As the days are getting shorter, it’s time to rejuvenate yourself a little. That’s why we’ve put together recipes featuring nutrient-dense ingredients like kale, salmon, and yogurt that research shows can improve mood and reduce stress. These satisfying meals also include delicious winter ingredients like sweet potatoes, beets, cranberries, and winter squash for a seasonal meal. Recipes like Sheet Pan Salmon with Sweet Potatoes and Broccoli or Farro Risotto with Mushrooms and Vegetables are comforting ways to brighten up the short winter days.
Sheet Pan Salmon with Sweet Potato and Broccoli
Inspired by Mexican street corn, a vibrant combination of cheese, cilantro, chili, and lime makes this salmon sheet pan dinner packed with flavor.
Roasted sweet potato and beet sandwich
Photography: Rachel Malek, Food Stylist: Lauren McAnnelly, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
These hearty sandwiches are piled high with vegetables like earthy roasted beets, sweet potatoes, lemony arugula, and pickled onions for a satisfying dinner.
Farro mushroom and vegetable risotto
Guests strolling through Oak Hill Cafe in Greenville, South Carolina, know that chef David Porras has his own farm in his backyard. This dish is a delicious way to use up leafy vegetable stems, bolted herb flowers, and anything else from his bountiful bed.
spinach and artichoke dip soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This creamy soup perfectly captures the essence of spinach and artichoke dip. Adding a touch of lemon juice adds a refreshing taste. Wipe up every last bit with a generous slice of whole-wheat country bread, or serve the soup with crushed pita chips for extra crunch.
buffalo cauliflower grain bowl
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lindsay Lower
This Buffalo Cauliflower Grain Bowl is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional buffalo wings, packed with gut-healthy fiber and plant-based protein. A variety of fresh, colorful vegetables are topped with cooked brown rice, making it quick to prepare. You can also replace rice with another whole grain.
Rosemary roasted salmon with asparagus and potatoes
The Yukon Gold here is the best because it’s crunchy on the outside and perfectly creamy on the inside. A brush or two of balsamic glaze gives roasted salmon a rich color and sweet finish.
slow cooker kale and sausage stew
Turkey sausage gets a makeover in this rich stew with hearty winter vegetables like carrots, kale, and potatoes. Perfect for meal prep or family dinner, this stew is easy to make in the slow cooker.
Sheet Panch Chili Lime Salmon with Potato & Pepper
On busy weeknights, you’ll want something simple like this Salmon Sheet Pan Dinner. As the name suggests, you can cook with just one frying pan. The potatoes start first, followed by the peppers and finally the chilli coated salmon fillets. Easy to clean up and a complete meal!
Roasted chickpea and cauliflower pitas with sundried tomato sauce
Photographer: Robbie Lozano, Food Stylist: Nicole Hopper, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
These pitas are piled high with roasted vegetables for a satisfying vegetarian dinner. Bibb lettuce goes well with these pitas, but a few leaves of arugula would be equally delicious. You can use garam masala or shawarma spice blend in place of the spices if you have them.
Skillet salmon with orzo and green pea pesto
Photographer: Rachel Malek, Food Stylist: Holly Driesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
This fun one-pan dinner combines salmon fillets with fresh green pea pesto and orzo pasta. Green pea pesto is a unique twist on traditional pesto, bringing a touch of sweetness, richness, and a vibrant green color to your plate.
Sheet bread chicken thighs with sweet potato and broccolini
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Chicken thighs and sweet potatoes get crispy in the oven, and broccolini can be roasted together in a foil bag to ensure even cooking and easy cleanup. Pro tip: Place the chicken thighs in the corners of the baking sheet to allow for better air circulation and crispy skin.
lemon garlic vegetable soup
jacob fox
This light and lovely soup is loaded with fresh vegetables, herbs, and lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Serve with lots of homemade pesto.
Roasted salmon with spicy cranberry relish
This ruby red cranberry relish recipe features a refreshing crunch from apples and celery. It’s also delicious with roast chicken or pork loin.
Chickpea pasta with mushrooms and kale
Adding plenty of vegetables like kale and mushrooms to your pasta will make it not only delicious but also satisfying.
Creamy spinach and artichoke salmon
For this quick and easy dinner for four, the vegetables and sauce come together in one skillet in minutes while the salmon bakes. Plus, salmon is swimming in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and is packed with vitamins and nutrients like B vitamins and potassium.
baharat spiced eggplant
Baharat means “spice” in Arabic, and this Middle Eastern condiment is loaded with spice. Although the specific ingredients vary from region to region and even from household to household, the warm, aromatic blend always begins with plenty of finely ground black pepper, followed by paprika, cumin, coriander, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and often cardamom. Included. You can make your own Baharat spice blend or purchase it ready-made. Here, yogurt and cherry tomatoes cool down the heat from the Baharat and Serrano peppers.
Kale, wild rice, chicken stew
Chicken thighs will become perfectly tender in just a few hours in the slow cooker. Plus, cooking everything low and slow infuses all the flavors together, creating complexity in every bite.
Red lentil fritters with ginger yogurt sauce
Here the lentils are soaked rather than fully cooked, adding just enough moisture to mix into the fritters without making them too wet. Serve curry-flavored fritters on top of a green salad or between pita breads.
Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Coriander Dressing
This healthy vegetarian salad recipe includes chickpeas and quinoa for a protein boost. Blending cilantro to create a creamy dressing adds color and flavor. Enjoy this cold salad for lunch or dinner.
Slow Cooker Citrus Salmon with Melted Green Onions
We found this moist, lemony, slow-cooked salmon to be the perfect combination with slightly crunchy scallions. Just like other green onions, slowly roasting green onions over time increases their sweetness and richness. When cooked in the slow cooker, it “melts” and becomes jam-like, but retains a pleasant crunch. Garnish with fresh sage leaves or thyme sprigs, if desired.
Charro beans, chorizo and kale slaw
The name of this dish comes from Mexican cowboys (charros) who cooked soup-like beans over campfires while traveling through the fields. Kale slaw is a vibrant addition to this rustic dish. Enjoy as is or scooped into warm tortillas. Look for Mexican chorizo near other sausages in fully stocked supermarkets and Latin American markets.
Lemongrass and coconut poached salmon
Photographer: Rachel Malek, Prop Stylist: Holly Driesman, Food Stylist: Gabriel Greco
This poached salmon dish includes three inflammation-fighting ingredients: turmeric, ginger, and salmon. For a more filling meal, eat it with whole grains like brown rice or on top of rice noodles.
Baked sweet potato with cranberries and turkey
Give your leftover turkey new life with this delicious potato stuffing. Homemade honey mustard dressing soaks into the piping hot potatoes and adds flavor.
Salmon teriyaki with green beans
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Think of this sheet pan teriyaki salmon as sautéing, not stirring. Instead, rice and vegetables are grilled on a hot sheet pan, along with green beans and salmon coated in a sweet teriyaki glaze.
