Fresh Ideas for Budget-friendly Holiday Cooking

The holidays are a magical time of year when the kitchen becomes the heart of the home. If you shop with a Bridge Card/EBT in Michigan, there’s even more reason to love this season: Double Up Food Bucks can help you stretch your grocery dollars while adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your holiday menu. 

When you use your Bridge Card/EBT to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets and grocery stores, Double Up matches your purchase, up to $20 per day. That means more cranberries for your sauce, more sweet potatoes for your casserole, and more apples for that pie that’s sure to get requests for seconds (or thirds). 

Check out Double Up Food Bucks Michigan to find participating locations near you. Whether you’re shopping at a farmers market or a local grocery store, Double Up can help make your holiday menu fresh, colorful, and full of flavor. 

Appetizer Ideas for Holiday Gatherings  

• Veggie Trays: These classic appetizers are a staple at the snack table. Put a festive twist on your next tray by combining red and green veggies or by adding in some seasonal roasted root veggies like potatoes and parsnips. Here’s a fun arrangement idea from Pretty Providence: Christmas Wreath Veggie Trays.

• Salad Skewers: If salad isn’t on the dinner menu, why not make it a snack? Consider a classic like Caprese salad with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, or check out this Pear Salad Skewer recipe from A Healthier Michigan. 

• Fresh Fruit: No one can resist fresh fruit. Consider creating a fruit board with fresh grapes, berries and cheese. Or check out this adorable idea for Holiday Apple Wreaths from My Heart Beets.     

Holiday Dinner Sides 

Holiday meals call for more than a beige buffet of mashed potatoes and rolls. Adding a variety of fruits and veggies in the mix can boost your buffet with more color and nutritious options. Here are a few festive ideas: 

• Roasted Veggie Medley: Try a holiday classic like root veggies and hearty greens roasted with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and a sprinkle of seasonal herbs like rosemary. Or for something on the sweeter side, here’s a recipe for Maple Roasted Beets and Carrots from Michigan Grown, Michigan Great.  

• Potato or Sweet Potato Mash: Swap out regular potatoes for sweet potatoes and add nothing more than a dash of salt and cinnamon.  

• Cranberry-Orange Sauce: Fresh cranberries and oranges can make for a tangy spread of holiday joy that can accompany your turkey or other main dishes. Check out this recipe from Fresh Coast Eats. 

• Salad, but Make It Festive: Start with a base of spinach and/or arugula and add pomegranate seeds and orange slices topped with your favorite vinaigrette.  

• Fruit-Forward Desserts: Think apple crisp, pear tarts, or a fruit salad with a dollop of whipped cream. Try out this recipe for Fresh Fruits with Warm Honey Yogurt. 

Holiday cooking doesn’t have to break the bank, and it certainly doesn’t have to skimp on flavor or festivity. Double Up Food Bucks helps your grocery budget work harder during a time when it matters most: the holidays.