Updated on English Recipes

Festive Holiday Tips and Recipes

Holidays are a great time of the year for fun traditions and get-togethers with family and friends.

In this blog, we include tips to help you have a healthy, safe, and fun celebration. In doing so, we share some of our favorite recipes this season.

Include a Hearty Breakfast

Breakfast is an important meal of the day, even on holidays! These recipes are quick and healthy options that can keep the family satisfied until the main meal.

Sweet Potato Pancakes

heart shaped pancakes on a white plate with a heart shaped mug of coffee and a heart shaped red and white checked ornament

 

Oatmeal Raisin Muffins

oatmeal raisin muffins on a black platter

Healthy Snacks for In-Between

Sneak vegetables in with these easy dip recipes that the kids can help make!

Green and Beans Dip

warm southern bean spread served with flatbread

Creamy Vegetable Dip

late of carrots, celery, pita bread, radishes with a bowl of white dip

Redefine Your Entrée

If you are looking for an alternative to a holiday ham, consider serving a lean meat or fish.

Lemon Pepper Chicken

 

Easy Oven Packet Caribbean Tilapia

pan fried fish on a plate with potatoes and green vegetables

Add Colorful Sides to Your Table

We love to include a beautiful vegetable side dish worth savoring.

Spicy Okra

spicy okra and veggies in skillet

Sheet Pan Red Potatoes and Peppers

Sheet pan of red potatoes, green bell peppers, and onion slices covered in seasonings

Healthy Holiday Treats

Try one of these yummy dessert recipes if you’re looking to switch up your holiday sweets.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Couple sitting under a blanket both holding mugs of hot chocolate with candy canes

Apple Cinnamon Bars

Cinnamon apple cake pieces with apples and milk in the background

Don’t Forget to Hydrate!

Holidays are long and filled with family, fun and festivities. Sometimes it can be easy to forget to drink water, so here is a cozy recipe to keep you hydrated.

Tingly Herbal Tea

cup of orange herbal tea with a bunch of cinnamon and scoops of spices in the background

More Mealtime Tips

We hope these recipes can brighten your holidays or even help create new traditions. Below are some additional tips to keep in mind for your get-togethers:

  • Check out our blog on Advice for Holiday Cooks for helpful tips on how to safely prepare and store food during the holidays.
  • It can be hard to be a mindful eater during holiday get-togethers. Taking breaks between your first and second plates or avoiding multitasking while eating can help you enjoy the foods you love without overfilling.
  • Enjoy a walk with friends and family after dinner. Or check out this blog for additional winter activity ideas.
  • Too many leftovers? Have the kids decorate tote bags that can be used for packing up leftovers to send home with visitors. Also, visit this blog to learn how to Spice up your Leftovers.

We hope everyone at the get-together enjoys these mealtime tips and festive recipes. Above all, we wish you a fun celebration with family and friends. Happy holidays!

Written by Sydnee Berman, MS Candidate and Dietetic Intern | Edited by Leslie Davis, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES and the Nutrition Education Team

Posted: December 13, 2021

Source: USDA MyPlate