Our Favorite Nourishing Holiday Recipes

Seeking nourishing holiday recipes to add to your menu this year?

We’ve gathered some of our preferred options crafted from nutrient-rich whole foods. All our recipes are devoid of dairy and gluten to cater to those with sensitivities requiring variations of traditional recipes!

It’s wonderful to savor the original versions of these recipes, regardless of the ingredients. However, at times, opting for a nourishing alternative becomes necessary. It’s about purposefulness and fostering a balanced mindset!

Discover that sweet spot–where you nourish yourself while savoring the joy of your culinary experience.

Here are a few holiday recipes that serve as excellent nourishing choices. They are all straightforward to prepare and store well for future meals!

Tips for Crafting Well-Balanced Meals During the Holidays

One approach to introducing more equilibrium during the holidays involves assembling a well-rounded plate for each meal.

At Nutrition Stripped, we adhere to our Foundational Five system to achieve this.

The Fleshed-Out Five encompass the five components of a well-rounded meal: non-starchy carbohydrates, starchy carbohydrates, healthy fat, protein, and what we term the flavor factor.

Designing a Foundational Five Nourish Meal, which endeavors to incorporate all five elements on your plate, promotes digestive health, stabilizes blood sugar, and furnishes you with sustained energy for feeling your best.

Our Foundational Five Nourish Meals can manifest as smoothies, yogurts, oatmeal bowls or breakfast bowls, nourish bowls, salads, soups, stews, and more. Not all meals need to adhere to the Foundational Five, but if you strive to include most of these five elements on your plate for the majority of meals, you’ll notice the difference.

If you require further guidance in creating balanced meals, enroll in the Healthy Eating Made Easy with The Foundational Five course.

Brunch

The holiday season often brings about a chance to slow down, particularly with more leisurely mornings. Commencing your day with a nourishing holiday recipe that you can relish sharing with loved ones or simply savoring the tranquility of a morning unencumbered by a lengthy to-do list is one of those small daily moments we often overlook or take for granted.

Baked Raspberry Porridge

This Baked Raspberry Porridge strikes the perfect balance of sweet and savory! An additional benefit of this recipe lies in its use of pantry staples and frozen fruit, rendering it economical and effortless to prepare. Moreover, you can refrigerate any leftovers and reheat them throughout the week!

Caramelized Onion and Pear Frittata

Frittatas, in general, represent one of the simplest nourishing holiday recipes that offer remarkable versatility. This Caramelized Onion and Pear Frittata blends the sweet and savory notes of caramelized onion, pear, and protein-rich eggs. It constitutes an excellent breakfast, a swift reheated lunch or dinner, and even an on-the-go meal!

Cinnamon Sweet Potato Smoothie

If there’s one thing we understand about the Nutrition Stripped community, it’s your collective year-round fondness for smoothies! This smoothie encapsulates the essence of autumn in a glass!

Smoothies may not be the initial thought when considering fall and winter recipes, but they provide unmatched convenience and the opportunity to incorporate seasonal flavors for a change from the beverages enjoyed all summer.

Main Course

During the holidays, the primary offering typically revolves around an animal protein like turkey or ham. However, if you either have an aversion to such protein types or follow a primarily plant-based diet, these protein-packed plant-based holiday recipes will make a splendid addition to your menu. These recipes yield smaller portions, making them manageable for 1-4 individuals, ideal for an intimate celebration this year.

Vegetarian Nut Loaf 

A common inquiry we receive around this time of year revolves around crafting a substantial, hearty, delectable, and effortless vegetarian entrée for the holidays. We’ve heeded the call and delivered today.

Holiday Black Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash Bowls

This gratifying entrée designed for two simplifies the celebration of various seasonal flavors through a satisfying fusion of wild rice and nuts, coupled with an array of warming herbs. Moreover, this recipe’s presentation is akin to that of a chef’s masterpiece.

White Bean Soup With The Best Broth Ever

This uncomplicated recipe positions beans at the forefront, delivering ample plant-based protein and invigorating carbohydrates. It swiftly garnered favor within the Nutrition Stripped community and unquestionably constitutes a recipe appreciated by almost anyone, particularly due to the minimal effort required! Serve this alongside greens and you’re all set!

Side Dishes

Sides represent one of the most delightful facets of the holidays! You can grace your plate with one or more of these sides integrating incredibly nourishing and filling components into these traditional recipes.

Plant-Based Green Bean Casserole

Irrespective of the time of year, this nutritious and easily prepared Plant-Based Green Bean Casserole is certain to satisfy any gathering.

Combine fresh green beans and herbs with creamy plant-based mushroom soup to craft the perfect side dish. Utilizing pureed steamed cauliflower generates a creamy and lush texture without necessitating dairy.

Mashed Roasted Sweet Potatoes

These Mashed Roasted Sweet Potatoes represent the perfect nourishing holiday recipe, brimming with nutrients and straightforward to prepare!

Roasting the sweet potatoes in the oven yields smooth and tender potatoes with a caramelized flavor profile unattainable through boiling. The addition of fresh thyme infuses this dish with a savory festive undertone. Incorporating gluten-free miso introduces a rich earthy flavor that complements the potatoes’ sweetness.

Gluten-Free Jalapeno Corn Bread

Cornbread serves as one of those comfort foods you can relish throughout the year for a nostalgic touch. It exudes warmth and delectability, and crafting it with an oven and skillet renders the process incredibly effortless. If jalapeño peppers prove excessively spicy for your palate, consider an alternative such as bell peppers or sun-dried tomatoes.

Dessert

A plethora of dessert options abounds, and you might already have a favorite in mind. If you’re open to experimenting with fresh recipes, you can’t go wrong with one or more of these!

Stewed Apples

A warm fruit-based dessert brings a cozy ambience to any occasion! Serve these stewed apples solo or with a dollop of your preferred ice cream! Sprinkle pecans atop for a hint of crunch and healthy fats!

Homemade Raw Chocolate, Multiple Ways

Incorporating ingredients like strawberry puree, a shot of espresso, key lime juice, cocoa powder, and vanilla into the base recipe yields an array of raw chocolates within minutes that are equally indulgent and scrumptious. You may also experiment with fillings such as nut butter or fruit preserves. All things considered, you’ll have multiple assorted raw chocolates to identify your favorite!

Cashew Butter and Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies

These cashew butter cookies are remarkably simple to make, requiring only a handful of ingredients likely already stocked in your pantry and refrigerator! The delightful aspect of this cookie recipe lies in its adaptability; you can effortlessly swap out the cashew butter and raspberry jam for your preferred nut butter and jam flavor to fashion it according to your taste!

More Cherished Holiday Recipes!

16 Baking Blogs to Track for Delectable Dessert Concepts 

20 Recipe Blogs to Save for Wholesome Meal Inspirations

12 Culinary Blogs for Discovering Traditional and Contemporary Jewish Recipes

Desiring Greater Equilibrium in Your Dietary Choices?