101 Healthy Holiday Recipes
Main Image

Thanksgiving is upon us, which means it’s time to start planning the menu for your next holiday gathering! Instead of overwhelming your body with high-calorie, unhealthy foods this year, why not try some healthy versions of all your holiday recipe favorites? We’ve put together this list of 101 of our favorite healthy holiday recipes, many of them straight from the kitchens of our students and graduates – thank you for your recommendations and suggestions! You, your family, and your friends are sure to love these delicious concoctions.
Breakfast
A healthy breakfast is a great way to start your day, especially during the busy holidays! These recipes will give you the energy your body needs to start the day but still leave room for plenty of turkey later.
1. Apple Cinnamon Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal
3. Cinnamon Raisin Pull Apart Bread (V)
4. Pecan Pie Muffins (V)
5. Cinnamon Raisin “Toast” (R)(V)
7. Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (DF)
10. Buckwheat Crispies (R)
Appetizers
Every great holiday party has at least a few finger foods to munch on before dinner. Your guests will love these healthy holiday appetizers!
11. Pumpkin Butter (V)
13. Stuffed Mushrooms (V)
14. Middle Eastern Stuffed Peppers
15. Kale Chips
16. Artichoke and Spinach Relish with Walnuts
17. Slow Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
18. Grilled Endive with Sage Vinaigrette
19. Homemade Ricotta and Besan Crackers
20. Pumpkin Socca
21. Lemony Artichoke Dip (V)
22. Jicama Sticks with Spicy Cinnamon Dressing (GF) (V)
Soups and Salads
These healthy soup and salad recipes are a great way to start your holiday meal. Some of them are even hearty enough to be a meal on their own when you need a night off from holiday dinner festivities!
23. Tortilla Soup
24. Harvest Chestnut Pumpkin Soup
25. Corn Chowder
26. Mushroom Soup
28. Almond Chicken Soup with Sweet Potatoes, Collards and Ginger
29. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
30. Delicata Squash and Corn Soup (V)
31. Italian White Bean and Spinach Soup
32. Roasted Root Vegetable Soup
33. Beet Salad with Peanuts and Coconut (R)(V)
35. Pomegranate and Persimmon Green Salad
36. Tricolor Salad with Creamy Raspberry Dressing
37. Warm Winter Vegetable Salad
38. Roasted Butternut Quinoa Bliss
39. Apple, Walnut and Endive Salad
40. Warm Thanksgiving Kale and Squash Salad
41. Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
42. Autumn Salad with Tiny Roasted Root Vegetables
43. Mesclun Salad with Plum and Pepitas
Sides
Side dishes play the important role of supporting actor to the main course when it comes to holiday meals. An excellent side dish can make a good meal great! These healthy sides are sure to be a hit on your Thanksgiving table.
46. Broccoli Latkes
49. Vibrant, Tasty Green Beans
50. Gluten Free Stuffing (GF)
51. Garlic Mashed Potatoes (V)
52. Apple Sage “Sausage” Chestnut Stuffing (V)
53. Allergy Free Sweet Noodle Kugel
56. Berry Jellio
57. Maple Glazed Roasted Acorn Squash
58. Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary and Olive Oil
59. Zesty Orange Quinoa Stuffing
60. Quinoa with Butternut Squash and Sauteed Kale
61. Cranberry Relish
62. Roasted Butternut Squash with Pepita Cilantro Pesto
Dinner – Carnivore
The main course is without a doubt the star of the show at holiday meals. We found some delicious and healthy main holiday dishes that any meat-eater will love!
64. Nettle Infused Braised Chicken (GF)
65. Balsamic Roasted Turkey with Apple Stuffing (GF)
66. Apple Rosemary Cornish Game Hens
67. Grass Fed Beef Stew with Winter Vegetables
69. Grass Fed Brisket Pot Roast
70. Quick and Healthy Turkey Chili
71. Roasted Chicken Thighs with Cauliflower
72. Curried Turkey Skillet with Pomegranate Seeds
73. Pork Chops with Apple Cider Sauce
74. Salmon with Mushrooms and Red Pepper Sauce (GF)
Dinner – Vegetarian
Let’s not forget our vegetarian friends! These healthy main dishes pack just as much flavor as their meaty counterparts, but are 100% vegetarian (and many of them are vegan, too!)
75. Homemade Tofu “Turkey” (V)
76. Kid’s Favorite Mac and Cheese
78. Comforting Chickpea Vegetable Sautee
79. Baked Sweet Potato Falafel
80. Pumpkin Alfredo (V)
81. Apple, Leek and Butternut Squash Gratin
83. Baked Polenta with Mushrooms and Gorgonzola
84. Vegetable Pot Pie (V)(GF)
85. Garden Vegetable Lasagna with Ricotta Nut Cheese and Marinated Tofu
Dessert
For the grand finale, serve your guest something healthy and light that won’t put them over the top after a delicious meal. These healthy holiday desserts are so good, you’ll want to make them all year round!
87. Pumpkin Peanut Butter Muffins
88. Baked Sufganiyot
89. Cranberry Mousse (R)(V)
90. Gingerbread House (GF)
91. Pumpkin Tarts (R)
92. Tofu Pumpkin Pie (V)
93. Spicy Pumpkin Pie (R)
94. Apple Crisp
97. Cranberry and Strawberry Cake (GF)(DF)
98. Apple Pie (R)
99. Thanksgiving “Ice Cream” (V)(R)(GF)(DF)
100. Healthy Pumpkin Spiced Cookies
101. Decadent Chocolate Pudding (GF)(DF)
(V) - Vegan (R) - Raw (GF) - Gluten Free (DF) - Dairy Free