16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (2024)

Eating food that helps you feel your best just got easier with these 30-minute dinners. Packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients like seafood, dark leafy greens, legumes and herbs, these dishes can help relieve pesky symptoms of chronic inflammation like digestive issues, muscle aches and mental fog. Plus, the inflammation-fighting foods you’ll find in these meals are also staples of the Mediterranean diet, which has been ranked as one of the healthiest eating patterns you can follow. Recipes like our saucy Chicken Tinga Baked Pasta and protein-packed Chicken Piccata Casserole are healthy, flavorful and nourishing dinner winners.

01of 16

Chicken Tinga Baked Pasta

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (1)

This spicy baked pasta features leftover chicken tinga, a dish hailing from Puebla, Mexico. The rich tomato-chipotle sauce adds heat and creaminess to the dish.

View Recipe

02of 16

Creamy Spinach-Artichoke Salmon

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (2)

For this quick and easy dinner for four, the vegetables and sauce come together in one skillet in a matter of minutes while the salmon broils. Plus, salmon is swimming in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and loaded with vitamins and nutrients like B vitamins and potassium.

View Recipe

03of 16

Sesame-Crusted Tofu with Radish-Apple Slaw

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (3)

We coat slices of tofu with sesame seeds for a delightfully crunchy crust and serve them with a tangy, refreshing slaw. We love the look of black and white sesame seeds combined, but if you have only one variety on hand, that will work well too. Serve this ultra-quick recipe with brown rice or soba noodles on the side.

View Recipe

04of 16

Cucumber Chickpea Salad with Feta & Lemon

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (4)

This cucumber chickpea salad with feta and lemon is tangy and refreshing. You can enjoy it on its own or toss it with greens for an easy lunch or dinner. We love the grassy flavor of dill, but another fresh herb like oregano, parsley or chives will work well in its place.

05of 16

Our Chicken Piccata Casserole Is Packed with 31 Grams of Protein

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (5)

This protein-packed chicken piccata casserole brings all the flavors of classic chicken piccata together in one dish. It’s the easiest piccata you’ll ever make—no dredging or sauce required! Cooking the lemon slices in butter mellows their bite and helps jump-start the lemony flavor of the dish while helping the butter get a little brown, bringing some nuttiness to the dish.

View Recipe

06of 16

Green Goddess Ricotta Pasta

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (6)

We take the flavors of green goddess dressing—lemon, anchovy and herbs—and use them as the base for a colorful, bright pasta sauce. We like a mix of basil, chives, parsley and tarragon, but you can mix herbs depending on what you have on hand. Adding ricotta to the sauce creates a luscious, velvety texture, while the acidity from the lemon juice balances out the creaminess. We use shells, which hold the pools of sauce well, but you could easily swap in another noodle if you prefer. To amp up the veggies even more, try adding asparagus or peas to the dish.

View Recipe

07of 16

Bibimbap-Inspired Rice Bowls

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (7)

While not traditional, these protein-rich brown rice bowls take inspiration from Korean bibimbap, with a mix of sweet and spicy ground beef and sliced veggies topped with a fried egg. Gochujang, a fermented paste made from chiles, soybeans and rice, adds subtle spice and tons of complexity. Toasted sesame oil finishes the dish with a nutty flavor.

View Recipe

08of 16

Anti-Inflammatory Chicken & Beet Salad

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (8)

Tart cherry juice concentrate adds flavor and helps fight inflammation when teamed up with other anti-inflammatory foods like beets and walnuts in this quick salad. Buying packaged cooked beets cuts down on time (and mess!). Look for them in the produce section where other prepared vegetables are sold.

09of 16

Super Green Pasta

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (9)

Pack in your veggies with this quick and easy green pasta. Plenty of kale and spinach transform into a vibrant green sauce once cooked and blended with basil, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese for a pesto-like flavor. Enjoy this easy vegetarian pasta as is, or add grilled chicken or white beans for a boost of protein.

View Recipe

10of 16

Tilapia Fish Tacos

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (10)

These refreshing and quick tilapia fish tacos are tender and packed with a flavor that will take you straight to the coast. Corn or flour tortillas work well here. We love the mild flavor of tilapia, but any white, flaky fish like cod or haddock will work well in its place.

View Recipe

11of 16

Spinach Salad with Quinoa, Chicken & Fresh Berries

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (11)

If you're packing this grain bowl for work, combine the dressing ingredients in a small container. When you're ready to eat, shake the dressing well, add it to the salad and toss. If you don't have time to make a homemade dressing, use 3 tablespoons of store-bought olive oil vinaigrette. Keep prep time short by using rotisserie chicken (or leftover chicken) and a pouch of microwavable quinoa.

View Recipe

12of 16

Bibim Naengmyeon

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (12)

The star of bibim naengmyeonis the sauce: a sweet, spicy, tangy mixture that combines well with the chewy noodles. While egg and beef often top this dish, this version skips it for a no-fuss vegan meal. For a more satisfying meal, top it with slices of fried or grilled tofu. It's best to eat this dish immediately. The noodles become stiff and hard to mix the longer they sit.

View Recipe

13of 16

Braised Lentils & Kale with Fried Eggs

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (13)

These braised lentils are cooked with tender kale and bathed in a fire-roasted tomato broth with an egg on top to pack in the protein. Microwaveable lentils need just a short time in the pan to finish cooking. If you have cooked or canned lentils on hand, you can use them in their place, but you may have to shave a few minutes off the cooking time so they don't get too soft. We like how the soft, runny yolk coats the dish. If you want a harder yolk, cover the pan and add 2 or 3 minutes to the cooking time.

View Recipe

14of 16

20-Minute Pasta al Limone

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (14)

This tart and lucious pasta al limone recipe is ready in 20 minutes. The origins of this recipe lie in Sorrento, Italy, famous for its large lemons with medium-thick, bumpy rind packed with aromatic oil and pulp with a balanced sugar content that verges on sweet. They are the lemons that brought the world limoncello and this zesty pasta dish. Luckily, even if you don’t have Sorrento lemons, you can still make it. For the best results, look for lemons that are large and ripe but firm, with a rough rind. These thicker-skinned lemons usually produce more zest.

View Recipe

15of 16

Grilled Vegetable & Black Bean Farro Bowls

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (15)

These bowls are filled with all the hearty goodness of a black bean and veggie burrito, minus the tortilla. Nutty, chewy farro takes the place of rice, and the veggies are grilled with a zesty lime vinaigrette. The bowls are delicious at room temperature, but you can also heat the beans with a splash of vegetable broth and reheat the vegetables in a small skillet.

View Recipe

16of 16

Cashew, Chickpea & Pasta Salad with Cilantro-Mint-Shallot Vinaigrette

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (16)

In our humble opinion, the dressingmakesthis salad. Tangy and zesty with a bit of a crunch from the shallots, this cilantro-mint-shallot vinaigrette will quickly become your go-to. Make the dressing and chop up the veggies while you wait for the pasta to cook, then mix everything and enjoy!

View Recipe

16 Easy Anti-Inflammatory Dinners for the Mediterranean Diet (2024)

FAQs

Is the Mediterranean diet good for anti-inflammatory? ›

The Mediterranean diet has been shown to be anti-inflammatory because of its focus on whole foods and omega-3 fatty acids,” Zumpano says. “It also eliminates processed oils, like cottonseed and soybean oil, which are found in many ultra-processed foods.”

What meat is anti-inflammatory? ›

In fact, pasture-raised chickens, pigs, lambs, and cows have higher levels of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and lower levels of pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids than corn-fed animals. Research even shows less disease among people who opt for meat from grass-fed animals over conventional.

What can I drink to reduce inflammation? ›

Here are seven research-backed drinks that can help fight inflammation in your body.
  • Baking soda + water. ...
  • Parsley + ginger green juice. ...
  • Lemon + turmeric tonic. ...
  • Bone broth. ...
  • Functional food smoothie. ...
  • Matcha anti-inflammatory tonic. ...
  • Greens and berries smoothie.
Mar 16, 2023

What is the strongest anti-inflammatory fruit? ›

Berries. From strawberries and blackberries to cranberries and blueberries, these gemlike fruits are particularly potent in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Are potatoes anti-inflammatory? ›

Generally, it is believed that the anti-inflammatory properties of potato are also related to proteins with protease inhibitor activity.

What is the strongest natural anti-inflammatory? ›

  1. Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids , which are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, are among the most potent anti-inflammatory supplements. ...
  2. Curcumin. ...
  3. S-adenosylmethionine. ...
  4. Zinc. ...
  5. Green tea. ...
  6. Frankincense. ...
  7. Capsaicin. ...
  8. Cat's claw.

What are 3 cons of the Mediterranean diet? ›

There may be health concerns with this eating style for some people, including:
  • You may gain weight from eating fats in olive oil and nuts.
  • You may have lower levels of iron. ...
  • You may have calcium loss from eating fewer dairy products.
Jul 30, 2022

What should I not eat on the Mediterranean diet? ›

What to Avoid on the Mediterranean Diet
  • Processed red meats. Hot dogs. Bacon. Lunch meats. ...
  • Heavily processed foods. Frozen meals that have a lot of sodium. Sodas. Sugary beverages. ...
  • Refined grains. White bread. White pasta. ...
  • Alcohol (other than red wine)
  • Butter.
  • Refined, processed, or hydrogenated oils. Soybean oil. Safflower oil.

Are boiled eggs anti-inflammatory? ›

Eggs and inflammation

On the contrary, eggs have been shown to contain compounds that may have anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, eating two eggs per week as a part of a well-balanced diet is recommended for most adults, including those with arthritis ( 9 ).

What cheese is anti-inflammatory? ›

Swiss, provolone, Cheddar and Gouda are some examples.

Are sweet potatoes anti-inflammatory? ›

The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes has been shown to fight inflammation, and eating them regularly can help ease joint pain and other symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. If you're looking for a delicious way to reduce inflammation, add some sweet potatoes to a salad or bake alongside protein!

What is the fastest way to flush inflammation? ›

The Fastest Ways to Reduce Inflammation
  1. Find the Cause of the Chronic Inflammation.
  2. Consult with a Health Professional.
  3. Reduce Stressors.
  4. Get Enough Sleep.
  5. Support Your Gut.
  6. Eat More Colorful Plant-Based Foods.
  7. Stay Hydrated.
  8. Spice Up Your Meals.
Sep 22, 2023

Does lemon water help inflammation? ›

Lemons contain vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, and are a source of plant compounds called flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect the body's cells from damage.

What are the top 3 anti-inflammatory foods? ›

Top 8 Anti-Inflammatory Foods You Should Eat
  1. Dark, leafy greens. Save. Vegetables like kale, spinach, and swiss chard pack a high antioxidant punch. ...
  2. Colorful fruits. Save. ...
  3. Ginger and turmeric. Save. ...
  4. Nuts. Save. ...
  5. Green Tea. Save. ...
  6. Chia seeds and flaxseeds. Save. ...
  7. Fatty fish. Save. ...
  8. Beans. Save.

What is the fastest way to reduce joint inflammation? ›

RICE method.

If you think your joint inflammation is due to a sudden injury, the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method is the first line of treatment to reduce pain and swelling. See an orthopedist if the pain and swelling don't diminish after RICE treatment.

Are eggs inflammatory or anti-inflammatory? ›

The vitamin D present in the eggs modulates the inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis. As a result, eggs are one of the best anti-inflammatory foods.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Virgilio Hermann JD

Last Updated:

Views: 5787

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Virgilio Hermann JD

Birthday: 1997-12-21

Address: 6946 Schoen Cove, Sipesshire, MO 55944

Phone: +3763365785260

Job: Accounting Engineer

Hobby: Web surfing, Rafting, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Ghost hunting, Swimming, Amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.