Wholesome, Healing Gluten-Free Eats to Jumpstart Your New Year

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Last Updated on January 2, 2024

Going gluten-free no longer means sacrificing flavor or variety! Welcome 2024 with mouthwatering gluten-free recipes that are healthy and delicious. Whether you have celiac disease, a wheat sensitivity or simply want to cut back on gluten, you’ll find tons of tasty options from appetizers to desserts.

Appetizers

Start your New Year’s celebration off right with some light yet totally satisfying gluten-free appetizers.

Baked Brie with Cranberry Chutney

• 1 (8 oz) wheel brie cheese
• 1⁄2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1⁄4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1⁄4 tsp cinnamon
• Dash nutmeg
• Gluten-free crackers

In a small saucepan, combine cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, and spices. Simmer 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Place brie in an ovenproof dish. Top with chutney mixture. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until warmed through. Serve with gluten-free crackers for dipping.

Stuffed Mushrooms

• 16 large white mushrooms
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄4 cup shredded Parmesan
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 tbsp gluten-free breadcrumbs
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1⁄2 tsp oregano
• Salt and pepper

Clean mushrooms and remove stems. In a bowl, mix together filling ingredients. Stuff mushroom caps evenly with filling. Arrange on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes until tops are golden brown.

Soups and Stews

Warm up from the inside out this winter with nourishing gluten-free soups and stews.

Hearty Lentil Stew

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1⁄2 cups dried green lentils
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot over medium heat, sauté onion, carrots, and celery in oil for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Stir in lentils, broth, bay leaves, tomatoes with juice and thyme. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until lentils are tender. Discard bay leaves. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Butternut Squash Soup

• 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
• 1⁄4 tsp nutmeg
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a pot, combine all ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes or until squash is very soft. Carefully transfer to blender and puree. If too thick, add extra splash of broth to reach desired consistency. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Main Dishes

You won’t even realize these main courses are missing the gluten! From satisfying rice bowls to hearty skillet meals, dig into totally craveable gluten-free dinners.

Shrimp Fried Rice

• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or tamari
• Sriracha (optional)

In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Pour in eggs and scramble lightly till just set but still moist; remove to a separate plate. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil and stir fry shrimp 2 minutes on each side until pink. Remove shrimp and set aside. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper to skillet and stir fry 3 minutes until softened. Return shrimp and egg to the skillet along with rice, peas, soy sauce, and sriracha if desired. Continue stir-frying for 5 minutes, gently mixing everything together, until hot throughout.

Chicken Fajitas

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 bell peppers (mix of colors), sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp oregano
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Corn or brown rice tortillas

Slice chicken breasts into strips. In a large bowl, mix chicken with bell peppers, onion, spices, lime juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Marinate 15-30 minutes. Over high heat, cook chicken and veggies in batches in the skillet, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes each. Warm tortillas. Fill with fajita mixture and enjoy!

Tips for Affordable Gluten-Free Eating

Gluten-free specialty items might get pricey, but sticking to a budget is totally doable with some simple fixes:

• Opt for naturally food whenever possible – Think rice, quinoa, buckwheat, beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meats.
• Try oat flour, almond flour, or coconut flour instead of expensive pre-made gluten-free flour blends.
• Batch prep gluten-free grains like rice and quinoa for the week ahead.
• Check bulk bins for discounted gluten-free grains, flours, and legumes.
• Buy in-season fresh produce and freeze any extras for later months.
• With some creative swaps, you can still enjoy beloved gluten-heavy foods like pizza, sandwiches, bread, and baked goods.

Wrap-up

Whatever your reasons for going gluten-free, adopt this dietary change in 2024 by cooking up incredible gluten-free foods that don’t require sacrifice. Get ready for your best and healthiest year yet!