Most of us could do a much better job of working vegetables into our daily diet. Enjoy these easy and delicious recipes to use more produce in your meals.
Vegetables deserve to be the rock stars of your diet. They’re among the most varied, versatile, flavorful, and healthiest things you can put in your mouth. But despite all of that, only one in 10 American adults eat the recommended two to three cups of veggies each day. That is a missed opportunity to improve your health.
When you skimp on veggies, you miss an easy way to prevent several serious health conditions. A 2023 study in the journal Diabetes Care found that people with the greatest daily intake of vegetables had a 21% lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes than those who consumed the least. Another study found that women over 60 who took in greater amounts of veggies were less likely to have age-related physical decline.
Vegetables contain an assortment of vitamins, minerals and plant compounds that can help keep us healthier as we age. Luckily, there are endless ways to reaching your daily quota — without relying only on salads. Try these recipes to sneak them into everything from oatmeal to burgers to chocolate pudding.
When You Make: SmoothiesAdd: Baby Spinach
Baby spinach has a neutral flavor, so you can blend it into smoothies without altering the taste. When you do, you’ll benefit from a big dose of vitamins A, C, and K. Vitamin A helps maintain healthy bones, vitamin C boosts our immune system, and vitamin K helps our blood clot, allowing wounds to heal.
When You Make: Mashed PotatoesAdd: Cauliflower
Who wouldn’t be on board for making this classic comfort food healthier? Swapping out some of the potato for mashed cauliflower increases the nutritional value. A study in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli lower the risk for premature death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Try This Recipe: Place 1/2 pound chopped Yukon gold potatoes in a steamer basket set over 2-inches water. Steam until tender. Remove potatoes from the basket and add 4 cups cauliflower florets to steamer basket and steam until tender. In a food processor, blend potatoes, cauliflower, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or chopped rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
When You Make: Burgers or MeatloafAdd: Mushrooms
Substituting 50% to 80% of the ground beef in a dish with cooked crimini or white mushrooms resulted in a meal with fewer calories, cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium. It also boosted intake of vitamin D, potassium and B vitamins, according to a study in the Journal of Food Science. Think you won’t like it? Think again. Study participants preferred the flavor of the mushroom-enhanced meals.
Try This Recipe: Sauté 1 cup chopped onion and 1/2 pound chopped cremini (brown) mushrooms until tender. In a large bowl, mix together 1/2-pound ground beef, sautéed onions and mushrooms, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 1 teaspoon cumin powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Form into 4 burger patties and grill or pan-fry for 5 minutes per side. Top patties with your favorite burger toppings.
When You Make: Oatmeal Add: Carrots
This may not be a combo that immediately comes to mind, but shredded carrots add a touch of sweetness to this breakfast classic. They also add high amounts of beta-carotene, which is a plant-based compound that’s linked to healthier brain aging.
Try This Recipe: Simmer 1 cup steel-cut oats in 2 cups water until tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in 1 cup grated carrot, 1/4 cup ground flaxseed, and 1 teaspoon ground allspice; heat 2 minutes. Serve topped with berries, chopped nuts, and a drizzle of maple syrup if you wish.
When You Make: Grilled CheeseAdd: Butternut Squash
Who says that tomato soup is the only way to add some veggies to this classic sandwich? Butternut squash adds buttery sweetness along with loads of brain-assisting beta-carotene. Go a step further and add some sun-dried tomatoes for a splash of vitamin C too.
Try This Recipe: Mash 2 cups cubed cooked butternut squash with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/3 cup sliced sun-dried tomato and 1 tablespoon fresh thyme. Use this as your grilled cheese spread. Add extra nutrition by topping the cheese spread with baby spinach.
When You Make: Salad DressingAdd: Red Peppers
Many prepared salad dressings contain a lot of calories and added sugar, which somewhat defeats the purpose of eating a healthy salad. It’s easier to make your own dressing than you’d think. Red peppers are a stand-out source of vitamin C, and the jarred roasted variety blends well and adds extra flavor.
Try This Recipe: Using a blender or food processor, blend together 2 jarred whole roasted red peppers, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, and 1 garlic clove until smooth. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to two weeks.
When You Make: Sandwich Wraps Add: Collard Greens
Sturdy collards make a surprisingly good stand-in for tortillas when making sandwich wraps, and they make your hand-held meal taste extra fresh. Plus, collards have high amounts of vitamin K to help keep your bones strong.
Try This Recipe: Cut off the firm white stalks of two collard leaves. With a sharp knife, fillet off the thickest parts of the remaining stalks that run down the backside of the leaves. Place two collards head to foot (stalks at opposite ends) and partially overlap the leaves. Add your desired toppings down the center lengthwise. Tightly roll the leaves beginning from the bottom wider end, tucking in the sides as you go. Cut in half on a bias to serve.