and Instant Pot Recipes

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Gluten Free Chicken Recipes

• Crockpot Chicken Fajitas (Low carb & Paleo)
• Copycat PF Chang’s Lettuce Cups (Low carb, Paleo, Low FODMAP)
• Chicken Roulades (Whole30, Low Carb & Paleo)
• Baked Rosemary Chicken Thighs (Whole30, Low Carb & Paleo)
• Herb Roasted Chicken with Mandarin Orange (Low Carb)
• Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders (Low Carb)
• Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken (Paleo)
• Greek Chicken with Halloumi and Heirloom Tomatoes (Low Carb)
• Skillet Pizza Chicken (Low Carb)
• Grilled Tandoori Chicken with Grilled Vegetables (Low Carb, Paleo, Whole30)
• Persian Zucchini Chicken Stew
• One Pan Garlic Mushroom Chicken (Paleo)
• Sheet Pan Chicken with Vegetables (Paleo, Low Carb)
• Chicken Quinoa Fajita Bowl
• 30 Minute Cashew Chicken (Low Carb, Paleo, Dairy Free, One Pan)

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 Gluten Free Beef & Lamb Recipes

• Bean-Free Chili (Paleo, Low Carb, Low FODMAP)
• Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce (Paleo, Low Carb, Whole30)
• Pomegranate Sumac Shish Kebab (Paleo, Low Carb)
• Skinny Beef Stroganoff (Grain Free, but not strictly Paleo)
• Coffee Rubbed London Broil (Grain Free; use coconut sugar for Paleo compliance)
• Lamb, Chickpea, and Beef Stew
• Sesame Ginger Beef and Broccoli Noodle Bowls (Paleo)
• Moroccan Inspired Meatballs (Paleo)
• Beef and Broccoli (Low Carb, Paleo if you use tapioca starch instead of corn starch)
• Jalapeno Burgers with Homemade Guacamole (Paleo, Low Carb, and Whole30 without buns)
• Beef and Sesame Stir Fry (Hint: Make sure you’re using gluten free soy sauce aka Tamari)
• Grain Free Taco Bowls (Paleo, Whole30)
• Ultimate Grain Free Burger (Paleo, Whole30)
• Lamb Chili with Chickpeas
• Steak Salad with Peaches and Basil Vinaigrette (Paleo, Low Carb)

 

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Gluten Free Pork Recipes

• Crockpot Carnitas with Pineapple Salsa (Paleo, Whole30)
• Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce (Low Carb)
• Acorn Squash and Pork Chops with Cranberries (Paleo, Whole30)
• Sausage Stuffed Eggplant Bowls (Low Carb)
• Sheet Pan Sausage, Green Bean, and Potato Dinner (Paleo, Whole30 Without Cheese)
• Brandied Apricot Stuffed Pork Loin
• One Pan Pork Chop, Bacon, and Brussels Sprouts Skillet (Paleo, Whole30)
• Skillet Tuscan Pork Chops
• Pork Scallopine (Paleo)
• Garlic Butter Pork Chops (Low Carb)
• Bolognese Stuffed Zucchini Boats (Paleo, Whole 30 Without Cheese)
• Pizza Stuffed Peppers (Low Carb)
• Cider Braised Pork Chops
• Thai Pork Salad (Paleo)
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Radicchio Apple Slaw (Pictured Above; Paleo, Whole 30 Adaptable)

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Gluten Free Fish Recipes

• Homemade Pad Thai (Pictured Above; Paleo)
• Fish Taco Bowls (Paleo)
• Garlic Salmon & Vegetables in Foil Packets (Low Carb)
• Spinach Dip Salmon Bake
• Easy Weeknight Seared Salmon (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb)
• Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp (Paleo)
• Paella (Paleo)
• 20 Minute Shrimp Tacos
• Salmon Bacon Salad (Grain Free, Low Carb)
• Cold Wild Rice Salad with Harissa Shrimp and Mint
• Braised Barramundi in Turmeric & Coconut Sauce (Low Carb, Paleo, Whole30)
• Fish Tacos with Beet Nectarine Salsa
• Salmon and Quinoa Patties
• Rosemary Citrus One Pan Baked Salmon
• Braised Cod with Summer Vegetables
• Flaky Parmesan Tilapia (Low Carb)
• Easy Thai Fish Curry (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb with Cauliflower Rice)
• Salmon Nicoise Salad (Paleo, Whole30)

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Gluten Free Vegetarian Recipes

• Grilled Eggplant and Halloumi Salad (Pictured Above, Low Carb)
• Lentil Spinach Soup (Vegan)
• Cheesy Zucchini Gratin (Low Carb)
• Roasted Acorn Squash Tart (Low Carb)
• Chickpea Sweet Potato Peanut Curry (Vegan)
• Summer Squash Tomato Frittata (Low Carb)
• Southwestern Kale Power Salad with Quinoa (Vegan)
• Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Mediterranean Polenta Bowl
• Quinoa Spaghetti with Roasted Tomatoes, Capers, and Pine Nuts (Vegan)
• Kale Apple Salad
• 5-Ingredient Baked Tofu Bowls  (Vegan)
• Fried Eggplant Casserole (Vegan, Paleo)
• Palak Paneer (Low Carb)
• General Tso’s Tofu (Vegan)
• Parsnip and Chive Soup (Vegan)
• Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup (Vegan)

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Gluten Free Instant Pot & Crockpot Recipes

1. Crockpot Pork Chops with Apples and Onions (Pictured Above; Paleo, Low Carb)
2. Instant Pot Southwestern Stew (Whole30, Paleo)
3. Instant Pot Short Ribs (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb)
4. Instant Pot Chicken and Rice (Paleo)
5. Slow Cooker Garlic Chipotle Lime Chicken (Paleo, Low Carb)
6. Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice (Paleo)
7. Slow Cooker Pot Roast (Paleo)
8. Slow Cooker Maple Apple Turkey Breast
9. Instant Pot Lamb and Squash Tagine
10. Slow Cooker Bistro Chicken Thighs (Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb)
11. Slow Cooker Ham and Beans
12. Pressure Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala (Low Carb)
13. Slow Cooker Thai Beef Stew (Low Carb, Whole30, Paleo)
14. Chipotle Bison & Sweet Potato Chili
15. Instant Pot Moroccan Sticky Chicken (Paleo)
16. Instant Pot Chicken Adobo (Make sure to use gluten free soy sauce!)
17. Instant Pot Balsamic Beef Stew (Paleo, Whole30)
18. Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa with Cilantro Dressing (Vegan)
19. Instant Pot Mongolian Beef (Paleo)
20. Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon (Paleo)
21. Crockpot Chicken Fajitas (Low Carb, Whole30, Paleo)

 

That’s plenty of dinners to get you started, but if you’d like to browse even more gluten free dinner recipes, check out the Main Courses section here!