There’s a lot to love during the month of February, including American Heart Month, Valentine’s Day, and these 14 heart-healthy recipes that prove you can craft delicious and satisfying recipes without sacrificing flavor.
Focusing on fiber, cutting back on sodium, eating less saturated fats and filling your plate with good-for-you fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and whole grains are all nutritious ways to show your heart some love.
From vibrant salads to hearty soups and fiber-rich whole grains, this collection showcases the sweet, spicy and savory sides of heart health.
Understanding Heart Health
Interested in learning more about the importance of heart health? Check out these trusted resources:
1. Purple Goddess Power Bowls
Beets, blackberries, cherries, cabbage … the ingredients in the Purple Goddess make this recipe a nutritional powerhouse. What we eat directly impacts our energy and our health, so dive into something good with this vibrant salad.
2. Roasted Garlic and Watercress Soup
Peppery watercress, roasted garlic and white beans come together in this heart-healthy soup recipe that’s perfect for enjoying on a spring day or cozying up by a winter fire.
3. Moroccan Carrot and Lentil Soup
Looking for a quick and healthy soup recipe? This Moroccan Carrot and Lentil Soup is easy to make and full of both flavor and heart-healthy fiber, making it a perfect weeknight dinner recipe or cozy winter meal-prep recipe.
4. Stone Fruit Salad with Honey Poppy Seed Glaze
Stone fruits are chock full of antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals, including potassium, vitamins A and C, dietary fiber and anthocyanins, among others. They’re also low in calories and high in water content. Our take? Eat all the stone fruits and feel good knowing you’re fueling your body with essential nutrients.
5. Blueberry Almond Salad
Tender greens mixed with fresh herbs, topped with ripe blueberries, sliced almonds and goat cheese crumbles – this Blueberry Almond Salad brings big flavor with very little effort. It’s a healthy, easy salad recipe that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
6. Spicy Red Lentil Soup
Give your body a boost with this Spicy Red Lentil Soup recipe. It’s healthy, simple and darn delicious. Whether you’re under the weather or a complex dinner just isn’t in the cards, this heart-healthy lentil soup recipe is a keeper.
7. Green Apple Smoothie
Sweet green apple, tender spinach, bright lemon and zesty ginger come together for a powerhouse Green Apple Smoothie that’s bursting with flavor, fiber and nutrients. It’s a vibrant green juice smoothie that awakens your senses and kick starts your body so you’re ready to conquer the day.
8. Za’atar Carrot and Quinoa Pilaf
The rich, earthy and nutty flavors of za’atar and extra-virgin olive oil take this Za’atar Carrot and Quinoa Pilaf recipe to the next level. Both carrots and quinoa are packed with heart-healthy fiber for a comforting meal you can feel good about.
9. Sunflower Crunch Salad
Thanks to the heart-healthy cruciferous veggies that hold up well when stored, this vibrant salad is the perfect make-ahead/meal-prep recipe. Prepare it once and enjoy it all week!
10. Butternut Squash Curry with Chickpeas
This heart-healthy Butternut Squash Curry with Chickpeas is approachable, flavorful and full of nutrient-packed vegetables and spices. It’s a plant-powered kind of comfort that’s perfect for weeknight dinner or make-ahead meal prep.
11. Creamy Herb-Dijon Vinaigrette
Healthier ingredients, time savings, cost-effectiveness and the freshness factor are all important reasons to make homemade salad dressings. This creamy, tangy vinaigrette is an easy everyday dressing and comes together in 5 minutes.
12. Roasted Dill Carrots
We adore carrots not only because they’re delicious and easy to dress up in most roasted vegetable recipes, but also because carrots are a major source of nutrients. Carrots are high in antioxidants, which help protect our cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals. They’re also healthy sources of calcium, potassium and vitamin C, and high in fiber and beta carotene, also known as vitamin A.
13. Herbed Salad Mix
A surefire way to elevate any salad? Add a mix of fresh herbs! If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s Organic Herb Salad Mix, you’ll love how easy it is to create your own version of this heart-healthy customer favorite right at home.
14. Three Bean Salad with Tangy Honey Mustard
Classic three bean salad is a timeless family favorite, but that doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy. The crisp, fiber-rich green beans and tangy honey mustard dressing make this fresh three bean salad an irresistible recipe you’ll come back to time and again.