Gluten-free lunch options that are both nutritious and satisfying! These lunch ideas are perfect for those looking to maintain a gluten-free diet without compromising on taste or variety.
Eating gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to settle for bland and uninteresting meals. With the right recipes, you can enjoy a wide range of flavors and textures, even in the middle of your busy day.
To help you keep your lunchtime exciting and healthy, I’ve curated a list of delicious gluten-free lunch ideas. These recipes are not only easy to make but also packed with nutrients, ensuring you get the energy you need for the rest of your day:
- Fresh and vibrant gluten-free salads with homemade dressings
- Hearty gluten-free soups and stews for cozy days
- Gluten-free wraps and sandwiches using alternative breads
- Nutritious grain bowls with quinoa, rice, or other gluten-free grains
- Flavorful gluten-free pasta and noodle dishes
- Easy-to-make gluten-free flatbreads and pizzas
- Energizing gluten-free smoothies and juices
- Portable gluten-free snack boxes for on-the-go lunches
- Creative gluten-free bento boxes for a fun lunch experience
- Light and healthy gluten-free sushi and rice paper rolls
Each recipe has been carefully selected to ensure it’s not only free from gluten but also full of flavor and nutrition. Whether you’re a seasoned gluten-free eater or just starting out, these lunch ideas will help you enjoy your meals without feeling restricted.
25 Delicious Gluten-Free Lunch Ideas for Healthy Eating
1
Creamy Egg Salad
This creamy egg salad is so versatile! You can serve it over mixed greens, inside a sandwich or with crispy crackers.
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2
Shrimp Avocado Salad
This salad can be served as a cool and satisfying dinner or lunch. The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados mixed with the crisp shrimp salad is heavenly. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
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3
Bean & Beef Slow-Cooked Chili
This chili may be already chock-full, but we love to build it up even more with toppings like pico de gallo, red onion, cilantro and cheese. —Mallory Lynch, Madison, Wisconsin
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4
Vegetable, Steak and Eggs
Low-carb doesn’t have to mean skimpy—here’s a lighter take on steak and eggs. I love cooking with squash, but feel free to toss in any vegetable combination you like. —Robert Deskin, Plantation, Florida
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5
Herbed Tuna and White Bean Salad
This is a quick and delicious salad that can be made special for guests—or yourself—by grilling fresh tuna steaks instead of using canned. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
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6
Quinoa & Black Bean Stuffed Peppers
If you’re thinking about a meatless meal, give these no-fuss peppers a try. They come together with just a few ingredients and put a tasty spin on a low-fat dinner! —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, PA
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7
Chicken Poppy Seed Salad
Juicy berries, crisp sugar snap peas and crunchy pecans complement the lime-marinated chicken in this pretty salad. The homemade sweet-sour dressing is simply delicious. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
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8
Chili Skillet
Like most farmers, my husband loves a good hearty chili. With all the vegetables, cheese and meat in it, this dish makes a super supper—and it comes together in one skillet on top of the stove. I serve it frequently in fall and winter. —Katherine Brown, Fredericktown, Ohio
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9
Steak & New Potato Toss
I usually use leftover barbecued steak to make this fabulous main dish salad. It’s pretty, too, with the red pepper, green broccoli and white potatoes. —Deyanne Davies, Rossland, British Columbia
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10
Steak & New Potato Toss
I usually use leftover barbecued steak to make this fabulous main dish salad. It’s pretty, too, with the red pepper, green broccoli and white potatoes. —Deyanne Davies, Rossland, British Columbia
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11
Ricotta-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
These mushrooms are rich and creamy and bright at the same time because of the fresh herbs and tomato. I especially like to serve them with grilled asparagus. —Tre Balchowsky, Sausalito, California
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12
Vegan Jambalaya
Rice, beans and vegetables make this vegan jambalaya a hearty dish—and it’s so easy to put together.
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13
Avocado Crab Boats
These boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they’re always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
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14
Almond Chicken Salad
My mother used to prepare this chicken salad with grapes and almonds for an evening meal during the hot summer months. It’s my favorite of my mother’s chicken salad recipes. You can also serve it as a delicious but quick luncheon or potluck dish. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas
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15
Cool Beans Salad
This protein-filled dish could be served as a colorful side dish or a meatless main entree. When you make it, double the recipe because it will be gone in a flash! The basmati rice adds a unique flavor and the dressing gives it a bit of a tang. —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin
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16
Grilled Flank Steak with Summer Relish
My garden produces a nice harvest of tomatoes, scallions, corn, garlic and poblanos, so that’s what I use to make relish for this tasty steak. —Brenda Washnock, Negaunee, Michigan
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17
California Burger Wraps
I love the way these fresh flavors blend. It’s a snap to throw these wraps together for a quick, healthy lunch. The burgers can also be served on buns if you like. —Rachelle McCalla, Atlantic, Iowa
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18
Chopped Greek Salad
While living in San Diego during college, I had a favorite Greek casual dining spot. Now that I’m back in my hometown, I’ve re-created some dishes from the Greek diner and it takes me right back. —Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
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19
Lemony Garbanzo Salad
Everybody goes for this super fresh salad with the cumin-coriander dressing, especially on warm days. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
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20
Naked Fish Tacos
This is one of my husband’s all-time favorite meals. I’ve even converted some friends to fish after eating this. I serve it with fresh melon when it’s in season to balance the subtle heat of the cabbage mixture. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
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21
Grilled Chicken Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette
We love adding grilled chicken to our salads in the summer, but the real star here is the vinaigrette made with blueberry preserves and maple syrup. This salad goes great with a fresh baguette and a frosty glass of minted lemonade. —Susan Gauthier, Falmouth, Maine
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22
Feta Shrimp Skillet
My husband and I tried a dish similar to this on our honeymoon in Greece. I re-created the flavors in this recipe when we got home. When I make it now, it brings back wonderful memories. —Sonali Ruder, New York, New York
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23
Curried Chicken & Peach Salad
This is a very healthy and simple salad to make; even my non-cooking husband can whip it together in minutes. We’ve served this to friends over the years, and they always ask for the recipe. —Radelle Knappenberger, Oviedo, Florida
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24
Mediterranean Turkey Skillet
I’ve always heard that it’s important to eat a rainbow of colors to get all of the nutrients we need. Thanks to my garden-grown veggies, this dish certainly fits the bill. —Nicole Ehlert, Burlington, Wisconsin
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25
Gluten-Free Chili Beef Pasta
After I got married, my aunt gave me her recipe for skillet spaghetti and told me it was ideal for a quick weeknight meal. Over the years I’ve tinkered with the ingredients and played with the seasonings to make it healthier. It’s a dish my family truly loves. —Kristen Killian, Depew, New York
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Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.