I love winter comfort food, sweet treats and fun sugar-laden holiday recipes as much as the next person (let’s be real — my peppermint icebox cake and hot cocoa chex mix make an appearance in our house every December), however something about the start of a near year has me craving a break from quite so many sweet treats and decadent dinners. It’s fun (and delicious!) to indulge during the holiday season, but I’m ready for more vegetables, greens and good-for-me meals now that January is in full swing.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never let go of sweet treats and my favorite foods even if they aren’t as nutrient dense, but I do try my best to fuel myself and my family with nutritious meals most of the time. That doesn’t mean our meals are bland or boring, though! Even during the winter months I try to utilize in-season produce, warm spices, and bright herbs to give our meals lots of flavor.
For today’s blog post, I’m sharing a handful of our favorite winter meals. They’re easy to prepare and many are meal prep friendly as well. I hope some of our family’s favorite healthy winter meals jump out at you below and make it onto your dinner table and possibly even become a wintertime staple in your household, too!
10+ Healthy Winter Meals
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew
A lightened-up stew, this Instant Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew recipe is warm and comforting, making it perfect for chilly days. Made with fall-apart tender beef and veggies, every bite is hearty and packed with nutrients. And the use of butternut squash truly sets the dish apart, melting into the broth to create a thick velvety texture you’ll adore. From start to finish, the entire dish is ready to eat in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights!
Vegetarian Chickpea Curry
This easy Vegetarian Chickpea Curry is made with lots of vibrant and nutritious vegetables and is a nourishing meal that tastes fantastic on its own or served on top of warm, fluffy rice! It’s super versatile, meaning you can use any veggies you have on hand, and is packed with plant-based protein, nutrients, and fiber to keep you full. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s a quick meal that can double as meal prep for the week.
Salmon Bites
Dinner doesn’t get any easier than salmon bites! If you’ve never made them before, check out this easy tutorial: How to Make Salmon Bites. Salmon bites are simply cubes of raw salmon tossed in a sauce or marinade and cooked in the air fryer but they are wonderful in their simplicity. You guys know by now that if a recipe isn’t easy, I’m not going to make it so rest assured, these salmon bites are E-A-S-Y and taste fantastic top of rice, with greens or even poke-bowl style with a drizzle of spicy mayo (my favorite). And if you have some salmon leftover, check out this blog post for more ideas on how you can incorporate leftover salmon into your weekday meals: What to do with leftover salmon.
Hearty Vegetable Bolognese
I call this Hearty Vegetable Bolognese one of the best “sleeper recipes” on my blog because it’s SO GOOD but somehow slipped under the radar when I first shared it. It’s the ultimate vegetarian comfort dish, packed with fresh veggies and healthy fats. It’s also incredibly satisfying and tastes wonderful over your favorite pasta, zucchini noodles or even spaghetti squash.
Southwest Shrimp Soup
This Southwest Shrimp Soup is a warm and comforting soup to whip up on a cold winter night when you’re looking for something deliciously flavorful that’s also packed with vegetables and nutrients. This soup combines tender, juicy shrimp with a medley of classic southwest ingredients including black beans, corn, and tomatoes. The comforting blend of spices (cumin, garlic salt and chili powder) will have your mouth watering as this one simmers on the stove!
Arugula and Beet Salad
This Arugula and Beet Salad was, without a doubt, the salad recipe I made most last year. I absolutely fell in love with the flavors and textures in this recipe and loved it enough to make it to serve with our Thanksgiving meal this year! It perfectly pairs the earthy, subtle sweetness of beets with the peppery bite of arugula, creamy goat cheese and the crunch of walnuts and pumpkin seeds for a fresh, flavorful salad that does not require a lot of time in the kitchen to prepare. It’s a versatile, nutrient-dense salad that’s easy enough to whip up on a busy weeknight but elevated enough to serve at a dinner party.
Chicken Sausage Sweet Potato Bake
If “easy” and “nutritious” top your lists of musts when it comes to what recipes you’re willing to try in your house, I’ve got you covered with this Chicken Sausage Sweet Potato Bake. It comes together in one pan (hooray for less dishes to do after dinner!) is a deliciously sweet and savory combination of chicken sausage, sweet potatoes, tangy red onion and sweet sliced apples.
One Pot Chicken Cabbage Bowl with Sesame Ginger Broth
The warm broth in this One Pot Chicken Cabbage Bowl with Sesame Ginger Broth is guaranteed to take the edge off even on the coldest days! It’s full of savory, tangy, nutty flavors and nutritious and filling while remaining light and tasty. It’s one of my absolute favorite blog recipes and tastes delicious on its own or served on top of white or brown rice.
Turkey Vegetable Meatloaf
Hooray for kid approved food! Secretly packed with veggies, this Turkey Vegetable Meatloaf is grain-free and nutrient dense but tastes just like the classic, more-indulgent dish. It comes together in under an hour, and leftovers taste even better the next day so it’s a wonderful one to make on a Monday night and reheat for lunch or dinner later in the week, too!
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Chicken Curry
This Instant Pot Butternut Squash Chicken Curry is an aromatic, perfectly savory, fall-apart chicken curry recipe made with a base of light coconut milk and mashed butternut squash that gives it a velvety, creamy texture. Serve it with a side of warn naan bread and it’s heaven!
Easy Cheesy Crockpot Chicken Corn Chili
Is there anything better than a warm bowl of chili on a cold winter day? This Easy Cheesy Crockpot Chicken Corn Chili is the perfect hands-off recipe you can prep in the morning and come back to eat in the evening! Served warm with a variety of toppings, it’s a secretly nutritious healthy winter meal even picky eaters love. It’s also a meal I love to make for guests because it always gets rave reviews and also doesn’t take a ton of time to prepare in the kitchen, so I’m able to better enjoy our company, too!
Chopped Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
Though I typically gravitate toward warm, comfort food during the colder months, I’m not one to shy away from a winter salad. This Chopped Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette is a great one to have on hand because every bite packs so much flavor. This recipe has so many different textures and flavors that it’s sure to be a hit whether you decide to make it to have on hand for an easy lunch option or save it for a simple weeknight dinner.
Why Is It Important To Eat Healthy Meals In Winter
Eating nutrient-dense, healthy meals is important year-round, but I think we all could use an extra boost of foods that might help boost our immunity during the winter months when it feels like germs are all over the place and cold and flu season is in full swing. In our house, I feel like doing our best to consume high-quality protein (a current focus for me!) and nutrient-rich fruits and veggies in delicious winter recipes gives us a better chance at staying healthy this time of year.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Do you have any recipes you find yourself making on repeat during the winter months? Any must-make favorites to share?
