I know the thought of giving up gluten can be daunting, and it’s especially tricky at lunch when we usually go for carb-loaded sandwiches. But don’t fret because there are plenty of delicious and nutritious gluten-free lunch ideas out there. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite recipes, from hearty main courses to light salads. There’s something for everyone here. So read on and get cooking!
Best Gluten Free Lunch Ideas Everyone Will Enjoy
1. Chick-Fil-A Gluten-Free Chicken Sandwich
On the lookout for a gluten-free fried chicken sandwich? If so, this quick but healthy meal is the answer! This recipe combines crunchy breading with a fluffy gluten-free bun to create the ultimate sandwich. I know how hard it can be to find a delicious gluten-free chicken sandwich, but this recipe is sure to impress!
2. Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese
Sweet and caramelized roasted butternut squash stars in this easy and delicious gluten-free recipe! Combined with toasted nuts, tangy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and pomegranate seeds, this dish is bursting with bright flavors. Serve it as a hearty side dish for the holidays or a simple lunch through the week.
3. 1905 Salad
This is the copycat recipe you never knew you needed. Coming from the famous Columbia Restaurant in Florida, this salad is nutrient-packed and the perfect blend of crisp and crunchy. The dressing is just as good with its creamy texture and savory-sweet flavor.
4. Garlic Sesame Noodles
I couldn’t be more excited to share this recipe with you! If you work from home, this is the perfect midday pick me up. The chickpea spaghetti is glazed in a sweet and savory, super garlicky sesame sauce. It has a good balance of sesame flavor and just the right amount of spice. In fact, it’s so good; you’ll want to lick the plate clean. Or, at the very least, make extra for dinner!
5. The Best Juicy Burger Recipe on the Stove Top or Grill
Picture this: the sun is shining, the weather is bright, and you’re ready to grill up some juicy, smoky burgers. This is the ideal lunch to make on a sunny weekend when you have a couple of hours to spend soaking up the sun. This gluten-free burger recipe should top your list if you want a bite of juicy goodness. Plus, it comes out just as succulent and flavorful whether you cook it on a grill or the stovetop!
6. Zucchini Noodle Stir Fry with Shrimp
If you’re a fan of shrimp, noodles, and savory sauce, this is the recipe for you. This gluten-free stir fry is delicious, easy to make, and, most importantly, it’s ready in 10 minutes! But don’t let the simple ingredients fool you into thinking this dish will be boring. The sweet and savory peanut butter sauce adds tons of flavor to the zucchini noodles and succulent shrimp. I like to make this for dinner and bring the leftovers to work. It heats up really well and even tastes great cold!
7. Ultimate Chicken Salad
Traditional chicken salad just got a makeover. This new take on a timeless classic is loaded with tender chicken, creamy textures, and a hint of crunch. It’s not just a salad—it’s the ULTIMATE salad. It’s so good; you won’t miss the bread one bit.
8. Baked Vegan Spring Rolls (GF)
I’m always looking for easy, healthy, and delicious appetizer recipes. I mean, who doesn’t love a good snack? These vegan spring rolls certainly fit the bill. They’re crispy, light, and absolutely scrumptious. Cantonese spring rolls inspire this recipe, but this version uses thin homemade gluten-free vegan wraps.
9. BBQ Chickpea Salad with Avocado Ranch
This BBQ chickpea salad is super filling and perfect for a quick and simple summer dish. The dressing is to die for, the chickpeas get delightfully tender in the sauce, and the toppings add some much-needed crunch. It has all the colors, textures, and flavors that make one fantastic bowl of veggies, and it’s anything but boring.
10. Fish Florentine
Think you need to go out to a fancy restaurant to enjoy an elegant lunch? Think again! This recipe makes a restaurant-quality meal that will impress anyone that comes for lunch. Between the pan-seared fish and creamy bed of spinach, it’s still relatively light but totally satisfying. It might not be something you’d make every day, but it’ll brighten any rainy day at home.
11. Mango Chicken Curry
If you’re craving something hearty and filling, this healthy 20-minute curry dish is a fantastic meal to make. Filled with tender pieces of chicken, sweet mango, and velvety coconut milk, this curry dish will definitely jazz up your lunchtime! Plus, it gets better the longer it sits. So, make it the night before, and by lunch the next day, it’ll be just about perfect.
12. Keto Shrimp And Avocado Salad
If you’re looking for a super satisfying meal that’s gluten-free, this shrimp and avocado salad is a must-try! This dish is bursting with flavors. The creamy dressing has just the right amount of tanginess to balance out the succulent shrimp and velvety avocado. And if you love celery as much as I do, you’ll go nuts for the fresh crunch it adds. The best part? You can make it in just 15 minutes.
13. Greek Chicken Salad Bowls
This Greek chicken salad bowl is one helluva all-in-one meal. It’s packed with all the good stuff to keep you fueled through the day, and it looks just as good as it tastes. The tender chicken blends wonderfully with the bright, crunchy salad ingredients, and I think you’ll really enjoy the bright finish from the dressing.
14. 10 Minute Garlic Lemon Shrimp Scampi
Craving something tasty that you can make in 10 minutes? Then, look no further than this garlic and lemon shrimp scampi. It’s everything you’d want in a pasta dish, and it’s so fast you can whip it up on your lunch hour. Loaded with shrimp and vegetables, this recipe is packed with flavor, and it’s utterly delicious!
15. Grilled Pork Kebabs With Peanut Sauce
Kick off the summer with this super easy, super tasty grilled pork kebab recipe! Layered into one skewer are spicy peppers, sweet zucchini, and chunks of tender pork. Fire up your grill, cook this up to perfection, and drizzle with the savory peanut sauce. Once it’s got a little char, feel free to push everything off the skewer and store it in an airtight container for lunch.
16. Best Steak Salad with Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
I love steak salads because they’re hearty enough to feel like an entrée but still light enough to enjoy at lunch. This one is made with tender grilled steak, fresh greens, crisp cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. Top it all off with creamy balsamic dressing, and you’ve got the perfect salad!
17. Beef & Red Wine Casserole (GF)
Cold days call for a hearty stew that’s easy to make, comforting, and delicious. In this case, the beautiful rich taste from the red wine sauce perfectly melds with the juicy beef. While it’s delicious on its own, you can serve this with mashed potatoes or fresh veggies for an even more filling meal.
18. GF Pasta with Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with meals during the week, especially if you’re trying to stick to healthy eating. My solution? This gluten-free pasta with chicken and roasted pepper sauce. The sauce is a simple blend of roasted red peppers, fresh herbs, and cream cheese. But the result is a rich, creamy sauce that makes for an incredible pasta dish.
19. Avocado & Cheddar Quesadillas with Tomato Salsa
There are lots of ways to make quesadillas, but I think my favorite is this one: super simple yet satisfying! This gluten-free quesadilla recipe combines the creaminess of avocado with plenty of cheesy goodness. Serve these fresh from the pan with your favorite dip or pair them with freshly chopped tomatoes.
20. Whole30 Asian Steak Salad
Add an Asian flair to your table with this hearty and delicious recipe. Every bite of this superfood-packed salad bursts with flavor, from fresh veggies and herbs to the charred steak. This steak salad is simple yet looks like something straight out of a fancy restaurant.
21. Easy Egg Salad
This egg salad recipe is an easy, delicious lunch idea. It’s got hard-boiled eggs, celery, red onion, light mayo, Greek yogurt, dijon mustard, and spices. And it’s so good for you too! It’s healthy, gluten-free, low carb, and full of protein. What else could you want in a gluten-free lunch recipe?
22. Shrimp Avocado Tomato Salad
What’s better than a healthy and delicious shrimp salad recipe? A quick and easy one! This shrimp avocado tomato salad is all that and more, and it’s the perfect way to round out your workweek. Plus, it’s packed with protein to keep you full and satisfied throughout the day.
23. Cowboy Chili
I’m a big fan of comfort food, which is why I want to share one of my favorite recipes with you: cowboy chili. There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty meal to cheer us up on a cold, rainy day. And chili is naturally gluten-free, making it terrific for lunch or dinner. With a delicious combo of ground beef and beans, plus a ton of spices, you can expect maximum flavor in this bowl.
24. Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
These Mexican quinoa stuffed peppers combine the best of both worlds. They’re full of all the delicious flavors you’d expect from traditional Mexican cuisine, but there’s a hint of Italian in there too. The filling is made with quinoa cooked in vegetable stock and spices, and the beans and corn make this nice and bulky.
25. Strawberry Chicken Poppy Seed Salad
I’m always looking for quick and easy lunch ideas with light, fresh flavors. So, if you’re anything like me, this recipe is for you! This strawberry, chicken, and poppy seed salad makes for one tasty summertime lunch. It combines tender chicken with fresh fruits, greens, and nuts for a fruity, crunchy meal that’s full of bright colors.
26. Sheet Pan Parmesan Steak And Potatoes
One way to ensure you have a tasty and filling lunch is to make it the day before. After all, we’re busy through the day, and the last thing you want is to have to cook, right? That said, if you have a recipe that’s easy and hands-off, lunch can be a breeze! That’s where these sheet pan parmesan steak and potatoes come in. It’s a simple one-pan dish complete with tender steak, creamy potatoes, and crisp asparagus. Prep and cook the night before and then just reheat it when you’re hungry for lunch. Or, get everything chopped and ready, then pop the tray in the oven when you have the time. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
27. Smoked Salmon Salad with Asparagus & Crème Fraîche
Do you want to impress your family with a fancy midday meal? Or do you simply want to reward yourself with something more exciting than a storebought salad? This easy salad features fresh lettuce, crisp asparagus, and tender smoked salmon. The addition of crème fraîche and lemon makes the salad creamy and tangy. It’s a healthy and easy lunch, but one that’s sure to impress.
28. Keto BLT Stuffed Avocado
If you love avocado recipes, you’ll absolutely adore this BLT. It’s simple to make and has all the delicious flavors of a traditional BLT sandwich, just without the bread. And thanks to the avocado and bacon, you can enjoy this for lunch or even as a snack without worrying about getting hungry later.
29. Napa Chicken Salad with Almonds
This chicken salad is packed with protein, nutrient-rich veggies, and tasty nuts. So if you’re looking for a healthy, filling meal, this one is for you! Indulge in some extra crunch with cabbage and almonds and enjoy the burst of vibrant flavors from the scallions and savory dressing.
30. Gluten-Free Pizza
Are you looking for a gluten-free pizza crust that won’t make you feel like you’re eating cardboard? Make it happen with this seven-ingredient gluten-free pizza crust recipe. The best part? You can have this ready to go in just about an hour! Perfect for those nights when you want to treat yourself to a pizza feast. In pizza, we crust! Click on a star to rate it!
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