Looking for diabetes-friendly recipes that you can serve and enjoy over the holidays? You’ve come to the right place! The holidays always take me back to my family’s kitchen—spices filling the air, dishes piled high, and the constant buzz of laughter and conversation. Somewhere in the background, there’s always a friendly argument brewing: who makes the best mac and cheese or sweet potato pie 👀? (Spoiler alert: everyone thinks it’s them lol) But whether it’s Auntie’s famous pie or your cousin’s cheesy masterpiece, holiday meals are all about connection and flavor.
If you’re managing diabetes, navigating those carb-rich dishes might feel like a balancing act. But here’s the good news: enjoying your favorites doesn’t have to mean skipping out or feeling restricted. With a little planning and a few blood-sugar-friendly recipes, you can savor every bite and still feel great.
I’ve rounded up some of my favorite holiday-ready diabetes-friendly recipes from Diabetes Digital to inspire your menu this season. Whether you’re looking for a quick side dish, a comforting main, or a festive sweet treat, these recipes are delicious, satisfying, and designed to bring balance to your table. Let’s dive in!
6 Holiday Ready, Diabetes-Friendly Recipes
Hearty Cod and White Bean Stew
To start, our heart-warming recipe will take you on an unforgettable journey through flavors. This comforting Hearty Cod and White Bean Stew combines succulent cod, aromatic veggies and herbs, and creamy white beans, all simmered together in a savory seafood broth. It’s the perfect diabetes-friendly dish to warm you up and enjoy with your loved ones. Furthermore, this easy recipe will be both fun to prepare and incredibly delicious. Everything from chopping the vegetables to simmering the succulent cod will be like stepping into a sanctuary of good food. This recipe is full of healthy ingredients with tons of flavor and aromas. It’s perfect to bring to a holiday gathering and while also being blood sugar-friendly.
Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Shredded Chicken
This nourishing holiday recipe not only satisfies the pickiest eaters, it also aligns with diabetes management and prevention. Our Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken is a wholesome and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a diabetes-friendly diet. With succulent chicken infused with zesty salsa verde and aromatic spices, this recipe bursts in flavor while staying healthy. Slow-cooking meat is one of the oldest cooking practices, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that melts in your mouth. Adding savory salsa verde on this dish brings a touch of Mexican flavor to the dish. Salsa verde, meaning “green sauce” in Spanish, is a traditional Mexican condiment made with tomatillos, green chilies, and various herbs and spices. The bright and tangy flavors of salsa verde perfectly complement the tender, shredded chicken.
10 Minute Kale Pasta Salad
If you have prediabetes or diabetes (or just want something quick, healthy, and delicious), then this 10 10-minute kale Pasta Salad will make perfect addition to any holiday meal. Packed with vibrant kale, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and protein-rich white beans, this recipe is nutritious and full of flavor.
Creamy Mushroom & Rotisserie Chicken Pasta
Are you looking for a wonderful dinner full of nutritious goodness that’s perfect for managing your diabetes? Try making our Creamy Mushroom & Rotisserie Chicken Pasta. This delightful and wholesome pasta is full of earthy mushrooms, tender rotisserie chicken, and a luscious cashew-based cream sauce. With a balanced and comforting meal option like this one, you will make everyone at the dinner table happy.
Curiously enough, the combination of pasta, mushrooms, and creamy sauces has also been around for a long time. In our version, we take the goodness of mushrooms and rotisserie chicken and combine a nutritious and diabetes-friendly twist. The creamy sauce, made with cashews and whole milk, adds a velvety texture without compromising on flavor. Making this pasta an excellent choice for diabetes diet menus.
Broiled Peaches with Ice Cream
This diabetes-friendly dessert recipe is an ode to one of the juiciest and most delicious stone fruits…peaches! Our Broiled Peaches and Ice Cream recipe features broiled peaches brushed with a heavenly maple cinnamon glaze. The warm, caramelized peaches perfectly complement the creamy goodness of your favorite ice cream. This beautiful combination of healthy summer flavors will cool you down and satisfy your taste buds, making it the perfect addition to your holiday dessert menu.
Morning Mocha Smoothie Recipe
Many people skip breakfast for the holidays, but don’t let that be you! If you need something quick refreshing and delicious to start your day, try making our diabetes-friendly Morning Mocha Smoothie. This recipe infuses the rich flavors of coffee and cocoa with unsweetened soy milk as the base. It’s not only delicious but can be a delightful part of your daily routine while supporting your diabetes prevention or management goals. The smoothie’s simplicity and versatility make it an ideal choice for busy mornings or as a refreshing pick-me-up throughout the day.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting a crowd, these diabetes-friendly recipes prove that holiday meals can be both delicious and in-line with your health goals. Have a favorite? Let me know on Instagram at Diabetes Digital—we’d love to see your creations! And, find more of our favorite diabetes-friendly recipes to enjoy year-round, here.
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