Making Gluten-Free Dinner Easier at Home

Hey gluten-free fam!

Today we’re talking about something that everyone who’s gluten-free knows well—prepping & making those evening meals .

I’m sure you’ve all had those moments when you open the fridge and think, “What the hell is for dinner?” It’s a stressful experience, especially when you’re burnt out after a day at work or with the kiddos.

Consistently tasty & budget-friendly gluten-free dinners are not always easy to plan. However, with a few simple tricks up your sleeve, you’ll find it easier to whip up delicious gluten-free meals everyone can enjoy (even those gluten-eaters in the house!)

We explored this very topic with Sarah Howells, A.K.A The Gluten Free Blogger & author of Delicious Gluten Free Meals. Thanks to her insight, we discovered some great ideas for delicious gluten-free meals that will keep you inspired and your kitchen stocked.

           Essential Gluten-Free Home Ingredients           

A great place to kick things off is your pantry. Having it well-stocked with key ingredients can be a real game-changer when making your gluten-free recipes. A few simple essentials make meal prep faster and easier.

"There’s so much you can cook that’s naturally gluten-free without needing to buy pricey substitutes," says Howells. "I always keep a stash of basics for scratch cooking—stuff you can just toss into a pan and get cooking."

Stock the pantry and fridge with essential gluten-free home ingredients

Possibilities open up when you have gluten-free pasta and healthy rice options ready to go. "I always have gluten-free pasta on hand because we’re big pasta lovers in our house," she adds.

Howells also suggests stocking up on essentials like gluten-free stock cubes and tamari (a gluten-free soy sauce alternative). Naturally gluten-free staples like canned tomatoes, pesto, and tinned tuna are her go-to's. "We eat a lot of naturally gluten-free foods like potatoes, salads, meats, and veggies."

While she loves whipping up chilli con carne with rice for lunch, it’s a perfect option for dinner too. Other pantry must-haves include quinoa and naturally gluten-free grains like cornmeal or buckwheat, which help round out a variety of gluten-free dishes. We often keep buckwheat, tapioca starch & rice flour stocked up in our own home pantry for this reason.

          The Value of Batch Cooking at Home          

Let’s talk about a strategy that will make your life so much easier—batch cooking. It’s one of the best ways to stay consistent with your gluten-free meals. Essentially, you’re preparing larger portions of dinner and saving them for later in the week. It’s a real time-saver, and when you’re gluten-free, it helps ensure you always have safe food on hand.

"I absolutely love batch cooking," Howells told me. "I think making anything in bulk makes it cheaper. When you've got one of those nights where you're like, 'Oh, I just don't want to cook. I'm home late.' There's no ready meals in the supermarket that I can eat."

If you have a reliable freezer at home, this is the time to take advantage of it.

"Using your freezer and batch cooking is an absolute godsend when it comes to saving money. You can just microwave what you've made before. It's absolute game-changer and so much cheaper."

      Traditional Dishes with a Gluten-Free Twist      

Some easy-to-make gluten-free dishes taste great. Others are less inspiring. The good news? You don't have to sacrifice all traditional meal options if you're willing to experiment a little in the kitchen.

Howells's very own Chicago-style pizza is a perfect example, much like her spin on delicious Chinese cuisine. These selections are great for weekends and entertaining guests.

You don't have to eliminate classic and traditional dishes

"You realise you can find gluten-free alternatives," she explains. "The more you do it, the more you get used to it. All I can say to anyone who's struggling - it does get easier."

Consider taco and rice bowls, grilled chicken and vegetables, gluten-free stir fry and frittatas as easy to buy dinner recipes, simple to prepare and quick to cook. 

       Discover Your Gluten-Free Cooking Passion        

Let’s be honest - no one expects you to become a gluten-free Michelin star chef overnight! Hell, I certainly would not call myself one.

However, the more you find a love for being in the kitchen and build your confidence, the taste and variety of meal choices will definitely improve. Mistakes happen but don’t give up gluten-free fam!

Howells discovered her passion creating gluten-free recipes, and hasn’t looked back since. 

Passion in the kitchen is a key ingredient to gluten-free success

“I realised that making my own (meals) was so much more fun,” she says. “Why am I like letting myself go without these things when I can just enjoy them anyway, but just do it gluten-free?”

It won’t come naturally to everyone at home, but you might be surprised what you find with a little bit of preparation and effort. 

“That was this massive switch in my mind,” Howells admits. “I know a lot of people say they struggle to cook and struggle to find the time. But it's like anything. If you're determined to try it and practice, you will get better. It's not something that you can't do.”

  Delicious Home Gluten-Free Meals Are Within Reach  

Making gluten-free recipes at home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With some key ingredients in your pantry, a few solid meal foundations, and the magic of batch-cooking, you can stay on top of your gluten-free diet without feeling overwhelmed.

Don’t be afraid to explore a little out of your comfort zone, try out new flavours and keep your gluten-free juices flowing. With so many delicious recipes out there, dinner doesn’t have to be a pain or worry.

Plus, by managing your budget & saving yourself a few bucks, you’ll discover eating gluten-free can be both cost-saving and satisfying.

Keep on cooking gluten free fam!