The Best Diabetic-Friendly Recipes of 2023 (2024)

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The best diabetes-friendly recipes of 2023 recipes are here! Find mains, sides and even desserts that are so good, you won't believe they're diabetic-friendly.

Chicken Piccata with Lemon Sauce

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Once you’ve tried this tangy, yet delicate lemon chicken piccata, you won’t hesitate to make it for company. Seasoned with parmesan and parsley, the chicken cooks up golden brown, then is drizzled with a light lemon sauce. —Susan Pursell, Fountain Valley, California

Contest-Winning New England Clam Chowder

This is the best New England clam chowder recipe, ever! In the Pacific Northwest, we dig our own razor clams and I grind them for the chowder. Since these aren't readily available, the canned clams are perfectly acceptable. —Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington

Also, check out our diabetic-friendly oatmeal recipes.

Margarita Chicken

Marinated in flavors of garlic and lime, this tangy margarita chicken is ready to go whenever the coals are hot! Serve with roasted corn on the cob and lemonade. —Kelly Bruneman, Cedar Park, Texas

Vanilla Meringue Cookies

These sweet little swirls are light as can be. They're all you need after a big, special dinner. —Jenni Sharp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Best Curried Pumpkin Soup

I whipped this up for my family on Thanksgiving, and everyone was crazy about it! Even my brother, who is one of the pickiest eaters I know, asked for seconds of this curry pumpkin soup. —Kimberly Knepper, Euless, Texas

Italian Tomato Cucumber Salad

This yummy Italian cucumber and tomato salad recipe is a cool complement to zesty fish dishes or barbecued meats and poultry. —Florine Bruns, Fredericksburg, Texas

Bean Burritos

I always have the ingredients for this cheesy bean burrito recipe on hand. Cooking the rice and shredding the cheese the night before save precious minutes at dinnertime. —Beth Osborne Skinner, Bristol, Tennessee

Crumb-Coated Red Snapper

I reel in compliments with this moist, crispy red snapper recipe. Heart-healthy omega-3 oils are an added bonus with the simple but delicious entree that’s done in mere minutes. It’s one of the best red snapper recipes I’ve found. —Charlotte Elliott, Neenah, Wisconsin

Zucchini Pasta

The taste of this rich and creamy pasta with zucchini will have people convinced it’s not low-fat, but it is! Garlicky and fresh-flavored, this will be a hit. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts

Coconut Curry Chicken

My husband and I love this coconut curry chicken recipe! It’s a breeze to prepare in the slow cooker, and it tastes just like a meal you’d have at your favorite Indian restaurant. —Andi Kauffman, Beavercreek, Oregon

Best Angel Food Cake

For our daughter's wedding, a friend made this lovely, angel food cake from a recipe she's used for decades. It really is one of the best angel food cake recipes I've found. Serve slices plain or dress them up with fresh fruit. —Marilyn Niemeyer, Doon, Iowa

St. Patrick’s Irish Beef Dinner

A variation on shepherd’s pie, this hearty St. Patrick’s Irish beef dinner brings together saucy beef, mashed potatoes, parsnips and other vegetables. It’s always the star of our March 17th meal. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Corn and Black Bean Salad

This colorful, crunchy black bean and corn salad is chock-full of nutrition that all ages love. Try it with a variety of summer entrees, or as a wholesome salsa! —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, Oregon

Pineapple Pudding Cake

My mother used to love making this easy pineapple sunshine cake in the summertime. It’s so cool and refreshing that it never lasts very long! —Kathleen Worden, North Andover, Massachusetts

Garlic Tomato Bruschetta

This appetizer or side dish makes a crispy complement to any Italian entree. I just started with my grandmother’s bruschetta recipe and added fresh tomatoes! It’s one of the yummiest bruschetta recipes I’ve found. —Jean Franzoni, Rutland, Vermont

Lemon Thyme Chicken

Buttered onions are a great addition to this easy lemon chicken recipe. Best of all, it takes only a few minutes to brown the lightly breaded chicken on the stove top. —Kay Shimonek, Corsicana, Texas

Yogurt Pancakes

Get your day off to a great start with these yummy yogurt pancakes. Short on time? Make a batch on the weekend! —Cheryll Baber, Homedale, Idaho

Down-Home Pork Chops

Zippy sauce adds personality to these otherwise straightforward brown sugar pork chops. —Denise Hruz, Germantown, Wisconsin

Devil’s Food Snack Cake

My husband and his friends request this devil’s food snack cake for camping trips because it’s easy to transport. That makes it great for taking to potlucks and other events, too, as there’s no frosting involved. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas

Turkey Cabbage Stew

Chock-full of ground turkey, cabbage, carrots and tomatoes, this turkey cabbage soup delivers delicious down-home comfort on cool days. If you don’t like cabbage, replace it with chopped green peppers. Simply saute the peppers with the turkey, onion and garlic. —Susan Lasken, Woodland Hills, California

Easy Salisbury Steak

This easy Salisbury steak recipe can be made in 25 minutes or made ahead and reheated with the gravy in the microwave. I often double the recipe and freeze a batch for busy nights. —Carol Callahan, Rome, Georgia

Baked Lemon Chicken

I found this baked lemon chicken recipe many years ago when my children were toddlers. I've changed it a little over the years to make it my own. Everyone in my family just loves it!

Loaded Mexican Pizza

My husband is a picky eater, but this healthful Mexican-style pizza has such amazing flavor that he actually looks forward to it. Leftovers taste even better the next day. —Mary Barker, Knoxville, Tennessee

Pumpkin Oat Muffins

It isn’t considered Thanksgiving or Christmas in my house until these are on the table. Enjoy the flavors of pumpkin pie in easy-to-eat muffin form. —Carol Hale, Sarver, Pennsylvania

Serve this lemon tilapia with any tossed salad full of your favorite vegetables and buttered bread. It’s easy, quick and unique. And it’s a big hit with company, too. —Susan Taul, Birmingham, Alabama

Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges

As savory as they are good for you, these baked garlic Parmesan potato wedges have a mouthwatering cheese-and-herb coating that adds a pretty golden color and just the right amount of flavor. —Linda Rock, Stratford, Wisconsin

Chinese Chicken Spaghetti

It’s hard to believe that something that comes together so easily could be this tasty and lower in fat, but this Chinese spaghetti with chicken does it all. If you like your stir-fries extra spicy, increase the red pepper flakes a bit. —Jenna Noel, Glendale, Arizona

Applesauce Muffins

These are such a popular item at the restaurant I own that I had the recipe printed on a card to share with guests. —Linda Williams, LaFayette, Alabama

Quick Green Beans with Bacon

Green beans with bacon and onions makes such an easy side dish. Fresh beans lend a crisp, bright flavor to any meal. They’re best when served hot. —Mari Anne Warren, Milton, Wisconsin

Easy Mediterranean Chicken

“Friends and family love this. I made it healthier, but it tastes just as good.” Kara Zilis – Oak Forest, Illinois

Butternut Squash Soup with Cinnamon

This soup’s golden color, smooth texture and comforting taste make it welcome on a chilly fall day. It has a slightly tangy flavor from the cream cheese, and the cinnamon really shines through. —Jackie Campbell, Stanhope, New Jersey

Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

When my mom and I cooked spaghetti squash with meat sauce, all we could do was grin and say "Wow!" It's fun to separate the noodle-like strands from the squash shell, but eating it is the best part! —Lina Vainauskas, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina

Zucchini Ricotta Bake

I have made this lasagna-like zucchini ricotta bake frequently over the years and shared the recipe with many people. It’s a little bit lighter than other layered casseroles, making it an amazing choice for anyone trying to eat right. —Eleanor Hauserman, Huntsville, Alabama

Beef Tenderloin Roast

This beef tenderloin roast is a simple way to dress up dinner. Prepare the rest of your meal while it bakes in the oven. —Judith LaBrozzi, Canton, Ohio

Hard-Boiled Eggs

In the kitchen, it’s important to start with something simple, like how to cook hard-boiled eggs. Use this egg recipe in plenty of dishes, or eat them plain for a quick protein fix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Garden Salsa

This garden salsa recipe combines ripe ingredients and subtle seasonings to make a real summer treat. —Michelle Beran, Caflin, Kansas

Spaghetti Squash Boats

With a bounty of fresh ingredients, this recipe makes a fun summer dish.
Spaghetti squash has an interesting texture that’s delightfully different.
—Vickey Lorenger, Detroit, Michigan

Hearty Beef and Barley Soup

This hearty beef barley soup is a favorite menu item in our house throughout the year. Everyone savors the flavor. —Elizabeth Kendall, Carolina Beach, North Carolina

Quick Garlic-Lime Chicken

After tending the farm and growing our own produce, I don’t have much time left for cooking. I’ve found this simple chicken dish ideal for hectic days. —Doris Carnahan, Lincoln, Arkansas

Flavorful Mashed Potatoes

Earthy herbs bring a full chorus of flavor to creamy red potatoes, making this side dish anything but ordinary. Save it for special occasions or serve as a dressy accompaniment to a weeknight meal. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast

Try this wonderfully flavored, easy-to-fix slow-cooker turkey breast when you’re craving something delicious. It makes a great holiday dish for smaller families, too. —Maria Juco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

This savory, scrumptious hash brown breakfast casserole uses an egg substitute for lower fat and cholesterol. Serve with fresh fruit for a morning meal that’ll keep your family going strong until lunch! —Cindy Schneider, Sarasota, Florida

Soft Honey Cookies

These old-fashioned honey cookies have a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for years and now it can be one at your house, too. —Rochelle Friedman, Brooklyn, New York

Stuffed Grilled Zucchini

Pair these zucchini boats with charred pork chops, smoked fish or other grilled greats. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Also check out our diabetic-friendly bread recipes.

Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

A cousin gave me this recipe because she knows my family loves southwestern fare. —Sue Briski, Appleton, Wisconsin

Easy Seafood Salad

This super simple, deceptively delicious recipe was inspired by a seafood salad I had in the Bahamas that featured conch. I substituted crab and shrimp for the conch and like it even more! —Cindy Heyd, Edmond, Oklahoma

Air-Fryer Potato Chips

For Christmas one year, I received an air fryer. Potato chips are simple to make in it and are an essential, crispy side for lunch. —Melissa Obernesser, Oriskany, New York

Sheet-Pan Chicken Curry Dinner

This sheet-pan chicken curry is a quick way to get a meal on the table without fuss. Everyone loves it, and it’s healthy to boot! Serve it with a side of jasmine rice. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Quick Coq au Vin

This quick coq au vin recipe is really fabulous served with rice. I love being able to fix this gourmet dish in 30 minutes and still have it turn out so delicious. To reduce fat, I use chicken tenderloin pieces or skinless chicken breasts. —Judy VanCoetsem, Cortland, New York

Seasoned Tilapia Fillets

If you need a healthy, keep-it-simple solution to dinner tonight, you just found it. This restaurant-quality tilapia fillet recipe relies on spices you’re likely to have on hand to deliver big flavor. This is how to make tilapia. —Dana Alexander, Lebanon, Missouri