Get Cozy with These Healthy Winter Recipes

Posted: January 13, 2022 4:03 pm

The cold weather can make you crave warm and comforting foods. Many of the comfort foods we’ve come to know and love are filled with calories, carbs, and rich sauces. However, there are some healthy ways to enjoy the comforting foods you love and satisfy your appetite this winter while maintaining your health.

Pressure Cooker Indian-Style Chicken and Vegetables

Skip the takeout and make this flavorful Indian-inspired meal in the pressure cooker for dinner tonight. You can add all the ingredients you need for your meal in the cooker for easy cleanup. Chicken and veggies like potatoes and bell peppers cooked in a sweet and savory gravy may motivate you to make homemade meals more often. You can also adjust the spice in this dish to your liking and serve the chicken and vegetables on a bed of basmati rice.

Pressure Cooker Curry Pumpkin Risotto

Try this meat-free dish the next time you’re in the mood for a dish that features the flavors of fall. The sweet taste of pumpkin pairs wonderfully with curry, and the risotto makes the dish hearty to keep you full for hours. Top this low-fat meal with fresh herbs to bring out all the warm, fall flavors.

Pepper Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

These stuffed tenderloins look like you’ve spent all day in the kitchen, so they’re great for serving if you want to impress family and friends and your next dinner party. The spicy pepper stuffing pairs great with the naturally sweet taste of the pork. You can complete the meal with mashed sweet potatoes or steamed vegetables for even more nutrition and flavor.

Orange Pomegranate Salmon

Salmon is rich in fatty acids and protein, which makes it perfect for a healthy winter comfort meal. Seasoning the fish with dill, as well as the juices from pomegranate and orange add unique flavor that make this dish one of a kind. You can make the salmon fillet visually appealing by adding pomegranate seeds and orange slices on top. This is a wonderful winter-time dish to serve at your next dinner party, and you can even include it in your holiday spread.

Mushroom Marsala with Barley

This dinner is ideal if you’ve got vegetarians in your family or if you want to participate in Meatless Mondays this winter. The dish is a combination of Marsala and mushrooms are used in place of chicken. This barley in this meal is a reliable source of fiber, but you can use rice to make this dish gluten-free.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

If you’ve got a taste for Indian food, try this satisfying butter chicken recipe. The slow cooker method helps you save time but doesn’t compromise the flavor of this popular Indian dinner. This dish has over 30 grams of protein and is low in sugar, which makes it diabetic-friendly. Serve the chicken on a bed of rice or with naan for a perfect wintertime dinner.

Slow-Cooked Ropa Vieja

If you’re looking for a filling beef stew with memorable flavors, this Puerto Rican-inspired dish is sure to hit the spot. Preparing the meal in the slow cooker helps you save time, and you can serve the tender beef, olives, onions, and peppers on a bed of rice for a low-fat meal that will make your family want to ask for seconds.

Blood Orange Avocado Salad

Looking for a light dinner that will still feel you up? If you’ve been trying to lower the calories in your meal this winter, try this blood orange avocado salad. The salad is colorful, high in fiber, and low in saturated fat. In addition to blood oranges and avocados, this tasty salad also contains chopped walnuts and pomegranate seeds for a satisfying crunch and a burst of sweetness.

Lemon Dijon Pork Sheet Pan Dinner

You can prepare your entrée and side dishes all at once by placing them on a sheet pan and putting all the ingredients in the oven. Pork cutlets seasoned with a lemon dijon sauce, along with carrots and Brussels sprouts, make a great low-carb dinner that is high in fiber and protein. This dinner also makes for easy clean-up, so it’s perfect on a busy winter day.

Pressure Cooker Beef Daube Provencal

This filling beef dish is easy to prepare and it’s a comforting meal you and your family can feel great about. This dish is low-calorie, high-protein, and includes carrots and fresh herbs in a delectable tomato gravy. The beef mixture serves as the perfect topping for pillowy mashed potatoes and your family is likely to request this dish again.

Pressure Cooker Beef Brisket in Beer

If you want brisket when it’s cold out, you likely don’t want to go outside to put the meat on the grill. Fortunately, you can put the brisket in the pressure cooker and prepare it with a beer broth that tenderizes the meat and adds lots of flavor. Add some caramelized onion to this high-protein dish, and serve with your favorite steamed veggies or mashed potatoes.

Pressure Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

If you’re craving chicken soup and Mexican food, you don’t have to choose between the two — just prepare this delicious chicken tortilla soup. You can prepare the soup in the slow cooker and simmer and chicken and veggies in a flavorful broth featuring a variety of Mexican spices. You can top the soup with tortilla crumbles, sour cream, salsa, and avocado for a satisfying cold-weather meal.

Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice

If you love Asian takeout, you can make a healthier version at home by using minced cauliflower as “rice.” This is a low-carb option that allows you to stick to your weight loss or health goals. Kimchi adds fiber and pronounced spice to the dish, and you can top the entree with a fried egg for more protein and an extra burst of flavor.

One Dish Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

You’ll only need one dish to make this easy and hearty winter dinner. Using turkey instead of ground beef or pork lowers the fat in this dish while providing a healthy serving of protein. This dish also has a sweet element with sweet potatoes, and you can add some kale to make sure you get some green veggies in your evening meal. Top each serving with sliced avocado and fresh herbs for a delicious finishing touch.

Spicy Chicken Pumpkin Pizza

Make pizza night even more exciting for your family by adding some pumpkin and chicken to your savory pie. This pizza is a nod to the flavors of winter and it’s a great way to get creative with leftover chicken. The tasty sauce, purple onions, and mozzarella bring the entire dish together and will have your loved ones looking forward to dinner.

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chocolate Mole Soup

This Mexican-inspired dish is savory, sweet, smoky, and slightly bitter. If you’re in the mood for soup on a cold winter day, this unique soup makes a hearty and healthy dinner. The soup calls for chocolate, so you’ll have an excuse to use decadent dark chocolate (and steal a few pieces for yourself). Top the soup with sour cream and avocado for a low-fat meal you can feel good about.

Curry Pomegranate Protein Bowl

This healthy and easy winter dish features exotic flavors that will make your taste buds sing. The sweet and tart taste of pomegranate and the smokiness of curry come together to great this guilt-free dinner. This entree also features butternut squash, which is a reliable source of vitamin A, and you can top it with pomegranate seeds for more texture and color.

Spiced Butternut Squash Chili

This vegetarian dish is a filling dinner that only takes minutes to make. The chili is high-protein and has a slightly sweet and smoky flavor that your family will love. You can top the chili with your favorite chili fixings like sour cream and chives for a complete one-pot meal.

Italian Hot Dish

If you and your family are fans of pasta, this hearty Italian-inspired recipe is a delicious dinner choice. This entree is made with pasta, mushrooms, and green peppers for a hearty dinner that will make you warm and cozy this winter. You can even use lean ground meat and whole-grain pasta for this recipe to lower the calories and increase protein and fiber.