What’s for Lunch? Are you tired of the same old thing? Are you looking for something new to add to the rotation? I’ve got 27 Gluten Free Lunch Ideas to inspire you. They’re good for when you’re at home, but these recipes are great for work too! Watch out, your co-workers are going to be jealous.
Gluten Free Lunch Ideas With Chicken
People can’t get enough chicken recipes. I’m always looking for new ways to use it. Here are few.
1. Sweet and Sour Chicken
This Asian style recipe is a healthier gluten free version of something you would find on a Chinese Menu. Instead of being deep fried it’s baked in the oven. The recipe uses simple ingredients that you either have or can find at your normal grocery store. It reheats well for lunch. Serve it with some rice and a vegetable and this take out will rival what your co-workers are eating.
2. Juicy Grilled Garlic and Herb Chicken
This Chicken is juicy and full of flavor thanks to an easy homemade garlic and herb dressing mix. It’s perfect for dinner one night and leftovers the next day. Think about having it warm with some healthy side dishes or diced up cold over a big salad.
Juicy Grilled Garlic and Herb Chicken
3. Monterey Chicken
This Gluten Free Lunch Idea is a Chili’s Copycat Recipe. Monterey Chicken is something that is no longer on their menu. The chicken is covered in your favorite BBQ sauce, melted cheese, bacon and green onions.
Gluten Free Lunch Ideas With Beef
The Beef Board may say “It’s What’s For Dinner” but don’t let it stop you from having it for lunch. These ideas are perfect for both meals.
4. Baked Meatballs
No fried meatballs here. These gluten free meatballs are baked which makes for a clean stove top. These tasty meatballs will give you the protein needed to power through the rest of the workday and eating them without pasta means you won’t have a carb crash after lunch.
5. Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s Pie is a casserole full of comfort. A meaty filling with vegetables and herbs gets topped with creamy mashed potatoes. It’s not traditional but I love adding shredded cheese to the top and melting it on top of the potatoes to give it an extra something.
6. Mississippi Pot Roast
The only thing better than a good pot roast is a great pot roast. This pot roast recipe is the one I make most often. The broth the roast makes is so good that I freeze it and use it for beef soup. This roast is perfect for both the Slow Cooker or the Instant Pot
Mississippi Pot Roast – Slow Cooker
Mississippi Pot Roast – Instant Pot
7. Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed Peppers are good for getting you protein, veg and carb all in one item. This Mexican version has black beans and corn in it along with other flavors you’re used to. For reheating them, I like using these soup crocks because it makes the cheese get all melty again….even after being refrigerated.
8. Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Skillet
Who needs bread? Not you. Philly Cheesesteak Skillet uses easy to find Steak-ums from the freezer section. Add peppers, onions and maybe some mushrooms. Top with cheese and you’re all set.
Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Skillet
9. Ropa Vieja
Ropa Vieja is a flavorful Cuban dish of stewed shredded beef and vegetables. This Instant Pot Recipe has all the flavor of a traditional recipe with less cooking time. Serve this lunch idea with some white or brown rice.
10. Meatloaf
Sometimes meatloaf gets made fun of. I don’t know why. It could be because those making fun of it haven’t had a meatloaf they liked. For this recipe I like using the heels from a loaf of gluten free bread. They work just as well as traditional breadcrumbs to keep the meatloaf tender.
11. Asian Style Flank Steak
Yes, you can have steak for lunch. When I make flank steak there is always a little bit left over. Take it for lunch the next day along with a side dish or two. Who says steak is for a fancy dinner. Eat steak at lunch too.
12. Egg Roll in a Bowl
My wife misses a real egg roll but Egg Roll in a Bowl takes the inside of a traditional egg roll and makes it into a meal. This isn’t deep fried and is full of cabbage so you can eat it and not feel guilty.
Gluten Free Lunch Ideas Using Pork
Pork works well in lunches. Sausages, pork chops, and tacos are just some of the ideas to use it for.
13. Pork Carnitas
When Boston Butt goes on sale, this is the recipe to make. A tougher cut of pork becomes tender and juicy when cooked properly. We love eating these as tacos or over tortilla chips as nachos.
14. Sausage and Rice Casserole
MMMmmmm….casseroles. One pan containing all or most of the meal components. They’re also easy clean up. This Sausage and Rice Casserole is based on a Paula Deen recipe. Casseroles like to use “cream of” soups but thankfully it’s easy to make your own or grab a gluten free can at the store.
15. Sausage, Peppers, and Onions
Sausage, Peppers, and Onions is a meal that’s good with or without sauce. The ingredients are minimal, but the flavor is amazing. Be careful, the smell of it may cause co-workers to be near your desk.
16. Sheet Pan Pork Chops and Vegetables
Last night’s easy sheet pan pork chop dinner is a healthy lunch the next today. Lean protein and vegetables keep energy up while keeping you full.
Sheet Pan Pork Chops and Vegetables
Gluten Free Soups
Soups are perfect for lunches. They only get better the next day.
17. Zuppa Toscana
You don’t need a visit to Olive Garden for this soup. It’s easy to make your own copycat version at home that’s better than the restaurant’s. This recipe is definitely heartier and more flavorful than the one I get at Olive Garden.
18. Hungarian Mushroom Soup
This is not your normal cream of mushroom soup. This one has some tang from sour cream and dill for an herbal kick. If you’ve heard about Moosewood Restaurant, then you have probably heard of this soup. If not, you should make this recipe and give it a try anyway.
19. Sausage, Lentil, and Kale Soup
This is a soup I could eat just about every week. The broth is flavorful and the soup is hearty. It’s packed with protein and nutrients. There is nothing more to say.
Sausage, Lentil, and Kale Soup
20. Black Bean Soup
Skip soaking beans and use the Instant Pot to make this recipe. The soup is full of Southwestern flavor. What’s even better is the toppers. Cheese, Sour Cream, and jalapenos send it over the top.
Gluten Free Lunch Ideas – Salads and Sides
Lunch side dishes and salads are just as important as the main course. Here are some to try.
21. Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad
This salad is full of nutrients. Crunchy Brussel sprouts and leafy kale and a little broccoli slaw. Top the salad with a sweet poppy seed dressing, pumpkin seeds and cranberries. It’s just about perfect.
22. Classic Egg Salad
Egg Salad is classic. It’s also typically served on bread. You don’t need bread for this. Use lettuce leaves instead. The creaminess of the egg salad and crunch from the lettuce will make you forget about the bread.
23. Chickpea Salad
Chickpea Salad is definitely a meal on its own. Packed with protein rich chickpeas, plenty of vegetables. It has a simple dressing with olive oil and lemon juice.
24. Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
Don’t save this for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s just as tasty other times of the year. This gluten free version rivals the classic one you remember.
Gluten Free Green Bean Casserole
25. Hashbrown Casserole
This is a Cracker Barrel Copycat that works with Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. Shredded Potatoes in a creamy, cheesy sauce that is mouth-watering.
26. Air Fryer Baked Potato
The air fryer bakes a potato in about ⅓ of the time that it takes in the oven. Make an extra one for dinner and take it with lunch the next day.
27. Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
Not into Baked Potatoes? Use the air fryer to make sweet potatoes instead. They cook up perfectly in the air fryer. Top with butter and cinnamon and you’ve got a side dish that’s almost a dessert.
I hope that the recipes here give you some more gluten free lunch ideas to add to your meal rotation. For more recipes and Gluten Free information follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my emails.
