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    Home > Skinny Recipes

    91 Lighter Recipes for the New Year

    Published: Jan 2, 2018 · Modified: Dec 21, 2020 by Nicky Corbishley

    4 image collage of turkey meatballs, chicken soup, chicken curry and baked salmon. A overlay on top saying 91 lighter recipes for the new year.

    If you're looking to lighten up on the food front after all of those festive treats I've got some great recipes for you!

    Full of flavour and filling too - these are 91 of my favourites.

    You can click on the image for any of them to be taken to the recipe. If you click the 'jump to recipe' at the top of the individual recipe page it will take you straight to the recipe card. The bottom of each recipe card shows nutritional information.
    In general most of these recipes (with a few exceptions) are under 500 calories. Some of the dinners are in the 600-700 calorie range, but I've included them if I think they're extra nutritious.

     

    4 image collage of turkey meatballs, chicken soup, chicken curry and baked salmon. A overlay on top saying 91 lighter recipes for the new year.

    I've spent the day going digging out all of my favourite lighter recipes on Kitchen Sanctuary.

    And Wow! It's been a bit of any eye opener for me!

    I generally consider myself - and by extension KS - to favour comfort foods that are more often than not, on the naughty side.

    I didn't realise I had so many lighter recipes tucked away on the blog! Maybe that means there really is a skinnier person fighting to get out.

    Probably not 😁

    So here's my list of 91 Lighter Recipes for the New Year - split into Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Savoury Snacks and Something Sweet. Click an image for the full recipe.

     

    Breakfast

    • Brown Rice Porridge with figs, blueberries and pistachios. A healthy breakfast that's a little bit different. I thought it would taste weird, but it's really good!
      Brown Rice Porridge with Figs and Blueberries
    • Apple, Elderflower & Pomegranate Hot Smoothie - A refreshing, healthy breakfast for a cold day.
      Apple Elderflower and Pomegranate Hot Smoothie
    • Guacamole and Egg Breakfast Bowl - a delicious, healthy and filling breakfast - ready in 10 mins too!
      Guacamole and Egg Breakfast Bowl
    • A touch of white chocolate with creamy cashews, coconut milk and a few other nutritious goodies make this a lovely, warming winter breakfast.
      White Chocolate Coconut Cashew Hot Smoothie
    • Spicy Breakfast Eggs
      Spicy Breakfast Eggs
    • Mexican Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie - A delicious warm smoothie to wake up your taste buds. Lots of healthy goodies in there too!
      Mexican Hot Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie
    • A toast soldier being dipped into a runny egg yolk in a pan of egg and cheesy kale
      Creamy Eggs and Kale Breakfast
    • Pineapple Avocado Detox Smoothie - Creamy, sweet-but-not-too-sweet and full of health packed ingredients.
      Pineapple Avocado Detox Smoothie
    • Malted Coconut HOT Smoothie - a quick and healthy hot smoothie for a cold day
      Malted Coconut Hot Smoothie
    • Healthier Grapefruit Doughnuts - made with whole wheat flour, coconut oil and greek yogurt. Baked rather than fried. Wonderful for breakfast!
      Healthier Grapefruit Breakfast Doughnuts
    • Orange, carrot and ginger HOT smoothie - a quick and healthy hot smoothie for a cold day.
      Orange Carrot and Ginger HOT smoothie
    • Mexican Shakshuka - dippy eggs poached in a rich Cajun tomato sauce.
      Mexican Shakshuka
    • Oaty Chocolate hot smoothie - a quick and healthy hot smoothie for a cold day
      Oaty Chocolate Hot Smoothie - Week 3 of my Hot Smoothie Saturday series for October
    • Comforting, tasty and packed full of nutrients, this HOT smoothie is perfect for those colder months.
      Oaty Mocha Hot Smoothie
    • Square image of banana oat chocolate chips cookies
      Banana Oat Cookies
    • Cranberry and Apple hot smoothie - a quick and healthy hot smoothie for a cold day
      Cranberry and Apple Hot Smoothie
    • Clusters of crunchy oats, mixed with dried fruit and nuts, this granola is so good, you’ll be eating it straight out of the jar.
      Nuts and Berries Granola
    • This Almond Coconut Warm Smoothie makes a lovely breakfast on a cold day! Lots of nutritious goodies in there to make you feel great! Gluten free too!
      Almond Coconut Warm Smoothie
    • A quick and healthy hot smoothie for a cold day
      Hot green smoothie

    Lunch

    • leek and potato soup in a blue bowl, topped with potatoes and chives
      Leek and Potato Soup
    • This Chicken Noodle Rainbow Salad with Chilli Lime Dressing is packed with nutritious ingredients. Totally delicious and satisfying!
      Chicken Noodle Rainbow Salad with Chilli Lime Dressing
    • miso dressing being drizzled onto a noodle salad on a dark background
      Winter Noodle Salad
    • Square image of Stuffed mushrooms on a black plate with salad
      Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Chickpea and Lemon Soup - Fresh and zingy. A great lunch for only 185 cals per portion. Gluten free and Vegan too.
      Chickpea and Lemon Soup
    • This Three Bone Soup With Veggies and Beans is a great way to make the most of your leftovers! Filling, tasty and easily made gluten free too!
      Three Bone Soup With Veggies and Beans
    • Thai Fishcake Bites and vegetable ribbons on a dark plate
      Thai Fish Cakes with Vegetable Ribbons
    • Need a comforting, warm lunch - packed full of healthy goodness too? Try this vegetarian Warm Quinoa And Goat's Cheese Salad With Honey Mustard Vinaigrette!
      Warm Quinoa And Goats Cheese Salad With Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
    • honey garlic chicken skewers on a white plate
      Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
    • Rainbow noodle salad with Dijon mustard dressing - A crisp, light summer salad with a delicious zingy dressing!
      Rainbow noodle salad with Dijon mustard dressing
    • Close up of a white bowl filled with cauliflower soup and topped with chopped chives, grated cheese and black pepper
      Creamy Cauliflower Soup
    • A colourful chopped cob salad with smoky chickpeas and goat's cheese dressing!
      Cobb Salad with Smoky Chickpeas
    • Tuscan Style Chicken Soup - a hearty soup with veggies and beans to warm up your belly!
      Tuscan Style Chicken Soup
    • These Vegetarian Buddha Bowls with Spicy Peanut sauce make a great Winter salad – for those days when you fancy something a bit lighter for dinner.
      Vegetarian Buddha Bowls with Spicy Peanut Sauce
    • Baked sweet potato and carrot soup with cheddar potato skin croutons - A warming healthier soup. Gluten free & vegetarian.
      Baked sweet potato and carrot soup with cheddar potato skin croutons
    • Square image of a stack of cauliflower fritters topped with tzatziki on a white plate on a wooden board.
      Simple Cauliflower Fritters
    • Vegetable Bibimbap with gochujang - lots of healthy goodies in this Korean style recipe!
      Vegetable Bibimbap
    • This chicken and quinoa salad makes a fantastic energy-boosting lunch!
      Chicken and Quinoa Salad Bowl
    • Close up square image of butterbean and chorizo soup topped with feta and watercress in a light bowl. There is a spoon sticking out of the bowl.
      20-Minute Butterbean and Chorizo Soup
    • Griddled Halloumi Salad with Peach, Courgette and Lemon Pesto. A deliciously filling vegetarian dinner!
      Griddled Halloumi and Peach Salad with Homemade Lemon Pesto
    • Ratatouille Soup - A luscious, creamy, healthy soup - great for using up the leftover bits of veg from your ratatouille.
      Ratatouille Soup
    • Grilled Romaine Hearts with Figs, Pear and Manchego
      Grilled Romaine Hearts with Figs, Pear and Manchego
    • Homemade Chicken and Vegetable Pot Noodle (Instant Noodles) - A great packed lunch alternative for work. Just add boiling water!
      Homemade Chicken and Vegetable Pot Noodle (Instant Noodles)
    • chicken and vegetable soup in a light bowl with bread and spoon on the side
      Piled High Chicken and Vegetable Soup

    Dinner

    • Cauliflower fried rice on a grey plate on a light background
      Cauliflower Fried Rice
    • Firecracker Chicken on a blue plate against a dark background
      Copycat Firecracker Chicken
    • Asian-style sea bass fillets on a baking tray with spring onions and chillies
      12 minute Sticky Asian Sea Bass
    • This Healthier Slow Cooked Spicy Chicken Rogan Josh is just the thing when you're trying to be good. Syn free on Slimming world! Gluten free too.
      Healthier Slow Cooked Spicy Chicken Rogan Josh
    • Slow Cooked Summer Beef Casserole. Fall-apart meat with crunchy veg and parmesan. Serve it with couscous for an even lighter feel.
      Slow Cooked SUMMER Beef Casserole
    • Baked salmon on a tray topped with lemon slices. Honey being drizzled on top with a spoon.
      Honey Garlic Butter Baked Salmon
    • Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables - A healthier option when you want a quick and easy dinner! Gluten free too!
      Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken with Vegetables
    • Close up of a dish of ratatouille on a blue background
      Easy Ratatouille with Feta Croutons
    • That Chinese take-away might be tempting, but this honey and garlic chicken stir-fry is just as tasty, and so much better for you!
      Honey and Garlic Chicken Stir Fry with Cauliflower Egg Fried Rice
    • This slow-cooked pulled pork and bean soup makes a hearty and nutritious dinner. Gluten free too! It's freezable, so make a large batch!
      Pulled Pork and Bean Soup
    • The homemade curry paste for this Spicy Healthier Red Thai Chicken Curry is easy and packed with flavour!
      Healthier Red Thai Chicken Curry - without the shop-bought sauce!
    • Square image of Turkey meatballs and courgetti on a dark plate
      One-Pot Turkey Meatballs With Courgetti
    • These fish and chips may be baked instead of fried, but they’ve still got all the flavour and crunch of the fried version!
      Baked Fish and Chips with Lemon Smashed Peas
    • Oh my! This Korean Beef Bulgogi Bowl is bursting with spicy flavour! Marinated, then grilled or fried and served with a vibrant, crunchy salad.
      Korean Beef Bulgogi Bowl
    • This Prawn and Mango Curry Noodle Bowl is fresh, fragrant and spicy!
      Prawn and Mango Curry Noodle Bowl
    • Cauliflower steak with spicy salsa verde. Cauliflower fried until golden, then poached in stock - a great meatless Monday meal!
      Cauliflower Steak with Spicy Salsa Verde
    • Juicy griddled Cajun chicken with charred veggies and coriander-lime rice – ready in 30 minutes. A great weeknight dinner!
      Cajun Chicken with Coriander and Lime Rice
    • Hawaiian Chicken Salad - piles of fresh veg, grilled pineapple and a deliciously zingy vinaigrette!
      Hawaiian Chicken Salad with Coriander-Lime Vinaigrette
    • Square image of one-pot chicken and couscous in a blue pan, topped with feta and pomegranate. There is a wooden spoon digging into the couscous.
      One-Pot Chicken and Couscous with Feta
    • A simple made-from-scratch curry, slow cooked to intensify the heat and flavour.
      Slow Cooker Spicy Chicken Curry
    • Juicy meatballs with hidden veg, served in a tomato and pepper sauce with gooey melted cheese.
      Hidden Veg Meatballs
    • A fresh, fragrant and light-but-creamy Thai chicken curry. Only 500 cals per serving INCLUDING rice (226 cals without). Less than 2 syns per serving on Slimming World Extra Easy.
      Skinny Thai Green Curry
    • Chicken and Red Pepper Pasta
    • Slow-cooked spicy beef curry in a dish on a dark background
      Healthier Slow Cooked Spicy Beef Curry
    • Square overhead image of salmon and spaghetti in a creamy lemon sauce in a white bowl with a lemon wedge in the bowl. The bowl is on a blue background. There is a fork and a napkin nearby.
      Pan Fried Salmon and Spaghetti with Lemon Cream Sauce
    • Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken - a healthier, veg-packed version of the Chinese classic. Tastes amazing and ready in less than 30 mins!
      Healthier Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken
    • Close up of a bowl of garlic chicken pasta and kale with a fork in the bowl.
      One Pot Garlic Chicken Pasta
    • This Fish Taco Bowl with Zingy Yoghurt Dressing makes a fantastic energising dinner. Packed with healthy ingredients and gluten free too.
      Fish Taco Bowl with Zingy Yogurt Dressing
    • Sweet Roasted Kabocha Squash Salad - with creamy goat's cheese and a tangy pomegranate dressing. A deliciously filling dinner - perfect for Meatless Monday!
      Roasted Kabocha and Goat's Cheese Salad with Pomegranate Dressing
    • Couscous and Feta Stuffed Peppers - Serve them as a light lunch or side dish.
      Feta and Couscous Stuffed Roasted Romano Peppers
    • Thai Prawns With Cauliflower Rice is a super delicious lighter meal, packed with flavour, ready on the table in under 20 minutes AND under 300 cals. #52diet #lowcaloriemeal #thaiprawns #cauliflowerrice
      Thai Prawns with Cauliflower Rice (246 Calories)

    Savoury Snacks

    • Carrot fries on a white plate with dipping sauce
      Baked Parmesan Carrot Fries
    • Square photo of Asian cauliflower wings on a blue plate
      Baked Cauliflower Wings - Asian Style
    • Sweet and Salty Kale Chips - a quick, simple and skinny snack at 116 calories per serving
      Sweet and Salty Kale Chips
    • Square image of Asian chicken lettuce wraps in a marble serving board
      Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • A lighter alternative to those crisps and dips - try my loaded Mexican-style carrot fries! A great party food, snack or lunch. Vegetarian and gluten free!
      Loaded Mexican-Style Carrot Fries
    • Homemade Healthy Nachos. Lot's of flavour and a touch of heat served on crunchy baked 'nachos'.
      Healthy Nachos with Salsa Verde

    Something Sweet

    • Square image of banana oat chocolate chips cookies
      Banana Oat Cookies
    • These no-bake Banana Bread Energy Balls are packed with delicious goodies. Perfect for breakfast on the run! Gluten free too!
      Banana Bread Energy Balls
    • These Brown Sugar Glazed Clementines with Cream Cheese, Honey and Pistachios make a surprisingly quick breakfast!
      Brown Sugar Glazed Clementines with Cream Cheese, Honey and Pistachios
    • Cheesecake stuffed strawberries on a marble chopping board
      Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
    • Bitesize chocolate cakes with fresh raspberry and Nutella centre, drizzled with Nutella.
      Chocolate Raspberry Bites
    • Hazelnut Mocha Chocolate Mousse - a gluten free, lighter dessert, made with avocado, Greek yogurt and banana. Creamy and sweet!
      Hazelnut Mocha Chocolate Mousse
    • Fruity S'mores Marshmallow Blinis - A simple and sweet appetizer!
      Fruity S'mores Marshmallow Blinis
    • Cashew Apricot White Chocolate Energy Balls - A healthier way to combat that afternoon energy dip!
      Cashew Apricot White Chocolate Energy Balls
    • Avocado chocolate mousse bowl with roasted cherries - sweet, indulgent but healthier too!
      Avocado chocolate mousse bowl with roasted cherries
    • These easy no-bake granola bars come together in minutes and the almond-y berry bakewell flavour is so addictive!
      No Bake Berry Bakewell Granola Bars
    • These chocolate cheesecake stuffed strawberries make a great canape, party dessert or snack!
      Chocolate Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

    Read More

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    1. Joanne Riley says

      January 02, 2021 at 9:32 pm

      Hi Nicky
      Thanks for all these recipes and a happy new year to you and your family x

      Reply
    2. Siobhan says

      January 02, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      Thank you so much for all these amazing recipes! Not one has failed! They are easy to follow and really healthy. Happy 2021 and once again- thank you from all of my family! 🇮🇪 ☘️

      Reply

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    Hi I’m Nicky

    I love to cook and I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

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