Healthy Christmas Recipes

Staff Picks

Carrot Puree

All it takes is a sprinkling of salt and pepper to enhance the earthy flavors of the carrots in this simple side dish.

Fennel and Orange Salad

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The classic flavor combination of fennel and orange makes a wonderful winter salad.

Spiced Nuts

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A perfect spicy snack for the holidays.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grapes with Walnuts

The red grapes' sweetness brings out the nutty notes in the sprouts. Walnuts can be swapped for almonds or pecans.

Shrimp and Avocado Salad on Endive Leaves

The secret to the shrimp salad's decadent taste: creamy avocado, which is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fat. Slivers of scallion and a shot of lime juice brighten the flavor.

Cream of Celery Soup

This cream of celery soup is garnished with toasted baguette and celery leaf.

Herbed Roasted Turkey

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This traditional holiday bird brings much more to the table than just great taste. Our version, which is packed with protein, is rubbed with a blend of parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, and garlic.

Shingling these potatoes is as easy as thinly slicing each (just not all the way through) before roasting them. The result is a beautiful display. Put them in the oven 30 minutes before the beef goes in so that everything is ready at the same time.

Wild Rice with Dried Fruit and Nuts

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This wild rice side dish goes well with roasted chicken, turkey, or braised pork shoulder.

Creamy White Bean and Vegetable Mash

Butter and cream usually mean mashed potatoes are off-limits for vegans, but this variation gets its silky texture from white beans instead. Adding the legumes also doubles the amount of protein compared with traditional spuds.

Green Bean and Shallot Ravioli Salad

In this take on the green-bean casserole, cheese ravioli replaces the heavy mushroom soup, while sauteed shallots and crunchy toasted almonds stand in for the fried onions.

Shaved Parsnip Salad

A surprisingly good source of vitamin C, the raw parsnips in this healthy holiday side have slightly more of the antioxidant than their cooked counterparts.

Inspiration and Ideas

Sweet Potato Cannelloni

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A twist on traditional cannelloni, this vegetarian and gluten-free dish is made with blanched sweet potato slices. They're filled with a cottage cheese, sweet potato, and apple filling, then topping with shaved Parmesan and toasted walnuts. The remarkably rich taste and vibrant appearance make it a worthy and healthy addition to any dinner.

Yogurt Parfait with Granola, Raspberries, and Candied Ginger

Not only is this picture-perfect parfait delicious, it's also a refreshingly light way to start the morning. Try our recipe for Homemade Granola.

Avgolemono

Easy Mushroom Gravy

Anna Lappe, cofounder of the Small Planet Institute, developed this vegan gravy recipe to be served with her Dried Fruit and Toasted Nut Stuffing, a Thanksgiving dish from her childhood.

All Healthy Christmas Recipes

Roasted Chicken with Chestnuts

Fresh chestnuts, while available at this time of year, are difficult to peel. Instead, choose frozen or already peeled. To give this dish a more intense flavor, season the chicken, covering it loosely, and then store it in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. Remove the skin before eating.

Sauteed Broccoli With Lemon

Complement a feast of hearty dishes with a side of crisp broccoli dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.

Celery, Sunchoke, and Green Apple Salad with Walnuts and Mustard Vinaigrette

Peter Berley, author of "The Flexitarian Table," created this healthier version of a traditional family favorite. "The apple is tart; the celery has a saline minerality; and the sunchokes provide earthiness. Treble, alto, and bass. Walnuts add the sweetness and fat, which really ties the salad together."

Figs and Prosciutto

Sweet and delicious, figs make the perfect pairing for a thin slice of Prosciutto di Parma -- which, by the way, is nitrate-free and low in saturated fat. Get more healthy holiday recipes

Mixed Chicories with Persimmons

Winter lettuces are heartier than most everyday salad greens and have a pleasantly bitter flavor. They stand up well to crunchy walnuts and sweet-tart winter fruits.

Beet, Fennel, and Carrot Salad

A vinaigrette made with citrus and fennel seeds brightens this colorful, crunchy salad made with beets and carrots.

Salad with Cranberries and Almonds

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The cranberries and spicy almonds give this salad a sweet, spicy kick.

Fennel-and-Endive Salad with Pomegranate Seeds and Walnuts

Crisp, refreshing, and beautiful: What more can you ask of a salad?

Glazed Carrots for Roast Turkey Dinner

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Glazing carrots with orange juice enhances their natural sweetness.

Roasted Paprika Almonds

This flavorful snack is guaranteed to be a hit at holiday parties.

Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip with Pomegranate

Charred bell peppers, pitted dates, and toasted walnuts are topped with juicy pomegranate seeds to make a savory dip perfect for whole-wheat pita bread.

Brussels Sprouts with Parsnips

The flavor of this side dish is enhanced by toasted pecans.

Arugula and Endive Salad with Oranges

This salad combines bitter and spicy lettuces with the sweetness of winter oranges and the tart flavor of red-wine vinegar.

Green Beans with Creamy Mushrooms and Shallots

This twist on a standard green bean casserole is elevated to creamy, delicious heights, thanks to thick low-fat Greek yogurt.

Caramelized Apples with Fresh Rosemary

Fresh rosemary infuses lightly sweetened apples with an unexpected aroma and flavor.

Endive and Tangerine Salad with Almonds and Feta

Tangerine vinaigrette is tossed with fresh endive. A mixture of almonds, feta, and oregano adds a sweet, salty, aromatic finish to the crisp, tangy salad.

Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Rutabaga with Hazelnuts

The skin of rutabaga is thick and tough, so you'll want to use a sharp, hefty chef's knife to remove it entirely and later to cut the flesh. The maple glaze tends to caramelize quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on the vegetables during the final stage of roasting.

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