Winter’s chill calls for hearty meals and warm, comforting flavors. As we count down the days to spring, there’s still time to indulge in the season’s best offerings. We’re diving into the must-try winter recipes that promise to make the most of what’s left of the cold months.
Carrot Citrus Salad
This chopped carrot citrus salad has roasted rainbow carrots, oranges and Meyer lemons tossed in a citrus mustard vinaigrette. It’s bright and refreshing and wonderful paired with poultry. Citrus just doesn’t taste the same in July as it does now, enjoy it while you can!
Get the Recipe: Carrot Citrus Salad
Creamy Pesto Spaghetti Squash Noodles
These creamy pesto spaghetti squash noodles are a healthier, lower carb way to enjoy the decadence and comfort of creamy pasta for the winter season. Before spaghetti squash disappears make it a point to eat this.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pesto Spaghetti Squash Noodles
Instant Pot Tomato & White Beans
No one wants a hearty and humble meal like tomato-based beans on toast in the middle of summer but this meal is perfect for the shoulder season when you want something cozy but simple.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Tomato & White Beans
Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Before we know it Brussels sprouts will be out in favor of lighter leafy greens and cranberries will be nowhere to be found. Enjoy the ease of this sheet pan meal while you can!
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Maple Mustard Chicken
Stuffed Honeynut Squash
Honeynut squash epitomize all the delicious things about fall and winter and the hearty filling that stuffs these halves is the perfect comfort food the season calls for. This is a must-make before spring temps come rolling in.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Honeynut Squash
Gingerbread Oatmeal
Is it still gingerbread season? We think so! This decadent oatmeal is so good we’ve been eating it since December with no shame. Get a few more bowlfuls in before it’s time to put the molasses away for the season.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Oatmeal
Persimmon Salad
If you can still find them, persimmons are the golden gems of winter that never get the attention they deserve. Paired with salty prosciutto, bright and tangy pomegranates and bitter greens, this salad in perfection.
Get the Recipe: Persimmon Salad
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are the classic chocolate chip cookie with a winter spin and although they’re insanely delicious, most people don’t bake or cook with cranberries much past March. Our suggestion? Make a batch now and freeze a few batches of cookie dough for later in the year!
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pomegranate Flank Steak
As a simple and class dinner with a seasonal twist, this pomegranate flank steak was perfect for winter time but as spring rolls around, we’ll probably be opting for more seasonally appropriate toppings.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Flank Steak
Pickled Fennel Citrus Salad
Between the fennel, the grapefruits and the pomegranates, this salad has winter written all over it. If you love tangy flavors, definitely make this before citrus hits its peak.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Fennel Citrus Salad
Cranberry Orange Bread
As the quintessential winter quick bread, this orange and cranberry loaf will be overlooked for rhubarb, strawberries and blueberries in no time. Enjoy it while you can!
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Bread
Roasted Winter Root Vegetable Salad
Beets, parsnips, pecans and cranberries have no place in spring salads. This filling salad is perfect for winter but we’ll be opting for something lighter in just a few weeks time. Get your fill in now!
Get the Recipe: Roasted Winter Root Vegetable Salad
Winter Vegetable Curry
Creamy curries and decadent stews will soon be a thing of the past. This 35-minute meal is the end of an era…well at least until October when we’ll resurrect it with cooler temps.
Get the Recipe: Winter Vegetable Curry
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
