These easy dairy-free dinner recipes are the epitome of comfort food, and not one ounce of cheese, yogurt, milk, or butter is required. With recipes including stuffed peppers, fish tacos, and cozy chili, these crowd-pleasing dairy-free (and some even gluten-free) meals will have you feasting without feeling one bit deprived.
Hungarian Goulash
This hearty beef braise is one of our ultimate cold-weather cravings. Luckily, our simple and terrifically tender homemade egg noodles are made without butter or milk (so opt for those instead of the spaetzle option). But let’s be honest; the real star of this delicious dairy-free dinner recipe is the succulent roast that’s infused with flavor from garlic, caraway, marjoram, thyme, and Hungarian paprika.
Coffee-Marinated Flank Steak Tacos
Carson Downing
If your idea of taco night includes loads of sour cream and cheese, here’s the dairy-free dinner idea you should try instead. Here coffee-marinated flank steak is stuffed into corn tortillas and topped with a coffee-shallot sauce and shredded cabbage. Fresh cilantro and lime juice finish things off.
Swamp Soup
Jake Sternquist
This hearty soup recipe will become one of your favorite winter dinners. Each bowl is loaded with andouille sausage, turnip greens, white beans, and pasta. A seasoned chicken broth gives each bite a rich savory flavor without the need for cheese or cream.
Sausage, Beans, and Greens
This easy dairy-free dinner idea cooks together in just one pan. As one BHG home cook shares, “We’re heading into winter now so I used lacinato kale as the greens. The kale leaves need to have their ribs removed prior to adding to the pot. This is very quick to make and delicious. I served it with balsamic vinegar to balance the sausage. It will be on the regular rotation.”
Chilaquiles
If you’ve never had chilaquiles, let us introduce you to one of our favorite breakfast-for-dinner ideas. A rich and spicy tomato sauce gives eggs and tortilla chips a major upgrade. Serve this casserole with toppings like sliced avocados, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
Healthy Pork Lo Mein
In just 35 minutes, you can have this homemade version of a takeout favorite on the table. Season the pork, noodles, and vegetables with a gingery soy and rice vinegar sauce. Store any leftovers for up to three days; they reheat beautifully.
Egg and Soba Noodle Bowl
White miso paste is the key to achieving the delicate flavor in this dairy-free dinner idea. Finish each serving with soba noodles, bok choy, cremini mushrooms, shredded carrots, and a soft-boiled egg. Season just before eating with freshly cracked black pepper.
Kale Falafel Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts
Turn purchased hummus and frozen falafel into a main dish salad with kale, cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. Rather than a heavy cream-based dressing, we’re drizzling on olive oil and red wine vinegar.
Shrimp Salad with Lime Dressing
This shrimp salad is one of our favorite summer dinner ideas. A zesty lime dressing elevates the flavor of cooked shrimp, sliced avocado, and tomato. If you want to make the dish a bit more filling, scoop the salad into corn or flour tortillas.
Roasted Salmon and Broccoli
Sheet pan recipes are the answer to busy weeknight meals. Season salmon filets, broccoli, and tomatoes with fresh lemon juice, garlic, and oregano. Once out of the oven, drizzle with more lemon juice, honey, and fresh herbs.
Steak Fajita Burrito
Our secret to the most flavorful fajitas? Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. The filling is made with flank steak, onions, peppers, and zucchini. To assemble our perfect bite, stuff a flour tortilla with the filling and top with guacamole, salsa verde, and fresh cilantro.
