Starting the Autoimmune Protocol diet may seem intimidating at first, particularly at dinner time when energy drops and cravings hit hard. With some careful planning and some of your go-to dishes handy, easy AIP dinner recipes that are both nutritious and fulfilling can become part of your regular meals plan.
No matter where you are on your AIP journey, these recipes have been designed to be simple yet nutritious-rich dinner solutions that meet all AIP guidelines.
Let’s dive in with some easy and delicious AIP dinner ideas you’ll actually look forward to eating.
What Makes an AIP Dinner Recipe Appetizing?
AIP dinners consist of whole, anti-inflammatory foods designed to promote gut healing and immune balance – so they do not include grains, dairy, eggs, legumes, nightshades nuts seeds or seed oils as mainstays in their recipe.
Simple AIP dinner recipes revolve around:
- Attain high-quality proteins with grass-fed beef, pasture-raised poultry, and wild-caught fish.
- Leafy greens and root vegetables make great companions.
- Coconut oil, avocado oil and animal fats all contain healthy fats which may aid in weight management.
- AIP-compliant herbs and spices include garlic, rosemary, and ginger.
Quick & Easy AIP Dinner Recipes
Here are five quick and easy AIP dinner recipes you can whip up even on your busiest weeknights, using pantry staples with minimal prep required.
1. Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables
For this dish you will need: (bone-in, skin-on) chicken thighs.
- Carrots, zucchini, and sweet potatoes all rank among the most nutritious of produce options.
- Garlic, lemon juice, sea salt and rosemary
- Coconut and avocado oils.
Instructions:
For optimal results, toss chopped vegetables with oil, garlic, lemon juice and rosemary before placing on a sheet pan along with chicken thighs seasoned to your preference and roasting at 400degF for 35-40 minutes.
Why it’s great:
With just one pan and minimal cleanup involved, this recipe packs lots of flavor while being very convenient.
2. AIP Turkey Patties with Sweet Potato Mash
Ingredients:
Ground turkey and finely grated zucchini and carrots.
Garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt and parsley
Sweet potatoes combined with coconut milk is an effective combination.
Instructions:
Clean out your freezer by mixing turkey with shredded veggies and spices before shaping into patties for cooking in coconut oil. Boil sweet potatoes separately, then mash with coconut milk and some added seasonings such as spices for extra flavour!
Why this recipe is great:
With 30 minutes and no special equipment required for batch cooking, this meal provides a healthy meal that will nourish and satisfy in an ideal manner.
3. Salmon with Dill and Roasted Broccoli | Recipe Step by Step
Ingredients for This Dish:
Wild-caught Salmon, Lemon Juice, Garlic Cloves and Fresh Dill for seasoning as well as Broccoli Florets in Avocado or Olive Oil are used in this delicious recipe.
Instructions:
Roast broccoli with oil and sea salt at 375degF for 20 minutes before pan-searing or baking the salmon seasoned with garlic, lemon zest and dill until fully cooked through.
Why this recipe is great:
Packed with omega-3s, anti-inflammatory benefits and easy preparation make this an outstanding recipe.
4. AIP Beef Stir-Fry with Cauliflower Rice as Per AIP
Allowed ingredients (if applicable):
Tender slices of grass-fed beef
Carrots, Bok Choy and Mushrooms
Garlic, ginger and coconut aminos
Riced cauliflower
Instructions:
Simplify! For this dish, simply saute beef in coconut oil until browned before adding vegetables, garlic and ginger along with coconut aminos to simmer until everything is tender. Serve over sauteed cauliflower rice!
Why it’s great:
These delicious bowls taste just like takeout but help support gut healing.
5. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Ground Lamb and Spinach
Materials needed:
One Acorn squash (halved and seeded).
Instructions:
For best results, roast squash halves until tender before filling them with ground lamb sauteed with spinach and herbs before filling roasted squash halves with this mixture and baking an additional 5-10 minutes to ensure all are thoroughly heated through.
Why it’s great:
Beautiful presentation and packed with nutritional ingredients make this dish stand out as being truly magnificent.
Batch Cooking Tip for Easier Weeknight Dinners
Simplify weeknight dinners by batch cooking proteins and veggies ahead of time so you can mix-and-match throughout the week – for instance:
- Bake 6 chicken thighs and roast two trays of assorted vegetables
- Create a large batch of cauliflower rice
Use different herbs, sauces (such as coconut cream or bone broth reductions ), and side dishes to add variety and creativity.
For additional ideas on batch cooking AIP style, take a look at our AIP Batch Cooking Guide.
Add Variety with AIP-Compliant Sides
Here are 10 AIP dinner side dishes you should try for dinner tonight:
- Roasted carrot fries seasoned with sea salt
- Cauliflower Mash with Garlic and Olive Oil
- Sautee Kale in Bone Broth for optimal results
- Butternut squash soup paired with fermented veggies (great for gut health).
Pantry Essentials for Easy AIP Dinners
Stock your kitchen with these pantry essentials to make AIP dinner preparation quick and effortless:
Category – AIP Staples
- Proteins: Ground turkey, chicken thighs and canned salmon
- Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots and broccoli
- Fats: Coconut oil, avocado oil and duck fat
- Flavorings: Garlic, ginger, rosemary, thyme, sea salt
- Condiments: Coconut aminos, AIP-compliant bone broths
Do you need help getting started? Visit our AIP Pantry Guide for setup tips.
Tips for Stress-Free AIP Dinners
- Plan Weekly: Select 3-4 recipes you enjoy for each of the 7 days in the week and rotate through them each week.
- Cook once, enjoy twice: By doubling recipes you save both time and effort in the future.
- Save leftovers: Making for an ideal solution on those busy or low-energy evenings.
- Keep it Simple: Don’t strive for perfection; rather aim for nourishment and consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I Eat Leftovers on an AIP Diet?
Absolutely. Eating leftovers is not only allowed on this diet – they’re encouraged! Eating leftovers saves time and helps you remain on track.
Q2: Are pressure cookers or air fryers AIP-compliant?
Absolutely – as long as all ingredients used comply with AIP, these tools provide fast, convenient meals.
Q3: Are There Any AIP-Friendly Substitutes for Tomatoes and Peppers?
When looking for alternative Nightshades like tomatoes and peppers, try AIP-compliant options such as Nomato Sauce or Roasted Beets that provide similar taste and color.
Q4: Can it be okay to eat the same dinner multiple nights in a row during an elimination phase?
Absolutely; just try to add in different varieties throughout the week as much as possible.
Q5: Can I still eat out while following AIP?
Although eating out may be possible, homemade meals offer better control of ingredients – making them safer and more beneficial in supporting healing.
Final Thoughts
Easy AIP dinner recipes can be an invaluable aid on your healing journey. By combining just a few essential ingredients and techniques, you can craft delectable meals that adhere fully to the Autoimmune Protocol diet.
Planning is key when it comes to successful healing: stock your pantry well and identify several meals that help you feel your best. Recovery doesn’t need to be complicated – all that’s required for lasting change is consistency in our approach.