103 Best Skinny Holiday Recipes

Enjoy your favorite holiday goodies while losing inches!

The only thing better than enjoying the holiday season is enjoying it without having to go up a pant size. To help you deck the halls without any guilt, we’ve put together a list of 103 of the best skinny holiday recipes found on the web. These are sure to jingle your bells!

*Denotes vegetarian-friendly options

**Denotes gluten-free options

Entrees

Slow Cooker Holiday Turkey Breast

Skinny Slow Cooker Turkey Breast (Skinny Ms.). Enjoy turkey for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime with this super moist and tasty slow cooker recipe.

Standing Rib Roast (Skinny Ms.). If you prefer beef for holiday dinners, consider using this flavorful recipe, which uses a leaner cut.

*Thyme-Scented White Bean Cassoulet (Cooking Light). Although it may not look exactly like a traditional holiday main dish, this vegetarian-friendly dish still offers all of the comfort and harvest flavors. It includes meatless Italian sausage, loads of healthy veggies, and butter-tossed breadcrumbs.

The Best Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot (100 Days of Real Food). Not a fan of turkey? Try this extra moist and flavorful chicken recipe.

Apple Cider Pork Roast (Get Crocked). This mouth-watering pork chop recipe tastes just like the roast grandma used to make.

Ham and White Beans (Plain Chicken). This comfort food dish is a great way to use up leftover holiday ham.

*Pesto Lasagna with Spinach and Mushrooms (Health Magazine). Put an Italian spin on your holiday cuisine with this zesty vegetarian lasagna.

Balsamic Roast Beef (Add a Pinch). The robust flavors in this roast beef are sure to make it a family favorite.

Ginger Cranberry Pork Roast (Mama and Baby Love). This 6-ingredient recipe includes only fresh, whole foods.

Pot Roast in the Crock Pot ({The} Spunky Runner). A traditional favorite is made even more tender and savory in the slow cooker.

Clean Eating Coconut Almond Cranberry Chicken (The Gracious Pantry). Cranberry lovers should enjoy this fruity, light chicken recipe.

**Molasses Brined Pork Chops with Roasted Apples & Balsamic Glaze (simply gluten-free®). Molasses gives a clever sweetness to this decadent entrée.

**Perfect Roast Chicken (Elana’s Pantry). Skip the store-bought rotisserie chicken and make one yourself with this simple and savory recipe.

**Walnut Rosemary Crusted Chicken (All Day I Dream About Food). Crushed walnuts and rosemary provide a great alternative to breaded chicken.

**Gluten-Free and Vegan Risotto (Go Dairy Free). This delicious risotto recipe has tons of creamy goodness without any gluten or dairy.

Sides

Gluten-Free Quinoa Holiday Dressing*Thanksgiving Vegan Stuffing (Skinny Ms.). Whether or not you eat a vegan diet, this homemade stuffing recipe is so much better than what comes out of a box.

**Gluten Free Quinoa Holiday Dressing (Skinny Ms.). This satisfying recipe is a great example of how quinoa makes a great substitution for bread in stuffing and casseroles.

*Cranberry Sauce (Skinny Ms.). This classic recipe may become your new holiday staple.

*Savory Sweet Potatoes (Skinny Ms.). This sweet and spicy side dish used to be a secret family recipe. Enjoy!

*Fresh Green Bean Casserole (PopSugar Fitness). Ditch the old version and try this green bean casserole instead this holiday season. It’s full of yummy and better-for-you ingredients, like fresh green beans, crispy panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.

*Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes (365 Days of Slow Cooking). All of the creamy goodness of mashed potatoes made with extra-healthy cauliflower.

*Crock Pot Baked Potatoes (Skip to My Lou). Try “baking” your potatoes in the slow cooker instead for a more moist texture.

*Quinoa and Vegetables (Moms with Crock Pots). This healthy side dish can also double as a vegan or vegetarian entrée.

**Clean Eating Garlic Parmesan Quinoa(The Gracious Pantry). A great rice side dish for lean meat or main dish for vegetarians.

**Spicy Cauliflower Salad (simply gluten-free®). You’ve probably never thought the words “addictive” and “cauliflower” in the same sentence. Until now, that is.

**Braised Kale with Sesame Seeds (Gluten Free Mommy). Looking to try kale? Start than with this easy recipe.

**Asparagus Salad with Raspberry Almond Vinaigrette (Gluten Free Mommy). People who hesitate to eat asparagus will most likely have a change of heart after trying this recipe.

**Zucchini and Feta Fritters (All Day I Dream About Food) (Recommend using grapeseed or safflower oil).
An airfryer makes this recipe ultra healthy.

**Roasted Beets with Blueberry Balsamic Reduction (Life as a Plate). Sweet, tangy blueberries balance out the bitter tartness of the beets in this recipe, which is not only fun to eat, but also to look at.

**Easy Vegetable Gluten Free Pasta Salad (Carla’s Gluten Free Recipe Box). A great, tasty pasta salad when you need a side dish in a hurry.

**Fruit and Root Salad (Golubka). This artful salad is great for eaters looking to explore new flavors.

Soups and Stews

Slow Cooker Veggie Pot Pie Stew

*Pumpkin Soup Shooters (Skinny Ms.). This pumpkin soup recipe can be served in shot glasses that can be served as an hors d’oeuvre, or placed on a table for guests to help themselves during a cocktail party.

*Tortellini Tuscan Stew (Good Housekeeping). The slow cooker makes this veggie-filled stew easy to prepare.

*Sweet Potato and Apple Soup (100 Days of Real Food). This sweet and savory soup is made extra-special with brown buttered sage sprinkled on top before serving.

*Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup (365 Days of Slow Cooking). Delicious and so easy to make.

*Black Bean Soup with Toasted Cumin Seed Crème Fraiche (Smitten Kitchen). Throw together black beans with chipotle, peppers, onions, and a healthy dose of cumin, and you have an unbelievably good soup.

Turkey Chili (Healthy Tasty Cheap). Stretch this turkey chili recipe into two meals by making nachos with the leftovers!

Hearty and Healthy Slow Cooker Soup (Beyond the Screen Door). This veggie-and-protein-packed soup is a keeper!

Kielbasa and White Bean Stew (Kalyn’s Kitchen®). This tasty stew is made with turkey kielbasa to make it healthier.

*Tomato Basil Soup (Moms with Crock Pots). So simple to make, you won’t reach for the canned version ever again.

Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Quinoa (Cookin’ Canuk). This is the triumvirate of good soups – smells, tastes and looks fantastic.

*Farmer’s Market Vegetable Soup (without garlic bread) (Recipe.com). This vegetarian and vegan friendly recipe includes less commonly used veggies like rutabaga, parsnips and leeks.

*Savory Bean and Spinach Soup (Fitness Magazine). A comforting soup with healthful brown rice, black beans and spinach or kale.

**Butternut Squash Chili (Gluten-Free Goddess®). This savory chili has a fresh, vibrant taste with a Southwestern twist. Adding a splash of lime juice just before serving brightens the flavor and teases your taste buds.

**Skinny Slow Cooker – Veggie Pot Pie Stew (Skinny Ms.) Our Veggie Stew has that same pot pie taste you love without the gluten and additional calories and fat of a traditional pot pie.

*Spicy Red Pepper Cream Soup (Go Dairy Free) (Vegan). Add some spice to your lunch with this luscious, creamy soup made with veggies, herbs and raw cashews.

Breads and Rolls

Old-Fashioned Cornbread

*Whole Grain Yeast Rolls (Skinny Ms.). Compare the ingredients in our roll recipe with those of commercially made rolls and you will understand why homemade is healthier and easier on the pocketbook.

*Zucchini Bread (Skinny Ms.). This zucchini bread has a sweet, rich taste that is perfect for dessert or a special occasion breakfast.

*Pumpkin Spice Bread (Skinny Ms.). Get ready to fill your home with the smells of the season because we’ve got a favorite fall treat that brings deliciously tasty seasonal ingredients to perfection.

*Vegan Chocolate Banana Nut Bread (Skinny Ms.). This Chocolate Banana Nut Bread is not only vegan but is delicious too!

*Old-Fashioned Cornbread (Skinny Ms.). There’s nothing quite as perfect as moist, delicious cornbread to go with a hot bowl of chili.

*Holiday Cinnamon Rolls (Skinny Ms.). Your family and guests will love these melt-in-your-mouth rolls, drizzled with warm caramel sauce. We added pomegranate seeds to make them even more festive.

Gluten Free Breads

**Paleo Pumpkin Bread (Elana’s Pantry). Roasted pumpkin makes this bread especially rich and satisfying.

**Gluten Free and Vegan Apple Bread (She Let Them Eat Cake). This sweet bread is great for breakfast time, snack time, or, well, anytime.

**Rosemary Olive Oil Bread (Life as a Plate). This savory bread is great aside entrees or when used for sandwiches.

**Gluten-Free Banana Bread (Deliciously Organic). This banana bread recipe has lots of potential variations. Try it plain or with an add-in, such as walnuts, chocolate chips, or zucchini.

**Black Quinoa Corn Muffins (My New Roots). These corn muffins are gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, egg-free, wheat-free and soy-free – but full of flavor.

**Almond Quick Bread (Simply Vintage Girl). This simple but tasty recipe is great to make for breakfast or to put alongside hot soup.

Sauces and Dips

*Spicy Pumpkin Hummus (Skinny Ms.). This Spicy Pumpkin Hummus is perfect for seasonal get-togethers. Serve with toast, as a dip for apples & veggies, or with a plate of whole-wheat pita bread.

*Vegan Chickpea Gravy (Skinny Ms.). The aroma, creamy consistency and savory spices of this dairy-free gravy will delight your senses, which you can whip up in just 15 minutes!

*Sugar Free Strawberry Chia Jam (Stacy Makes Cents). Not only is this jam tasty, it’s also sugar free and made with super healthful chia seeds.

*Cinnamon Vanilla Applesauce (He and She Eat Clean). Another applesauce recipe, revved up with cinnamon and vanilla extract.

*Apple Butter (Skinny Ms.). This apple butter recipe uses only a small amount of unrefined sugar and can be eliminated altogether if preferred.

Warm Drinks

*Warm Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (Me Redone). Nothing will warm you up better on a cold day than this alternative to hot cocoa.

*Mulled Cranberry-Apple Cider (Skinny Ms.). The cranberry juice in this cider recipe adds some tartness to the sweetness of the drink, so it’s not overly sweet.

*Pumpkin Spice Latte (Mama Natural)(Suggest using milk alternative or skim milk). If you love Starbuck’s version, think about opting for this instead, which is made only with wholesome, all natural ingredients.

Desserts

Pies and Cakes

*Pumpkin Cheesecake (Skinny Ms.). Enjoy this whole food dessert that tastes even better than the fattier versions.

**Gluten Free Dairy Free Salted Caramel Apple Pie (Skinny Ms.). Mom’s apple pie gets healthified and allergy-free in this delicious recipe.

*Crunchynut Cheesecake (Prevention Magazine). Nuts add delightful texture to this healthier cheesecake.

*Sugar Free/Low Carb Cheesecake (From Fries to Fit). This cheesecake recipe will satisfy your craving but let you fit into your pants the next day.

*Marble Cake (The Spunky Coconut) (Gluten Free). This cake is seriously as good as it looks, and a great option for special occasions and holidays.

*Marshmallow Cake with Cranberry Orange Topping (Healthy Indulgences). Light and fluffy with a hint of citrus, this marshmallow cake is a fun adventure into a dessert you probably haven’t tried before.

*Diner-Style Peanut Butter Pie  (Eat Healthy)with Easy Peasy Pie Crust (Not Deprived). This mouth-watering pie is sugar-free but full of peanut-butter-goodness.

*Raw Peach Cobbler (Immer Wachsen). A peach cobbler with all the comfort without the baking.

*Paleo Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (Pinch of Yum). Although it’s not quite as popular as apples or peaches in desserts, rhubarb packs a lot of nutrition and works great in pies and crisps.

*Apple and Mixed Berry Crisp (The Crockin’ Girls). Try a healthier version of Grandma’s favorite cobbler with this Crockin’ Girls’ version.

**Apple Butter Cake with Buttered Caramel Frosting (Jules Gluten Free™). This apple butter cake lacks butter, milk, and eggs, but it lacks nothing in taste or texture.

**Coconut Bread Pudding Cupcakes with Raw Macadamia Nut Frosting (dairy free)(Simply Sugar and Gluten Free). These cupcakes are just as decadent and delicious as they sound.

**Ruby Red Beet Cupcakes (Gluten Free for Good). Before your turn up your nose at the thought of beets in a dessert, give this a try! The beets make these cupcakes extra-moist and even give the cupcakes a red-velvet-cake-ish look.

**Pumpkin Pie (The Spunky Coconut). Thanks to The Spunky Coconut, you, too, can indulge in pumpkin pie this holiday season, in a healthier, gluten-free way.

Cookies and Fudge

*Gingerbread Cookies (Skinny Ms.). These traditional holiday cookies are the perfect treat for your next gathering.

**No-Bake Coconut Snow Balls (The Kitchn). This gluten-free, nut-free and vegan delight is made with shredded coconut, coconut oil, vanilla, and cinnamon with a pinch of seal salt and sweetened with real maple syrup.

*Carrot Cake Cookie Bites (Mix it Up). Using rolled oats instead of flour, these cookie bites are quick and easy to whip up and allow you the same carrot cake flavors without any guilt!

*Almond Butter Cookies (Natural Sweet Recipes)(Vegan). Give a new nut butter a try with these chewy almond butter cookies.

*No Sugar Oat Drops (Blueberry Girl). This recipe promises a sweet treat without any sugar, eggs, butter or anything that could even be considered unhealthy.

*Raw Chocolate Cookie Dough Bites (A Simply Raw Life). Keep these cookie dough bites in your freezer for impromptu holiday visitors.

*Vegan Chocolate Almond Cookies (Sensual Appeal). These cookies are warm and gooey on the inside and slightly crispier on the outside. Divine!

**Peppermint Patties (Marissa’s Well Being and Health).  Try this alternative to the famous version, made healthier with coconut oil.

*Sugar Free Peanut Butter Fudge (Easy Sugar Free Recipes). (We recommend low-fat cream cheese). Get your peanut butter fix with this indulgent treat.

*Slow Cooker Fudge (Skinny Ms.). This fudge recipe proves that delicious doesn’t have to be unhealthy.

**Nut Cups (No Gluten, No Problem).  This gluten-free version of a seasonal staple is great to have on-hand for holiday parties.

**Grain-Free Oatmeal Cookies with Marshmallow Frosting (Deliciously Organic). Move over, Little Debbie. We now have oatmeal cream pies without the gluten or artificial ingredients.

**Gluten-Free Thumbprint Cookies Made with Almond Flour (Carla’s Gluten Free Recipe Box). These gluten-free cookies are sweetened with maple syrup and stay naturally sugar-free if you fill them with all-fruit spread.

**Chocolate Chip Cookie Squares (Simply Vintage Girl). Never fear –we can’t have a dessert list without chocolate chip cookies! Enjoy!

Brownies and Bars

Clean Eating Pumpkin Streusel Bars*Clean Eating Pumpkin Streusel Bars (Skinny Ms.). This ultra-moist and rich pumpkin bar recipe is a cross between pumpkin cake and pumpkin pie, and it tastes a-m-a-z-i-n-g-l-y good.

*Mint Brownies (Natural Sweet Recipes). Mint-flavored filling made with creamy avocado and whipped coconut cream make these healthy brownies extra special.

*Paleo Pumpkin Bars (Elana’s Pantry). This yummy recipe uses coconut flour, honey, roasted pumpkin, celtic sea salt, chocolate chunks to give your taste buds a healthy treat!

*Deliciously Healthy Sweet Potato Brownies (The Healthy Foodie). Sweet potatoes make these brownies heavenly, to say the least.

*Raw Brownie Recipe (The Rawterian). An uber-delicious no-bake recipe that tastes like real brownies!

*Healthy Seven Layer Bars (Desserts with Benefits). Just because you’re trying to be healthy, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your dessert favorites. Try this better-for-you seven layer bar with homemade chocolate and butterscotch chips.

*Whole Wheat Berry Crumb Bars (Sugar-Free Mom). Try these crumb bars with some nonfat frozen yogurt for dessert, or eat them alone for breakfast.

*S’mores Rice Crispy Treats (Healthy.Happy.Life.). How could we put together a dessert list without including rice krispie treats? You’re welcome!

*Zucchini Brownies (Not Deprived). These are a great treat to have lying around for family members who roam the kitchen for something sweet to eat.

 

Be sure to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Pinterest for a multitude of delicious recipes, great workouts, and healthy living advice!

What’s your favorite healthy holiday recipe? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

This post may include affiliate links.

SkinnyMs.

The SkinnyMs. team believes that all people, regardless of age, size, and fitness level, have the power to transform their lives — they just need the resources to do so. The SkinnyMs. method promotes healthy living through a combination of clean eating and regular exercise. We offer everything you need to be successful.

More by Skinny

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

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