The Best Fall Vegetables (And Recipes)

The ultimate list of fall vegetables

1. Carrots

Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables, and for good reason. This sweet, crunchy vegetable is a particularly good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin K1, beta carotene, fiber, and antioxidants. Evidence shows eating anti-oxidant rich foods, like carrots, help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Carrots are also weight-loss friendly. They are also great for eyesight, skin, and keeping your teeth and gums healthy!

CARROT RECIPES:

• Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
• Orange Carrot Basil Smoothie
• Healthy Carrot Cake Mini Doughnuts

2. Kale

Have you ever wondered, what’s all the hype about Kale?? Well…kale is perhaps one of the most nutrient-dense foods out there! Eating just one cup of kale will give you over 100% of your daily dose of Vitamins A, C, and K! It’s loaded with calcium, protein, iron, copper, and folate.  This leafy green vegetable has a plethora of health benefits too! It’s amazing for brain and bone health.  It helps lower cholesterol, fight cancer, and it’s good for weight-loss.  Kale contains a broad range of antioxidants like, leutin and quercetin, that can help fight the common cold and help prevent macular degeneration and cataract disease. So there’s obviously good reason for the kale hype!

KALE RECIPES:

• Skillet Sweet Potato Hash with Kale
• Pineapple Turmeric Smoothie with Kiwi & Kale
• Red Pepper & Kale Beef Burgers

3. Pumpkin

Maybe you’re surprised that pumpkin is on our vegetable list. Did you know that pumpkin is actually a fruit AND a vegetable! It’s true! Pumpkin is an edible plant structure of a mature ovary of a flowering plant, which makes it a fruit. HOWEVER, from a culinary perspective pumpkin is less sweet and is treated more like a vegetable.  So we HAD to add it to the list! Pumpkin supports digestion, weight-loss, immunity, vision, and lower blood pressure. Pumpkins contain fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, which support heart health. Pumpkin also helps aid in better sleep (no wonder we are always so sleepy after that big Thanksgiving meal)! It’s definitely ok to be completely obsessed with this delicious, superfood!

PUMPKIN RECIPES:

• Easy Healthy Pumpkin Bread Recipe
• Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
• Pumpkin Curry Soup
• Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

4. Cabbage

If you haven’t had cabbage in a while, you’re going to want to immediately add it to your diet! Cabbage is loaded with nutrients such as folate, calcium, manganese, and fiber. Cabbage helps keep inflammation at bay and helps keep your heart healthy by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. There have been many studies to show that cabbage can reduce the risk of cancer.  You will definitely want to include cabbage as a vegetable that you eat on a regular basis.

CABBAGE RECIPES:

• Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps (can use cabbage)

5. Cauliflower

Cauliflower has been getting a lot of attention over the recent years! This versatile vegetable is bursting with health benefits!  Cauliflower supports bone health, reduces respiratory problems, improves cardiovascular health, aids digestion, detoxes the body, and helps boost your immunity. It’s also a great source of iron, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, and calcium. So…you might want to get some cauliflower TODAY!

CAULIFLOWER RECIPES:

• The Best Cauliflower Fried Rice
• 30-Minute Mexican Cauliflower Rice Recipe
• Healthy Cauliflower Mushroom Pizza

6. Beets

If there were any kind of veggie competition, beets would certainly pack a nutritional punch! Beets contain nitrates and pigments that help lower blood pressure and even help improve athletic performance. They are great for keeping your immune system healthy and your metabolism up. They have also been proven to reduce the risk of depression and cancer. If you haven’t been a huge fan of this beautiful root vegetable, don’t ‘beet’ yourself up about it (haha)…just go try one of our delicious recipes below!

RECIPES INCLUDING BEETS:

• Roasted Beets & Sweet Potato Salad
• Turmeric Tahini & Roasted Beets Power Bowls
• Golden Beet Pecan Detox Salad

7. Spinach

Spinach has been popular since the days of Popeye! While spinach might not inflate your muscles like the cartoon suggests, it is great for bone strength! Spinach is rich in Vitamins A ,K, and D.  It can repel bacteria and viruses, keeping your immune system up to par. This leafy green vegetable is also a great source of energy and it helps strengthen your eyesight too…which actually begs the question as to whether or not Popeye ate as much spinach as he claimed since he only had one eye!

SPINACH RECIPES:

• Spinach & Mushroom Naan Pizza
• Simple Green Goodness Chickpea Salad
• Mushroom & Spinach Pasta Bake

8. Turnip

If you’re on the search for a fall vegetable that’s loaded with nutrition, look no further than Turnips! They’re loaded with vitamins K, A, C, E, B vitamins, folate, and fiber. Roast these delicious vegetables and serve them as an easy, healthy side dish!

TURNIP RECIPES:

• Roasted Turnips
• Turnips w/ Garlicky Breadcrumbs and Parmesan

9. Radish

This root vegetable is great for immunity support. Loaded with vitamins A, C, E, and B6, we love using radishes in salads and other delicious recipes!

RADISH RECIPES:

• Roasted Radish, Arugula, & Havarti Pita Bread Pizzas
• Radish & Tangerine Quinoa Detox Salad
• Sesame Tahini Noodles (w/ Roasted Veggies)

10. Butternut Squash

Butternut squash screams everything fall! The sweet, soft texture is perfect for including in cozy, warm fall recipes. Butternut squash can keep for several months and is full of fiber! It’s also beneficial for digestion and blood pressure. We love this healthy fall vegetable!

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RECIPES:

• Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole
• Lightened-Up Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
• Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Butternut Squash

11. Parsnip

Parsnip, a root vegetable that looks similar to carrots, are loaded with vitamin C, folate, and fiber! If you’re looking for a great fall side dish, roasted parsnips are delicious and hearty.

PARSNIP RECIPES:

• Roasted Parsnips

12. Potatoes

Potatoes are a favorite for many obvious reasons! They work as a delicious side dish for so many reasons. They’re also perfect for fall as we head into the holiday season! Something you may not know about potatoes? They’re full of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber! Not to mention that they’re so versatile. We love potatoes during this season!

POTATO RECIPES:

• Slow Cooker Pork Chops And Potatoes
• Vegan Loaded Mashed Potato Bowls
• Creamy Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

13. Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a nutritional powerhouse and one of our fall favorites. Loaded with vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, we love adding these to fall recipes! They’re also high in protein and low in calories. Try them roasted as a side dish or add them to salad recipes!

BRUSSELS SPROUTS:

• Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad w/ Cranberries
• Kale Quinoa Curry Salad w/ Roasted Brussel Sprouts

14. Acorn Squash

Acorn squash (also known as pepper squash) has a similar taste and texture to butternut squash with a slightly sweeter taste. It’s nutritious and high in vitamins A, C, magnesium, and potassium. It also has a decent amount of fiber! Acorn squash is delicious roasted as a side dish or stuffed for a main meal!

ACORN SQUASH RECIPES:

• Quinoa & Mushroom Stuffed Acorn Squash
• One-Skillet Chicken, Acorn Squash, and Arugula

15. Green Beans

Green beans are a fall staple! Loaded with vitamins A, C, B-6, and fiber, this delicious vegetable is perfect for fall recipes. Even little ones will love this easy-to-prepare veggie! Roast, steam, pan-fry, or bake them into a casserole for a delicious fall side or main dish!

GREEN BEANS RECIPES:

• Vegan Green Bean Casserole
• Baked Mixed Vegetable Casserole

16. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of our hands-down favorite fall vegetables! As mentioned in their name, they’re sweet and delicious. Perfect for warm, cozy fall recipes! They’re very high in fiber and vitamin A. They’re also full of vitamin C, B-6, potassium, and magnesium! Try these for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between this fall!

SWEET POTATO RECIPES:

• Vegan Chickpea & Sweet Potato Bowls
• Healthy Sweet Potato Pancakes
• Baked Sweet Potatoes w/ Chickpeas & Broccoli Pesto

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