I’m indulging this holiday season. There’s no way around it. I’m not going to sit here and pretend that this is the year that I just say no to an extra cookie (or five) at the cookie swap or turn down the opportunity to put on my Christmas pants and try anything warm and cheesy you can put in front of me.
That being said, there’s no reason why every single thing on the table has to be made with a stick of butter. Over the years I’ve found and made lots of recipes that cut the fat significantly while still delivering 100% on the flavors that I grew up with. Believe it or not, it’s quite easy to cook up your holiday feasts without everything being over-the-top rich.
Try subbing out a few of the heavier holiday dishes you make for these skinny holiday recipes (Cauliflower Mash and the Lightened Up Green Bean Casserole are my personal faves). You won’t be sacrificing a bit of flavor, but come New Year’s, you’ll spend a few less hours at the gym shedding off that dreaded holiday weight.
'Skinny' Cauliflower Mash
You might feel like you're eating mashed potatoes full of cream and butter, but this recipe from Stacy Keibler has much less fat and fewer calories. And it's scrumptious!
Get the recipe on Mumtastic.
Naughty Nog
How can you go through the holiday season without the quintessential cup of eggnog? You'll be thrilled with Bethenny Frankel's recipe -- it’s under 150 calories!
Get the recipe on Mumtastic.
Acorn Squash with Persimmon-Quinoa Filling
Savoury and satisfying, filled with light and healthy autumn flavors, this beautiful side dish serves the role of stuffing for your vegetarian or vegan guests.
Find the full recipe on Recipe Renovator.
Crunchy Brussels Sprouts Salad
Surprise your holiday guests by tossing this year's Brussels sprouts with a lovely light vinaigrette and serving them as an appetiser salad.
Find the full recipe on Mumtastic.
Brined Turkey
For the holidays this year, roast a juicy, succulent turkey without any butter or oil! After you soak your turkey in a brine bath overnight, you will never want to cook a turkey another way.
Find the full recipe on Skinny Taste.
Vegan Gravy
Yep, that's right: vegan. And vegan means no butter. Packed with wonderful flavors, this will make you just as happy as traditional gravy.
Find the full recipe on The Naked Kitchen.
Wild Rice Stuffing
This wild rice twist brings a wonderful earthy flavor to the low fat stuffing. It's gluten free and vegan, too.
Find the full recipe on Recipe Renovator.
Mini Maple Pecan Pies
If you can’t imagine your holiday without pecan pie, but don’t want to have a meal’s worth of calories for just one slice of pie, then this is the perfect recipe for you!
Find the full recipe on Dashing Dish.
Lightened Up Green Bean Casserole with Shallot Crumb Topping
Creamy, but without the cream, this delicious take on a traditional green bean casserole, will wow your guests and keep them coming back for more.
Find the full recipe on Skinny Taste.
Butternut Squash and Honey Muffins
Here's a twist: Instead of buttery biscuits this year, how about these light muffins full of lovely seasonal flavors?
Find the full recipe on Mumtastic.
Sugarless Cranberry Sauce
Naturally sweetened with fruit juice and applesauce, you'll hope for leftovers of this super delicious cranberry sauce.
Find the full recipe on Wellness Mama.
Healthier Christmas Ham Glaze Recipes
Orange-honey mustard, spicy cherry, and tropical cherry! Oh my! And they're all low in sugar and bursting with delicious flavors!
Find the full recipe on Wholesome Cook.
Gluten-Free Vegan Cornbread Stuffing
Though It's lighter than most, gluten free and vegan, this holiday stuffing is the real deal---hearty, delicious, and comforting.
Find the full recipe on Mumtastic.
Light Enchiladas
Warm, spicy enchiladas will add wonderful southwest flair to your Christmas table. This 'skinny' casserole, packed with veggies, tastes positively sinful, with a fraction of the calories and fat of the original.
Get the recipe on Mumtastic.
Cinnamon Sweet Potato Pan Fries
French fries for the holidays? Yes! And no marshmallows or sugary nuts here---just a healthy dose of cinnamon and olive oil.
Find the full recipe on Mumtastic.
Marinated Green Beans
Light as can be, these pretty green beans pack a punch of flavor in every bite.
Find the full recipe on Mumtastic.
Healthy Pumpkin Pie
We've heard this might just be the creamiest healthy pumpkin pie you’ll ever taste in your life!
Find the full recipe on Chocolate-Covered Katie.
Herbed Roasted Potatoes
Easy to prepare ahead of time, these potatoes, roasted with olive oil and fresh herbs are delicious. They're a healthy alternative to heavy mashed potatoes.
Find the full recipe on Mumtastic.
Low Calorie Stuffing
You can still enjoy the fabulous flavors and comfort of stuffing without sacrificing a diet plan you’ve been working hard on.
Find the full recipe on Laa Loosh.
Balsamic Sweet Potato Arugula Quinoa Salad
Spin this year's sweet potatoes with arugula and quinoa for a healthy, hearty holiday salad.
Find the full recipe on Mumtastic.
Roasted Sage and Pomegranate Chicken Recipe
Packed with the flavors of sage and pomegranate, this would be a gorgeous "skinny" centerpiece for any holiday!
Find the full recipe on Laa Loosh.
Mocha Yule Log
Just as tasty served cold as it is at room temperature, this lightened up traditional Christmas cake is lighter than air.
Find the full recipe on Delish.
Healthy Garlic & Herb Smashed Potatoes
This delicious and comforting mashed potato recipe is low fat, dairy free, gluten free, vegetarian, and paleo approved!
Find the full recipe on Linda Wagner.
Pork Loin with Cranberry Sauce
Pork tenderloin is not only lovely and delicious strewn with cranberries---it's also one of the leanest meat choices for your holiday dinner.
Find the full recipe on The Pioneer Woman.
Gluten-Free Blender Pecan Pie
This amazingly scrumptious pie proves that healthy natural food can be truly satisfying and can be made with basic cooking skills.
Find the full recipe on The Blender Girl.
Pea Shoot Sweet Potato Stir Fry
Mix up and lighten up your holiday menu this year. Serve the sweet potatoes with the greens, minus the sugar and butter.
Find the full recipe on Mumtastic.
Trina's Low-Sugar Fresh Cranberry Salsa
With cilantro, green onion, lime juice, and jalapeño, this low-sugar cranberry salsa a huge hit.
Find the full recipe on Kalyn's Kitchen.
Kugel
Significantly lightened up, this healthier version is every bit as delicious, creamy, and rich as a traditional kugel. It's the ideal addition to a Hanukkah menu.
Find the full recipe on Key Ingredient.
Soy-Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Sesame Seeds
This super flavorful, low fat sweet potato recipe is a must-try and a great change of pace from other brown-sugar-laden recipes.
Find the full recipe on Kalyn's Kitchen.
Skinny Pumpkin Pie
This recipe is quick and easy, with a super awesome secret about how to lighten up your pie crust.
Find the full recipe on Skinny Taste.
Cinnamon + Sweet Potato Latkes
Instead of making traditional potato pancakes for Hanukkah this year, try this super delicious healthier version, naturally sweetened with apple and sweet potato.
Find the full recipe on Mumtastic.
More Healthy Holiday Recipes:
Healthier Holiday Recipe Alternatives That Pack the Flavor Without the Calories
How to Buy a Healthy Holiday Pie
How to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthy Snacks During the Holidays
The post 31 Skinny Holiday Recipes That Don’t Skimp on Flavor appeared first on Mumtastic.