Are you wondering what to cook in January? Browse our collection of 50 best January recipes to cook for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert!
January has arrived, bringing with it a fresh start and crisp winter days. After the indulgence of the holidays, this month is perfect for embracing cozy, nourishing meals and bright, seasonal flavors. From hearty soups to warming casseroles and vibrant salads, January’s recipes are all about comfort and renewal. Our latest collection of seasonal recipes highlights the best of winter produce — think citrus, root vegetables, and leafy greens — alongside wholesome dishes that are as satisfying as they are refreshing. This roundup of the 50 best recipes to cook in January features warming breakfasts, nutrient-packed soups and stews, satisfying weeknight dinners, and a touch of citrusy sweetness to brighten even the coldest days.
What is in Season in January
January is all about celebrating the best of winter produce. This month, you’ll find an abundance of fresh, vibrant ingredients that are perfect for cozy, comforting meals. Below is a list of some of our favorite fruits and vegetables you’ll see at their peak this time of year. Click the links to explore recipes that highlight each seasonal star!
| Fruits | Vegetables |
| Apples & Pears Kiwi Lemon Mandarins Oranges Pomegranate Tangerines |
Root vegetables: Beets, Carrots, Parsnip, Radish, Turnips Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower Leafy greens: Collard greens, Kale, Spinach Winter squash: Acorn squash, Butternut squash, Spaghetti squash Leeks Potatoes Sweet Potatoes |
Holidays in January
January is a time for new beginnings and meaningful celebrations, starting with New Year’s Day and extending into other winter festivities. Over the years, we’ve shared countless seasonal recipes to make this month special and delicious!
- New Year’s Day. The year kicks off with comforting meals and celebratory spreads. Whether you’re hosting a New Year’s brunch or sticking to traditional foods for good luck (see our 40 New Year’s Breakfast and Brunch Recipes), we have you covered with dishes like black-eyed peas, cornbread, and hearty casseroles.
- Lunar New Year. Although it sometimes falls in February, Lunar New Year often begins in late January. Celebrate with traditional dishes that symbolize prosperity and health, like dumplings, longevity noodles, and sticky rice cakes. Browse our collection of festive 50 Chinese New Year Recipes for inspiration!
- Winter Gatherings. January is the perfect month for cozy get-togethers. Warm up with hearty soups (check out our 60 Best Soup Recipes), classic winter stews, and shareable appetizers.
Lunar New Year Recipes
Let’s be real. The Lunar New Year is all about food so it’s never too early to start preparing your holiday dinner menu. More Chinese New Year recipes →
January Breakfast Recipes
- Ricotta Pancakes. Ricotta Pancakes have dreamy, fluffy texture on the inside with perfectly crispy edges on the outside thanks to fresh ricotta. Ready in just 15 minutes!
- Eggs in Purgatory. Eggs in Purgatory is made with perfectly poached eggs nestled in a rich, spicy tomato sauce, it’s a simple yet satisfying meal that’s ready in 25 minutes!
- Winter Fruit Salad. Easy Winter Fruit Salad combines juicy citrus, sweet grapes, crisp apples, permissions, and tart pomegranate, tossed together with a honey-lime dressing.
- Homemade Pop Tarts. These Homemade Pop Tarts buttery, flaky, and filled with sweet strawberry jam with a pink vanilla glaze on top — a major upgrade on the store-bought kind!
- Breakfast Potatoes. Breakfast Potatoes are crispy on the outside while soft and tender inside. These skillet potatoes are delicious, flavorful, and ready in 30 minutes.
- Green Detox Smoothie. Green Detox Smoothie is quick and easy to make, delicious and nutritious, and loaded with antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins for a quick energy boost.
- Breakfast Bagel. With layers of scrambled eggs, melty cheese, fresh tomato, creamy avocado, and peppery arugula, this Breakfast Bagel is a perfect way to start your day.
- Spinach and Feta Quiche with Cauliflower Crust. Spinach and feta quiche is healthy and gluten-free with a keto cauliflower crust and savoury vegetarian filling. Serve for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- Homemade Granola. Homemade Granola is quick and easy to make at home using simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep. This healthy snack is crunchy, delicious, and flavorful.
- Buttermilk Biscuits. These classic Buttermilk Biscuits are perfectly tender with buttery, flaky layers. Quick and easy to make in just 30 minutes using a handful of ingredients.
January Lunch Recipes
- Vietnamese Pho. Vietnamese Pho is a one-of-a-kind soup known for its aromatic beef broth served over tender rice noodles, beef sirloin, fresh herbs, and other garnishes.
- French Bread Pizza. Quick and easy French Bread Pizza is loaded with garlic butter, customizable toppings, and a balance of crispy crust and gooey cheese. Ready in 20 minutes!
- Winter Pomegranate Salad. Festive Winter Pomegranate Salad is studded with sweet pomegranate seeds, apples, oranges, and feta, all tossed in a homemade balsamic vinaigrette.
- Lasagna Soup. This hearty Vegetarian Lasagna Soup has all the flavor of traditional lasagna but in soup form — and without any meat. Ready in only 30 minutes!
- Baked Potato. This Baked Potato is a delicious, hearty side dish that pairs well with any main course. It’s fluffy and creamy inside, and golden brown and crispy outside.
- Chicken Meatballs. Baked Chicken Meatballs are tender, juicy, and flavorful (no dry meatballs here!). Made in just 45 minutes using simple ingredients. So quick and easy!
- Tofu Soup. This homemade Tofu Soup is light and satisfying — with tender tofu cubes, vibrant veggies, and a savory broth for a deep, rich flavor that will warm you up.
- Pita Grilled Cheese. Quick easy pita grilled cheese is loaded with Mediterranean flavors of spinach, olive, and sun-dried tomato stuffed inside pita bread with cheddar cheese.
- Sweet Kale Salad. This Sweet Kale Salad is loaded with hearty greens, veggies, and homemade poppy seed dressing — inspired by the Taylor Farms salad kit from Costco.
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Chicken Pot Pie Soup has all the classic flavors of chicken pot pie, but in a hearty soup form with tender chicken, veggies, and a rich creamy broth.
January Dinner Recipes
- Eggplant Rollatini. Eggplant Rollatini features roasted eggplant stuffed with creamy ricotta, baked in marinara, and topped with cheese — the best vegetarian comfort food!
- Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken. Creamy lemon garlic chicken is a quick and easy dinner idea that brings a restaurant-quality meal home. It’s a flavorful and delicious 30-minute recipe.
- Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. Beef and broccoli stir fry is a classic Chinese-American dish that is delicious, savory, hearty, and saucy. Better than takeout and ready in 25 minutes.
- Farfalle Pasta with Mushroom Rosé Sauce. Farfalle pasta with mushroom rose sauce is creamy yet light, delicious and flavorful, and quick and easy to make in 20 minutes. Best comfort food dinner!
- Kung Pao Chicken. Kung Pao chicken is a Chinese chicken dish that is stir-fried with crisp vegetables and tossed in a delicious Asian sauce packed with flavour.
- Phyllo Meat Pie (Egyptian Goulash). Phyllo meat pie (Egyptian goulash) is a savory pie made of well-seasoned ground beef that lies between layers of flaky, crispy, golden phyllo pastry dough.
- Baked Beans. Homemade Baked Beans are the perfect side dish with their sweet and savory flavor, tender beans, and glossy sauce. So much better than canned baked beans!
- General Tso’s Chicken. Baked General Tso’s Chicken is a saucy, savoury, sweet, spicy Chinese-American takeout favourite made healthier with baked chicken, not fried.
- Manicotti. Classic Manicotti is everything you love about Italian comfort food — creamy ricotta, tender pasta, and a rich, savory marinara sauce baked until bubbly.
- Korean Ground Turkey. Korean ground turkey is flavorful, saucy, and delicious. It’s quick and easy to make in just 20 minutes, great for meal prep and freezes well.
January Appetizers and Snacks
- Chinese Beef Dumplings with Celery. Chinese Beef Dumplings are filled with juicy ground beef, finely chopped celery, and a blend of aromatic seasonings. Make them steamed, boiled or pan-fried!
- Buttermilk Cornbread. Buttermilk Cornbread tastes just like grandma used to make — moist tender texture, crisp edges, and a hint of sweetness to balance out your favorite chili.
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe.
- Classic Hummus. Whip up smooth and creamy classic hummus dip at home in just 5 minutes, by combining chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic in the blender.
- Spicy Chili Oil Wontons. Easy spicy chili oil wontons, a signature Sichuan dish ready in just 10 minutes, hits every sense of your palate — sour, spicy, sweet and nutty.
- Sweet Potato Tater Tots. These homemade Sweet Potato Tater Tots are an easy to make appetizer using a few simple ingredients. They’re oven-baked and healthier than storebought!
- Spinach Artichoke Dip. This baked spinach artichoke dip is quick, easy, creamy, flavorful, and delicious. This warm dip is baked in the oven and served with bread or crackers.
- Potato Stacks. Potato Stacks are crispy, cheesy, and flavorful, making them the perfect side dish with crunchy edges and soft gooey centers bursting with amazing flavor.
- Crispy Bottom Shanghai Pan-Fried Pork Buns. Crispy bottom Shanghai pan-fried pork buns are crunchy on the bottom and fluffy and airy inside with a juicy and flavourful pork and spring onions filling.
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites. Bacon wrapped chicken bites are one of the best appys ever — well seasoned tender juicy chicken is wrapped in bacon and oven-baked to crisp perfection.
January Desserts
- Jam Thumbprint Cookies. Jam Thumbprint Cookies are soft and buttery, with a sweet and fruity jam filling, and a drizzle of almond glaze. They literally melt in your mouth!
- Gingerbread Cupcakes. Homemade Gingerbread Cupcakes are tender and fluffy, packed with cozy flavors, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Ready in under an hour!
- Lemon Loaf with Lemon Glaze (Starbucks Copycat). Inspired by Starbucks lemon loaf, this moist, homemade lemon loaf with lemon glaze has the perfect balance between sweet and tangy, and so so flavourful.
- Almond Horns. Almond Horns are chewy, horseshoe-shaped crescent cookies covered in crunchy almonds and dipped in chocolate, inspired by the classic German Mandelhörnchen.
- Homemade Glazed Donuts. Homemade Glazed Donuts are made with tender, pillowy dough and topped with a sweet glaze. Making doughnuts at home are a lot easier than you’d think!
- Coffee Cake Cookies. Coffee Cake Cookies combine a soft, cinnamon cookie base with a crumbly streusel topping and a drizzle of sweet glaze. A classic dessert in cookie form!
- Cranberry Orange Bread. This Cranberry Orange Bread is moist and tender, loaded with fresh cranberries and zesty orange, and drizzled with homemade orange glaze on top.
- Chocolate Layer Cake. This Chocolate Layer Cake has two layers of incredibly moist and tender chocolate cake held together with homemade chocolate fudge frosting.
- Pistachio Macarons. Pistachio Macarons are delicate, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth cookies filled with pistachio white chocolate ganache filling and chopped pistachios on top.
- Peanut Butter Balls. Soft, sweet, and creamy, these no bake Peanut Butter Balls are perfect as bite-sized treats for the holidays or any day you need a little pick-me-up.
More Winter Recipes
Did You Make Any of These January Recipes?
Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of delicious recipes to cook this January. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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