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

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

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.

Cream of Celery Soup

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

Warm Fennel-and-Parmesan Dip

A warm, golden dip always tempts guests to dig in. This one uses Parmesan cheese to season caramelized fennel 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.

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.

Roasted Cauliflower

Take familiar techniques, like roasting, and apply them in new ways for this delicious side.

Sweet Potato Cannelloni

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.

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.

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.

Inspiration and Ideas

15 Healthy (and Festive!) Recipes for the Holidays

Family gatherings often seem to be code for tossing out resolutions for healthy eating, but that needn’t be the case. Take full advantage of the spectrum of flavors and colors found in the bounty of the season for dishes that will impress, satisfy, and be celebratory.

Hearty Garlic Greens

Any combination of hearty autumn greens will work well in this recipe; try Swiss chard, Tuscan kale, and mustard greens.

Pomegranate Roasted Chicken

Creamy White Bean and Vegetable Mash

Salad with Cranberries and Almonds

Sauteed Broccoli With Lemon

Beet, Fennel, and Carrot Salad

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

All Healthy Christmas Recipes

Green Bean Salad with Almonds

This simple yet flavorful side is sure to be the highlight of any meal. But be warned: The tamari almonds are so delicious you may need to make extra for snacking.

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.

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.

Crispy Green Beans

Pitas can be more than just pockets! Use the flatbread to create seasoned breadcrumbs for this easy vegetable side.

Glazed Carrots for Roast Turkey Dinner

Glazing carrots with orange juice enhances their natural sweetness.

Marinated Green Bean and Butter Bean Salad

This Southern side dish may be served with our Baked Country Ham.

Fennel-and-Endive Salad with Pomegranate Seeds and Walnuts

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

Sweet Potatoes with Coconut, Pomegranate, and Lime

This dish adds tropical flavor to a nutrient-rich sweet potato by topping it with cilantro, coconut flakes, and pomegranate seeds.

Fennel and Green Beans with Orange and Almonds

Fennel becomes sweet and caramelized in this simple holiday side dish.

Mustard-Glazed Shallots and Carrots

The mustard-brown sugar glaze gives these roasted vegetables a flavorful lift.

Brussels Sprouts with Parsnips

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

Cornish Hens with Pomegranate-Molasses Glaze

These tender, tasty little birds are marinated in pomegranate molasses. Serve them with wild-rice salad.

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.

Roasted Artichoke Hearts and Squash with Thyme

If possible, try to buy frozen artichoke hearts. They'll taste fresher and won't have any added salt.

Roasted Paprika Almonds

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

Cranberry-Pear Sauce

Skip the canned variety and whip up this naturally delicious chunky cranberry sauce instead. Pears and dried cherries give it an extra touch of natural sweetness, allowing you to cut down on added sugar.

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.

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.

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.

Caramelized Apples with Fresh Rosemary

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

Rutabaga Gratin

Amy Pennington, creator of GoGo Green Garden, made-over her favorite Thanksgiving recipe with vegan ingredients. The nut cream makes the rutabagas velvety, yet still filling and lush.

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."

Braised Broccoli Rabe

Braising and putting enough garlic on broccoli rabe makes for a tasty side dish for Italian meals.

Broiled Lobster and Grapefruit Salad

No melted-butter baths here. Instead, succulent sweet lobster is tossed with Ruby Red grapefruit dressing, a pleasingly tart counterpoint with a hint of mint.

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