Gluten-Free

June 15, 2021 Dairy-Free

Instant Pot Carne Asada

Instant Pot carne asada is one of my favorite ways to prepare a perfect flank steak. Easy and quick, this recipe is full of simple ingredients that give you incredible flavors. Use it as the protein in tacos, nachos, or carne asada fries, or enjoy it on its own with a few complementing sides.

What Makes This Instant Pot Carne Asada So Good

Carne asada is actually grilled meat, and true, if you’re cooking in the Instant Pot you’re not really grilling. Sometimes you want a carne-asada-style dinner, though, and don’t have the time (or equipment) to grill a flank steak. That’s where this recipe comes in! It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s not weather-dependent.
Carne asada is super versatile! You can change up the spices and liquids you use to get different flavors, no problem. It’s perfect for tacos, nachos, and carne asada fries. It’s also delicious with just a side of cilantro lime cauliflower rice, refried black beans, or guacamole salad.
The Instant Pot keeps the flank steak super juicy and makes it perfectly tender. Everything cooks quickly and clean-up is a snap. If you’re on the fence about getting an Instant Pot, let this be your sign!
This recipe is a wonderful option for all you meal-preppers! Instant Pot carne asada is a great make-ahead recipe. Store any uneaten carne asada in an airtight container in the fridge and it’ll keep up to 7 days. You can freeze it, too! Just let it cool completely, pack it in an airtight container, freeze it, and eat it within 3 months.

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Carne Asada

Flank Steak – Flank steak is a lean cut of meat that’s really versatile and easy to work with. Since it’s leaner, it can be tough if you overcook it. That’s what’s great about cooking it in the Instant Pot with a lot of liquid, though – it reduces the odds of overcooking and drying out the meat. You can use a skirt steak instead of flank steak if you prefer it or just can’t find flank steak.

Orange Juice – Unexpected? Maybe. Delicious? Definitely. The acid in orange juice (and in the lime juice) helps tenderize the flank steak, so long as you don’t use too much. Too much acidity can actually make the steak tougher. The OJ is also citrusy and just a tiny bit sweet, which adds another great level of flavor to the marinade and keeps it from tasting too acidic.

Chef’s Tips

If you’d like your flank steak less done, lower the cook time by about 5-10 minutes. Your exact cook time will depend on how rare/done you like your steak. As always, internal temperature is the best test of doneness. For medium steak, you’ll want an internal temperature of 140°-145° Fahrenheit. Medium rare, 130°-135° Fahrenheit. Medium well, 150°-155° Fahrenheit. Since you can’t really pause the Instant Pot and open the lid to check the temperature of the meat, you might try a test run with a small amount of flank steak before you cook the whole 2 pounds. The test run won’t be exact since it’s a smaller amount, but it’ll give you a ballpark cook time to try!
This part isn’t super necessary, BUT if you have time, I recommend letting the flank steak sit with the spice mixture on it for 15-30 minutes. After 15-30 minutes, move on to step 3 of the instructions below. This just gives the spice mixture more time to mingle with the steak and lets those flavors really develop.
To really lock in the flavors and juices of your Instant Pot carne asada, let the flank steak rest on a cutting board for 5ish minutes after you take it out of the Instant Pot, before you slice it. Again, not necessary, but a simple step that can have an impact!

Zoomed out photo of sliced Instant Pot carne asada on a white plate sitting on a white table

Other Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

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Print Recipe

Instant Pot Carne Asada

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Latin, Mexican

Keyword: game day, pressure cooker, taco tuesday

Servings:

Calories: 263kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Small bowl
Instant Pot
Tongs
Cutting board
Sharp knife

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon cumin
2 pounds flank steak
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup beef broth
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup orange juice see Notes
3 cloves garlic minced
½ cup cilantro chopped, plus more for serving if desired
½ of one small onion sliced

Instructions

In small bowl, mix together salt, pepper, chili powder, onion powder, and cumin.
Generously season both sides of flank steak with spice mixture, making sure to rub spices into steak very well.
Add olive oil to Instant Pot and turn on Sauté function. Add flank steak to Instant Pot. If needed, cut flank steak (against the grain) into two large pieces to fit in Instant Pot. Brown flank steak on both sides for approximately 6 minutes total (2-3 minutes per side).
After browning flank steak, add beef broth, lime juice, orange juice, and garlic to Instant Pot.
Place cilantro and onion on top of flank steak. Secure lid on Instant Pot and set to Manual High Pressure for 20 minutes (for well done steak – see Notes). After 20 minute cook time is up, let pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.
Vent to release any remaining pressure and carefully remove lid. Transfer flank steak to cutting board. Slice into thin strips, always cutting against the grain.
Top sliced flank steak with additional chopped cilantro if desired and serve.

Notes

Cook Time: Cook times vary from one Instant Pot to another, so you may need to adjust the cook time based on your pressure cooker and on the size and thickness of your flank steak. For less well-done steak, lower the cook time by 5-10 minutes depending on desired doneness. Check temperature with internal meat thermometer before cutting steak.
To Cut the Flank Steak: Using a sharp knife, slice against the grain of the meat, slicing at a diagonal angle. What does against the grain mean? Look for the lines of muscle running through the meat, and slice perpendicularly to those. You may have to adjust the way you’re slicing on different sections of meat depending on the direction the fibers run.
Make it Gluten Free: Make sure your broth is gluten free.
Make it Keto: The orange juice and onion are the only non-keto ingredients in this recipe. Some keto-eaters don’t worry about onions, but you can skip them altogether if you want. Depending on your keto style, you can try an organic orange juice with no added sugar – since you’re only using ¼ cup here, the OJ will only add about 6 carbs total to the entire recipe, or 1 carb per serving. If you’re strict keto, you can skip the orange juice altogether and use more beef broth and lemon juice or more lime juice in its place. You’ll end up with a slightly different flavor but it’ll still be great!

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 6. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

June 10, 2021 Air Fryer

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

These air fryer turkey burgers are simple, juicy, and delicious! Throw this easy meal together on a busy weeknight or whenever you’re craving something quick, yet healthy. A perfectly seasoned turkey burger patty is cooked in the air fryer in no time!

What Makes This Air Fryer Turkey Burgers Recipe So Good

Ground turkey, a few very simple ingredients, and an air fryer is all you’ll need to make these air fryer turkey burgers! Lightly seasoned, then cooked to perfection and you’re free to serve them however you’d like.
This recipe includes three different turkey burger options, allowing you to pick the one you like best! Choose from either making the patties yourself, buying them pre-made from the store or cooking up that box of frozen turkey burger patties in your freezer. Each method is equally as simple and delicious!
The air fryer takes all the guesswork out of cooking these air fryer turkey burgers. Simply add the patties to the air fryer, cook for 15 minutes, pause to flip halfway through, and then you’re done! I love cooking up a double batch of these turkey burgers at the start of a busy week for an easy grab-and-go lunch or dinner.

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

Ground Turkey – This ground meat has less calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium than ground beef. I use and recommend 90%-95% lean ground turkey for this recipe. However, if you can’t find ground turkey you can easily substitute it for ground chicken instead.

Egg – The egg in this recipe helps to bind the air fryer turkey burger patties together during and after cooking. Without the egg, you’ll have a more crumbly turkey burger that risks falling apart when eaten. If you want to go without the egg, you can, though I do not recommend it for this recipe.

Worcestershire Sauce – Just a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce packs so much flavor into these air fryer turkey burgers! Often found in beef burgers and a variety of other grilled recipes, the Worcestershire sauce helps these burgers mimic that delicious, slightly tangy flavor.

Chef’s Tips

Ground turkey is stickier and slightly more challenging to handle than ground beef. Lightly coat your hands with oil before forming patties, in order to avoid sticking. It’s also useful to keep in mind that the less you mix and handle the ground turkey, the less sticky it will be!
Leave the turkey burger patties in the freezer for no more than 10 minutes before transferring to the air fryer. The goal here is to get the patties solid enough to handle, but not too frozen to cook all the way through.
Feel free to serve these air fryer turkey burgers however you’d like! I kept things simple with a toasted bun, a thick layer of mashed avocado, as well as some lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Fresh cucumber, pickles, or a slice of cheese would also make a great addition to these burgers!

air fryer turkey burgers place on one half of a bun

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Air Fryer Turkey Burgers

These air fryer turkey burgers are simple, juicy, and delicious! Throw this easy meal together on a busy weeknight or whenever you're craving something quick, yet healthy. A perfectly seasoned turkey burger patty is cooked in the air fryer in no time!

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time30 mins

Servings: servings

Calories: 148kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large bowl
Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey
1 egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, then divide and shape into four patties. Place the turkey burger patties in the freezer for 5-10 minutes, or until firm enough to handle.
Add patties to the air fryer and cook at 360° Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Pre-made Turkey Burger Patties:

If not already seasoned, evenly season both sides of pre-made turkey burger patties with salt and black pepper.
Add to air fryer basket and cook at 360° Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Frozen Turkey Burger Patties:

Add frozen turkey burger patties to air fryer basket and cook at 375° Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Notes

Depending on the thickness of your patties and the intensity of your air fryer, these turkey burgers may take a few more or a few less minutes to cook. When pausing the air fryer to flip the burgers, take a moment to evaluate how slowly or quickly they’re cooking and adjust the time from there.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines, and reflect information for one turkey burger patty, not including a bun or any toppings. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific types and brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition

June 3, 2021 Air Fryer

Air Fryer Squash

An air fryer is all you need to get perfectly tender, crisp summer squash in no time at all! This recipe for air fryer squash uses olive oil and a little salt & pepper to highlight the natural flavors of the vegetables without overpowering them.

What Makes This Air Fryer Squash So Good

It’s a quick and easy recipe that fits almost any dietary need – low calorie, low carb, keto, gluten free, grain free, no added sugar, paleo, vegan, vegetarian… Everyone can enjoy this tasty snack or side dish!
If you don’t like mushy squash, this is the recipe for you. The air fryer gives you perfectly tender-crisp summer veggies in less than 10 minutes. There’s no messy clean up, no standing over a hot stovetop, no turning and tossing to keep things from burning. Just perfectly cooked squash at the touch of a button.
Any leftover squash can easily be reheated in the microwave, under the broiler, or in the air fryer again for just a couple of minutes. Refrigerate your leftover squash in an airtight container and it’ll keep up to 4 days.

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Squash

Yellow Squash – Yellow squash is pretty iconic. It’s got a beautiful color (hello, gorgeous yellow) and an interesting shape (roundish and bulbous on one end but skinnier toward the other end).

Zucchini – Another summer squash, zucchini doesn’t look like yellow squash. It’s a straight squash with uniform thickness from one end to the other, and it’s got a rich green color. Both zucchini and yellow squash have a similar taste and texture, and you can use them interchangeably in recipes. I like to use them together, like in this air fryer squash recipe, for some added color.

Chef’s Tips

Like any other air fryer recipe, you want to make sure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The yellow squash and zucchini should lay in one flat layer, not stacked or overlapping. If they’re stacked, the air won’t circulate around the discs like it should. If the air can’t circulate, they won’t cook evenly. You may have to cook in two batches if you have a small air fryer or if you’re cooking a lot of squash.
For extra flavor, you can mince a little garlic and toss it with the squash and oil. You could also try soy sauce or coconut aminos instead of olive oil.
For crunchy squash and zucchini, try our recipe for Air Fryer Zucchini Chips. The veggies are sliced thin to crisp up nicely, and they’re topped with a little parmesan for a wonderful cheesy flavor.

While You’re Here, Check Out These Other Air Fryer Recipes

Print Recipe

Air Fryer Squash

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Vegan

Keyword: easy cooking, summer food, veggie chips

Servings: servings

Calories: 81kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Air Fryer
Large bowl

Ingredients

1 small yellow squash
1 small zucchini
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit.
Slice squash and zucchini into quarter-inch-thick discs.
Place discs in bowl. Drizzle olive oil over vegetables and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat.
Transfer squash to air fryer. Cook 6 to 7 minutes, or until tender but crisp.

Notes

Recipe yields approximately 2 servings. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving. Actual macros may vary slightly based on specific types and brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition

June 1, 2021 Air Fryer

Air Fryer Falafel

This air fryer falafel is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and incredibly flavorful throughout! Chickpeas and a variety of fresh herbs are what make this plant-based recipe delicious. This air fryer falafel is a healthier take on a much-loved classic!

What Makes This Air Fryer Falafel So Good

It packs all of the traditional falafel flavors, without the extra oil. The air fryer replaces deep-frying in this recipe, making it all the more light and healthy!
It’s packed, and I mean packed, with flavor! Fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, and fresh dill are just a few of the incredible flavors you can expect from this recipe. It’s almost hard to believe that something so healthy, could taste so good!
The air fryer doesn’t only make this recipe healthier, but it makes it easier too! Simply transfer your falafel to an air fryer basket, then leave them to cook and return to perfectly crispy falafel every time.

Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Falafel

Chickpeas – This bean is the base to every traditional falafel recipe. I made this recipe extra easy for you, by using canned, instead of dried, chickpeas. Start by draining the liquid from two cans of chickpeas, then give them a rinse before they’re ready to use in this air fryer falafel recipe. Chickpeas are high in vitamins and rich in plant-based protein, making them a super healthy and nutritious ingredient!

Baking Powder – This may seem like a strange ingredient in this recipe, but trust me when I tell you that it is key to the best falafel ever. Baking powder makes the interior of this falafel super light and airy! Without it, this falafel would be far too dense and less enjoyable.

Spray Cooking Oil – Since we eliminate the need to deep-fry in this recipe, we do need to add just a bit of oil to keep things from sticking. Start by coating the bottom of your air fryer basket or baking sheet with spray cooking oil, and finish by also lightly spritzing the top of each falafel before cooking. I use and recommend spray avocado oil in this recipe, but really any spray cooking oil will work.

Chef’s Tips

Whatever you do, do not skip refrigerating the falafel mixture in step 2. Refrigeration gives the mixture time to set and will aid in binding the falafel together while it cooks!
There is no limit to how you can serve this falafel! It’d be delicious in a pita, over a salad, or simply dipped in hummus. Sometimes I even find myself eating this falafel entirely on its own, it’s that good!
This air fryer falafel can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. To preheat, transfer back to the air fryer set to 375° Fahrenheit for 5-8 minutes or until heated through.

What Do We Mean By Healthy?

Our recipes focus on real ingredients and homemade elements. We try to avoid processed flour and sugar, like white flour or white sugar. Our recipes often swap less healthy options (like a commercial, deep-fried tostada) for an easy homemade version.

Our recipes are not necessarily low fat or low calorie, and we aren’t afraid of fat or carbs! Some of our recipes will be “skinny,” low carb, keto, paleo, dairy free, grain free, gluten free, Whole30, or vegan, and they will be labeled when they qualify for any of these diets. All our recipes are easy and family friendly!

air fryer falafel on a plate with hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh parsley, and dill

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

Print Recipe

Air Fryer Falafel

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: air fryer, easy vegan, plant based

Servings: servings

Calories: 326kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Food processor
Air Fryer

Ingredients

2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas drained and rinsed
1 cup parsley chopped
1 cup cilantro chopped
½ cup fresh dill chopped
5 garlic cloves minced
1 small yellow onion chopped
4 tablespoons all purpose flour see Notes
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

For air frying:

spray cooking oil

Instructions

Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until very finely chopped, but not pureed.
Refrigerate falafel mixture for at least one hour.
Remove from fridge and scoop two tablespoons of falafel mixture into your hands then roll into a ball. Repeat with remaining mixture.
Coat the basket of your air fryer with spray cooking oil and transfer falafel to the basket. Lightly spray falafel with cooking oil and set the air fryer to 15 minutes at 375° Fahrenheit.
Flip each falafel and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Notes

Make it Gluten-Free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour instead of all purpose flour in this recipe.

Recipe yields approximately 12 falafel. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect the information for four falafel out of 12. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

May 27, 2021 Appetizer

Gluten Free Onion Rings

These gluten free onion rings are an easy way to get this classic comfort food at home and with absolutely zero gluten. They’re the perfect side for burgers or hot dogs, or enjoy them on their own as a snack or appetizer. Can be made dairy free.

What Makes These Gluten Free Onion Rings So Good

The gluten free batter for these onion rings is light and full of flavor and crisps up beautifully.
Underneath the crispy gluten free batter is a juicy, perfectly cooked sweet onion. The way the sweetness of the onion complements the savory batter… OMG.
There’s zero gluten in this recipe, so it’s perfect for anyone with a gluten allergy or sensitivity. Even without the gluten, these onion rings taste just like traditional onion rings, which means any gluten-eaters in your party will love them, too!

Key Ingredients for Gluten Free Onion Rings

Cornmeal – If you like cornbread then you’re pretty familiar with cornmeal. It’s that coarse powdery substance that comes from grinding corn. Cornmeal is perfect in batters like this because it fries up so beautifully.

Milk – Obviously the dry ingredients need a little liquid added to turn them into a batter. Milk gets the job done while keeping the batter rich and creamy, rather than making it watery. Use any type of milk you like! For dairy free, gluten free onion rings, use an unsweetened plant-based milk.

Club Soda – Like the milk, club soda helps thin the batter, but the fizziness keeps the batter amazingly light. You could also try this recipe with a little gluten free beer in the batter instead of club soda for gluten free beer-battered onion rings.

Chef’s Tips

What’s the best dipping sauce for gluten free onion rings? Well, that depends on what you like! I’m a big fan of onion rings with ranch, so I like to pair them with this homemade gluten free, Whole30 dump ranch. Of course, ketchup is a classic – try this ketchup recipe for a homemade option. If you like things a little spicy, a chipotle aioli dipping sauce would work for you!
It’s important that your oil is hot enough before you drop an onion ring in it, otherwise the onion ring just soaks up the oil and gets super greasy and soggy. You can use a food thermometer to gauge the temperature, or you could use the wooden spoon trick. Just dip the end of a wooden spoon handle into the oil. You’ll know it’s ready when the oil bubbles up around the spoon handle. If there are a lot of violent bubbles, though, your oil’s too hot, so lower the temperature and let it cool a little.
Instead of placing the onion rings on a plate of paper towels to drain, lay a wire cooling rack over a bed of paper towels lining a baking sheet, then place the onion rings on the rack. That way, the onion rings aren’t sitting in the hot oil while you’re working on the next batch or two. If they’re elevated and the oil can drain away, you’ll be left with beautifully crisp onion rings. If they just sit in the oil, they’ll get soggy.

What Do We Mean By Healthy?

Individual onion ring being dipped into ranch dressing, with more onion rings out of focus in the background

More Awesome Gluten Free Recipes

Print Recipe

Gluten Free Onion Rings

These gluten free onion rings are an easy way to get this classic comfort food at home and with absolutely zero gluten. They're the perfect side for burgers or hot dogs, or enjoy them on their own as a snack or appetizer. Can be made dairy free.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: comfort food, fried food, summer food

Servings:

Calories: 327kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large bowl
Whisk
Fork
Large saucepan or deep skillet
Wire cooling rack
Paper towels
Baking sheet

Ingredients

2 medium sweet onions sliced into rings
cornstarch enough to dust sliced onions
neutral oil for frying

For the Gluten Free Batter

⅓ cup cornstarch
1 ½ cups gluten free flour blend
¼ cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup milk of your choice, see Notes
1 cup club soda

Instructions

If onions are not already sliced into rings, slice them now. Lightly dust sliced onion rings with cornstarch. Set aside.
In large bowl, mix together ⅓ cup cornstarch, gluten free flour blend, cornmeal, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Once dry ingredients are combined, whisk in milk and club soda to form batter.
In large saucepan or skillet, heat neutral oil to 350° Fahrenheit.
When oil is hot, use fork to dip sliced onion rings into batter. Coat evenly and lift out of bowl, pausing to let any excess batter drip off onion rings.
Drop onion rings into hot oil. Fry until golden brown.
Use fork to remove onion rings from oil. Transfer onion rings to wire cooling rack over baking sheet lined with paper towels.
Repeat for any remaining onion rings. Serve warm with condiments of choice.

Notes

Milk: Whole milk, 2%, plant-based – any type of milk will work, just make sure to use an unsweetened variety.
Tips for Frying: Work in batches and don’t put too many onion rings in the oil at once! Overcrowding will keep the onion rings from frying evenly. Add just enough rings at a time that they can stay in a single layer.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Actual number of onion rings produced will depend on the size and thickness of the rings you cut. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for one serving. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

May 25, 2021 Appetizer

Roasted Grape Tomatoes

Roasted grape tomatoes are a simple but delicious side dish or appetizer, perfect with pasta, crostini, or all on their own. Seasoned grape tomatoes tossed in extra virgin olive oil and roasted with fresh garlic, ready to eat in roughly 30 minutes with minimal effort.

What Makes Roasted Grape Tomatoes So Good

Roasted grape tomatoes come together quickly and easily, and there’s not a lot of hands-on cooking involved. Sure you have to stir a couple of times, but for the most part, the oven does all the work!
You can serve these tomatoes on their own as a side dish, on crostini with a little mozzarella or goat cheese as an appetizer, or on avocado toast as a snack. You could also use them in baked feta pasta or turn them into a roasted tomato sauce.
This recipe is naturally low carb, dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan!
Got leftover roasted tomatoes? Refrigerate them in an airtight container, with as much liquid from the pan as possible. They’ll keep up to 1 week!

Key Ingredients for Roasted Grape Tomatoes

Grape Tomatoes – These are smaller and less sweet than the cherry variety, and taste more like the classic red tomato you know and love. They’re pretty much the heart and soul of roasted grape tomatoes! Since they’re meatier, with less juice than other types of tomatoes, they’re perfect for roasting. That being said, you can use this same method with cherry tomatoes or even plum tomatoes if you’d rather.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Made from olives, ground into a paste then pressed without heat, extra virgin olive oil is a pantry staple in most kitchens. The antioxidants in EVOO give it a slightly spicy flavor that makes it sting a little, but in a good way. Don’t have extra virgin olive oil? You can use regular olive oil, or another neutral oil, like avocado oil.

Chef’s Tips

If you want to dress it up a little, add sprigs of oregano or thyme to the baking dish before you put it in the oven. Basil would be wonderful, too!
Since you’re only using a few ingredients in this roasted grape tomatoes recipe, it’s important to make sure you’re using the freshest ingredients possible! Look for brightly colored tomatoes with smooth skin – no wrinkles or soft spots! Also, use a high quality olive oil and fresh garlic, not garlic from a jar if you can avoid it.
You may need to roast the tomatoes a little longer, depending on your oven and the size of your tomatoes. Keep an eye on them and adjust the time as needed!

What Do We Mean By Healthy?

More Easy Veggie Recipes

Print Recipe

Roasted Grape Tomatoes

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: tomato sauce, vegan, vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 94kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large bowl
Large spoon or silicone spatula
9×13 baking dish

Ingredients

4 cups grape tomatoes
4 cloves garlic smashed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
⅓ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
In large bowl, mix together all ingredients, stirring until tomatoes are thoroughly coated in oil, salt, and pepper.
Transfer tomatoes to baking dish. Bake 15 minutes, then remove from oven and stir.
Return baking dish to oven and bake an additional 15 minutes. Tomatoes are ready when they've burst and started to caramelize.

Notes

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect the information for one serving. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the size of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed, then weigh the entire finished recipe. Divide the total weight of the recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 4. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Nutrition

May 20, 2021 Appetizer

Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa

This spicy tomatillo red chili salsa is a perfect homemade version of everyone’s favorite hot Chipotle salsa. Charred tomatillos, spicy red chile powder, lime juice, and a little Tabasco create a delightfully flavorful side perfect for tortilla chips, taco salads, or burrito bowls.

What Makes This Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa So Good

Tomatillo red chili salsa is a thin, liquidy salsa, as opposed to a thick, chunky one. It’s perfect for chips and salsa, or use it on tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, or even on a Mexican salad. If you really want the Chipotle experience at home, try this salsa with these Chipotle copycat carnitas bowls!
It’s incredibly easy to make! Aside from roasting the tomatillos in the oven, there’s no cooking involved – just toss the salsa ingredients in the food processor and blend until smooth!
Roasting the tomatillos adds so much depth and complexity to this salsa. If you’ve been making this without roasting the tomatillos first, we’re about to change your life!
You can easily double or triple the recipe for salsa all week long! Refrigerate any leftover salsa in an airtight container and it’ll keep up to 7 days. You can also freeze it in an airtight container up to 3 months.

Key Ingredients for Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa

Tomatillos – These small, green (or yellow, or purple) Mexican husk tomatoes are a little tart naturally, but roasting them like we do in this recipe brings out a little sweetness. They have a little more kick than classic red tomatoes, but they don’t add any heat. They’re a member of the nightshade family, so be aware of that if you or someone in your dining party has a nightshade allergy or intolerance!

New Mexico Red Chile Powder – Made from New Mexico red chiles, this spice has an earthy, deep flavor with notes similar to cherry and tomato. It has a medium heat that won’t necessarily set your mouth on fire but is definitely noticeable. If you’re very sensitive, start out with just 1 tablespoon of chile powder and taste the salsa before adding more.

Tabasco – Classic Tabasco gives your tomatillo red chili salsa another layer of sweet & spicy flavor. How much you use is up to you! The more you use, the hotter your salsa will be. Sriracha or Crystal hot sauce would also work here!

Chef’s Tips

For a hotter salsa, add a guajillo pepper or two, or add a chile de arbol.
Make your own New Mexico red chile powder if you want! Just pick up a few New Mexico chili pods, cut the stems off, and remove the seeds. Grind the pods with a mortar and pestle, a spice grinder, or a blender. You could also buy fresh New Mexico chilis and dehydrate them yourself, then grind them into a powder.
Never crushed garlic before? It’s easy! Place a clove of garlic (peeled or unpeeled) on a cutting board or another flat surface. Lay the blade a large kitchen knife on top of the clove, then quickly & firmly hit or “smash” the flat side of the blade with the heel of your hand. Press down with the heel of your hand and use a rocking motion back-and-forth if needed to crush the garlic more.

What Do We Mean By Healthy?

Tomatillo red chili salsa drizzling off a spoon into a white bowl of salsa surrounded by corn tortilla chips

Other Dips and Salsas You’ll Love

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Tomatillo Red Chili Salsa

This spicy tomatillo red chili salsa is a perfect homemade version of everyone's favorite hot Chipotle salsa. Charred tomatillos, spicy red chile powder, lime juice, and a little Tabasco create a delightfully flavorful side perfect for tortilla chips, taco salads, or burrito bowls.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Appetizer, condiment, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Mexican, Southwestern, TexMex

Keyword: dip, spicy, taco tuesday

Servings:

Calories: 101kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Oven
Baking sheet
Food processor or blender

Ingredients

2 pounds tomatillos
5 cloves garlic peeled, crushed
2-3 tablespoons New Mexico red chile powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons lime juice
Tabasco to taste
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
Place whole tomatillos and crushed garlic on baking sheet. Set in oven and bake 25 to 30 minutes, until charred.
Transfer tomatillos and garlic to food processor bowl or blender and add red chile powder, ground cumin, and lime juice. Process until smooth.
Add Tabasco to taste and process again. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator until ready to eat.

Notes

Nutrition

May 18, 2021 Easy

Stewed Potatoes

These stewed potatoes are delightfully creamy and require just four ingredients to make! This savory side dish comes together in just a few simple steps.

What Makes These Stewed Potatoes So Good

They’re the perfect simple side dish to basically any meal! Serve these stewed potatoes alongside roasted chicken and veggies for an easy and healthy lunch or dinner.
They require just four ingredients! That’s right, these stewed potatoes are the most uncomplicated recipe of all time. Potatoes, butter, salt, and black pepper is all you’ll need to whip up this recipe!
These stewed potatoes are the perfect way to use up any leftover potatoes you have lying around from a recipe or your garden! When I have half a bag of potatoes on-hand, I’ll quickly and happily turn them into this recipe to avoid going to waste.

Key Ingredients for Stewed Potatoes

Potatoes – Any white potato will work in this recipe. I used and prefer Yukon gold potatoes for their velvety texture and buttery flavor. Though take two pounds of whatever white potato you’d like then peel and dice them into 1-inch cubes for this recipe.

Butter – The same goes for the butter, any kind of butter will work! I used salted butter for a little extra flavor, though unsalted butter works just as good. And if you’d like to make these vegan or dairy-free, simply use vegan butter instead.

Chef’s Tips

While peeling potatoes can be a bit time consuming, I highly recommend you do not skip this step when making these stewed potatoes! Potato skins will take away from that incredible creamy texture we’re after in this recipe.
Do not cover your pot at any point in the cooking process. We start by covering the potatoes in water which will eventually need to be cooked down to create a thicker base for these stewed potatoes. By cooking the potatoes uncovered, you will allow some liquid to evaporate eventually creating that perfect consistency!
Feel free to boil the potatoes in the last step as much or as little as you want. The less time you spend boiling towards the end of cooked, the thinner your stewed potatoes will be. Therefore, the more time you spend boiling at the end, the thicker they will be! This is entirely personal preference, though I found it took just 10 minutes to achieve my desired consistency.

What Do We Mean By Healthy?

two bowls of stewed potatoes with green onion and black pepper.

More Easy Potato Recipes You’ll Love

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Stewed Potatoes

These stewed potatoes are delightfully creamy and require just four ingredients to make! This savory side dish comes together in just a few simple steps.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time50 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy potato recipe, fewer than 5 ingredients, simple side dish

Servings: servings

Calories: 252kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Large pot

Ingredients

2 pounds potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes, see Notes
½ cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Place potatoes, butter, salt and black pepper in a large pot then fill with just enough water to cover potatoes.
Bring to a boil then reduce to a gentle boil and cook until potatoes are soft or pierced easily with a fork, about 20-30 minutes.
Bring heat back up to a boil and stir often until liquid has reduced and potatoes have broken down to your desired consistency, about 10 minutes.

Notes

Potatoes: I used Yukon gold potatoes and had great results, though feel free to use whatever kind of white potato you’d like.

Recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect information for one serving of stewed potatoes made with gold potatoes and unsalted butter. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

Nutrition

May 11, 2021 Dairy-Free

Instant Pot Asparagus

This Instant Pot Asparagus will be your new favorite quick and easy method to cooking this delicious vegetable! Asparagus is lightly seasoned with garlic and lemon, then perfectly cooked in under 10 minutes.

What Makes This Instant Pot Asparagus Recipe So Good

The Instant Pot takes all the guesswork out of cooking asparagus! Simply set the timer and walk away, then return to tender asparagus every time.
It’s lightly seasoned making it a perfect addition to virtually any meal. Serve this easy veggie alongside salmon, chicken, or whatever protein you’d like for an easy and healthy low-carb lunch or dinner.
It’s the fastest, most efficient way to cook asparagus! This recipe doesn’t only ensure quick cooking, but quick clean-up too.

Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Asparagus

Asparagus – Be sure to trim the bottom 2-3 inches off each asparagus stem before cooking. The reason for this is because the bottom part of asparagus can be rather tough and chewy, even after cooking. To prepare the asparagus for this recipe, simply wash then chop off the ends.

Butter – Feel free to leave out the butter in this recipe, if you’d like. The butter just adds a bit more delicious savory flavor, but is not necessary in cooking this Instant Pot asparagus.

Lemon Juice – Lemon juice adds a bit of brightness to this recipe. The acidity brings out the freshness of the asparagus, and gives it that delightful citrus flavor.

Chef’s Tips

Set the timer on your Instant Pot to 0 minutes – yes, 0 minutes! It will take about 10 minutes to warm up, and it’s during that time that the asparagus will cook.
Although a steamer rack is not required to cook this Instant Pot asparagus, if you have a steamer rack then feel free to use it! I have tested this recipe both with and without a steamer rack, and noticed no difference between the two variations.
Add any other seasonings you’d like to this recipe! Some red pepper flakes would taste great in addition to the spices in this recipe. You can even top the asparagus with some shredded parmesan cheese after cooking for a delicious keto side dish!

What Do We Mean By Healthy?

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

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Instant Pot Asparagus

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy vegetable, less than 10 minutes, low carb

Servings: servings

Calories: 129kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

1 pound asparagus ends trimmed
1 cup water
¼ cup butter
3 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Add all ingredients to an Instant Pot, close lid and set steam release knob to sealing position.
Pressure cook on high for 0 minutes, then quick release the steam.
Remove asparagus and serve immediately.

Notes

Make it Vegan: Use vegan butter or olive oil in place of the butter in this recipe.

Recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect information for one serving of asparagus. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition

May 4, 2021 Air Fryer

Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

Cooking frozen chicken breast in the air fryer will be your new favorite hack! Frozen chicken breast is thawed and fully cooked in no-time using this air fryer method.

Close-up image of sliced chicken breast.

What Makes This Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer Recipe So Good

You can add this chicken to whatever dish you’d like! We kept the seasoning simple and light, making this a versatile addition to any meal.
It totally eliminates the time and energy it takes to defrost frozen chicken! This method does everything from defrost to fully cook the chicken in three easy steps.
You can customize this recipe however you’d like! Add garlic powder and smoked paprika for Mexican-inspired chicken or dried oregano and lemon juice for Mediterranean-inspired chicken. There really is no wrong way to season this recipe, so have fun with it!

Key Ingredients for Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

Frozen Chicken Breast – This method eliminates the dreaded task of having to defrost that frozen chicken breast that’s been sitting in your freezer! Simply remove it from the package then place it straight into the air fryer basket.

Olive Oil – Really any cooking oil will work in this recipe! If you’re looking to make this recipe even easier, then use spray cooking oil and simply give the chicken a quick spritz of oil before cooking.

Chef’s Tips

It’s important to remember that not all air fryers are created equal. When you pause to flip the chicken breast halfway through cooking, evaluate how quickly it’s cooked and adjust the total cook time as needed.
Allow the cooked chicken to sit for at least 5 minutes before slicing. If you go straight into slicing the chicken as soon as you remove it from the air fryer, all of its delicious juices will pour out – resulting in less flavorful chicken.
Store this chicken in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 4 days. You can then reheat it in your air fryer set to 360° Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or until warm throughout!

What Do We Mean By Healthy?

Sliced chicken breast arranged on a plate with fresh parsley and a lemon wedge.

Ways To Use This Chicken Breast

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Frozen Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer

Cooking frozen chicken breast in the air fryer will be your new favorite hack! Frozen chicken breast is thawed and fully cooked in no-time using this air fryer method.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time35 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cooking hack, four ingredients, meal prep

Servings: servings

Calories: 277kcal

Author: Cheryl Malik

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

1 pound frozen chicken breast
1 teaspoon olive oil see Notes
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 360° Fahrenheit.
Place chicken breast in air fryer basket, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle evenly with salt and black pepper.
Cook for 35 minutes, pausing to flip chicken halfway through.

Notes

Olive Oil: You can use any kind of cooking oil you’d like in this recipe.

Recipe yields approximately 2 servings. Nutritional values shown reflect information for one serving of shrimp. Macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands of ingredients used.

Nutrition