Looking for some nourishing holiday recipes to include on your menu this year?
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite options that are made from nutrient-dense whole foods. All of our recipes are also free of dairy and gluten for those with sensitivities who need variations of some traditional recipes!
It’s great to enjoy the original versions of these recipes — no matter what the ingredients are. But sometimes, you need a nourishing option for one reason or another. It’s about being intentional and having a balanced mindset!
Find that area right in the middle — where you’re nourishing yourself and also having space to experience joy around your food experience.
Here you’ll find a few holiday recipes that are great nourishing choices. These are all easy to make and store well for leftovers!
How to Make Balanced Meals Throughout the Holidays
One way to bring more balance to the holidays is to build a balanced plate at each meal.
The way we do that here at Nutrition Stripped is using our Foundational Five system. This
The Foundational Five are the five elements of a balanced meal: non-starchy carbohydrates, starchy carbohydrates, healthy fat, protein, and what we call the flavor factor.
By making a Foundational Five Nourish Meal, which aims to include all five of these on your plate, helps to support your digestion, stabilize your blood sugar, and provide you with the steady energy you need to feel your best.
Our Foundational Five Nourish Meals can be found as smoothies, yogurts, oatmeal bowls or breakfast bowls, nourish bowls, salads, soups, stews, and many more. Not every meal needs to be a Foundational Five, but if you are mindful to get most of these five elements on your plate at most meals, you’ll feel the difference.
If you need more support with creating balanced meals, sign up for the Healthy Eating Made Easy with The Foundational Five course.
Brunch
The holidays are often a time to slow down and often when we have more days off and slow mornings. Starting the morning off with a nourishing holiday recipe that you can look forward to either sharing with your loved ones or simply appreciating the slowness and peacefulness of a morning where you don’t have much on your to-do list is one of those little daily moments that we often overlook or take for granted.
Baked Raspberry Porridge
This Baked Raspberry Porridge has just the right balance of sweet and savory! An added bonus of this recipe is it uses pantry-friendly foods and frozen fruit, making it affordable and easy to make. You can also store the leftovers in the fridge and reheat them all week!
Caramelized Onion and Pear Frittata
Frittatas, in general, are one of the easiest nourishing holiday recipes you can make with incredible amounts of flexibility. This Caramelized Onion and Pear Frittata combines the sweet and savory flavors of sweet caramelized onion, pear, and protein-rich eggs. It makes for a great breakfast, quick lunch or dinner reheated, and even a meal on the go!
Cinnamon Sweet Potato Smoothie
If there’s one thing we know about the Nutrition Stripped community, it’s that you all love smoothies — year-round! This smoothie tastes like fall in a glass!
Smoothies may not be the first thing you think of when you think of fall and winter recipes, but they’re so convenient and you can make use of seasonal flavors to change it up from what you were drinking all summer.
Main Course
During the holidays, the main course tends to feature an animal protein like turkey or ham. But if you either don’t enjoy those types of protein, or you’re eating more plant-based, these protein-packed plant-based holiday recipes will be a great addition to the menu. These recipes make a smaller portion, so they’d be easier to manage for 1-4 people if you’re having an intimate celebration this year.
Vegetarian Nut Loaf
One of the common questions, we get around this time of year is how to make a substantial, hearty, delicious, and non-laborious vegetarian entree for the holiday. I listened, and we served it up today.
Holiday Black Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash Bowls
This healthy entree for two makes it simple to celebrate several seasonal flavors with a satisfying blend of wild rice and nuts, along with a medley of warming herbs. Not to mention, the delivery of this recipe is basically chef-worthy status.
White Bean Soup With The Best Broth Ever
This easy recipe puts beans at the front and center for plenty of plant-based protein and energizing carbohydrates. It quickly became a favorite of the Nutrition Stripped community and it’s one of those recipes that anyone would love, especially since it takes minimal effort! Serve this alongside greens and you’re good to go!
Side Dishes
Sides are one of the most fun parts of the holidays! You can load up your plate with one or more of these sides that incorporate super nourishing and filling ingredients into these traditional recipes.
Plant-Based Green Bean Casserole
No matter what time of year, this healthy and easy-to-make Plant-Based Green Bean Casserole is sure to please any crowd.
Fresh green beans and herbs, and creamy plant-based mushroom soup come together to create the perfect side dish. Pureeing steamed cauliflower creates a creamy and rich texture without the need for dairy.
Mashed Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These Mashed Roasted Sweet Potatoes are the perfect nourishing holiday recipe that is packed with nutrients and easy to make!
By roasting the sweet potatoes in the oven, you get smooth and tender potatoes and a caramelized flavor profile you can’t get from boiling. Adding fresh thyme to this dish gives a savory festive fresh taste. Using gluten-free miso adds a rich earthy flavor pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the potatoes.
Gluten-Free Jalapeno Corn Bread
Cornbread is one of those comfort foods you can eat all year long to feel nostalgic. It’s warm and delicious and if you have an oven and a skillet it really couldn’t be easier to make. If jalapeño peppers are too spicy for your taste, try something else like bell peppers or sundried tomatoes.
Dessert
There are so many dessert options available, and you may already have a favorite in mind. If you’re up for trying a few new recipes, you can’t go wrong with one (or more) of these!
Stewed Apples
A warm fruit dessert brings those cozy vibes to any celebration! You can serve these stewed apples alone or with a scoop of your favorite ice cream! Top with pecans for a little extra crunch and healthy fat too!
Homemade Raw Chocolate, Multiple Ways
Adding things like strawberry puree, a shot of espresso, key lime juice, cocoa powder, and vanilla to the base recipe will make a variety of raw chocolates within minutes that are all completely indulgent and delicious. You can also experiment with fillings like nut butter or fruit preserves. All in all, you can have multiple different assorted raw chocolates to find your favorite!
Cashew Butter and Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
These cashew butter cookies are so easy to make, requiring just a few ingredients that you likely have in your pantry and fridge already! The fun thing about this cookie recipe is you can easily swap out the cashew butter and raspberry jam for your preferred nut butter and jam flavor, making it your own!
More Holiday Favorite Recipes!
16 Baking Blogs to Follow for Delicious Dessert Ideas
20 Recipe Blogs to Bookmark for Nourishing Meal Ideas
12 Food Blogs to Find Traditional and Modern Jewish Recipes
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