21 Light Meals To Save Energy For Holiday Cooking

Light meals are a great way to enjoy tasty food while saving energy for big holiday cooking. Simple and fresh ingredients keep things easy and satisfying. These 21 ideas are perfect for staying fueled and ready for all the festive preparations.

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Perfect for when you want something light but packed with flavor. It's crunchy, spicy, and so easy to whip up with Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad. Your kitchen will turn into your favorite place to be. It's that good.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Low angle shot of a plate of fried chicken with sesame sauce and sesame seeds. — Air Fryer Sesame Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Forget takeout; Air Fryer Sesame Chicken brings the flavor right to your kitchen. It's quick, it's tasty, and it has that perfect sticky glaze. Serve it up for a meal that's light but doesn't skimp on flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Best Roasted Potato Salad

A bowl of potato salad with roasted potatoes, cucumber, fresh herbs, and a creamy dressing, garnished with dill. — Best Roasted Potato Salad. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Forget what you knew about traditional potato salads. With Best Roasted Potato Salad, this one takes things to a whole new level – think crispy, herby, and irresistibly tasty. It's just perfect for meal prep or a quick side dish. Every bite is a little piece of heaven.
Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potato Salad

Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Stacked spring rolls on a white plate. — Air Fryer Spring Rolls. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

In the mood for something crispy and filled with veggies? Air Fryer Spring Rolls are the way to go. They're light, they're crispy, and they're just so satisfying. Plus, they're fun to make and even more fun to eat.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Spring Rolls

Zesty Butter Beans

Here's a dish that will surprise you with its simplicity and depth of flavor. Zesty Butter Beans offer creamy beans, punch of zest, and just pure comfort in every spoonful. Ideal for those nights you want something both effortless and satisfying. It's a dish you'll come back to time and again.
Get the Recipe: Zesty Butter Beans

Air Fryer Pork Belly

Fancy some crispy pork belly without the usual greasiness? Air Fryer Pork Belly has got you covered. It gives you that crackling finish that's hard to resist. Perfect when you're looking for something simple but decadent.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Belly

10-Minute Gochujang Noodles

A fork twirls saucy spaghetti in a white bowl on a light surface. — 10-Minute Gochujang Noodles. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Need a quick fix that's both mouthwatering and easy to make? 10-Minute Gochujang Noodles are here for you. With a spicy kick and delightful umami, it's a game-changer for busy evenings. Just perfect when you need a quick and fulfilling meal.
Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Gochujang Noodles

Chicken Nuggets

Who knew making your own Chicken Nuggets could be so easy and fun? Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and all-around enjoyable. Great for when you want something quick but homemade. They pair well with just about any dip.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Nuggets

10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy

A plate of sautéed bok choy garnished with garlic, sesame seeds, and chili flakes. — 10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Light, healthy, and done in no time. 10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy is all about bringing a fresh and crunchy texture alongside a garlic punch. It's a must-try for anyone looking to add a quick green side to their meal. Simply delicious.
Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Garlic Bok Choy

Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Four twice baked potatoes in a small baking dish. — Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Think baked potatoes, but taken up a notch. Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes are what you need when you're looking for comfort without the fuss. Stuffed, baked, and ready to impress. They're light enough to not weigh you down.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

A bowl of roasted potatoes topped with melted cheese and black pepper, with a spoon on the side. — Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Let's make something effortlessly delicious with minimal prep work. Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes come out perfect every time – crispy edges, fluffy inside, and full of flavor. It's the easy side dish you've been looking for. Great for when you need to free up your time.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Fried chicken in a basket lined with parchment paper. — Air Fryer Fried Chicken. Photo credit: all Ways Delicious.

Dreaming of fried chicken but dreading the calories? Air Fryer Fried Chicken lets you indulge without the guilt. It's crunchy, it's juicy, and it's everything you want in fried chicken. Just what you need for a light, yet fulfilling meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken

The Best Baked Feta Recipe

Baked feta cheese in a dish with herbs and kalamata olives, garnished with fresh oregano. — The Best Baked Feta Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Ever thought feta could steal the show? With The Best Baked Feta Recipe, well, it can. Baked until melty and delicious, it's a flavor explosion waiting to happen. Perfect for dipping, spreading, or just enjoying by the forkful. It's a must-try recipe.
Get the Recipe: The Best Baked Feta Recipe

Air Fryer Empanadas

A hand holding a n empanada that is broken open so you can see the inside filling. — Air Fryer Empanadas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Got a craving for something flaky and stuffed with goodness? Air Fryer Empanadas are your answer. They come out perfectly crispy every time, with less oil. It's a fun cooking project with tasty results.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Empanadas

Easy Mango Salsa Recipe

A bowl of mango salsa with diced mango, red onions, red and green bell peppers, and cilantro, mixed with a wooden spoon. — Easy Mango Salsa Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Here's a refreshing take on salsa that combines sweet mangoes with a hint of tang and spice with Easy Mango Salsa Recipe. It's ridiculously easy to make and goes well with almost anything. Perfect when you're looking to add a fresh twist to your meals. It's a crowd-pleaser for sure.
Get the Recipe: Easy Mango Salsa Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Stacked taquitos on a plate. — Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Craving something crispy but don't want to deal with a deep fryer? Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos to the rescue. They're simple, they're crispy, and they're just so good. Whip them up for a snack or a light meal.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Easy Avocado Lime Crema

Bowl of creamy sauce topped with chopped green herbs. — Easy Avocado Lime Crema. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Silky smooth, tangy, and with a touch of richness. Easy Avocado Lime Crema is everything you need to dress up your favorite dishes. Whether it's tacos or salads, it adds that perfect finishing touch. And it's so simple to make.
Get the Recipe: Easy Avocado Lime Crema

Beet Salad with Feta

A fresh salad with crumbled feta cheese, chopped beets, and parsley is served on a white plate with a metal spoon. There is a lemon wedge in the background. — Beet Salad with Feta. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Looking for something earthy, salty, and utterly delicious? Beet Salad with Feta is here for you. Beets and feta come together to create a salad that's as beautiful as it is tasty. Just the thing when you want a light meal that's full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad with Feta

Easy Beef Stew

Beef stew in yellow bowls. — Easy Beef Stew. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

There's nothing quite like coming home to a pot of stew that's been simmering all day. Easy Beef Stew makes that dream come true with minimal effort. It's the kind of meal that makes you feel right at home. Plus, it keeps well, making your weeknights easier.
Get the Recipe: Easy Beef Stew

Mango Salad

Bright, fresh, and utterly irresistible. Mango Salad brings together ripe mangoes with a mix of complementary flavors for a dish that's both simple and sophisticated. It's just the light, flavorful dish you need for a quick lunch or side.
Get the Recipe: Mango Salad

Crock Pot Chili for Two

Crock Pot Chili served in two white bowls with spoon. — Crock Pot Chili for Two. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Who says you can't enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen? Crock Pot Chili for Two is here to prove that wrong. Just throw everything in the crock pot and let it do its magic. Perfect for cozy evenings at home.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chili for Two