40 Healthy Contest-Winning Recipes

Read Time: 19 mins

40 Healthy Contest-Winning Recipes1/39 Pear Waldorf Pitas 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Pear Waldorf Pitas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 20 mini pitas halves Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a guaranteed table brightener for a shower, luncheon or party. Just stand back and watch these sandwiches vanish. For an eye-catching presentation, I tuck each one into a colorful folded napkin. —Roxann Parker, Dover, Delaware Nutrition Facts: 1 pita half: 67 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic

Exchanges: 1 starch

Exchanges: 1 starch. 2/39 Strawberry Salsa 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry Salsa Recipe photo by Emily Davis for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This deliciously different salsa is versatile, fresh-tasting and colorful. People are surprised to see a salsa made with strawberries, but it’s excellent over grilled chicken and pork or as a dip with corn chips. —Jean Giroux, Belchertown, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 19 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein. Diabetic

Exchanges: 1 free food

Exchanges: 1 free food. 3/39 Kale Slaw Spring Salad 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My parents and in-laws are retired and like to spend winters in Florida. This tangy spring salad welcomes the snowbirds back for our Easter celebration! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 192 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 1 starch. 4/39 Watermelon Tomato Salad 2 Reviews

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fruit

Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 18 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Watermelon and tomatoes may seem an unlikely pair, but they team up to make a winning combination in this eye-catching salad. —Matthew Denton, Seattle, Washington Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 33 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fruit. 5/39 Blackened Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings

The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp

Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love quick and bright meals like this one-skillet wonder. The way it tastes, you’d think it takes a lot more effort, but it goes from prep to dinner table in half an hour. The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp. —Tammy Brownlow, Dallas, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 203 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 522mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 6/39 Mini Mediterranean Pizza 5 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat

of Home Total Time 19 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was on a mini pizza kick and had already served up Mexican and Italian variations, so I opted for a Mediterranean version and came up with these. —Jenny Dubinsky, Inwood, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 pizza: 287 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 783mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 7/39 Shaved Fennel Salad 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time

15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

15 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This salad tastes even more impressive than it looks. It has an incredible crunch thanks to the cucumbers, radishes and apples. And the finish of fennel fronds adds just the faintest hint of licorice flavor. —William Milton III, Clemson, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 55 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 138mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 8/39 Tomato, Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Dan Roberts for Taste

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch

of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: With ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and grilled corn, this bright salad tastes just like summertime! —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 164 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 237mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 9/39 White Balsamic Blueberry, Corn and Feta Salad 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Jim Wieland for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat

Creator: I’m not typically a huge fan of summer corn, but when it comes to this sweet, salty, refreshing salad, I can’t put my fork down. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 133 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 210mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat. 10/39 Ginger Chicken and Quinoa Stew 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Ginger Chicken and Quinoa Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This

Asian-inspired one-pot chicken dinner is healthy and tasty

Asian-inspired one-pot chicken dinner is healthy and tasty. You can serve it hot, cold or at room temperature. &mash; Doris Kwon, Newport Coast, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 373 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 696mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. 11/39 Caribbean Chicken 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Easy Caribbean Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a very simple recipe that uses easy-to-find ingredients. Serve with some steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Use

cubes of pork or even shrimp instead of the chicken

cubes of pork or even shrimp instead of the chicken. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup chicken mixture: 242 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 605mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 12/39 Southwest Hash with Adobo-Lime Crema 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Southwest Hash with Adobo-Lime Crema Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Adobo sauce adds so much extra flavor that you won’t even miss the smaller

amounts of butter and egg yolks in this smoky hash

amounts of butter and egg yolks in this smoky hash. Here’s a tip: Add a splash of white vinegar to the poaching water right before you drop in the eggs. It helps keep them from separating as they cook. —Brooke Keller, Lexington, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (calculated without avocado): 304 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 222mg cholesterol, 520mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat, 1 medium-fat meat. 13/39 Lemon Cranberry Quinoa Salad 5 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe

Plus, this salad never gets boring

From the Recipe Creator: As the family cook, I appreciate how easy this is to throw together on a busy weeknight. Plus, this salad never gets boring. One of my favorite variations is to substitute diced fresh mango for the cranberries, cilantro for the parsley, and lime for the lemon juice and zest. —Mary Shenk, DeKalb, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 218 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 370mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat. 14/39 Butternut Squash Chili 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Butternut Squash Chili

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat

Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings (2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Add butternut squash to chili for a tasty, filling, energy-packed dish your whole family will love. Mine does! —Jeanne Larson, Mission Viejo, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 261 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 704mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 8g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat. 15/39 Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Yogurt Sauce 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Yogurt Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of

Home Total Time 55 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created my own cauliflower recipe in honor of my grandma, who taught me to love this delicious and healthy vegetable. She cooked with it all the time.—Lidia Haddadian, Pasadena, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cauliflower wedge with about 2 tablespoons sauce: 177 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 421mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. 16/39 Wintertime Braised Beef Stew 52 Reviews Contest Winner Wintertime Braised Beef Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 40 min

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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