30+ Healthy New Year's Recipes Everyone Will Love (2024)

Ready for the New Year’s parties but worried about ruining your healthy diet? Not to fear, as there are several healthy New Year’s recipes that you can enjoy while still having a great time.

Whether you are having over people over or headed as a guest to a party, everyone will love trying a healthy New Year’s snack, so scroll down and check out our list to find the perfect recipe to start your New Year.

No matter which recipes you pick, these healthy recipes should get your New Year started right.

So have you done away with Christmas yet? I spent the afternoon removing all the remnants of Christmas.

All the wreaths, candles, decor, baubles, lights, ornaments, and tins. All that remains is a bare Christmas tree and a few Buckeye balls. Tomorrow the tree will be hauled away for recycling and by mid-week, the Buckeye balls will be totally consumed.

The holidays were wonderful, but now I need normal. January is the time for resolutions, gym memberships, and diets, I’m here to share over 33 healthy New Year’s recipes to get your year started on the right track.

What are Considered New Year’s Foods?

While everyone knows that a holiday like Thanksgiving includes a turkey and mashed potatoes, a holiday like New Year’s isn’t as clear about what foods you should serve.

While what you end up serving will widely depend on where you live and your culture, below are the foods that most people consider to be New Year’s foods.

Black Eyed Peas
Cornbread
Pork Dishes
Grapes
Pomegranate
Fish
Round Cake
Oranges
Lentils

This may seem like quite the mix of foods, but what they all have in common is that they signify luck in a culture. Grapes are considered lucky in Mexican culture, while Oranges are considered lucky in Chinese culture.

Most Americans consider black eyed peas to be an important food to eat on New Year’s.

Are All New Year’s Foods Unhealthy?

Surprisingly, most of the foods traditionally eaten on New Year’s are not that unhealthy. It is how they are cooked that makes them unhealthy.

For example, pork and fish are considered common main dishes on New Year’s. Baking fish or pork tenderloin is not inherently filled with calories—unless you decide to consume them by frying them or covering them in an unhealthy sauce.

Therefore, if you are looking to be healthy this coming New Year, you shouldn’t have to worry about making some healthy New Year’s recipes, as it is easy, you just need to know where to look.

What Should You Serve at a New Year’s Eve Party?

When you are hosting a party rather than serving dinner on New Year’s Eve, this will change the menu a bit. Most people prefer to eat finger foods and snacks at a party rather than some black eyed peas.

Here are some common snacks to serve at a New Year’s Eve party:

Steak Bites
Stuffed Mushrooms
Cheese Dip
Baked Brie
Frittatas
Toasted Ravioli
Antipasti Bites
Shrimp co*cktail
Chicken Satay

All of these foods are common at parties because you eat them with your hands and they don’t require a lot of utensils to serve. Some of these aren’t very healthy, but you can probably switch them out for healthy New Year’s recipes, keep reading to see what you can do.

What Makes a Recipe Healthier?

If this is your first time on a healthier eating journey, you may be wondering what it is that classifies a recipe as healthy. Typically, there are a few aspects of a recipe that you need to consider when asking about how healthy it is for you.

Calorie Content

Calories are a major aspect of what makes a recipe healthy. You only need a certain amount of calories per day, and when you exceed that amount, your body will store the rest for later.

Unhealthy recipes will often contain a lot of calories, even if they are small in size. This is why you will want to check the calorie count of the recipes you are considering, as they may just surprise you.

Sugar Content

High sugar recipes spike the body’s blood sugar, and can contribute to conditions like diabetes when eaten with high frequency. You will want to check the sugar content of any recipe you intend to use.

Healthy New Year’s recipes will have little or no sugar. Or if they do contain sugar, it will come from a natural source like fruit that is easier for your body to process.

Fat Content

Unless you are on a special diet like keto, it’s critical to watch the fat content of the foods you eat. Fat, especially trans fats, can clog your arteries and cause health problems in the future.

Your body needs some fat, so eliminating all fats is not ideal. It is just something to keep in mind as you are selecting healthy recipes.

How to Make Healthy New Year Recipes

If you have a favorite recipe that you usually serve for New Year’s that has been handed down through generations, don’t throw it in the trash just yet, as there are probably ways you can make the recipe healthier.

Swap the Sugary Sauces

Many New Year’s recipes have a lot of sugar in the sauces. Especially when it comes to pork and fish dishes.

Instead of cooking a sweet raspberry reduction that is loaded with sugar, consider making a sauce with a lower sugar content. Pesto or a homemade barbeque sauce can be perfect for these purposes.

Change Out the Cream

Creamy dips and sauces are common on holidays like New Year’s. Modify your recipe by switching out the cream for a low fat alternative, this could be something like almond milk or coconut cream. With sauces, cream can often be swapped for Greek yogurt.

Swapping out the cream will change the consistency of your dish, so you will want to be prepared to add a thickener like flour or cornmeal to bring it to its usual thickness when using the almond or coconut cream option.

Skip the Frying

Frying New Year’s snacks is a bit of a tradition, especially when you are hosting a party. But frying foods adds lots of unnecessary calories and oils. Rather than deep frying your mozzarella sticks and wontons, place them on an oven sheet and bake them instead.

Using your air fryer is also a great idea, as this will crisp your New Year’s snacks without all the hassle and unhealthy aspects of deep frying.

Fish Out the Egg Yolk

Many recipes call for egg yolk. These recipes can easily be made healthier by fishing the yolk out and just using the egg whites in your dish. You can also use an egg substitute and skip the eggs entirely.

Use Reduced Fat Products

Some recipes call for mayo, cheese, or other products that are often offered in low fat alternatives.

These particular swaps are very easy as you shouldn’t notice any consistency changes and you just have to remember to purchase the lower fat product when you are shopping for ingredients.

Change the Portion Size

Do you really love a certain recipe that simply can’t be adjusted? Then consider reducing the portion size of the recipe and serving it as an appetizer instead.

25 Delicious and Healthy New Year’s Recipes

1. Oven Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a holiday favorite, and it is an easy dish to serve to a crowd. Unfortunately, fried chicken doesn’t quite classify as a “healthy” recipe.

Take a look at this recipe for Oven Fried Chicken, which you will make in the oven, but it will taste enough like fried chicken that your guests will never know the difference.

Serve with low sugar BBQ and your body will appreciate this dish just as much as your taste buds do.

2. Jacked Up Monterey Chicken Salad

Turning a traditional dish into a salad can lower the calorie count while also still letting you taste some of your favorite holiday foods. For this year’s holiday make this Jacked Up Monterey Chicken Salad which includes barbeque grilled chicken on top of a bed of greens.

The recipe also contains bacon and cheese, but in a smaller portion that filling while also being good for your waistline.

3. 3 Ingredient No Bake Healthy New Year’s Recipes Energy Bars

Chances are, your oven will be a little bit busy as you prep your healthy New Year’s recipes. That’s when you should pull out this recipe for No Bake Energy Bars which you can easily make using a food processor.

After the bars are chilled, they can be cut into small bite size pieces and put out as a dessert or passed around as an appetizer.

4. Skinny Orange Dreamsicle Cake

Cake is a common staple at a New Year’s Eve dinner or party. Rather than skipping your portion altogether, offer to bring this Skinny Orange Dreamsicle Cake.

Made with reduced fat cream cheese, light whip cream, and fresh oranges, it has a lower sugar and fat content than the alternatives but will still have your guests asking for the recipe.

5. Healthy New Year’s Recipes Italian Kale Salad

An antipasti plate can often be set out before the meal at a New Year’s celebration, but a few bites of cheese and pastrami and you can quickly be over your allotted calories for the evening.

Enjoy this recipe for Italian Kale Salad instead, which has all the flavors of a antipasti plate, while cutting back on the calories and filling you with healthy kale! The salad also keeps well in the fridge, so be sure to make a little extra so you’ll have lunch for the week.

6. Raspberry Peach Smoothie

What would a New Year’s party be without some fun drinks? Make this Raspberry Peach Smoothie this year which is a much healthier alternative to almost anything else you were planning to serve.

Made with fruit, vanilla yogurt, milk, and ice, this recipe is simple to make and will keep everyone at your party happy.

7. Healthy New Year’s Recipes Fruit Dip

Chips and dips are another staple of a New Year’s Eve party. Just because you don’t have to have a dip filled with cheese and bacon doesn’t mean you can’t feature a nice dip in your spread.

Check out this recipe for Health Fruit Dip which is made with yogurt and some added spices for sweetness. Put this on a plate with a variety of fruit and you can still get your dip without adding inches to your waistline.

8. Mango Tango Smoothie Bowl

Skip the ice cream after New Year’s Eve dinner and serve this Mango Tango Smoothie Bowl instead. It will curb your sweet craving while also helping you get a healthy portion of fruits on your diet.

You’ll need some mangos, tofu, and orange juice, which you will blend together to make the smoothie. Then top with your favorite fruits and granola and serve.

9. Healthy New Year’s Recipes Salmon Asparagus Frittatas

Mini frittatas are a good appetizer to pass around at a party. They are easy to eat and there is no mess.

When looking for a healthy alternative to the typical frittata recipes, try these Mini Salmon Asparagus Frittatas. You’ll still end up with a small snack that’s a breeze to eat without all the excess calories.

10. Parmesan Oven Roasted Cauliflower

The problem with healthy New Year’s appetizers is, they typically are cold or raw vegetables. Throw your friend for a loop this year and make this Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower.

It only takes a few ingredients and a few minutes to make, and can easily replace where you would normally place fries or another fried treat during your evening.

11. Cheesy Skillet Gnocchi Healthy New Year’s Recipes

During the cold winter months, comfort food becomes something you crave as your body wants fat filled food to keep you warm during holiday season.

With this recipe for Cheesy Skillet Gnocchi, you can still make a comfort dish that your body is craving for the New Year at a fraction of the calories. The best part is it only takes 25 minutes and one skillet to make.

12. Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal Healthy New Year’s Recipes Energy Bites

Cinnamon Raisin Energy Bites are an easy snack to eat and serve. Made of oats, coconut, raisins, cinnamon, peanut butter, and honey, there is no cooking required to put this snack on the table. They are also easy to save, meaning you can make these for your New Year’s celebration and make extra to serve as snacks all week long.

13. Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is a salad staple in Middle Eastern culture, and you can see why. It’s healthy, easy to make, and has a delicious flavor that everyone can enjoy.

Therefore, when you are picking out some tasty sides for your New Year’s Eve dinner, definitely gab this recipe for Tabbouleh to go with whatever healthy main course you have planned.

14. Skinny Bruschetta Chicken Healthy New Year’s Recipes

Haven’t decided on a healthy main course for your New Year’s Eve dinner yet? Consider this Skinny Bruschetta Chicken.

It’s baked chicken topped with a fresh mix of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Although the chicken takes some time to cook, the rest of the recipe takes almost no time at all, giving you time to make all the appetizers you’ll be serving.

15. Butter Lettuce Salad

Salads are a major part of any healthy diet, but they can get boring to eat over and over. Those tired of the same old salad recipes should grab this recipe for Heart of Palm, Artichoke, Avocado, and Butter Lettuce Salad.

The salty artichoke and heart of palm will give this salad the heart feeling you desire while the avocado and butter lettuce will keep it on the lighter side—all the better for your New Year’s resolution.

16. Vegetable Frittata Healthy New Year’s Recipes

Frittatas are so good there is no reason to stop at one variation when it comes to healthy New Year’s recipes. Especially when the frittata is packed with veggies.

Follow this recipe for Red Potato, Kale, Mushroom, and Feta Frittata, but do take note that this is for a full size frittata, meaning you’ll be serving slices rather than bite size snacks.

17. Healthy New Year’s Recipes Quinoa Corn Chowder

Soup is always a good dinner option. It’s easy to make, warm, and will keep your family full for the rest of the evening.

Next time you are craving something creamy, but also healthy, grab this recipe for Quinoa Corn Chowder, which only takes 30 minutes to make, and is filled with all kinds of delicious vegetables.

But don’t worry, because you can enjoy this dish guilt free at only 313 calories per serving.

18. Charred Kale Caesar Salad with Honey Chipotle Chicken

After a busy day at work, it can be nice to come home and not have to put a whole meal together. This can be difficult if you’re trying to only eat healthy recipes in the New Year!

Grab this recipe for Charred Kale Caesar Salad with Honey Chipotle Chicken during your next meal planning session and have a whole meal on the table that will satisfy everyone in a little over an hour.

19. Butternut Spinach Healthy New Year’s Recipes Multi-Grain Medley

Whole grains fill you up without filling you out when they are prepared the right way that is. Check out this recipe for Butternut Spinach Multi-Grain Medley which is a tasty blend of rice, squash, honey, and spinach.

You’ll especially love the homemade orange vinaigrette you’ll be making to toss the dish in. There are quite a few steps to making this dish, so consider making it in advance if it’s for a holiday meal.

20. Spaghetti Squash Bolognese

Being on a healthy diet often means you have to stop eating your favorite foods like pasta. But thanks to this Spaghetti Squash Bolognese recipe, you can still enjoy the feel and taste of pasta without all the extra calories.

You will be replacing the spaghetti noodles with health spaghetti squash, then making a basic Bolognese sauce to pour over the top. The results are so amazing, you may even end up preferring this recipe over the real thing.

21. Vegan Sloppy Black Eyed-Peas

Black Eyed Peas are a common New Year’s food that can be difficult to find a way to serve. Especially when you have young mouths that won’t like anything with the word ‘peas’ in it.

Make these Vegan Sloppy Black Eyed Peas this holiday season, and your kids won’t know the difference. They’ll be much too focused on the delicious sweet and slightly spicy sauce the peas are cooked in instead.

22. Healthy New Year’s Recipes Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup

Need an appetizer for your fancy holiday meal? Grab this recipe for Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup that is made with carrots, onions, and some spices.

Even if you don’t want to do something as fancy as a soup, you can also use this recipe as a dip for bread for your New Year’s Eve party! Just be sure to have a mini crockpot to serve it in, as this is a dish best served warm.

23. Cauliflower and Quinoa White Chili

Chili is a unique soup for the simple reason that it can be served as a meal all on its own. Those not looking to serve a multi-course meal, but rather something homey and easy to eat this New Year’s should cook this Cauliflower and Quinoa White Chili.

It’s vegan, so no need to worry about any dietary restrictions. Plus, it cooks in 35 minutes, and that can’t be beaten for a tasty dinner that can feed 6 people.

24. Baked Chicken Fingers Healthy New Year’s Recipes

Chicken wings are a staple of many parties and can be a difficult dish to replace. In the coming year, grab this healthy New Year recipe for Baked Chicken Tenders, which are a healthy alternative to their fried counterpart.

Pair them with a cucumber tomato salad, some grilled pineapple, or just serve them as is, people will love them no matter what.

25. Avocado Chicken Salad

Putting out a plate of chicken salad sandwiches or wraps at a party can keep your guests full while also lowering the amount of cooking you have to do.

Seeing as chicken salad isn’t the healthiest spread, try this alternative for Avocado Chicken Salad which is made with yogurt instead of mayo to lower the calorie content.

Chicken salad is so versatile you can even just serve this chicken salad as a dip with some crackers if you like.

26. Shrimp and Garlic Rice Healthy New Year’s Recipes Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a formidable dish that you need to include on your menu this coming New Years. Make this version, Shrimp and Garlic Rice Stuffed Peppers which are much healthier than the beef alternatives.

You can make this as a main course to serve for a fancy dinner, or cut the peppers into fourths to make bite size snacks to serve on a platter, whatever suits your holiday best.

27. Grilled Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Cilantro Sauce

Let’s face it, shrimp can be a bit boring to eat all on its own. But when you spice it up with this recipe for Grilled Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Cilantro Sauce, your guests won’t know what hit them.

The sauce is packed with flavors, with everything from a garlic punch, lime juice tang, and a hint of hot chili. The minute you set this plate out, you can bet these shrimp will be gone.

28. Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Turkey is a lower calorie meat that is a good option to slip into a recipe in place of a higher fat meat. In this recipe for Turkey Stuffed Peppers, you’ll be making a healthy alternative to the old favorite, packed with rice, spices, and of course, turkey.

Put some cheese on the top, and toss them into the oven to bake and you’ll have a low calorie, vitamin packed dinner in just 35 minutes.

29. Healthy New Year’s Recipes Honey Glazed Pork Chops

Pork chops are a highly traditional New Year’s dish and they can be made in a number of ways, but most of these ways are high in calories and not good for those on a diet.

For the coming New Year, make these Honey Garlic Glazed Pork Chops which are made without any heavy cream or high calorie sauces. Instead, you’ll be making your own sauce out of honey, garlic, and soy sauce for a sweet but healthy treat.

30. Mexican Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is a comfort food that is often a go to during the holidays. Many Mexican chicken soup recipes contain ingredients that aren’t good for the waistline, which is why you should try this recipe for Mexican Chicken Soup as it is a much healthier variation.

You’ll skip the creama, as well as the cream in the soup itself, keeping this dish low in the calories and fat.

31. Tropical Smoothie Bowl Healthy New Year’s Recipes

Breakfast can be a hard meal to eat healthy, and after New Year’s celebrations, you’ll definitely be needing one. Make this Tropical Smoothie Bowl which is made with tofu and cashew milk so that it is dairy free.

After blending the smoothie part, you’ll top this dish with your favorite fruit and nuts, making it easy to customize it to suit your personal tastes.

32. Quinoa Taco Bowls

Finding someone who doesn’t like tacos is rare, and it’s for a good reason, because tacos are delicious. When you are trying to watch your calories however, you should skip the taco shell or tortilla and serve Quinoa Taco Bowls instead.

The bowl style keeps the calories down while still curbing your craving for tacos. You could also serve this as a dip for your New Year’s Eve party by placing the bowl on a plate surrounded by some chips or crackers.

33. Pomegranate Salsa

Pomegranates are often eaten on New Year’s because they represent luck in the coming year, but it can be difficult to just set out some pomegranate seeds and ask your guests to eat them.

Rather than end the night with a random bowl of pomegranate seeds, make this Pomegranate Salsa by mixing the seeds with mandarin orange segments and some jalapeno peppers. Serve with chips or crackers, and you will definitely have an empty plate within a few hours.

FAQ

What Food Represents Luck on New Year’s?

When you want to experience good luck in the coming year, you should eat black eyed peas, grapes, pomegranate, pork, and fish for New Year’s Eve of New Year’s Day Dinner.

What is a Healthy New Year’s Day Meal?

A healthy New Year’s day meal should contain lots of greens, black eyed peas, and a pork dish. For those looking for an especially healthy option, the pork can be swapped for baked fish.

What Should You Not Eat on New Year’s?

If you are superstitious, you should avoid eating anything with wings, such as chicken or turkey, on New Year’s as it believes your luck will fly away on the wings of the birds you consume.

What Food Represents Health on New Year’s?

Those looking to experience a healthy year should eat rice and vegetable dishes on New Year’s Eve as these foods are believed to represent health (not to mention they are actually healthy for you).

What Should You Eat on New Year’s Eve?

On New Year’s Eve, you should make healthy New Year’s recipes for your family to ensure you eat all the traditional New Year’s foods in the healthiest way possible.

Can You Eat Eggs on New Year’s Day?

People who aren’t superstitious can enjoy eggs on New Year’s Day. Those who are superstitious, however, should avoid eating eggs for the New Year because they are white, which is also the color of death.

Conclusion

Eating healthy isn’t always easy, but with these healthy New Year’s recipes, you won’t have to worry about destroying your diet this holiday season. You will also enjoy starting your new year off right, surrounded by friends and a table abundant with foods that are good for you. So pick a few recipes off this list, and start cooking, because we guarantee that everyone will love trying these healthy New Year’s recipes.