Shared meals and a crowded table are festive traditions for so many, but figuring out what to make for a group of holiday guests can be a daunting task. Thankfully, we’re making planning a little easier this year with this diabetes-friendly menu. Complete with mocktail, side, main and dessert recipes, all of these dishes are low in saturated fat and sodium and mindful of carbs and calories to help support healthy blood sugar levels. From elevated staples like our Roasted Garlic Melting Sweet Potatoes to show-stopping desserts like our Peppermint Chocolate Tart, these recipes make it possible for everyone at your table to enjoy all of their holiday favorites.
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Sorrel Spritz Mocktail
Ali Redmond
A celebratory red drink made during the holidays in Jamaica, this sorrel spritz is infused with cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Instead of using white rum, these mocktails are topped off with seltzer for a refreshing fizz. The gorgeous red hue of the drink comes from dried Jamaican sorrel, also known as hibiscus.
No-Added-Sugar Peach-Pineapple Mocktail
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This refreshing, no-sugar-added mocktail blends white grape-peach juice, ripe peaches and juicy pineapple for a naturally sweet and vibrant drink. Grated fresh ginger adds a warm kick that balances the flavors of the fruit. It’s best served chilled, so you can whip up a batch in the morning to enjoy as the sun sets.
Sesame-Honey Roasted Cashews
Photographer: Ali Redmond.
These sesame-honey roasted cashews are a sweet-and-savory snack with a toasty crunch and a hint of umami from the sesame seeds. While they’re perfect for snacking straight from the jar, they also make a delicious topping for salads, adding protein and flavor. For a fun twist, mix them into homemade trail mix or gift them in jars for an easy, crowd-pleasing gift.
Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Crispy, golden and cheesy, these puff pastry cheese straws with garlic and Parmesan are the perfect holiday party appetizer. They’re easy to prepare ahead, making them ideal for entertaining. Serve warm or at room temperature—they’ll be the most popular three-ingredient appetizer at your gathering.
Rainbow Beet Salad
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Renu Dhar, Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee.
This rainbow beet salad is stunning on the table and nourishing on the plate. Roasted multicolored beets get tossed in a lemon-ginger vinaigrette that brightens every bite. The result is a salad that’s vibrant in both color and flavor, making it equally at home on the holiday table, as a potluck showpiece or as a special weeknight side.
Maple-Mustard Green Beans with Crispy Shallots
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
Tangy and crisp-tender, these maple-mustard green beans offer a fresh twist on a classic side dish. The beans are tossed in a glossy dressing of maple syrup, Dijon and vinegar for a perfect balance of sweetness and zing. Crispy shallots add crunch, making the dish feel special enough for entertaining, yet it’s simple enough for a weeknight. The flavors work perfectly with roasted meats or holiday mains.
Roasted Garlic Melting Sweet Potatoes
Photographer: Ali Redmond.
This simple recipe transforms sweet potatoes into a deeply savory and aromatic side dish. The secret is a whole head of garlic roasted alongside the potatoes until soft and caramelized, then whisked into broth that coats the potatoes and infuses flavor into every tender bite. It’s a foolproof, flavor-packed way to elevate any fall or holiday spread.
Cabbage Salad with Bacon
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Amanda Hostein, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
This warm Cabbage Salad with Bacon turns simple ingredients into something delicious. Crisp, smoky bacon adds richness, while its rendered drippings are whisked into an apple-cider vinaigrette for a tangy, savory-sweet dressing that coats the cabbage perfectly. A touch of Dijon and honey makes each bite bright and satisfying.
Lemon-Garlic Clams with Brown Rice Risotto
Ali Redmond
Littleneck clams are steamed in a white wine and garlic sauce and served over no-stir brown rice risotto that’s baked in the oven and made creamy by adding Parmesan cheese and a little butter. The clams are garlicky and briny, with a pop of heat from red pepper and a bit of acidity from lemon, a perfect contrast to the creamy risotto. This fuss-free dish is perfect for holiday gatherings, like the Feast of the Seven Fishes, but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
Apple Cider Chicken
Fresh apples and apple cider add fall flavor to this quick chicken sauté.
Peppermint Chocolate Tart
This rich chocolate tart dessert recipe is low in sugar, making it a perfect healthy finish to a heavy holiday meal.
Cranberry-Coconut Oatmeal Cookies
Brittany Conerly
In this installment of Diaspora Dining, Jessica B. Harris’ series on foods of the African diaspora, the author and historian rings in some changes to the Christmas traditions of her own childhood.
