With a maximum of 40g carbohydrates per serving, these recipes are the most delectable way to meet your diabetic diet needs. Best of all, even non-diabetic family members will love them, too.
58 Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Dinner Recipes
Updated on Sep. 20, 2024
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Turkey-Stuffed Bell Peppers
These well-seasoned ground-turkey-stuffed peppers are so tasty, you won’t even miss having real cheddar cheese. Round out the meal with a salad or a side of rice. —Judy Hand-Truitt, Birmingham, Alabama
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Tropical Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowls
This tropical favorite is a delicious and healthy dinner with tons of flavor! You can substitute regular rice for the cauliflower rice if desired. —Bethany DiCarlo, Harleysville, Pennsylvania
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Slow-Cooker Pork Chops
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these juicy and tender slow-cooker pork chops.If you’re not in the mood to cook, then you can always visit one of the best restaurants for people with diabetes.
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Sweet & Tangy Salmon with Green Beans
I'm always up for new ways to cook salmon. In this dish, a sweet sauce gives the fish and green beans some down-home barbecue tang. Even our kids love it. —Aliesha Caldwell, Robersonville, North Carolina
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Spaghetti Squash Meatball Casserole
One of our favorite comfort-food dinners is spaghetti and meatballs. We're crazy about this lighter, healthier version that features so many veggies. It has the same beloved flavors with more nutritious ingredients! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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Parmesan Chicken with Artichoke Hearts
I've liked the chicken and artichoke combo for a long time. Here's my own lemony twist. With all the praise it gets, this dinner is so much fun to serve. —Carly Giles, Hoquiam, Washington
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Shrimp Avocado Salad
Shrimp avocado salad mixes tender shellfish with fresh vegetables for a cool, protein-filled lunch or easy light dinner.
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Sheet-Pan Chicken and Veggies
Our sheet-pan chicken and veggies recipe features herby chicken thighs, roasted red potatoes and spinach in one no-muss, no-fuss dish. The best part: Cleanup is a breeze!
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Spicy Beef Stir Fry
Spice up your dinner rotation with our 30-minute beef stir fry recipe. Tender sirloin and crisp veggies meet a fiery coconut-lime sauce for a quick and delicious meal any night of the week. Â
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Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
I was raised as a southern girl, with the love of barbecue built into my DNA. This slow-cooker diabetic-friendly recipe allows me to enjoy the flavors I grew up eating, while still following a healthy diet. —Heidi Mulholland, Cumming, Georgia
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Skillet Pork Chops with Apples & Onion
Pork chops with apples and onions is a timeless pairing; the combination of the simple ingredients yields a savory entree that's sweet, tart and perfectly saucy.
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Ginger Steak Fried Rice
Perfect for an end-of-the-week meal, this sensational dish comes together quickly with leftover rice. I learned a great tip for the steak recently: Partially freeze it, and it will be easy to cut into thin slices. —Simone Garza, Evansville, Indiana
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Italian Hot Dish
My husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers makes it a favorite healthy pasta recipe in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
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Grilled Beef Chimichangas
I created this recipe when I didn't have the ingredients for my go-to dish. After making this, it became my new favorite! —Jackie Burns, Kettle Falls, Washington
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In-a-Pinch Chicken & Spinach
I needed a fast supper while babysitting my grandchild. I used what my daughter-in-law had in the fridge and turned it into what’s now one of our favorite chicken and spinach recipes. —Sandra Ellis, Stockbridge, Georgia
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Pork Tenderloin Stew
This thick and creamy pork tenderloin stew is one that my family requests often. It does an especially good job of warming us up on cold winter days. —Janet Allen, Belleville, Illinois
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Tuna Nicoise Salad
Tuna Nicoise salad is a perfect lunch for a weekend or even to make ahead for the work week. Our recipe is traditional with tuna, tomatoes and beans, but is easily adaptable to suit your tastes.
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Peppered Tuna Kabobs
When we barbecue, we like to wow our guests, so dogs and burgers are out! We make tuna skewers topped with salsa—the perfect easy recipe. My five kids like to help me put them together. —Jennifer Ingersoll, Herndon, Virginia
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Makeover Turkey Burgers with Peach Mayo
The unique fruit and mayo combination puts this burger over the top. You can also substitute nectarines for the peaches. They're both delicious! —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
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Sesame Turkey Stir-Fry
I really like the rich taste of sesame oil in this Thai-inspired dish. If you don't have it, canola oil does the trick, too. To get a similar nuttiness, toss in a handful sliced almonds before serving. —Kelli Whiting, Fortville, Indiana
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Cabbage Rolls
Call them old-fashioned, but these stuffed cabbage rolls are just as cozy and comforting as they've always been. Once you've got the hang of the rolling technique, you can stuff them with just about anything.
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Meaty Slow-Cooked Jambalaya
This recipe makes a big batch of delicious, meaty gumbo. Stash some away in the freezer for days you don't feel like cooking. —Diane Smith, Pine Mountain, Georgia
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Slow-Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Slow-cooker beef bourguignon simmers all day so you can enjoy a traditional French dinner tonight.
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Saucy Pork Chop Skillet
Skillet pork chops make easy comfort food. We have them with a salad and fruit. If you've got fresh green beans or steamed broccoli, go for it. —Donna Roberts, Manhattan, Kansas
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Marinated Steak & Pepper Fajitas
These fajitas are the best, and a much healthier version of the typically pan-fried ones you find in restaurants. I like to serve them in flatbreads instead of tortillas. —Erin Michniacki, Manhattan, Kansas
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Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
These Asian turkey lettuce wraps combine a saucy turkey-and-rice filling with low-calorie tender lettuce leaves.
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Steak San Marino
I'm a busy pastor's wife and mother of three, and this delicious, inexpensive and easy main dish helps my day run smoother! The steak is so tender and flavorful, my kids gobble it up and my husband asks for seconds. —Lael Griess, Hull, Iowa
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Chicken with Celery Root Puree
Celeriac, or celery root, is a root veggie that combines well with other seasonal ingredients and adds nice texture and flavor to this puree. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Ginger Salmon with Brown Rice
Oh what fun it is to prepare a heavenly salmon with only five ingredients. My dressing serves as a glaze and a flavor-booster for the rice. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
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Curry Turkey Stir-Fry
Just open the fridge and go to town making this throw-together curry. We prefer turkey, but if you like chicken, shrimp, even bean sprouts and carrots, by all means, add them. —Lauren Rush, Clark, New Jersey
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Pork with Sweet Potatoes
With sweet potatoes, dried cranberries and apple slices, this colorful pork dish is especially popular during fall and winter. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York
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West African Peanut Stew
Even if you don't have the most adventurous palate, West African peanut stew is a dish almost anyone can appreciate. It's a rich, comforting meal for cooler weather, and the ingredients are both familiar and widely available.
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Grecian Pasta & Chicken Skillet
We love a homemade meal at the end of the day. But the prep involved? Not so much. My Greek-inspired pasta is lemony, herby and, thankfully, easy. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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Cod with Hearty Tomato Sauce
My father made up this sweet, flavorful diabetic-friendly recipe for my mother when he took over the cooking. We serve it with whole wheat pasta or brown rice. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
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Chicken-Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers
Here's a different take on traditional stuffed peppers. I substituted chicken for the beef and used Cubanelle peppers in place of the green peppers that are usually featured in such a dish. —Ron Burlingame, Canton, Ohio
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Tortilla Pie
If you want to breathe new life into taco night, tortilla pie may be the twist you need. Cheesy, zesty and saucy, this Tex-Mex take on lasagna will surely become a household favorite.
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Andouille Sausage and Peppers
This tasty sheet pan meal is just what you need when the nights are busy and you have too much to do.
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Mediterranean Turkey Skillet
Our one-pot Mediterranean turkey skillet recipe, filled with lean ground turkey, a rainbow of vegetables and savory black beans, is a weeknight winner.
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Salmon Veggie Packets
I feel the spirit of Julia Child when I make lemon-pepper salmon en papillote (in parchment). It’s the first French recipe I learned, and the delightful little packages are family and diabetic friendly. —Renee Greene, New York, NY
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Chicken Veggie Skillet
I invented this chicken and veggie dish to use up extra mushrooms and asparagus. My husband suggested I write it down because it's a keeper. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
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Chicken Salad with Grapes
Bored with the usual turkey sandwich? This easy chicken salad with grapes recipe is anything but boring! Shredded rotisserie chicken is dressed in a creamy dressing and tossed with juicy grapes, crunchy celery and chopped pecans.
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Chili-Rubbed Steak with Black Bean Salad
Busy weeknights don't stop my husband from firing up the grill. This meal-in-one comes together fast. Try it with chimichurri and cotija cheese. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
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Basil-Lemon Chicken
Even though I'm not known for my green thumb, I've somehow managed to keep a kitchen herb garden going. I chose this skillet lemon basil chicken to debut my first batch of fresh herbs. —Juli Snaer, Enid, Oklahoma
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Caesar Salmon with Roasted Tomatoes & Artichokes
This is my "go to" recipe for quick dinners, family or guests. It's colorful, healthy, easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. The best part is it only calls for five ingredients! —Mary Hawkes, Prescott, Arizona
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Slow-Cooker Pork Medallions
These slow-cooker pork medallions are a simple, low-prep meal for busy days. Start them before you take the kids for their after-school activities, or yourself for errands, and dinner will be done when you get home.
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Sassy Salsa Meat Loaves
Here's a twist on classic meat loaf. You can make these loaves ahead, and they’ll last for a few days. Make meat loaf sandwiches with the leftovers, buns and a little Monterey Jack cheese. —Tasha Tully, Owings Mills, Maryland
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Chicken Butternut Chili
At our house, we just love a good comforting, hearty, tomato-based chili with bold flavors! This unique chili is loaded with veggies and flavor. You can also prepare the recipe in the slow cooker. Just add ingredients to the crock and cook over high heat for about 4 hours. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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Sausage Orzo
Sausage and pasta sounds like a rich dish, but using whole wheat orzo and turkey sausage helps lighten it up. This sausage and orzo recipe bursts with summery flavor thanks to the addition of fresh tomato and basil.
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Chicken Tzatziki
Chicken tzatziki is the perfect weeknight dinner, a great staple that's easy to prepare but full of flavor. The creamy cucumber sauce goes with just about anything!
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Bulgur Jambalaya
I like making this diabetic-friendly dish because it allows me to stay on track for my weight loss without giving up foods I love. —Nicholas Monfre, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
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Sausage Asparagus Pasta
If you're looking for a super-fast, nourishing dinner you can make on a Tuesday, sausage asparagus pasta might be your new go-to weeknight meal.
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Hoisin Turkey Lettuce Wraps
I'm married to a marathon runner, which means dinners need to be healthy but flavor-packed. These low-carb wraps are quick and easy. He loves the health aspect, I love the taste! —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
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Naked Fish Tacos
This is one of my husband’s all-time favorite diabetic-friendly 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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Fiery Stuffed Poblanos
I love Southwest-inspired cuisine, but the dishes are often unhealthy. As a dietitian, I try to come up with nutritious twists on recipes, which is how my stuffed peppers dish was born. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
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Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
Facebook fans of my blog, Chef in Training, inspired me to make this creamy pasta casserole out of ingredients I had on hand. Success! I took the dish for another flavorful spin and added a bit of smoky bacon and toasted bread crumbs. —Nikki Barton, Providence, Utah
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Vegetable & Beef Stuffed Red Peppers
I love making this stuffed pepper recipe. It's one of the few ways I can get my husband to eat veggies. Make it meatless by replacing the beef with eggplant and adding more vegetables like mushrooms or squash. You can also replace the rice with barley, couscous or even orzo. —Jennifer Zimmerman, Avondale, Arizona
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Dirty Rice with Ground Beef
Dirty rice with ground beef is a departure from the typical chicken liver-centric version, but it's just as tasty. This recipe also cooks in just 30 minutes, quick enough for an improvised weeknight meal.Next, check out these delicious diabetic pumpkin recipes for fall.
