This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
Here are the essential gluten free dairy free recipes to try! These dinner, lunch, breakfast and dessert ideas are deliciously satisfying.
“Gluten free dairy free” might sound restrictive to some. But if you eat that way, you know if you find the right recipes, there’s absolutely nothing lacking in flavor. Cut out gluten and dairy and you’ve got a wide range of recipes that are absolutely irresistible: from stir fries to sheet pan meals to nachos. Here are our top essential recipes, with a focus on dinner first. Then keep reading for more ideas for gluten and dairy free desserts, snacks, breakfasts too!
And now…our top gluten free dairy free recipes!
Here’s a go-to gluten free dairy free recipe: this colorful shrimp stir fry! It’s quick to put together and the umami-packed stir fry sauce is full of irresistible flavor. Add your favorite vegetables to make a super-satisfying dinner that pleases everyone around the table.
Meet the very best baked salmon recipe! The tender fillet is perfectly seasoned with brown sugar and spices and has a lovely crisp topping, a feat for baked salmon which can often turn out mushy and under-seasoned. It’s guaranteed to impress everyone and it doesn’t even need a sauce to taste incredible (though of course, you can add one.)
Here’s a Tex Mex gluten free dairy free favorite that no one can turn down…and it’s a great way to infuse loads of veggies without giving it a second thought. Try these Vegetarian Faijtas! It stars our favorite fajita veggies, blackened in the oven and finished on the stove, with pinto beans cooked in a flavorful fajita sauce. Serve with corn or grain free tortillas.
Here’s a gluten free dairy free dinner that takes just 30 minutes and results in so much flavor…you’ll put it on your regular rotation immediately. Try this Tofu Curry! The brilliant red broth is flavored with coconut milk and red curry paste, with the zing of lime and a hint of spicy sweetness. Serve with rice.
There’s nothing like the sweet savory combination of honey garlic glaze and juicy shrimp. The best part? It takes 10 minutes to make. This one is hits all the comforting, satisfying dinner notes with a lightning fast prep speed. It’s hard to find those recipes with that elusive trifecta of healthy, easy and delicious: and this one has it in spades.
“Life changing” is a phrase that’s completely over-used, but here’s a little kitchen trick that we think truly is…yep, life changing. Try this incredible oven baked chicken thighs recipe! This easy method is the secret to perfectly seasoned meat with a crispy skin and juicy, succulent interior.
What’s better than a big pan of nachos? (Answer: not much.) This Tex Mex favorite is one of life’s great pleasures, and we’re here for them. They work as a simple dinner, with corn-based tortilla chips and all the fixings! For gluten free dairy free, use cashew cream instead of sour cream.
One bite and you’ll be singing the praises of this gluten free dairy free recipe! Roast up any white fish with lemon, garlic and a simple mix of tomatoes, onions and olives. It comes out perfectly fork tender with a punchy zip from the lemon and tender vegetables to flavor each bite. The minute we tried it, we knew it was destined for our regular rotation: it works as both an easy weeknight meal and for dinner parties!
Here’s a dairy-free soup everyone around the table will love: vegan broccoli soup! This cozy bowl is lusciously creamy and bursting with flavor. But there is no cheddar cheese or vegan dairy substitutes: just simple ingredients! The entire soup can be made in just over 30 minutes, and all the friends and family we tested it on gobbled it right up!
Here's a solution to an easy gluten free dairy free dinner that pleases everyone: this baked salmon and asparagus recipe! It’s simple, it’s elegant, but it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant. Roasting it up on a sheet pan with lemon slices and fresh herbs adds effortless flavor that feels fresh yet refined.
Over the years, we’ve become huge fans of tofu. And here’s a way to prepare it that we cannot get enough of: this crispy tofu recipe! It’s easy to make and comes out perfectly seasoned, with extra crunchy edges and a tender interior. Even better, it takes just 20 minutes!
Here's a top-notch weeknight gluten free dairy free dinner recipe: this chickpea curry! It takes only about 20 minutes to make. Warm spices and coconut milk make it one the most tastiest things you can make in that short time window—hands down.
This Hawaiian bowl of seasoned raw fish, rice and crunchy veggies has caught on here on the mainland, and everybody’s doing it! And guess what? You can easily make poke in the comfort of your own home: it’s perfect for a gluten free dairy free weeknight meal, or even better for a showy meal for entertaining.
Looking for delicious, filling gluten free dairy free recipes? This vegan chili is for you. Yep, this one is our best chili recipe yet and it’s totally plant based! It’s hard to find someone who will turn it down! It’s full of savory flavor starring beans, quinoa, and a hint of adobo sauce for complexity.
Craving a healthy weeknight meal that’s bursting with flavor? Look no further than this tofu broccoli stir-fry! This type of fast and easy meal has become exactly what we crave (don’t you want to just dive right into that bowl?). The tender tofu cubes and crisp broccoli florets get tossed in a savory sauce that’s both sweet and umami, making it a vegetarian and vegan dinner everyone will love.
Here’s a gluten-free dairy-free recipe we could eat on repeat every night of the week: Salmon Rice Crunch Bowls! This tasty bowl of salmon and rice has a few flavor secrets that make extra crave-able. The chunks of tender fish are covered in a salmon marinade that’s savory, garlicky and a little sweet. Combine that with fluffy rice and fresh veggies, then cover it with a spicy mayo to really make it pop.
Here’s a cozy bowl that’s so hearty and satisfying, you’ll never want to put your spoon down. Try this hearty and easy bean soup! Make room in your heart for this recipe, because it dazzles. Kidney beans and navy beans float in a savory, smoky broth of fire roasted tomatoes that has just the right glossy texture. It uses canned beans, but it tastes like it’s been simmering all day.
We’re always looking for fun and healthy dinner ideas, and this one makes a splash: Shrimp Lettuce Wraps! They’re bursting with zingy flavor and crunchy veggies, and the creamy peanut sauce seals the deal. If you’re wary of eating your food in lettuce leaves, know that this one is so flavor-packed you won’t go away unsatisfied.
These Mexican sweet potatoes are the perfect blend of sweet and savory. The spicy black bean salsa is the perfect complement to the light sweetness of the potato, and topped with creamy dairy free cilantro sauce, it’s a little bit of heaven.
Try this irresistible BBQ Tofu recipe! Each bite has just the right chewy texture, bathed in a silky, sweet, savory sauce. You’ll want to keep eating it for days. This recipe is easy to put together and a great starter recipe for eaters who are wary of the stuff.
Here's a perfect gluten free dairy free trick for you: seared ahi tuna! It's one of the most delicious foods on the planet, and it literally cooks in less than 5 minutes! Put it together with leftover veg or rice and you’ve got a quick dinner.
On the lookout for easy gluten free dairy free dinner ideas? Vegan Taco Salad to the rescue! This genius recipe comes to you by the magic of Walnut Taco Meat: a tasty way to make a plant-based version of ground beef. Turns out, walnuts, mushrooms and spices do a spot on job of simulating the savory goodness of meat crumbles. Top with salsa and enjoy.
Here's a healthy dinner idea: the tastiest cauliflower stir fry! Fry the florets until lightly charred and tender, then add bell peppers and a punchy stir fry sauce. It’s the best way to make eating your veggies irresistible! Try it as a healthy side dish or an easy plant based dinner (with the protein adders below).
This gluten free dairy free sheet pan dinner is all about loading on the veggies! This recipe has 4 of our best vegetables to eat all at one time: and it’s seriously tasty, too. It’s perfect to meal prep for healthy dinners or lunches throughout the week.
Looking for a healthy and easy weeknight meal? Try this shrimp and broccoli! The pair are cooked with soy sauce and and rice vinegar until bright and savory. The contrast of the crisp tender broccoli against the juicy shrimp is really something. Serve it with rice or noodles to make it a complete meal that comes together quickly.
Here’s one to file under dinnertime basics: this Easy Rice Bowl! This 30 minute dinner features these easy black beans, a trick to make a bland can of beans taste amazing in 5 minutes. Pair it with rice and colorful veggies. Serve with Cashew Cilantro Sauce for dairy free!
Here’s a favorite gluten free dairy free recipe: our Best Ever Lentil Soup! Yes, we're pulling out the superlatives because this one is so delicious, you’ll feel like you’re wrapped in a cozy hug. Did we mention it’s a plant based dinner recipe, too?
Need a fast and easy dinner recipe...in 5 minutes? Try these amazing egg tacos! The chorizo-style eggs make a meaty filling, and they're topped with simple dressing: pico de gallo, red onion, and hot sauce. Serve with corn or grain free tortillas!
This delicious gluten free dairy free Italian soup is the epitome of delicious. The combination of hearty, tangy broth and garlicky white beans make it a recipe we repeat again and again around here. Plus, people tell us it tastes like pizza! (We agree.)
Try this marinaded shrimp recipe! The flavors are bold, savory, and penetrate the tender, juicy flesh in a way that a simple seasoning can’t. Even better, it’s versatile and works with any cooking method: grilled, sautéed, baked and more. You can also make these easy shrimp skewers in the broiler in just 5 minutes!
Looking for fresh and healthy dinner ideas? Try this Mediterranean Bowl, bursting with colorful veggies! It’s a simple “meal in a bowl” that stars spiced roasted vegetables, seasoned with an irresistible mix of cumin, coriander, garlic and a hint of cinnamon. Add to that quinoa or couscous, fresh cucumber and tomato, and top it all off with a creamy lemon tahini sauce.
Here's an easy, healthy gluten free dairy free lunch idea that you can make in 5 minutes! Throw chickpeas together with cucumber and red pepper, stir with olive oil and red wine vinegar, and you've got an incredible Mediterranean-style plant based salad that tastes like it took all day. Serve with gluten free crackers.
Hello and welcome to the best quick gluten-free dairy free lunch idea: the Hummus Bowl! At it’s base, this simple concept requires no cooking at all: layer a dollop of hummus with crunchy veggies and greens. For a gluten free lunch we like to add cooked rice (leftover or from a pre-cooked rice packet). It takes just 5 minutes to make this Mediterranean-style meal that’s bursting with creamy, tangy, crunchy, fresh, and savory flavors. (Omit the feta cheese for dairy-free.)
Let's change gears to gluten free dairy free breakfasts! There’s something so cozy about the words maple brown sugar oatmeal, and this bowl is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket on a chilly morning. This recipe is a homemade copycat for the packaged instant oatmeal of the same name. Each spoonful bursts with creamy goodness, with a nuance in sweetness from both maple syrup and brown sugar.
Get this: all you have to do is toss ripe bananas, rolled oats, and a few other ingredients into a blender (no flour!). Throw them in the oven, and they come out fluffy and delicious every time! This recipe is a standby: we make it on the regular and hear so many rave reviews from family, friends and readers.
Need breakfast or snack inspiration? Try a quick and easy Smoothie Bowl! Instead of sipping the fruity puree through a straw, grab a spoon and eat it in a bowl loaded up with toppings. It’s a satisfying blend of textures and flavors that honestly tastes more like dessert than a healthy way to start the day! (Use the vegan variation listed.)
Here’s the ideal healthy breakfast recipe, easy and full of irresistible flavor. In fact, we’re head over heels for it: Banana baked oatmeal! This incredible recipe is wholesome and filling, and it’s made with good-for-you ingredients: mostly oats and bananas. It happens to be a vegan baked oatmeal, but it pleases absolutely everyone. Serve it for guests or even better, make up a big pan and eat off of it all week!
This apple crisp is so good no one realizes it’s gluten-free and dairy free. The crumble topping is deliciously crispy, topping a cozy, gooey layer of sweet tart spiced apples. Serve it up with melty vanilla ice cream and there’s really nothing better! We served this to friends and family who had no idea it had no flour. In fact, we might like it better than our standard apple crisp!
Last up, a gluten free dairy free snack recipe that's essential for a quick bite! Just mix a handful of simple ingredients together and bam! You’ve got an instant homemade snack that’s infinitely more delicious than store-bought granola bars or energy bites. Even better, they’ve got a good amount of protein and fiber for a tiny ball.
Also try: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Breakfast ideas
Looking for more gluten and dairy free breakfast ideas? Here are our top recipes to start the day:
- Try Banana Oatmeal Pancakes or Fluffy Almond Flour Pancakes
- Opt for Simple Baked Eggs or Perfect Scrambled Eggs, sans cheese
- Try Peanut Butter Oatmeal
- Make a big pan of Baked Oatmeal
- Try quick and easy Overnight Oats
Dessert recipes
Need gluten and dairy free dessert recipes? We’ve got you! Here are a few treat ideas:
- Bake up a tray of Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies, or go no bake with Vegan No Bake Cookies
- Mix up Edible Cookie Dough with almond flour
- Go chocolaty with Vegan Chocolate Pudding
- Grab gluten free dairy free Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Snacks and more
Feeling snacky? We’ve got you! Here are a few more snack ideas:
- Grab fan favorite Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
- Mix up a big bowl of Texas Caviar (Cowboy Caviar)
- Try zingy and delicious Marinated Olives
- Go crunchy with Baked Kale Chips
40 Gluten Free Dairy Free Recipes: Stir Fry & More!
This stir fry is a go-to fast and healthy dinner! Use any veggies you like and this flavor-packed stir fry sauce. For plant-based, go to Cauliflower Stir Fry or Tofu Stir Fry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the stir fry
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 pound shrimp, deveined and shelled (or tail on), wild caught if possible
- 1 pound broccoli or broccolini (stem on), about 4 cups
- 2 bell peppers, any color
- 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms (optional)
- 2 green onions
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger, optional
For the stir fry sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or tamari or coconut aminos)
- 6 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon yellow or white miso
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Thaw the shrimp, if frozen.
- Chop the veggies: Chop the broccoli. Thinly slice the bell peppers. Remove the stems of the shiitake mushrooms and slice (or if using baby shiitakes, you can leave the stems on).
- Make the stir fry sauce: Whisk together all ingredients until a smooth sauce forms.
- Cook the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium high heat. Add the broccoli or broccolini, bell pepper and mushrooms. Add 2 pinches kosher salt and cook 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp tender. Remove the vegetables to bowl.
- Cook the shrimp: Add the additional 1 tablespoon sesame oil to the pan. Add the shrimp and green onions. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the shrimp are almost opaque, turning once. Then add back the vegetables and the sauce. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the sauce is thickened.
How does one purchase your cookbook/recipe book? My daughter (an adult) eats dairy and gluten free, and I would like to have menu choices when I offer to take a meal to their home. Thank you very much. These recipes on this page look wonderful (except for anything with coconut).
Hi! Our book, Pretty Simple Cooking is available at any bookstore, including amazon. However, it is not a book that focuses on gluten and dairy free recipes (although we offer substitution ideas when possible).
Best!