Food 33 Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes By Ginger Crichton Ginger Crichton Ginger Crichton is a contributing editor for Midwest Living and Dotdash Meredith Travel, and has worked for the brands in various roles since 2008. She has more than 30 years' experience as a journalist, including editing and writing for both magazines and newspapers. A native Virginian, she holds a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia. Her passion is travel, and since moving with her family to the Midwest 16 years ago, she has road-tripped extensively throughout the region. When she's at home in Des Moines, you might find her at the gym, volunteering at a food pantry or puzzling over the latest New York Times Spelling Bee. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 12, 2023 Trending Videos Photo: Brie Passano Weeknight-easy or celebration-worthy, gluten-free dinner recipes are easier to find (and make) than you might think. These dishes draw their flavor from a glorious array of naturally gluten-free ingredients and cooking techniques, many with globally inspired roots. 01 of 33 Flatiron with Chimichurri and Smashed Potatoes Brie Passano This recipe—from Karen Bell, chef and owner of Bavette La Boucherie in Milwaukee—pairs grilled steak with an herby sauce and rustic baby potatoes. Relying on fresh herbs and peppers for seasoning, it's a great example of the complex flavors you can coax from gluten-free ingredients. View Recipe 02 of 33 Cornmeal-Crusted Picnic Chicken with Blueberry Mostarda Brie Passano Coated in cornmeal and masa harina, this oven-baked, gluten-free "fried" chicken keeps its crunch longer, so it's perfect for summer outings. Serve with tangy mostarda—Italian fruit "mustard." Here, we simmered blueberries with wine, mustard seeds and black pepper. View Recipe 03 of 33 Pork Tenderloin with Pears and Potatoes Carson Downing Weeknight-friendly pork tenderloin, pears, potato and onion bake on the same pan—dressed in maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic and herbs. Your family won't even think to ask where the gluten went. But as with all gluten-free eating, do your homework before buying any packaged product. Pure maple syrup, for instance, is almost always gluten-free, but confirm on the manufacturer's website or the ingredient list if you're not certain. Foods labeled "gluten-free" must meet certain government standards. View Recipe 04 of 33 Rajas with Corn Tacos Brie Passano Much corn-based Mexican food is naturally gluten-free, and these rajas (strips of poblano peppers) in corn tacos are no exception. Just make sure that the Mexican crema you blend with the peppers is labeled gluten-free, or use sour cream. View Recipe 05 of 33 White Bean Stew with Marinated Radicchio White Bean Stew with Marinated Radicchio. Shelly Westerhausen Worcel/Courtesy of Chronicle Books This dill-flecked, healthful (and gluten-free) stew comes from the cookbook Every Season is Soup Season (Chronicle Books, $33), by Indiana author Shelly Westerhausen Worcel. View Recipe 06 of 33 Parmesan Polenta with Roots and Shoots Brie Passano This polenta method makes such an easy (and gluten-free) summer dinner. While the polenta cooks, you can roast beets, dress them in balsamic vinegar and rinse a fistful of summer greens and herbs. View Recipe 07 of 33 Cabbage Alfredo with Mushrooms Jacob Fox Here's a new kind of veggie noodle! Shredded cabbage replaces pasta in a luscious gluten-free dish. View Recipe 08 of 33 French Herb Omelets with New Potatoes Carson Downing This super-easy dinner is deliciously gluten-free: a traditional herb-filled omelet with buttery steamed potatoes. View Recipe 09 of 33 Cauliflower Chickpea Bowl with Cilantro Yogurt Carson Downing This healthful, all-in-one weeknight dinner loads you up with both ingredients and flavor. And look at all those colors and textures! It's another dish where you'll never miss gluten. View Recipe 10 of 33 Mojo Pork Chops with Fruit Salsa Carson Downing Making your own marinades, rubs and salsas is an easy way both to amp up the flavor of your meals and to keep gluten off the dinner table. Here, Mojo is a Caribbean marinade of citrus, garlic and pepper that bathes the pork for 4 to 6 hours. The peppy pineapple and mango salsa is so good that you might want to eat some as a salad, or serve it with gluten-free tortilla chips. View Recipe 11 of 33 Sausage-Stuffed Delicata Squash Carson Downing All you need is 15 minutes of prep time to make this all-in-one meal—perfect for those days when you need something easy but still cozy and comforting. Not all pork sausage is gluten-free, so scan the label before you buy. View Recipe 12 of 33 Tomatoey Parmesan Beans Chantell and Brett Quernemen This weeknight dinner comes from Food Network star Molly Yeh's new cookbook Home is Where the Eggs Are. Serve with gluten-free toasted bread, if you like. View Recipe 13 of 33 Coffee and Spice Grilled Ribeye Carson Downing In a collaboration with a local coffee roaster that's also informed by his Hmong heritage, Minneapolis chef Yia Vang developed this earthy, spicy steak rub. Are you wondering whether all spices, like the half-dozen or so that this recipes uses, are gluten-free? You should be fine with most single-ingredient spices, but be more cautious with spice mixes, packets and blends. Read labels and stick with brands that are clear about their gluten policy. View Recipe 14 of 33 Laap Tofu Carson Downing This herby ground meat or tofu salad eaten across Thailand is traditionally scooped with rice or lettuce for a healthy, colorful meal. Plain tofu is generally gluten-free, but to be safe, look for a package labeled gluten-free. (Flavored tofus are much more likely to have gluten.) Also only use fish sauce that is certified gluten-free since some fish sauce manufacturers do use gluten. View Recipe 15 of 33 Zucchini and Feta Frittata with Parsley and Arugula Salad Carson Downing Frittatas are usually a great choice for those on gluten-restricted diets because they aren't baked in crusts like their cousins, quiches. This zucchini frittata can be eaten warm or at room temp. Also try our Delicata Frittata, Chard and Sweet Potato Frittata and Potato-Thyme Frittata. View Recipe 16 of 33 Chermoula Halibut Skewers Carson Downing Fresh herbs, spices and summer-ripe veggies all contribute to a delicious gluten-free dinner. Chermoula is an herby, lemony sauce found across North Africa. When making kabobs, remember that some ingredients cook faster than others. Keeping skewers segregated by ingredient will yield perfectly flaky fish, tender zucchini and not-mushy tomatoes. View Recipe 17 of 33 Risotto with Asparagus and Shiitakes Carson Downing When you are craving the "chew" of bread, try risotto instead. In this recipe, tender asparagus cozies up with brothy rice with mushrooms, chives, and Parmesan. Pair it with a glass of white wine for a luxurious meal. View Recipe 18 of 33 Spicy Chicken Tortilla Soup Carson Downing A whole jalapeño pepper brings subtle, delicious heat in this soup recipe (remove the seeds for less kick). Add your favorite toppers like tortilla strips, cilantro, avocado or Greek Yogurt, and dig in. Many soups are naturally gluten-free or can be made gluten-free with minor tweaks. Try recipes like Calico Chowder, White Surprise Chili or Tuscan Bean Soup. View Recipe 19 of 33 Juicy J Salmon Adam Albright At Soul Bowl in Minneapolis, chef and co-owner Gerard Klass sears salmon fillets, then brushes them with spiced cranberry sauce (while most canned cranberry sauce is gluten-free, always read labels). If you're making this dish for the holidays, you can just roast a whole side of salmon. Toss a few citrus slices on the pan, too, for a garnish. View Recipe 20 of 33 Wine-Braised Short Ribs Brie Passano With marrow-rich bones and fatty marbling, short ribs deliver flavor and richness that cubed stew meat never will. Karen Bell, chef and owner of Bavette La Boucherie in Milwaukee, recommends using grass-fed beef which tastes less sweet than corn-fed. Our recipe gives both a Dutch oven and a slow-cooker method. Beef or veal stock, which the recipe calls for, is naturally gluten-free, but when you're in the grocery store, stick with brands of stock and broth that clearly label their packages gluten-free. (Or make your own!) View Recipe 21 of 33 Vietnamese Grilled Eggplant Carson Downing Eat this peak-summer dish as a side or a meatless main. Eggplant and bell peppers are grilled au naturel—all the fun comes in the finish, when the vegetables are showered in mint, basil and peanuts and drizzled liberally with a sauce called nuoc cham. Look for gluten-free fish sauce; the kind we recommend in the recipe, Red Boat, is gluten-free. View Recipe 22 of 33 Arugula-Lentil Salad with Poached Eggs Carson Downing This nutritious main-dish salad is both meat-free and gluten-free (just be sure to buy gluten-free Dijon-style mustard). View Recipe 23 of 33 Sheet-Pan Chicken and Vegetables Carson Downing For maximum flavor, this one-pan dinner has you caramelize two ways. High-temp roasting browns veggies, while basting chicken with a sweetened glaze adds color and bold flavor. Purchase whole-grain mustard that is labeled gluten-free. View Recipe 24 of 33 Roasted Asparagus and Gnocchi Brie Passano Gnocchi traditionally includes wheat flour as well as potato, salt and egg, but shelf-stable gluten-free gnocchi tastes much the same and is typically available in the gluten-free section of larger grocery stores (and online). The gluten-free version works well in this one-pan dinner recipe; you'll appreciate the chewiness of the potato dumplings. View Recipe 25 of 33 Red Lentil Dal with Zucchini Blaine Moats Dal spans a whole category of bean dishes. It sometimes has a loose texture, but this version—thick like a stew and bolstered with zucchini—satisfies as a meat-free meal. Unsweetened coconut milk is almost always gluten-free but double-check the label. View Recipe 26 of 33 Citrus Salmon Salad Carson Downing Bitter greens balance the sweet fruit and rich fish in this main-dish creation by Chef Sarah Russo of Chicago-based Salad Club. Sub in mild-mannered kale, lettuce or spinach if preferred. Quinoa, also used in this salad, is a great alternative to rice for those eating gluten-free. Try also our Quinoa Salad with Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Feta; Chimichurri Quinoa and Corn Patties or Quinoa Harvest Chili. View Recipe 27 of 33 Grilled Flank Steak with Pepper Relish Brie Passano A mix of colored peppers works best for this almost-fruity condiment that is equally good with fish, chicken and pork. Serve with a fresh gluten-free side like our Two-Bean Salad with Tarragon or Corn Off the Cob. View Recipe 28 of 33 Watermelon Poke Bowl Brie Passano Marinated watermelon replaces raw fish in this breezy version of a Hawaiian poke bowl. It's an incredibly light and fresh summer dinner—and so pretty! Not all soy sauce is gluten-free, so examine the label for a gluten-free designation. View Recipe 29 of 33 West African Grilled Chicken in Tomato Sauce Carson Downing At Okra African Grill in Omaha, Togolese chef Nina Sodji serves this spicy anise-flavored chicken over rice. (When shopping for ingredients, be sure to use chicken stock and tomato paste that's labeled gluten-free.) She pairs this dish with sauteed and lightly seasoned bell peppers and Fried Plantains. For extra kick, add the West African Green Pepper Sauce. View Recipe 30 of 33 Lemon-Pepper Cornish Hens Lemon-Pepper Cornish Hens. Adam Albright When Gerard Klass, chef and co-owner of Soul Bowl in Minneapolis, was growing up, half of his family were vegetarians. So, instead of a big bird, Cornish game hens graced the holiday table. Gluten-free sides fit for a celebration include Klass' J Cole Cauliflower Mash (make sure your powdered ranch seasoning is labeled gluten-free); Carrot and Swede Puree; and Butter-Braised Leeks. View Recipe 31 of 33 Superfood Salad Carson Downing This hearty salad from Chef Sarah Russo of Chicago-based Salad Club is plenty filling without the chicken, so leave it out if you like. The chickpeas can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container with a paper towel at the bottom. View Recipe 32 of 33 Chicken with Olives and Dates Paul Lowe This easy chicken dinner is succulent, sweet and savory all at once. Olives are naturally gluten-free, but a few brands may contain gluten; read labels before buying. View Recipe 33 of 33 Pork and Tomatillo Pozole Pork and Tomatillo Pozole. Brie Passano Karen Bell, chef and owner of Bavette La Boucherie in Milwaukee, likes to incorporate global flavors in her dishes. Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup thickened with hominy, a naturally gluten-free food derived from corn. View Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit