37 Easy Diabetic-Friendly Dinners with 5 Ingredients (or Less!)
Updated: Feb. 21, 2023
From beefy tostadas to apple-glazed chicken, these easy diabetic dinners use just five ingredients.
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Walnut and Oat-Crusted Salmon
I think this recipe gives you the most omega-3 fatty acid bang for your buck! —Cristen Dutcher, Marietta, GeorgiaWant more diabetic-friendly recipes? Sign up for our free newsletter, Balanced Plate: Thriving with Diabetes.
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Bacon and Spinach Pizza
Our go-to pizza is a snap to make using packaged pizza crust and ready-to-serve bacon. The kids don't even mind the spinach on top! —Annette Riva, Naperville, Illinois
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Asparagus Nicoise Salad
I’ve used my Nicoise as an appetizer or a main-dish salad, and it’s a winner every time I put it on the table. Here’s to a colorful, make-ahead salad! —Jan Meyer, St. Paul, Minnesota
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Chicken & Vegetable Curry Couscous
For my busy family, a semi-homemade one-pot meal is the best way to get dinner done in a hurry. Use your favorite blend of frozen veggies and serve this dish with toasted pita bread for smiles all around. —Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba
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Cider-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
This is a super easy recipe full of sweet fall flavor. The maple flavor really shines through. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
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Spicy French Dip
If I'm cooking for a party or family get-together, I can put this beef in the slow cooker in the morning and then concentrate on other preparations. It's a timesaver that never fails to get rave reviews. —Ginny Koeppen, Winnfield, Louisiana
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Grilled Brown Sugar-Mustard Chicken
I came up with this recipe in college and it's been a household staple ever since. It's a snap to throw together with ingredients I have on hand. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Shrimp Ramen
A package of store-bought noodles will speed up assembly of this colorful shrimp ramen that's flavored with carrots and small shrimp. My mother passed the recipe on to me. It’s delicious and so quick to make on busy nights. —Donna Hellinger, Lorain, Ohio
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Crispy Dill Tilapia
Every week I try to serve a new healthy fish. With its fresh dill and delicious panko bread crumb herb crust, this dish with mild tilapia is a winner. —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama
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Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Orzo
Broccoli and rice casserole tops my family's comfort food list, but when we need something fast, this is the stuff. Chicken and veggie orzo cooked on the stovetop speeds everything up. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma
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Pistachio Salmon
This simple salmon gets its crunch from a coating of crushed pistachios, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Add steamed veggies and rice and it's dinnertime! —Anthony Oraczewski, Port St. Lucie, FL
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Pork Chops with Honey-Garlic Sauce
The sauce on these honey garlic pork chops is so good, I sometimes double it so there's extra for dipping whatever veggie we have on the side. —Michelle Smith, Eldersburg, Maryland
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Thai Red Curry Chicken & Vegetables
The key to this curry chicken is getting complex flavors without heaviness. For the veggies, I like colorful pea pods, sweet red peppers and water chestnuts. —David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California
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Garlic Herbed Beef Tenderloin
You don't need much seasoning to add flavor to this tender beef roast. The mild blend of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
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Grilled Basil Chicken and Tomatoes
Relax after work with a cold drink while this savory chicken marinates in an herby tomato blend for an hour, then toss it on the grill. It tastes just like summer. —Laura Lunardi, West Chester, Pennsylvania
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Peppered Pork Pitas
Believe it: Cracked black pepper is all it takes to give my pork pitas some pop. With these, any weeknight meal is awesome. I like to fill them with caramelized onions and garlic mayo. —Katherine White, Henderson, Nevada
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Grilled Tilapia Piccata
We aren’t big fish eaters, but a friend made this for us, and we couldn’t believe how wonderful it was! Now we eat it regularly. I love making it for guests because it’s simple, looks lovely and tastes restaurant-worthy. —Beth Cooper, Columbus, Ohio
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Spinach Steak Pinwheels
Bacon and spinach bring plenty of flavor to these sirloin steak spirals. It's an easy dish to make and perfect for backyard grilling. I always get lots of compliments.—Helen Vail, Glenside, Pennsylvania
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Just Peachy Pork Tenderloin
I had a pork tenderloin and ripe peaches that begged to be put together. The results proved irresistible! This fresh entree tastes like summer. —Julia Gosliga, Addison, Vermont
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Southwestern Pineapple Pork Chops
This quick entree will instantly transport you to the Southwest. Salsa plays lively counterpoint to the juicy pineapple-sweetened pork chops.—Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
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Turkey & Apricot Wraps
For these wraps, I combined the traditional Southern appetizer of jam and cream cheese with the turkey, apple and Brie sandwiches we ate at my bridal luncheon. I like to sneak fresh spinach into recipes because it has such a mild flavor. —Kim Beavers, North August, South Carolina
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Peppered Beef Tenderloin Roast
A pepper rub gives this moist, tender beef a bit of a zippy taste. It takes just minutes to prepare, and the meat slices well. Lining the baking pan with foil makes it a breeze to clean up, too. —Denise Bitner, Reedsville, Pennsylvania
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Grilled Basil Chicken
This cinch of a marinade gives the chicken lots of Italian flavor. Serve the chicken with a tossed green salad and garlic breadsticks, or put slices on a ciabatta roll along with lettuce, tomato and mozzarella cheese for a zesty handheld meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
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Lemon-Garlic Pork Chops
My son James created these zesty chops spiced with paprika and cayenne. He keeps the spice rub in a jar to use with chops or chicken. —Molly Seidel, Edgewood, New Mexico
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Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner
On the days I get home late and just want a warm meal, I stir together tomatoes, garlic and butter beans. Ladle it over noodles if you're in the mood for pasta. —Jessica Meyers, Austin, Texas
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Cod with Bacon & Balsamic Tomatoes
Let's face it, everything really is better with bacon. I fry it, add cod fillets to the pan and finish it all with a big, tomato-y pop. —Maureen McClanahan, St. Louis, Missouri
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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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Skillet Chicken with Olives
While I was visiting my cousin Lilliana in Italy, she made this heavenly chicken for lunch. Now it's a family favorite stateside, too. —Rosemarie Pisano, Revere, Massachusetts
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Baked Buffalo Chicken
When I make this tangy buffalo chicken breast, I have to double this baked buffalo chicken recipe because it disappears so fast. Better to have leftovers, especially since they make great sandwiches and salads. —Beth Zimmerman, Willingboro, New Jersey
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Rosemary Lamb Chops
My father loves lamb, so I make this rosemary lamb chop recipe whenever he visits. It's the perfect main course for holidays or get-togethers. —Kristina Mitchell, Clearwater, Florida
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Curry Scramble
I have eggs every morning, and this is a delightful change from the classic scrambled egg meal. I like to add sliced peppers on top if I have them on hand. —Valerie Belley, St. Louis, Missouri
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Balsamic Chicken with Roasted Tomatoes
This entree is a fantastic way to savor fresh tomatoes, especially during the warm summer months. It’s quite simple, but the sweet, tangy tomato glaze is so good. —Karen Gehrig, Concord, North Carolina
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Apple-Glazed Chicken Thighs
My “pickatarian” child is choosy but willing to eat this chicken glazed with apple juice and thyme. I dish it up with mashed potatoes and green beans. —Kerry Picard, Spokane, Washington
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Hoisin-Pineapple Salmon
My mouth waters when I think of this sweet and tangy glaze. It's a tropical treat at any time of year. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
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Black Bean and Beef Tostadas
You only need a handful of ingredients to make one of our family’s favorites. It's also easy to double for company! —Susan Brown, Kansas City, Kansas
Originally Published: September 19, 2019
