Healthy Christmas Recipes

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

This gorgeous jewel-toned salad can star on the holiday table or at an elevated lunch. Sturdy shiitake and oyster mushrooms are seared in a dry pan for a less oily finish and more robust flavor. They're tossed with bitter chicories, quick-pickled shallots, toasted hazelnuts, pomegranate arils, and anchovy paste—and the mild sweetness of white balsamic vinegar ties everything together in the vinaigrette.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

This year, don't reach for powdered ginger. Fresh ginger gives this traditional dessert a more nutritious, flavorful update.

Sure, you've had oatmeal in a sweet, but these cookies also contain spelt flour, which has a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. A dark-chocolate coating and a sprinkling of flaky salt make the ideal finishing touches.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Pomegranate seeds and syrup are the backdrop for mildly sweet pears and vanilla.

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

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.

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