16 Healthy Winter Recipes

Japanese udon noodles recipe with cilantro and scallions — The Spruce / Anastasiia Tretiak

Wintertime meals can sometimes be heavy, laden with carbs and fatty meat. But you can still get that satisfying feeling from healthy dishes that are low in calories, fat, and carbs. Whether you're in the mood for a hot bowl of soup or stew, roast chicken, or a fragrant curry, let these healthy winter recipes warm you up and fill you up.

Getting Started with Low-Fat Cooking

01 of 16

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Taco Soup

The Spruce

With three different kinds of beans, corn, stewed tomatoes, and Tex-Mex spices, vegetarian taco soup is a high-protein meal perfect for a cold day. Made in the slow cooker, it's low stress, too. It tastes great leftover for lunch the next day.
02 of 16

Punjabi-Style Chole Chickpea Curry

The Spruce / Nita West

Nothing warms you up quite like a homemade curry. This chole, or chickpea curry, is vegan and packed with delicious flavor, thanks to ingredients like ginger, garlic, and a number of spices. Serve with steamed basmati rice.
03 of 16

Chicken Stew With Vegetables

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

After all of the fresh veggies and chicken are prepped, they're simply added to a casserole dish, along with broth and seasonings, and baked for a no-stress, warming dinner. This easy chicken stew recipe can also be made in the slow cooker.
04 of 16

Creamy Sweet Potato Risotto

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

For a vegetarian take on the classic Italian dish, make sweet potato risotto. The orange potatoes become creamy and lightly sweet, marrying nicely with the salty Parmesan cheese and crunchy pecans. To lower the fat a bit, replace the butter with olive oil.

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05 of 16

Low-Fat Vegan Eggplant Lasagna

The Spruce

Made of layers of sautéed eggplant, spinach, tomato sauce, and noodles, this vegan lasagna is still satisfying without all of the cheese and cream. It's a perfect one-dish meal on a chilly night.
06 of 16

Lentil Soup With Spinach and Spicy Sausage

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Hearty lentils are embellished with spicy sausage and spinach for a simple but satisfying lentil soup. Turkey, chicken, or vegetarian sausage can be used for a lighter option. Brown, green, or black lentils work best for this recipe.
07 of 16

Vegan Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Acorn squash is an adorably shaped, naturally sweet winter squash that is perfect for roasting and stuffing. This vegan stuffed squash recipe is filled with quinoa, raisins, pecans, and fresh parsley. Cook the quinoa in vegetable broth for the best flavor.
08 of 16

Low-Fat Skillet Ground Beef and Vegetables

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

This simple skillet of ground beef and vegetables is an easy meal for a busy winter night. A variety of vegetables work well for this simple sauté. Be sure to use the leanest ground beef you can find to keep the dish from being greasy.

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09 of 16

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Whip up a creamy butternut squash soup in no time using the Instant Pot. Apple and apple juice add a note of sweetness, while sage and thyme give it a savory herbal note. Swap the cream for coconut milk for a vegan and healthy winter soup.
10 of 16

Basic Turkey Meatloaf

The Spruce

For a lighter, healthier alternative to the family favorite, make turkey meatloaf. Made with oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs or crackers, and turkey instead of beef, it's high in protein and lower in fat. Top with ketchup or chile sauce and serve with a healthy vegetable side.
11 of 16

Japanese Vegan Udon Noodle Soup

The Spruce / Anastasiia Tretiak

You can have a richly flavored Asian-inspired broth in under 30 minutes when you make this udon noodle soup. If you'd like to add a little protein to your soup, add cubed tofu to the Chinese broccoli and noodles.
12 of 16

Iron Skillet Roast Chicken

The Spruce

Warm up your house and fill it with the delectable aroma of a roasting chicken. Seasoned simply and cooked in a cast-iron pan, this is an easy recipe that produces a succulent bird. Serve the roast chicken with a green vegetable, like green beans or broccoli, and roasted potatoes.

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13 of 16

Vegetarian Minestrone Soup

The Spruce

Minestrone soup is easy to make and a true meal-in-a-bowl, filled with vegetables, a tomato-based broth, and pasta. Use whatever vegetables you have handy, and add a drained can of white, garbanzo, or kidney beans for more protein.
14 of 16

6-Ingredient Roasted Salmon Fillets

The Spruce

This easy roasted salmon fillet recipe can be made using a whole side of salmon or individual fillets. Seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and white pepper, the fish is roasted until perfectly cooked. Pair it with your choice of vegetables for a healthy meal.
15 of 16

Cauliflower Parmesan

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

If you're eating vegetarian or low-carb, cauliflower Parmesan is a fun meal that's ready in under 45 minutes. Instead of breading the vegetable, the cauliflower is roasted and topped with tomato sauce and cheese. Serve with a green salad.
16 of 16

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

The Spruce / Jennifer Perillo

Lean chicken breasts are seasoned and roasted with bell peppers and onion for a no-fuss take on chicken fajitas. Serve as tacos or, for a healthier option, serve as part of a taco salad or burrito bowl.

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