5 Healthy Christmas Recipes

Looking for Festive Healthy Recipes? I’ve got you!

The holiday season is upon us, and the joy of festive gatherings comes with it. Christmas is a time for togetherness, creating memories with loved ones, and indulging in our favorite treats. But what if this year, we could enjoy all the traditional flavors of Christmas without the guilt?

I am a 70-year-old grandma, and last year was the first time I tried a new challenge. I love nothing more than having my family around the table and I wanted to make our holiday feast as healthy and as delicious as possible. With three generations under the roof, it was no small task to please everyone.

I began experimenting in the kitchen, determined to find recipes that would become new family favorites. And to my delight, I discovered that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or festivity. In fact, my little challenge opened up a world of mouth-watering dishes that everyone loved.

My grandchildren couldn’t get enough of the Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos, a colorful and nutritious twist on a classic. My husband, who is really hard to please, was fascinated by the Flourless Chocolate Cake. Last but not least, the family adored the Greek Yogurt Cheesecake, a light and creamy dessert that didn’t leave us feeling overstuffed.

This year, I am excited to share everything I learned about these beloved recipes with you. Let’s make this holiday season the healthiest one yet, filled with meals that bring joy, health, and love to the table.

Appetizers

1. Spinach and Feta stuffed mushrooms

Start your holiday meal with these delicious and healthy spinach and feta-stuffed mushrooms. It’s easier than you can imagine to prepare them!

Here are all the ingredients you need: 

• 24 large button mushrooms
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• 1/2 feta cheese
• 1/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and wait until it becomes fragrant.
3. Add spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted. Remove from heat.
4. In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach, feta cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper.
5. Spoon the mixture into the mushroom caps.
6. Place the stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender.
7. Serve warm and enjoy!

2. Reindeer veggie platter

This fun and creative recipe will bring a smile to everyone’s face, especially the kids. It’s a playful way to get your little ones excited about eating their veggies during the festive season.

This is what you need: 

• 1 large red bell pepper
• 1 cucumber
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 large carrot
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 small head of broccoli
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 1 cup hummus (or your favorite dip)
• 2 black olives
• Pretzel sticks

Instructions: 

1. Create the Reindeer Face: slice the red bell pepper in half, remove the seeds, and cut one half into a large triangle for the reindeer’s nose. Place it at the bottom center of a large platter.
2. Assemble the eyes: slice the cucumber into rounds. Place two cucumber slices above the red bell pepper triangle for the eyes. Top each cucumber slice with a cherry tomato and a black olive slice for the pupils.
3. Add the antlers: cut the yellow and green bell peppers into strips. Arrange them on the top of the platter, fanning out to resemble antlers.
4. From the face: cut the large carrot into thin rounds and place them around the eyes and nose to form the shape of the reindeer’s face.
5. Fill in the face: fill the center of the face with baby carrots
6. Create the fur: arrange broccoli florets around the edges of the face to form the reindeer’s fur.
7. Add the ears: use two large pieces of red bell pepper to form the reindeer’s ear on either side of the face.

Main Courses

1. Herb-roasted turkey breast

This herb-roasted turkey breast is healthier than the traditional one. It’s lean, flavorful, and perfect for a festive holiday meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 turkey breast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage
• 4 cloves garlic
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven.
2. In a small bowl, mix police oil, rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey breast.
4. Place the turkey breast on a roasting pan and roast for about 1.5 to 2 hours.
5. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
6. Serve and enjoy!

2. Christmas glazed salmon with pomegranate and rosemary

This is a festive and special dish that combines the rich, buttery taste of salmon with a sweet and tangy holiday glaze. The addition of pomegranate seeds and fresh rosemary makes it a visually stunning centerpiece for your holiday table. All your guests are going to love it! Trust me!

These are the ingredients you need: 

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 pomegranate seeds
• fresh rosemary springs for garnish
• lemon wedges for serving

Instructions: 

1. Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the pomegranate juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and chopped rosemary. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the glaze has thickened and reduced by half. Remove the heat and let it cool slightly.
2. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
3. Season the salmon: place the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon and season with salt and pepper.
4. Glaze the salmon: brush the pomegranate glaze generously over each salmon fillet, ensuring they are well coated.
5. Bake the salmon: bake the salmon in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. If you prefer a more caramelized finish, you can broil the salon for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time.
6. Garnish and serve: once the salmon is done, remove it from the oven and transfer it to a serving platter. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds over the top for a burst of color and flavor. Garnish with fresh rosemary springs and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Dessert

1. Snowy coconut bliss balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions: 

1. Mix the ingredients: in a large bowl, combine the salmon flour, shredded coconut, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Mix until well combined.
2. Form the balls: using your hands, roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter
3. Coat with coconut: roll each ball in the extra shredded coconut to coat thoroughly.
4. Chill and serve place the coconut balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up. Serve chill and enjoy the snowy, festive treat.

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Are you interested in reading more Christmas-related content? Check THIS out and get some inspiration for this year’s gifts!