What to Cook in January

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

And just like that, January is underway! For many, the new year feels like a reset, a time to start over, a time to focus on yourself by nourishing your body and moving it in a way that feels good to you.

Maybe you set some lofty goals for yourself this year, or maybe you just want to continue from where you left off in 2023. No matter what you’ve set for yourself, nourishing yourself from the inside out is key, and that’s why I’m here!

This month here at LCK, we’re craving comfort food, but make it a bit healthier and focus on in-season fruits and veggies! So, without further ado, here’s a list of What to Cook in January, as well as a list of what’s in season this month!

Juice, winter fruit salad, lemon chicken in a cast iron

Our Must-Make Recipes this January

As we come out of the holiday season, many of us our craving lightened-up dishes, healthier breakfasts, and easy-to-pack lunches. The seasonal produce is still mostly root cellar finds and a few sporadic gems; you’ll find those below.

This month, we’re sharing our favorite January recipes that we feel you’ll LOVE and they encompass everything we just mentioned.

Seasonal Market Finds

Acorn squash
Butternut Squash
Cranberries
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Clementines
Grapefruit
Kale
Kiwis
Leeks
Lemons
Limes
Mushrooms
Oranges
Parsnips
Potatoes
Rhubarb
Tangerines
Turnips

overhead of a meal prep container with overnight oats, yogurt, and craisins.

My Basic Overnight Oats Recipe: These Overnight Oats are great for meal prep. This healthy breakfast takes just a few minutes to prep, is so customizable, and is so easy to enjoy on-the-go.

Mexican Breakfast Casserole: When tortilla chips, spiced ground turkey, veggies, eggs and cheese are all baked up together in the oven, only good things can come of it! This Mexican Breakfast Casserole is a wholesome breakfast dish to serve a crowd or prepared for an easy grab-and-go meal.

Cherry, Coconut and Chocolate Granola: Granola can be a great whole grain breakfast or snack, especially when paired with yogurt! This Cherry, Coconut and Chocolate Granola is full of fiber and healthy fats, but more important it tastes so delicious! It’s super crispy and has the perfect combination of tart cherries, sweet coconut flakes and big chunks of chocolate!

Potato Leek Soup: Flavorful and deeply comforting, this Potato Leek Soup is a must-make during soup season! It’s creamy (without any cream added) and made simply with just a few ingredients.

Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggie Dinner: This Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggie Dinner is easy, flavorful, and delicious. Plus grab all those in-season veggies! What beats that?

Spicy Shrimp and Citrus Salad: This Spicy Citrus Shrimp Salad comes together in roughly 20 minutes, and it’s the perfect hearty weeknight salad that everyone will love. Especially during the winter months when fresh citrus is in abundance!

P.S. Citrus Mahi Mahi with Avocado Salsa, Roasted Turkey (with Herbs and Citrus), Tropical Mango Shrimp Ceviche, and Mulled Wine all use fresh citrus!

Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice: This Instant Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice is an easy-to-make dinner that the whole family will love. Made with a few simple whole ingredients, this healthy dinner will soon be a family favorite.

P.S. Air Fryer Broccoli, Healthy Broccoli Quinoa Casserole, and Paleo Chicken and Broccoli in the Instant Pot are other great uses of in-season broccoli!

Asian-Inspired Beef Cabbage Wraps: perfect for a quick yet flavorful easy dinner. Ground beef is cooked together with umami flavors before being placed inside of a Napa cabbage leave and topped with a tangy mayo-free slaw. It’s a weeknight dinner must-make and it’s low-carb, Paleo and Whole30 friendly.

The Best Winter Fruit Salad: This Winter Fruit Salad uses commonly found winter fruit and it’s mixed together with a delicious greek yogurt and poppy seed dressing. Perfect for parties or for a delicious dessert!

A plate of sweet potato and black bean enchiladas.

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas: If you are looking for the perfect veggie enchilada recipe then look no further. Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas are simple to make, using real wholesome ingredients, and are just so delicious! Bake some for now, and freeze some for later. Your future self will thank you!

P.S. Don’t miss this handy guide on How to Cut Butternut Squash!

Beet Slaw with Mint and Ginger: This beet slaw is a tangy and sweet side dish, filled with farm-fresh beets, scallions, and fresh mint! It pairs perfectly with grilled chicken or salmon, or as an addition to any leafy green salad.

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad with Kale

Apple, Sweet Potato and Kale Quinoa Salad: This Kale Quinoa Salad is the ultimate Fall salad! Packed with massaged kale, cooked quinoa, diced apples, roasted sweet potatoes, pistachios, and the perfect maple balsamic dressing; it’s an Autumn salad everyone will love!

More kale forward recipes you’ll love: Turkey Kale Soup, Grilled Salmon Bowl with Garlicky Kale, Kale and Sweet Potato Stuffed Turkey Breast, Rustic Tomato Vegetable Soup

Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes: These Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes are perfectly tender in the middle and crispy on the outside. They’re a simple side dish made with just potatoes, oil, and a few spices!

Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes: These Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes are crispy and golden on the outside and soft and smooth on the inside. This simple side dish is bright, fresh, savory, and takes just a few minutes to prep and everyone will love them!

Lemon Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Capers, and Artichokes: This Lemon Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Capers, and Artichokes is a flavorful, hearty, and healthy meal that the whole family will love. It’s made with juicy, perfectly roasted chicken smothered with fresh, tangy, salty, spicy flavors.

More lemons? No problem! Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken, Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Lemon Greens, and Gluten-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Bread are perfect!

Instant Pot Lemon Veggie Risotto | Lexi's Clean Kitchen

Instant Pot Lemon Vegetable Risotto: This 10-minute Instant Pot Lemon Veggie Risotto is a flavorful, bright, vibrant, and a creamy Meatless Monday meal! Loaded with broccoli, asparagus, spinach, and peas!

Curry Butternut Squash Soup: This Curry Butternut Squash Soup is the perfect cozy cold weather soup. It’s so creamy, so flavorful, and optionally dairy-free. Perfect quick and easy lunch or meal prep option!

Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon: If you are looking for a versatile side dish that works for both a quick weeknight meal or a decadent holiday dinner look no further than this recipe for Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon! Cooking the Brussels sprouts with bacon and maple syrup is sure to make this side dish a fan favorite for everybody!

P.S. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Brussels Sprout Slaw are also great ways to use those fresh brussels!