The festive season calls for indulgence, but it doesn’t have to mean abandoning healthy eating habits! Incorporating colourful and nutrient-rich vegetable side dishes can bring both balance and beauty to your holiday table. Here are three simple, healthy, and delicious vegetable recipes to try this season.
1. Honey Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries
Give traditional Brussels sprouts a festive twist! Toss halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. Drizzle with a tablespoon of honey and add a handful of frozen or preserved cranberries. Roast for another 10 minutes until caramelised. The honey adds sweetness, while the cranberries bring a tart pop of flavour.
A note when buying honey, always try to buy raw honey. This is straight from the hive (and can be filtered to remove bees wax etc) but is not pasteurised or ultra-filtered – these both destroy some of the benefits from proper honey. Some processed honeys even have other sugars added, as it honey wasn’t already sweet enough! You can read more about the differences here.
2. Garlic and Herb Green Beans
For a light yet flavourful side, steam frozen (it is not the season for these so eat frozen ones which were grown at the right time of year!) green beans until just tender. In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic with chopped fresh parsley and thyme. Toss the green beans in the garlic-herb mixture and season with salt and pepper. This dish is vibrant, aromatic, and pairs perfectly with any main course.
3. Rainbow Roasted Root Vegetables
Celebrate the season’s colours with this easy recipe. Chop carrots, parsnips, beetroot, sweet potatoes (in fact any root vegetable of which there are many in season at this time of year) into uniform pieces. Toss with olive oil, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Roast at 425°F (220°C) for 30–40 minutes, flipping halfway through. The result is a medley of caramelised, earthy vegetables that’s as nutritious as it is festive.
These recipes are versatile, crowd-pleasing, and packed with seasonal flavours. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas lunch or bringing a dish to share, these healthy sides will steal the spotlight. Happy eating!