• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Grits and Pinecones
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Mardi Gras
  • Valentine’s Day
  • All Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Healthy

    30+ Healthy and Delicious Recipes for the New Year

    January 2, 2021 by Sharon Rigsby Leave a Comment

    Soup, roasted chicken and spinach in a collage.

    Did you know the most popular online search term in January is “healthy recipes”? Not surprisingly, one of the most popular resolutions folks make in the new year is eating healthier and getting more exercise. 

    A collage of healthy recipes including salmon, spinach, sweet potato hash and brussels sprouts.

    Unfortunately, I can’t help with the exercise part. But I have included over 30 of my most popular healthy…ish recipes. These recipes feature lower calories and are packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits to meet your goals. They are “must try” favorites that don’t sacrifice taste, and all are quick and easy to prepare.

    You can ask ten people what eating healthy means to them, and you will get ten different answers. These recipes don’t fall into any particular diet plan, like Keto, Adkins, Whole30, or any other zillion diets out there. But each of these dishes is filled with wholesome ingredients, plenty of vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins. 

    After all, healthy is all about balance and everything in moderation.

    Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Mango Salsa

    Pan Seared Red Snapper fillet covered with Mango Salsa on a white plate.

    Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Mango Salsa is an easy restaurant-quality main dish, which you can have on the table in less than 20 minutes. This healthy and flavorful red snapper recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, and it’s also a show-stopping dinner party entrée. A single serving comes in at 129 calories.

    Read More

    Shrimp Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing

    A white bowl full of Shrimp Caesar Salad with homemade croutons and dressing.

    Shrimp Caesar Salad with Homemade Caesar Dressing is a crowd-pleasing main-dish salad with crisp romaine leaves, juicy roasted shrimp, homemade croutons, and parmesan cheese. This salad is quick and easy to prepare, a true family favorite, and it comes in at 311 calories per serving. The homemade caesar salad dressing is key to this delightful shrimp salad.

    Read More

    Amazing Grilled Vegetable Kabobs

    Four grilled veggie skewers on a wooden cutting board.

    Amazing Grilled Vegetable Kabobs are just that, amazing! Sweet, smoky, caramelized grilled veggies packed with flavor and cooked on a skewer are the ultimate BBQ side dish. Quick and easy to prepare, vegetable kabobs, aka veggie skewers, are quick to disappear too and come in at only 193 calories per kabob. Even your pickiest eaters will love these grilled vegetables!

    Read More

    Creamy Homemade White Bean Soup with Broccoli

    A bowl of white bean soup with broccoli on a green and orange kitchen towel.

    Creamy Homemade White Bean Soup with Broccoli is an irresistible blend of smooth textured and nutty flavored cannellini beans and roasted broccoli, a nutritional powerhouse. Don’t settle for bland white bean soup! With this flavorful recipe, you’ll have everyone begging for seconds. Only 128 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Easy Southern Sweet Potato Hash

    Easy Southern Sweet Potato Hash with eggs in a cast iron skillet.

    Easy Southern Sweet Potato Hash is full of healthy sweet potatoes, crisp Granny Smith apples, tart cranberries, and bacon cooked with eggs in a cast-iron skillet! A great way to start the day and only 180 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Brussels Sprout Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

    Brussel Sprouts Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette topped with bacon and parmesan cheese.

    Brussels Sprout Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette is loaded with micro-thin shaved raw Brussels Sprouts, dried tart cranberries, crunchy buttery pecans, and well, just because I can’t help myself, bacon. At only 172 calories, it’s loaded with fresh flavors and different textures and makes a perfect side dish or lunch.

    Read More

    Broiled Chili-Rubbed Chicken Thighs

    Broiled Chili Rubbed Chicken Thighs on a white serving plate

    Broiled Chili-Rubbed Chicken Thighs with my spicy chili-powder based chicken thigh rub are a quick and easy, healthy, and tasty low-carb, 15-minute wonder! Only 207 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad with Cranberries

    Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Cranberries

    My easy, make-ahead, low-carb wonder, Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad with Cranberries, is a nutritious holiday side-dish favorite. This colorful salad is full of crisp broccoli and cauliflower, sweet/tart cranberries, and crunchy pistachios.  It’s equally at home on an elegant Christmas dinner table or at a covered dish neighborhood potluck. Only 189 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Easy Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Soup

    Easy Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Soup garnished with candied pecans

    Easy Creamy Southern Sweet Potato Soup is as smooth as velvet, a little spicy, and pure creamy deliciousness. Sweet and savory with carrots and sweet potatoes, this homemade soup is quick to make and even quicker to disappear. Topped with candied pecans, this easy soup recipe is 100% delicious and about as warm and cozy as you can get! Only 290 calories.

    Read More

    Mushroom and Broccoli Frittata

    Easy Mushroom Broccoli Frittata cut into slices and ready to serve

    My quick, easy, and flavorful Mushroom and Broccoli Frittata comes together in minutes, and this healthy, veggie-filled, egg, and cheese dish makes a perfect low-carb breakfast or a main brunch dish. Only 196 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic

    Sauteed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic in a bowl with a pat of melted butter on top.

    Sautéed Spinach with Lemon and Garlic is a ten-minute wonder!  It’s the best and fastest way to serve your family a delicious and healthy side dish, which even your pickiest eaters will love. Only 95 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Easy Cast-Iron Roast Chicken

    Cast Iron roast chicken in a cast iron skillet garnished with rosemary and lemon.

    Cast-Iron Roast Chicken has deliciously crisp skin with flavor-packed, tender, and juicy meat. This main dish, roasted whole chicken, is easy enough for a weeknight dinner, yet also fancy enough for company or a special occasion! One-quarter of the chicken is only 395 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Black-Eyed Pea Soup

    Black-Eyed Pea soup in a white bowl.

    Black-Eyed Pea Soup, full of carrots, celery, onions, and collard greens, is the epitome of a lucky New Year’s Day dish. With black-eyed peas for luck and greens, which symbolize money, you can’t go wrong with this nutritious and delicious soup to welcome in the new year.

    Read More

    Southern Collard Greens

    Two bowls of cooked collard greens.

    There is more than one way to cook fresh collard greens, and this easy, vegan, healthy, Southern Collard Greens recipe is as simple as it is delicious! The best part, a single serving of this flavorful and nutritious side dish is less than 70 calories.

    Read More

    Southern Cucumber and Tomato Salad

    Southern Cucumber and Tomato Salad in a white bowl with a tomato and cucumber in the background

    Southern Cucumber and Tomato Salad is a classic southern salad full of fresh, healthy summer cucumbers and tomatoes, marinated in a simple, luscious salad dressing! Only 76 calories.

    Read More

    Cold Spanish Soup

    Cold Spanish Soup in glass bowls.

    This recipe for Cold Spanish Soup, better known as Gazpacho, is hands down my favorite soup. And, my guess is once you make it, it will be yours too. Not only is Gazpacho full of healthy tomato and vegetable goodness, it only takes ten minutes to prepare!

    Read More

    Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    Three chicken lettuce wrap on a plate with spring rolls.

    Mouthwatering and healthy, Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a nutritious, filling, and tasty meal. These quick and easy lettuce wraps are packed with fresh, vibrant flavors and delicious pieces of tender chicken.

    Read More

    Sweet and Spicy Grilled Grouper with Mango Salsa

    Grilled grouper on a plate topped with mango salsa.

    A grilled moist and tender grouper fillet, hot off the grill with a nice sear, topped with an irresistibly sweet and spicy mango salsa full of fresh fruits and vegetables is a sensational main course.

    Read More

    Baked Pesto Chicken Breasts

    Two baked pesto chicken breasts topped with tomato slices.

    Quick and easy, Baked Pesto Chicken is the ultimate “win-win” dinner recipe! Ready in 30 minutes or less, this oven-baked dish is flavor-packed and one that you will want to add to your list of “go-to” healthy, and delicious recipes.

    Read More

    Pan-Fried Fish and Blistered Tomatoes

    Pan fried fish with blistered tomatoes and a lemon parsley butter sauce garnished with a lemon slice on a white plate

    In this Pan Fried Fish and Blistered Tomatoes recipe, fresh grouper fillets are quickly seared, and then cherry tomatoes are cooked until their skins are charred, which gives them a uniquely sweet flavor. A decadent lemon, parsley, butter sauce full of scallions, and briny capers finishes off this light and healthy meal. Only 389 calories.

    Read More

    Healthy Wild Rice Chicken Salad

    Healthy Wild Rice Chicken Salad on a bed of lettuce in a white serving bowl

    Healthy Wild Rice Chicken Salad is a nutritious and delicious cold, wild rice salad recipe. It includes tender, juicy roasted chicken, nutty wild rice, dried cranberries, tart granny smith apples, red bell pepper, celery, and roasted pecans, topped with a light, flavorful balsamic vinaigrette. Only 244 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Baked Grouper with Tomatoes and Artichokes

    Baked Grouper with Tomatoes and Artichokes ready to eat

    Baked Grouper with Tomatoes and Artichokes is a quick and easy, light and healthy, and wonderfully delicious one-dish meal that you and your family will love. It’s satisfying, flavorful, family-friendly, and a serving is only 314 calories.

    Read More

    Potato Broccoli Salad with Vinaigrette

    Cooked New Potatoes, broccoli and cherry tomatoes in a white serving bowl for Potato Broccoli Salad with Vinaigrette

    Potato Broccoli Salad with Vinaigrette is a lighter, delicious, and healthy change from classic or traditional potato salad. The addition of broccoli and cherry tomatoes ramps up the nutrition value, and the use of a tasty vinaigrette instead of mayonnaise and eggs reduces the calorie count. Potato Broccoli Salad with Vinaigrette has 117 calories per serving, with 55% of the daily Vitamin C requirement, versus classic potato salad, which comes in at 306 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Hearty Chicken Chili with a Twist

    Hearty Chicken Chili with a Twist in a white bowl ready to serve with a side of cornbread

    Hearty Chicken Chili with a Twist is the very definition of comfort food! Except while most comfort foods are loaded with cream or cheese, which makes them comforting, this easy chicken chili is healthy and good for you! Only 352 calories per serving. 

    Read More

    Spicy Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry

    Spicy Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry in a pan garnished with scallions ready to serve

    This Spicy Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry entrée checks all of the boxes! Quick, easy, healthy, low- calorie, low-carbohydrate, satisfying, and delicious! Only 249 calories.

    Read More

    Healthy Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks

    Healthy Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks topped with toasted pecans, scallions, and rosemary

    Healthy Roasted Sweet Potato Stacks are the stuff sweet potato dreams are made of, full of nutritious and flavorful sweet potatoes, scallions, roasted pecans, and maple syrup! Only 258 calories.

    Read More

    Ten-Minute Roasted Shrimp Recipe à la Ina Garten

    Easy Ten Minute Roasted Shrimp à la Ina Garten served as shrimp cocktail on a plate with cocktail sauce.

    This easy Ten-Minute Roasted Shrimp Recipe à la Ina Garten is one of the quickest and most versatile seafood dishes you can make. Roasted Shrimp makes an amazing shrimp cocktail and can be served cold or hot for a party or holiday appetizer.

    Read More

    Easy Baked Fresh Tomato Casserole

    Easy Baked Fresh Tomato Casserole just out of the oven and ready to serve.

    Easy Baked Fresh Tomato Casserole is a delicious and healthy, family-friendly vegetable casserole that everyone in your family will love! This yummy tomato casserole is full of fresh, flavorful, juicy tomatoes, only takes a few minutes to prepare, and pairs beautifully with most entrees. Only 221 calories.

    Read More

    Pan-Seared Scallops with Salsa Verde

    A pan full of Pan Seared Sea Scallops with Salsa Verde

    Pan-Seared Scallops with Salsa Verde is a delectable, quick, and easy seafood entree that you can have on the table in under 15 minutes. In this flavorful recipe, mild, sweet, briny sea scallops are quickly seared and then topped with a lemony salsa verde made with fresh parsley, lemon zest and juice, scallions, garlic, and olive oil. Only 210 calories.

    Read More

    Quick and Healthy Italian Salad Pizza

    Cutting slices of Quick and Healthy Italian Salad Pizza

    The name Quick and Healthy Italian Salad Pizza says it all; it’s quick, you can make it in under 20 minutes, it’s healthy, coming in at only 258 calories, and it’s full of nutritious veggies.  As for the Italian Salad twist, think Maggianno’s chopped Italian salad.

    Easy Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

    A bowl of chicken tortilla soup, topped with tortilla strips, avocado and cilantro.

     

    Comfort food at its finest, and an easy, hands-off dinner, Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup is full of vegetables and all things good for you. It’s family-friendly, super simple to make, and super delicious. 

    Read More

    Oven-Roasted Tomatoes with Feta, Olives, and Pine Nuts

    Roasted Tomatoes with Feta Cheese, Olives and Pine Nuts

    Oven Roasted Tomatoes, which are stuffed with Feta Cheese, Olives, and Pine Nuts, is a simple side dish recipe that is both delicious and healthy. Only 147 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Healthy Black-Eyed Pea Salad

    Healthy Blach-Eyed-Pea-Salad ready to serve along with corn muffins

    Eating Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day is thought to bring prosperity and good luck in the year ahead. Because it’s made with black-eyed peas and other veggies, this Healthy Black-Eyed Pea Salad is as nutritious as it is delicious and could just as easily be called Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad. Only 125 calories.

    Read More

    Grilled Fish Taco Bowl with Green Apple Guacamole

    Grilled Fish Taco Bowls with Green Apple Guacamole Social Media

    If you like grilled fish tacos, you will love my healthy, low-calorie, quick, and easy Grilled Fish Taco Bowl with Green Apple and Guacamole for lunch or dinner! Coming in at only 258 calories, the Green Apple Guacamole is one of the most delicious things you will ever taste!

    Read More

    Pan-Seared Grouper with Gremolata

    Delicious Pan Seared Grouper with Gremolata

    Quick and easy Pan-Seared Grouper with Gremolata is a light, healthy, easy, and most importantly, a healthy and delicious answer to the age-old question, what’s for dinner? You can have a terrific grouper recipe on the table in less than ten minutes with only 214 calories.

    Read More

    Pan-Seared Salmon with Asparagus

    Easy Pan Seared Salmon with Asparagus ready to serve

    Easy Pan-Seared Salmon with Asparagus is light, healthy, and delicious! Topped with a yummy herb dressing, it’s nutritious and tasty, and you can have this simple skillet dinner on the table in less than 20 minutes! Only 344 calories.

    Read More

    Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup

    Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup-5

    Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup is a great answer to the ever-persistent “what’s for dinner tonight” question!  It’s a chicken noodle soup with a twist because it’s full of moist and flavorful roasted chicken! Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup has it all; it’s a quick and hearty meal, it’s full of healthy vegetables, and, best of all, it’s delicious! Only 268 calories.

    Read More

    Healthy Chicken Cauliflower Skillet

    Healthy Chicken Cauliflower Skillet

    Healthy Chicken Cauliflower Skillet is a delicious, quick, and easy, low-calorie and low-carbohydrate, healthy one-dish meal that I know you will love! It’s truly a win, win in the battle to achieve your weight loss goals! Only 397 calories.

    Read More

    Peppers Stuffed with Quinoa and Vegetables

    Peppers stuffed with quinoa in a cast iron skillet.

    Peppers Stuffed with Quinoa and Vegetables are healthy, low in calories, and chock full of vitamins. Plus, they are absolutely delicious and very easy to make. Only 339 calories.

    Stir Fry Broccoli and Chicken

    A big pan full of Easy Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

    Go stir-fry crazy with this healthy, filling, and flavorful Stir-Fry Broccoli and Chicken recipe! The secret is in my special tasty stir-fry sauce and delicious stir-fry chicken marinade. It’s super easy to make, and it’s perfect for those nights when you are pressed for time. Only 215 calories.

    Read More

    Butternut Squash and Pear Soup

    Two bowls of butternut pear squash soup topped with lemon slices and fennel.

    Butternut Squash and Pear Soup with Fennel is a hearty, gluten-free, and nutritious soup. Incredibly delicious without heavy cream, this soup is loaded with vegetables and even has pears thrown in the mix. Only 147 calories per serving.

    Read More

    Related recipes:

    If you are looking for more healthy recipes and menu ideas, check out all of my healthier recipes here. 

     

    ★ If you make any of these recipes, please leave a comment and give the recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

    Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones, and Happy New Year!

    I’m so excited to continue our journey and make lots of new recipes for you in 2021!. Let’s make this year as good as last year! Thank you so much for all of your support in 2020; I truly appreciate you! 

    More Healthy Recipes recipes

    • Easy Cast-Iron Skillet Chicken
    • Southern Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
    • Easy Cranberry Sauce with Fruit and Nuts
    • Halloween Spooky Spider Deviled Eggs

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have well over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and there is nothing I like better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

    Celebrate Mardi Gras with these easy recipes:

    • 24 Mardi Gras Recipes & Menu Ideas 2023
    • New Orleans-Style Shrimp Creole with Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce
    • Old-Fashioned Pecan Pralines
    • Easy Mardi Gras Hot Muffuletta Dip – A Flavorful Appetizer
    • Creole Shrimp Toast – Easy & Cheesy
    • Bourbon Ice Cream

    More Mardi Gras recipes:

    Popular Recipes

    • Quick and Easy Hoe Cakes (Fried Cornbread)
    • Blackened Grouper
    • Classic Southern Potato Salad
    • Quick and Easy Hanky Panky Recipe
    • Best Southern Crispy Fried Oysters
    • Southern Fried Fish
    Featured in Parade, The Today Show, Better Homes & Gardens, Greatist, and more.

    Footer

    More Recipe Categories

    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Cocktail Recipes
    • Condiments, Jams, Jellies, Sauces, and Salad Dressings
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Game Day and Tailgating Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes

    More…

    • Lunch Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Snack Recipes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Southern Recipes
    • Southern Peas (Cowpeas) Recipes

    Grits and Pinecones

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Legal Disclaimer

    Copyright © 2023 Grits and Pinecones® · Privacy Policy · Legal Disclaimer

    • 102Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Yummly
    • Email
    176 shares