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31 Seasonal Recipes to Make This December

Created On: December 1, 2021 | Updated: December 28, 2021 | Leave a comment

31 of the best healthy seasonal recipes to cook this December. You will find hearty soups and stews, nourishing dinners, easy-to-prepare healthy lunches, festive breakfasts, and yummy desserts filled with seasonal warming spices.

We are winding down from another long year full of twists and turns. Just when we are starting to feel back to some kind of “normal” I turn the news on and want to go hide in a cave. So the theme for this December is comfort food with a side of celebration and tradition. I have so much to be grateful for this year including the big one, a new house!

This is the month for lots of baking, I have my annual cookie baking marathon scheduled with my mom and sisters, and this year I am definitely going to sneak in one of my healthy holiday cookie recipes. Maybe this month you will try your hand at a new baked good, an iced cranberry muffin, or a dark chocolate truffle.

I've got your back with 31 of my all-time favorite recipes to make in the month of December featuring seasonal produce (seasonal to the Northeast of the USA), and traditionally popular spices and dishes for the holiday season.

WHAT'S IN SEASON IN DECEMBER?

My farmers market is still showing off all of the gorgeous winter squash varieties and the heartier winter greens and winter root varieties are dominating. Fill your market bags with these other seasonal goodies:

Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Hearty Greens like arugula, kale, and Collard Greens
Pomegranate
Potatoes
Cranberries
Pears
Citrus fruits are starting to show up but they are not local to my region.

You are going to LOVE these festive breakfast recipes and easy healthy meal prep recipes to get you through holiday week, nourishing dinners, and to-die-for holiday spiced snacks and desserts!

If you make one of these recipes leave a review below and let me know how you liked it or share a photo on Instagram with the tag #AbrasKitchen so I can share your masterpiece!

Let's Get Cooking!

SEASONAL FOCUSED NOURISHING MEALS FOR BUSY DAYS

Bring on all the seasonal produce and add it to quick and healthy meals that you can prep on the weekend and enjoy all week long. Busy December days have never felt so easy and nourishing!

Homemade Nourishing Chicken Soup

This outrageously delicious Homemade Nourishing Chicken Soup has it all: a rich soul-satisfying broth, fall off the bone chicken, and delicate noodles. Find out why this recipe has a slew of fans and die-hard devotees— instant pot, pressure cooker and stove top instructions included!

Check out this recipe

bowl of chicken noodle soup on a white plate

Detoxifying Veggie Bone Broth Bowls

Detoxifying broth bowls with parsnip and carrot noodles is a paleo and gluten-free meal that is chocked full of anti-inflammatory, nutrient dense veggies. Healthy, quick, and super yummy!

Check out this recipe

Detoxifying broth bowls with parsnip and carrot noodles is a paleo and gluten free meal that is chocked full of anti-inflammatory, nutrient dense veggies. Healthy, quick, and super yummy! abraskitchen.com

Nourishing Ayurvedic Kitchari Recipe

Kitchari, a traditional ayurvedic recipe, is a nourishing porridge made from mung beans, rice, vegetables, and healing spices. This gut-supportive kitchari recipe is loaded with flavor, a great source of fiber, and one of my all-time favorite savory breakfast recipes.

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Ayurvedic Kitchari in bowl with spoon

Red Cabbage Vegetable Quinoa Stew

A hearty delicious bowl of goodness. This red cabbage vegetable quinoa stew is sure to be a new family favorite!

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This hearty vegetarian red cabbage quinoa stew is loaded with good for you vegetables that are sauteed with a hefty dose of anti-inflammatory turmeric and then finished with fresh lemon juice. It's zesty, warm, comforting, and delicious!

Kale and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potato

Kale and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potato, nourishing, healthy, quick and easy.

Check out this recipe

Kale and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potato, nourishing, healthy, quick and easy.

Instant Pot Korean Beef

The BEST Korean beef, tender, full of flavor, and super easy made in a pressure cooker. The perfect make-ahead meal for a busy week, great in grain bowls, sandwiches, or salads!

Check out this recipe

Instant Pot Korean Beef

Thai Carrot Soup

Creamy Thai Carrot Ginger Soup, a healthy nourishing soup recipe that comes together in 30 minutes flat! This carrot soup is vegan, paleo, savory, and slightly spicy.

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Creamy Vegan Thai Carrot Soup

Hearty and Healthy Vegetable Stew

This one-pot vegetable stew is hearty, delicious, and soul-satisfying. Perfect for a chilly evening in. A healthy vegetarian meal that the whole family will love.

Check out this recipe

large white pot of Hearty Healthy Vegetable Stew

Healthy Grass Fed Beef and Kale Chili

30 minute quick and healthy kale and grass-fed beef chili, loaded with good for you veggies and the perfect amount of spices. Perfect for a healthy quick weeknight meal or a long lazy Sunday afternoon. Chili, but healthier.

Check out this recipe

30 minute quick and healthy kale and grass-fed beef chili, loaded with good for you veggies and the perfect amount of spices. Perfect for a healthy quick weeknight meal or a long lazy Sunday afternoon. Chili, but healthier.

FESTIVE DISHES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

We celebrate BIG in my family and food is the main event. Try these festive holiday dishes!

Christmas Fruit Salad with Eggnog Sauce

This Christmas Fruit Salad is a festive holiday side dish or light dessert. Fresh and healthy fruit topped with a dairy-free eggnog sauce. Perfect for a holiday party, an intimate dinner party, or any holiday family gathering.

Check out this recipe

Christmas Fruit Salad with Egg Nog Sauce

Halibut with Spiced Chickpeas and Carrots

A healthy creative and flavorful recipe for baked halibut. Halibut perfectly baked in one pan on a bed of harissa spiced chickpeas and carrots and topped with pickled onions and fresh herbs.

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baked halibut with chickpeas and carrots

Italian Olive Oil Shrimp Salad

A healthy and delicious shrimp salad featuring 4 simple ingredients. Perfect for an appetizer, or a light meal.

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Italian Olive Oil Shrimp Salad

Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan

These oven-roasted bacon parmesan brussels sprouts are smashed prior to roasting to optimize the crisp potential while maintaining a super tender creamy center. The perfect holiday Brussels sprout recipe that you will make over and over again!

Check out this recipe

large cast iron pan on white background with Oven Roasted Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan

Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with Feta, Buckwheat and Pomegranate Seeds

This festive (gluten-free) Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with warm Buckwheat, Five-Spice Roasted Acorn Squash, Feta Cheese, and Pomegranate Seeds is full of healthy seasonal ingredients and a sweet tangy maple dijon dressing. |Abraskitchen.com

Check out this recipe

This festive (gluten free) Roasted Acorn Squash Salad with warm Buckwheat, Five-Spice Acorn Squash, Feta Cheese, and Pomegranate Seeds is full of healthy seasonal ingredients and a sweet and tangy maple dijon dressing. |Abraskitchen.com

Creamy Potato Soup with Bacon

Hearty creamy potato soup with bacon and green chilis. The perfect bowl of soup to serve for a holiday open house. Comforting, and supremely delicious with a hint of earthy spice from the green chilis. This potato soup will quickly become a family favorite for holidays, parties, and just cozy Friday nights next to a fire.

Check out this recipe

Hearty creamy potato soup with bacon and green chilis. The perfect bowl of soup to serve for a holiday open house. Comforting, and supremely delicious with a hint of earthy spice from the green chilis. This potato soup will quickly become a family favorite for holidays, parties, and just cozy Friday nights next to a fire.

Feta Cheese and Olive Pull Apart Bread

Feta Cheese and Olive Pull Apart bread, ooey gooey cheesy bread with briny salty olives, fresh herbs, and garlic, and it is in all ways amazing! The perfect appetizer to serve to a large crowd.

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Escarole Citrus Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

This winter escarole citrus salad is officially the star salad of the season! Featuring a variety of bright citrus like grapefruit, tangerine, and blood orange, fennel, radish, and creamy avocado. Lightly dressed with a robust and rich extra virgin olive oil Meyer lemon vinaigrette.

Check out this recipe

This winter escarole citrus salad is officially the star salad of the season! Featuring a variety of bright citrus like grapefruit, tangerine, and blood orange, fennel, radish, and creamy avocado. Lightly dressed with a robust and rich extra virgin olive oil Meyer lemon vinaigrette.

Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Parsley Pasta

Ready in 20 minutes! Tender seared scallops tossed with herby spaghetti and finished with lemon zest. Perfect for your holiday table or a busy weeknight meal.

Check out this recipe

Pan Seared Scallops with Parsley Shallot Pasta

Lentil Leek Shepard's Pie with Rosemary Cauliflower Mash

Next level comfort food, slowly simmered lentils and leeks topped with fragrant rosemary mashed cauliflower. Vegan, gluten-free, and totally delicious!

Check out this recipe

Vegan lentil shephards pie with mashed cauliflower. Next level comfort food, slowly simmered lentils and leeks topped with fragrant rosemary mashed cauliflower. Vegan, gluten-free, and totally delicious |abraskitchen.com

Wild Salmon Chowder

A rich and creamy wild salmon chowder with fresh dill. Tender flakes of salmon swimming in a creamy rich broth, with potatoes, lots of fresh dill, and savory veggies. This hearty, healthy, and superbly delicious chowder is the ultimate comfort food.

Check out this recipe

Wild Salmon Chowder

One Pan Thyme Garlic Roasted Chicken and Cauliflower

One pan easy garlic thyme roast chicken with cauliflower is the one recipe you need and the only recipe you will ever use for whole roasted chicken. Perfect every time, crispy skin, juicy and flavorful. A complete meal made in a cast iron skillet.

Check out this recipe

One pan easy garlic thyme roast chicken with cauliflower is the only recipe you will ever need for whole roasted chicken.Cast Iron Skillet, Paleo, Gluten Free |abraskitchen.com

HEALTHY HOLIDAY TREATS

Christmas cookies, warm mugs of hot cocoa, a twist on traditional egg nog, and my favorite holiday truffles, You can't go wrong with any of these healthy holiday treats!

Earl Grey Adaptogen Hot Chocolate

A rich and creamy homemade vegan hot chocolate recipe. Dark chocolate paired with citrus notes of earl grey tea and a sprinkle of an herbal adaptogen powder for that extra ooey-gooey feeling. You HAVE to try this recipe!

Check out this recipe

Earl Grey Adaptogen Hot Chocolate

Healthy Cranberry Gingerbread Muffins

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these healthy cranberry gingerbread muffins! A moist delicious muffin loaded with fresh cranberries and crystallized ginger. No added oil or refined sugar. Just simple wholesome ingredients like oat flour, molasses, butternut squash, and maple syrup. Your friends and family will LOVE this recipe!

Check out this recipe

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these healthy cranberry gingerbread muffins! A moist delicious muffin loaded with fresh cranberries and crystallized ginger. No added oil or refined sugar. Just simple wholesome ingredients like oat flour, molasses, butternut squash, and maple syrup. Your friends and family will LOVE this recipe!

The BEST almond flour sugar cookies

The BEST almond flour sugar cookies, soft and chewy inside, crispy on the outside. These are cut-out cookies that will hold any shape! Gluten Free, Grain Free, Healthy Holiday Cookies!

Check out this recipe

holiday sugar cookies made with almond flour on a cooling rack, iced with natural frosting

Gingerbread Truffles

Nothing says holiday like gingerbread spiced truffles! These are easy to make and ideal for gifting or sharing. Made with chocolate, cashews, dates, and spices.

Check out this recipe

bowl of gingerbread truffles

Vegan Turmeric Eggnog

This easy recipe for Vegan Turmeric Eggnog reinvents a holiday classic with functional healthy ingredients and a special anti-inflammatory spice twist.

Check out this recipe

This easy recipe for Vegan Turmeric Eggnog reinvents a holiday classic using functional healthy ingredients, and a special anti-inflammatory ingredient, turmeric.| abraskitchen.com

Earl Grey Roasted Pears with Warm Chocolate Sauce

Earl Grey Roasted Pears with Warm Chocolate Sauce and a coconut cream drizzle is an insanely delicious, quick and easy, healthy dessert. Perfect for the holidays. Paleo, gluten-free, and vegan.

Check out this recipe

Earl Grey Roasted Pears with Warm Chocolate Sauce and a coconut cream drizzle is an insanely delicious, quick and easy, healthy dessert. Perfect for the holidays. Paleo, gluten-free, and vegan.

Salted Chocolate Tahini Date Truffles

Salted chocolate tahini date truffles are little bites of chocolatey heaven. Only five simple wholesome ingredients!

Check out this recipe

Salted Date Tahini Truffles

Ginger Orange Molasses Cookies

Soft and chewy ginger orange molasses cookies. These festive holiday cookies have the perfect bite of ginger with bright sweet orange. They are grain and gluten-free and made with simple wholesome ingredients.

Check out this recipe

Grain Free Orange Ginger Molasses Cookie

Warm Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider

Curl up with a warm mug of this perfectly sweet and spicy mulled cranberry apple cider. One sip and you will see why this should be the official beverage of the season.

Check out this recipe

Curl up with a warm mug of this perfectly sweet and spicy mulled cranberry apple cider. One sip and you will see why this should be the official beverage of the season.

Earl Grey Truffles

Homemade Dairy-Free Earl Grey Truffles

Check out this recipe

Homemade Dairy Free Earl Grey Truffles

Created by Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN

Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN holds a master's degree in functional medicine and clinical nutrition from the University of Western States. Abra practices functional nutrition in New York City with a clinical focus on eating disorders, digestive imbalances and women’s health. Abra is the publisher of the popular food blog, Abra’s Kitchen, a celebration of wholesome food, and has appeared in dozens of publications as a recipe developer, and wellness authority. Abra speaks and teaches on the topics of functional nutrition and mindful eating throughout the country.

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