After a few days (or weeks) of indulgence, nothing sounds better than a light home-cooked meal. For clean eating to become a regular ritual in the weeks and months ahead, the secret is simple: Make nutritious foods delicious! With the right preparation, wholesome ingredients can perfectly showcase a diverse array of vibrant flavors. The following clean-eating recipes feature vegetables and lean proteins as star ingredients, and they’re made extra delectable with the help of herbs, spices, aromatics, fruit, and other taste bud–tickling accompaniments. Pick and choose your favorites as you plan your menu for the weeks ahead, or save this list on Pinterest as a reference for healthy eating.
Breakfast
Mason Jar Greek Yogurt & Fruit Parfaits
This cute and convenient breakfast packs layers of filling and flavorful ingredients: Greek yogurt, oats, chia seeds, and frozen fruit.
Oatmeal with Cacao Nibs and Figs
A sweet and crunchy combination, can be made with prepared steel-cut oats or the easier instant variety and topped with cacao nibs and sliced figs.
Soft-Boiled Eggs
Make this the year you master the soft-boiled egg. It’s all about timing—they’re prepared the same way as hard-boiled eggs, just remove from hot water sooner.
Overnight Steel-Cut Oats with Almond Butter and Honey
This simple steel-cut oatmeal is prepared with milk and water in a slow-cooker, then dressed up with nut butter and honey.
Greek Yogurt and Pomegranate
Dress up a cup of Greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds. Get them while they’re in season for maximum sweetness and affordability.
Avocado Toast with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Top toast with mashed avocado, sliced sun-dried tomatoes, and a little salt, pepper, and olive oil for a slightly sweet and savory twist on a classic breakfast.
Vegetarian Meals
Sweet Potato Farro Salad
Roasted sweet potatoes are the star of this hearty salad, but farro, arugula, roasted garlic, and a lemon dressing add layers of flavor and satisfying depth.
California Barley Bowls
Barley is anything but bland when mixed with avocado, arugula, queso fresco cheese, almonds, and zingy lemon yogurt dressing.
Roasted Cauliflower with Olives, Currants, and Tahini
Simple cauliflower is a vehicle for unbelievably bright and savory flavors when dressed up with kalamata olives, dried currants, and a garlic tahini dressing.
Curried Brussels Sprouts with Chickpeas and Sweet Potatoes
The secret to making meatless meals satisfying is all about seasoning. This filling combination of Brussels sprouts, chickpeas, and sweet potatoes packs a punch thanks to a five-spice curry sauce.
Quinoa and Spinach Stuffed Acorn Squash
Ricotta cheese adds a satisfying creaminess to the spinach and quinoa mixture stuffed inside roasted acorn squash.
Spinach & Basil Quinoa with Marinara
Skip spaghetti and top cooked quinoa with marinara, spinach, and basil for an easy and nutritious weeknight meal.
Soups
Greek Lemon Soup with Chicken and Orzo
This piquant soup gets its sunny color and richness from egg yolks. If you don’t have chicken on-hand you could also use leftover turkey.
Italian Chickpea Soup
Garbanzo beans and sweet potatoes add wholesome heft to this light vegan soup.
Paleo Tomato Soup
This soup is as simple as it gets with just seven ingredients. If you’re short on time you can use a can of roasted tomatoes instead of preparing your own.
Vegan Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Garlic Kale Drizzle
Mashed cauliflower creates a creamy consistency without dairy. Garlic, onion, lemon, and kale brighten the vegetable’s muted flavor.
Fish
Herb-Roasted Fish
This simple preparation for snapper or cod is quick and easy. Just top fish with salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, and green olives and bake in a parchment pouch.
Chili Rubbed Salmon
Spice up a salmon fillet with chili powder, oregano, and salt then cook on the stovetop for a few minutes on each side.
Halibut with Artichoke and Tomato Broth
Grilled halibut is dressed with a light and flavorful broth that adds satisfying flavor without sacrificing the healthfulness of the dish.
Paleo Salmon with Lemon and Thyme
This healthy source of protein and omega-3 fat is brightened with lemon, capers, and thyme.
Sicilian Swordfish
Swordfish steaks are simply seasoned with lemon juice, salt, and oregano for a light and versatile main dish.
Meat
Skinny Lemon Chicken Piccata
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are cooked in a garlicky lemon caper sauce with a splash of white wine and a touch of butter.
Moroccan Stuffed Peppers
Prepare this recipe the traditional way with ground lamb, or substitute turkey to cut down on fat. The cinnamon, cumin, mint, and garlic add all the flavor you’ll need.
Crock-Pot Turkey Breast
This slow-cooked preparation of a whole turkey breast can be customized to your flavor preference—try a spice rub, herb blend, or vegetable accents.
Michael Pollan’s Vinegar-Braised Chicken
The red-wine vinegar and tomato sauce leaves chicken juicy and tender. Garlic, thyme, bay leaves, and parsley add a rich depth of flavor.
