December Seasonal Produce Guide
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This December Seasonal Produce Guide is the perfect resource if you’re wondering what’s in season in December! It includes a complete list of seasonal fruits and vegetables that are readily available this month, along with plenty of recipes to utilize this vibrant collection of late fall and early winter produce!
The month of December is a transition from fall to winter, so this month the markets are full of late fall and early winter produce.
This month looks very similar to last month with winter squash, sweet potatoes, pears, pomegranate and cranberries in abundance, and there are so many delicious ways to use this produce in your every day meals as well as festive holiday dishes.
This December Seasonal Produce Guide will provide you with a list of fruits and vegetables that are at their peak this month, and you’ll also find a multitude of recipes below to provide you with the inspiration you need to use this produce.
Eating seasonally means enjoying produce at its peak of flavor and nutrition, and this December produce guide highlights what to look for so you can cook and eat with the best of the season.
See last month’s November seasonal produce guide for a list of produce that might still be available in your area.
What’s in season in December
Below is a list of the fruits and vegetables that are in season during the month of December. This list may vary depending on where you are located.
December seasonal fruits and vegetables
Root vegetables
- Carrots. Sweet and crisp, great for dipping, eaten raw in salads, an fabulous in soups and stews. They can also be grated and added to cakes and muffins for moisture and flavor.
- Parsnips. Sweet and earthy with a nutty flavor and creamy texture when cooked. They’re wonderful roasted, mashed, or added to soups and stews for extra depth. See my collection of parsnip recipes for more information.
- Sweet potatoes. These are nutrient-dense and are naturally sweet with an earthy flavor and smooth, starchy flesh. They come in a variety of colors—including orange, white, and purple—and are rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. Sweet potatoes are versatile and can be roasted, mashed, baked, or added to soups, salads, and casseroles.
- Turnips and rutabagas. Earthy, peppery roots that are wonderful roasted, stewed, or mashed. Use them in place of potatoes in stew for a lower carb alternative.
Leafy Greens & Cruciferous vegetables
- Broccoli. Fresh broccoli has a mild, slighly bitter flavor when raw, with a crisp, crunchy texture that is great for salads and for dipping. Once roasted or sautéed, it has a sweet, nutty flavor.
- Brussels sprouts. Nutty and earthy, with mild cabbage flavor. They are great fried, roasted until caramelized or shaved raw in salads.
- Cabbage – Crisp, crunchy texture and slightly bitter flavor when raw, and works great in slaws and salads. Once cooked, cabbage has a sweet, nutty flavor and tender texture. See my produce guide and collection of cabbage recipes for more information on varieties and ways to use it.
- Cauliflower. One of the most versatile veggies! Like broccoli, it’s great for dipping and used raw in salad. It’s also fabulous roasted, mashed and puréed in soup.
- Dark leafy greens. Dark leafy greens like kale, Swiss chard, mustard greens, dandelion greens, and collard greens are hearty, nutrient-rich vegetables known for their bold flavors and impressive health benefits. Their robust texture holds up well to sautéing, braising, and soups, and their slightly bitter, peppery, or earthy notes add depth to a variety of savory dishes.
Other late fall and early winter vegetables
- Celery root. A knobby, earthy root vegetable with a mild celery flavor and creamy texture when cooked. It’s great in purees, soups, and gratins, and adds crisp freshness when shaved or grated into salads.
- Fennel. Subtly sweet with a light anise flavor, pairing beautifully with citrus and greens. See my collection of fennel recipes for more information.
Winter Squash
- Butternut squash. This is a sweet, nutty winter squash with smooth, orange flesh and a creamy texture when cooked. Its natural sweetness and rich flavor make it incredibly versatile— it’s perfect for roasting, mashing, blending into soups, or adding to salads, pastas, and grain bowls. It’s also a great source of fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium. See my post on butternut squash recipes to find out more.
- Delicata squash. A small, cream-colored winter squash with green stripes and thin, edible skin. Its sweet, nutty flavor and tender texture make it perfect for roasting, stuffing, or adding to salads — no peeling required! See my produce guide and collection of delicata squash recipes for more information.
- Kabocha squash. A sweet, creamy winter squash with a flavor similar to pumpkin and sweet potato. Its dense, velvety flesh is perfect for roasting, soups, and purees, and the skin becomes tender enough to eat when cooked.
- Pumpkin. This winter squash needs no introduction! It’s mild and slightly sweet with dense orange flesh that’s perfect for both savory and sweet dishes. It’s ideal for roasting, pureeing, or baking, and is packed with fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Use fresh pumpkin in soups, curries, baked goods, or seasonal favorites like pies and muffins. See my complete list of pumpkin recipes for inspiration.
- Spaghetti squash. This is a fun and flavorful winter squash with a mild, slightly sweet taste and a unique stringy texture that turns into pasta-like strands when cooked. It’s a wholesome, low-carb alternative to traditional noodles and pairs perfectly with your favorite sauces, roasted veggies, or a simple drizzle of olive oil and parmesan.
Late fall and early winter fruits
- Apples. These crisp and juicy fall fruits are bursting with sweet-tart flavor, making them one of the most versatile fruits of the season. Whether you’re snacking, baking, or tossing them into salads, apples add freshness and crunch to any dish. They’re also a great source of fiber and vitamin C, making them as nourishing as they are delicious. See my collection of apple recipes to find out more.
- Cranberries. Tart, ruby-red berries that add a burst of color and tangy flavor to both sweet and savory recipes. Simmer into cranberry sauce, fold into baked goods like muffins and crisps, or toss fresh berries into salads for a pop of brightness. See my collection of fresh cranberry recipes for more inspiration.
- Pears. These fruits are sweet, juicy, and perfectly crisp or tender depending on the variety. Varieties include Anjou, Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, Seckel and more. They’re a fall favorite for snacking, baking, or adding to salads and cheese boards.
- Persimmons. Sweet and honey-like, delicious eaten fresh, added to salads, or baked. See my produce guide and collection of persimmon recipes for more information.
- Pomegranate. Vibrant ruby-red fruits filled with jewel-like arils that burst with a sweet-tart flavor. They add a refreshing crunch and pop of color to salads, yogurt bowls, and festive drinks. See my produce guide and collection of pomegranate recipes for more information.
- Quince. Fragrant and firm, best when poached or cooked into jams and preserves.
Root vegetable recipes
Autumn Vegetable Soup
Autumn Vegetable Soup is packed with chunky fall vegetables, creamy white beans, herbs and kale for a healthy meal prep lunch or dinner!
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Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips are tender, caramelized and roasted to perfection! This easy side dish is gluten free and vegan with minimal prep!
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Creamy Parsnip Puree Recipe
Parsnip Puree recipe is creamy, flavorful and will become your new favorite side dish! It's lower carb than mashed potatoes, naturally gluten-free and is great with anything you're serving!
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Parsnip Soup Recipe
Parsnip Soup is smooth and creamy with the flavors of sweet, woody parsnips, leeks, garlic and fresh thyme. It's so easy to make and it can be made vegan with one simple swap!
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Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole
This Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole is a high protein meal prep breakfast packed with breakfast sausage, sweet potatoes and veggies!
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Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping
Sweet Potato Casserole with Streusel Topping is ultra fluffy with the flavors of maple, orange and vanilla. It can be prepped and assembled entirely in advance!
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Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry
Instant Pot Sweet Potato Chickpea Curry is packed with veggies, hearty chickpeas and a creamy, flavorful coconut red curry sauce. It's a quick and easy vegan dinner that's great for meal prep!
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Leafy greens and cruciferous veggies recipes
Sautéed Swiss Chard
Sautéed Swiss Chard is tender ribbons of rainbow chard with the flavors of garlic, cayenne and fresh lemon. It's a flavorful, healthy side dish that's gluten-free, vegan and ready in minutes!
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Cabbage Soup Recipe
This Cabbage Soup Recipe is comforting, flavorful and packed with nutritious veggies. It's gluten-free, vegan and great for meal prep!
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Kale Orange Salad with Goat Cheese
This hearty kale salad is packed with creamy goat cheese, juicy orange segments, dried cranberries, and crunchy pepitas. A tangy citrus vinaigrette is the perfect finishing touch! This is a great side salad for the cooler months and can be assembled in advance.
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Easy White Bean and Kale Soup
White Bean and Kale Soup is hearty, healthy and the cozy way to enjoy your veggies! It's so easy to make and is great for meal prep!
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Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad
Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad is a delicious winter salad packed with texture and fresh flavors. It's tossed in a bright, zesty lemon dressing and it's great for meal prep!
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Brussels Sprouts and Bacon
Brussels Sprouts and Bacon are a classic combination for a reason! Crispy bacon and caramelized brussels sprouts are combined with the brightness of lemon for an easy side dish that everyone will love!
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Fall Harvest Salad
This Fall Harvest Salad is packed with sweet and savory flavors and is tossed with a sweet, tangy apple cider vinegar dressing. It makes a great side dish or lunch and it can be prepped in advance!
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Mini Crustless Broccoli Quiche
Mini Crustless Broccoli Quiche is a healthier spin on quiche with plenty of broccoli, cheddar cheese and no pie crust! This is the perfect meal prep breakfast or brunch and they come together in minutes!
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One Pan Chickpea Broccoli Rice Casserole
This One Pan Chickpea Broccoli Rice Casserole is vegetarian comfort food! It's hearty, cheesy and comes together in just one pan so it's perfect for busy weeknights or holidays!
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Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic, Shallots and Parmesan
Roasted Cauliflower is tossed with garlic and shallots and roasted until tender and caramelized. It's finished with freshly grated parmesan for a healthy side dish that the family will love!
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Low Carb Riced Cauliflower Stuffing
Low Carb Riced Cauliflower Stuffing is an easy keto stuffing recipe that's hearty and bursting with the flavors of traditional stuffing. You'll never miss the bread!
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Garlic Mashed Cauliflower Recipe
This Garlic Mashed Cauliflower recipe is a delicious low carb side dish! It's smooth and creamy with the flavors of garlic and fresh chives, and it's so easy to make!
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Other Fall Vegetable Recipes
Easy Crock Pot Stuffing
Crock Pot Stuffing is golden brown, full of flavor, and frees up precious oven space! It's a delicious Thanksgiving side dish that's made completely from scratch and it can be prepped entirely in advance!
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Frisee Citrus Salad
Frisée Citrus Salad is crisp, refreshing and guaranteed to brighten any winter day! It's easy yet elegant, and components may be prepped entirely in advance!
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Oven Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
This roast spatchcock chicken is everything you love about juicy, roast chicken without the effort! It's an easy one pot dinner that the entire family will love, and it cooks up in about an hour!
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Winter squash recipes
Moroccan Chicken Soup with Chickpeas
Moroccan Chicken Soup with Chickpeas is tender chicken thighs and vibrant veggies simmered in warm, fragrant spices. It’s a comforting meal that's great for meal prep!
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Baked Butternut Squash Risotto
Baked Butternut Squash Risotto is creamy, satisfying and so easy to make! There's no bothersome stirring, it comes together in one pot and it involves just a few minutes of prep!
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Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad is packed with hearty quinoa, roasted butternut squash, crisp apple and tossed in a tangy sweet apple cider vinegar dressing! It's vegan, gluten-free and great for meal prep!
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Butternut Squash Casserole with Streusel Topping
Butternut Squash Casserole is fluffy and delicious with homemade butternut squash purée and a hearty pecan streusel topping. It's a great holiday side dish and it may be made entirely in advance!
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Creamy Butternut Squash Potato Leek Soup
Butternut Squash Potato Leek Soup is velvety smooth, creamy, and one of the most comforting soups you'll ever eat. It's naturally gluten free, vegetarian and great for meal prep!
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Thai Pumpkin Curry with Chicken
Thai Pumpkin Curry is packed with tender chunks of chicken, pumpkin and veggies in a creamy flavorful coconut red curry sauce! It's an easy weeknight dinner that's great for meal prep and it's freezer friendly!
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Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup
Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup is healthy, vegan pumpkin soup made with homemade pumpkin puree! {V, GF}
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How to Cook Spaghetti Squash (Instant Pot, Oven & Microwave)
Learn how to Cook Spaghetti Squash easily in the Instant Pot, microwave, or bake it in the oven! It's a cost effective gluten-free, lower carb alternative to pasta and it's great for meal prep!
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Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna is everything you want in lasagna without all the carbs! Tender roasted spaghetti squash is tossed with a creamy ricotta filling, then topped with a rich, flavorful Italian sausage marinara and mozzarella cheese. It's cheesy, satisfying and can be assembled completely in advance!
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Roasted Delicata Squash Salad
This Delicata Squash Salad is complete with caramelized roasted delicata, hardy kale, pomegranate and feta cheese. It's tossed in a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing for a festive fall salad that's great for any occasion!
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Maple Roasted Delicata Squash
Maple Roasted Delicata Squash is a sweet and savory side dish with the mild, nutty flavor of delicata squash, maple syrup and fresh thyme. Serve with cranberries and pecans for a festive fall side dish!
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Fall Fruit Recipes
Apple Crockpot Steel Cut Oats
Apple Crockpot Steel Cut Oats are the easiest meal prep breakfast! They're wholesome and hearty with apples and cinnamon, and they're dairy and gluten-free!
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Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glaze
Slow Cooker Ham with Maple Glaze is tender, juicy and smothered in a flavorful homemade ham glaze. It takes 10 minutes of hands-on prep, then you set it and forget it for up to 3 hours for an easy holiday dinner!
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Apple Cranberry Pie Recipe
This Apple Cranberry Pie Recipe is complete with a buttery, flaky lattice pie crust and tart sweet apple cranberry filling. It's a festive holiday dessert that can be made entirely in advance!
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Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce
Fresh Cranberry Orange Sauce is an easy homemade cranberry sauce that's tart, sweet and bursting with fresh orange flavor. It's made with just a few ingredients and cooks up in just 15 minutes!
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Baked Cranberry Oatmeal
This Baked Cranberry Oatmeal is bursting with fresh cranberries, warm cinnamon, and is topped with a luscious orange glaze! It's an easy holiday breakfast!
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Healthy Cranberry Orange Muffins
Healthy Cranberry Orange Muffins are light, fluffy and bursting with orange flavor and fresh cranberries. These gluten-free muffins are made with almond flour, contain no refined sugar and come together in just one bowl!
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Pear Salad with Feta and Cranberries
Pear Salad is crisp, fresh and is guaranteed to be a family favorite! It's a delicious blend of juicy pears, chewy cranberries, feta cheese and almonds, and it's tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette!
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Easy Pear Crumble Recipe
Pear Crumble is packed with sweet, juicy pears, warm cinnamon and a golden brown oat crumble! It's an easy fall dessert that includes gluten-free and vegan options!
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Persimmon Salad
Persimmon Salad is sweet, savory and absolutely delicious! It's tossed in an apple cider dressing and it comes together in minutes!
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Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Learn how to make a stunning Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board with my easy tips! It's makes a show stopping holiday appetizer or a fun Christmas Eve meal, and it can be customized with your favorite seasonal fruits and veggies, meats, cheeses and more!
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Holiday Salad with Kale, Persimmon and Pomegranate
Holiday Salad with Kale, Persimmon and Pomegranate is a festive kale salad tossed in a tangy, sweet apple cider vinegar dressing!
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Persimmon Cake with Brown Butter Orange Frosting
Persimmon Cake with Brown Butter Orange Frosting is dense, moist and full of flavor! It's a delicious, versatile cake that's perfect for dessert, holidays and even breakfast and brunch!
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Persimmon Cookies
Persimmon Cookies are packed with the sweet flavor of persimmon, wholesome rolled oats, chewy dried cranberries and crunchy pecans. They're soft, chewy and completely addictive!
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How to Cut and Deseed a Pomegranate
Learn how to cut a pomegranate open and remove the pomegranate seeds quickly and easily with my easy instructions! This handy DIY will save you money as you'll never need to purchase ready to eat pomegranate arils again!
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Winter Fruit Salad
Winter Fruit Salad is fresh, vibrant and tossed in a flavorful citrus dressing. It's a gluten-free, vegan recipe that's great for brunch, snacks and pot lucks!
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Arugula Orange Pomegranate Salad
Arugula Orange Pomegranate Salad is vibrant, refreshing and packed with sweet and savory flavor! It's tossed in a tangy pomegranate dressing for the ultimate fall and winter salad!
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Wild Rice Salad with Orange and Pomegranate
Wild Rice Salad is hearty, nutritious and tossed in an apple cider dressing! This is a versatile dish that works as a vegetarian main dish, side dish or meal prep lunch!
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