Christmas is the season of rich flavors, colorful spreads, and meals that bring families together. Adding microgreens to your holiday table is a simple way to make festive recipes both delicious and nourishing.
These tender greens are harvested young and can contain 4 to 60 times more vitamins and antioxidants than mature plants. From gingerbread oatmeal topped with pea shoots to creamy paneer bhurji finished with fresh greens, microgreens add vibrant color, texture, and nutrients to every plate.
They are perfect for Christmas breakfasts, elegant lunches, or party platters. Whether homegrown or bought at a holiday market, microgreens transform classic recipes into memorable dishes that feel special and healthy during the festive season.
The Nutritional Edge of Microgreens
Microgreens are harvested young after the first 2 or 3 leaves appear. Experienced growers share that certain varieties can have up to 40 times more nutrients than regular lettuce. Another small farmer who offers live trays at holiday markets explains that depending on the plant, microgreens may deliver between 4 and 60 times the nutrient value compared with the mature version. These figures help show why even a handful can upgrade a holiday recipe.
Different varieties bring distinct flavors. Radish gives a peppery kick that lifts heavy dishes. Sunflower has a nutty full taste and matches creamy foods. Pea shoots are crisp and slightly sweet, perfect for breakfast and light proteins. Mustard and oriental mustard are spicy, almost like wasabi, and work well in sandwiches. Dill microgreens are bright and fresh, ideal with salmon. Basil microgreens are fragrant and make outstanding pesto. Kale and broccoli microgreens are mild and reliable sources of vitamins.
Nutrients often highlighted include vitamin C, vitamin K, antioxidants, and fiber. Several home cooks note that children eat microgreens easily because they blend into meals without dominating the flavor. For Christmas, strong flavored varieties like radish or mustard balance rich foods, while mild greens such as pea shoots or sunflower bring freshness and crunch. Always add them at the end of cooking so they stay bright.
Microgreens Christmas Breakfast Recipes
Gingerbread Oatmeal With Maple Apples and Microgreens
A warm spiced bowl perfect for December mornings. The spices and molasses create a gingerbread flavor while microgreens add freshness.
Ingredients
- Rolled oats 2 cups
- Milk 3 cups dairy or nondairy
- Ground cinnamon 1 tsp
- Fresh grated ginger 1 to 2 tsp
- Ground cloves 1/8 tsp
- Ground allspice 1/8 tsp
- Ground flaxseed 2 tbsp
- Maple syrup 2 to 3 tbsp plus extra for apples
- Molasses 1 tbsp
- Apples 2 medium sliced
- Microgreens 1 small handful pea shoots or kale
Method
- In a saucepan combine oats, milk, spices, flaxseed, maple syrup, and molasses.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a skillet sauté apple slices with a drizzle of maple syrup until tender.
- Spoon oatmeal into bowls, top with apples, and finish with microgreens.
Christmas Omelette With Cottage Cheese and Microgreens
A protein rich omelette that looks festive with red tomatoes and green microgreens.
Ingredients
- Eggs 3
- Cottage cheese 2 tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Tomato 1 small diced
- Microgreens 1 handful kale, broccoli, or mix
- Butter or ghee 1 tsp
Method
- Whisk eggs with salt and pepper.
- Heat butter in skillet and pour in eggs.
- When eggs begin to set, add cottage cheese, tomato, and microgreens.
- Fold and cook briefly until just set.
Chocolate Sourdough Pancakes With Fudge and Microgreens
Fluffy chocolate pancakes with holiday fudge layers and a fresh garnish.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour 4 cups
- Baking powder 4 tsp
- Baking soda 2 tsp
- Sugar 6 tbsp
- Salt 1 tsp
- Sourdough starter 2 cups
- Milk 3.5 to 4 cups
- Eggs 4
- Neutral oil 4 tsp
- Cocoa powder 1 cup
- Vanilla extract 1 splash
- Microgreens small handful per stack
Fudge Layer
- Coconut oil melted 1 part
- Maple syrup 1 part
- Peanut butter 1 part
- Cocoa powder to taste
- Vanilla to taste
Method
- Mix dry ingredients. Add starter, milk, eggs, oil, cocoa, and vanilla for a pourable batter.
- Cook pancakes on a hot griddle until bubbles form, then flip.
- For fudge, whisk equal parts coconut oil, maple syrup, and peanut butter with cocoa and vanilla.
- Layer pancakes with fudge, top with whipped cream, and garnish with microgreens.
Avocado Toast With Eggs, Feta, and Microgreens
Quick to prepare yet rich in protein, healthy fats, and festive green color.
Ingredients
- Bread 2 slices
- Avocado 1 ripe
- Eggs 2 cooked over easy
- Feta cheese 2 tbsp crumbled
- Tahini seasoning to taste
- Microgreens 1 handful mild or peppery
- Butter or oil for toasting
Method
- Toast bread in a skillet until golden.
- Cook eggs to preference.
- Smash avocado on toast, top with eggs, feta, and seasoning.
- Add microgreens before serving.
Baked Oatmeal With Apples and Microgreens
A wholesome baked dish that serves well for a holiday breakfast.
Ingredients
- Rolled oats 3 cups
- Milk 2.5 cups
- Maple syrup 1/3 cup
- Eggs 2 optional
- Cinnamon 1 tsp
- Vanilla 1 tsp
- Baking powder 1 tsp
- Salt 1/2 tsp
- Apples 2 to 3 diced
- Microgreens handful per serving
Method
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Mix oats, milk, maple syrup, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in apples and spread into baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Serve warm topped with microgreens.
Microgreens in Festive Lunch and Dinner Recipes
Jeera Rice With Microgreens
Ingredients
- Basmati rice 1 cup soaked 30 minutes
- Salt 1/4 tsp for boiling
- Ghee 1 tsp
- Cumin seeds 2 tsp
- Bay leaf 1
- Cardamom 1
- Black peppercorns 3 to 4
- Clove 1
- Cinnamon stick 1 small
- Onion 1 large sliced
- Green chili 1 chopped
- Bell pepper 1/4 cup sliced
- Cashews 1/4 cup roasted
- Boiled rice 2.5 cups
- Microgreens 1/4 to 1/2 cup pea shoots
- Coriander leaves chopped
- Fried onion garnish
- Lime juice 1/4 lime
Method
- Boil rice in salted water until firm then drain.
- Roast cashews in ghee, remove and set aside.
- Roast spices in same pan until fragrant.
- Add onion, chili, and bell pepper, cook until translucent.
- Fold in rice, cook covered for 5 minutes.
- Off heat stir in microgreens and coriander. Garnish with onions, cashews, and lime juice.
Paneer Bhurji With Microgreens
Ingredients
- Ghee 1 tbsp
- Onion 1 chopped
- Salt 1/4 tsp
- Tomato 1 chopped
- Green chili 1 chopped
- Bell pepper 1 small chopped
- Water 2 tbsp
- Paneer 400 g scrambled
- Microgreens 1 handful pea shoots or any
- Coriander leaves chopped
Method
- Heat ghee, sauté onion with salt until translucent.
- Add tomato, cook 5 minutes.
- Add chili, bell pepper, splash water.
- Fold in paneer, warm through.
- Turn off heat, stir in microgreens and coriander.
Holiday Sandwich Board With Microgreens
Turkey Club
Ingredients: turkey, bacon, avocado, tomato, garlic aioli, radish or pea shoot microgreens
Method: toast bread, spread aioli, layer turkey, bacon, avocado, tomato, finish with microgreens.
Grilled Cheese
Ingredients: cheddar, provolone, sunflower or pea microgreens, sourdough
Method: sandwich cheese and microgreens between bread, grill until golden.
Spicy BLT
Ingredients: bacon, tomato, sriracha mayo, mustard or oriental mustard microgreens
Method: layer bacon and tomato, spread mayo, top with spicy microgreens.
Smoked Salmon Bagel
Ingredients: bagel, cream cheese, smoked salmon, dill microgreens, capers, red onion
Method: build bagel, garnish with dill microgreens.
Avocado Toasted Sandwich
Ingredients: avocado, lemon, feta, olive oil, broccoli or alfalfa microgreens
Method: mash avocado, mix with lemon and oil, spread on bread, top with feta and microgreens.
Egg Salad
Ingredients: eggs, mayo, mustard, pea shoot microgreens
Method: mix egg salad, fold in microgreens.
Microgreens as Seasonal Garnishes and Party Platters
Microgreens bring festive red and green contrast and fresh flavor to platters. Use sunflower greens around soft cheese for nutty balance. Pair radish greens with salami or prosciutto to cut richness. Add dill greens to smoked salmon or trout. Basil microgreens shine on tomato mozzarella skewers. Mustard greens make deviled eggs exciting. Even desserts benefit when a few kale or broccoli greens decorate chocolate pancakes or cakes.
Growing and Storing Microgreens for the Holidays
Grow trays indoors near sunlight with regular watering. Harvest when ready to serve, usually around day 14. If you harvest early, wrap greens in a dry paper towel and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This extends life by 7 to 14 days. With the growing period plus storage you can enjoy nearly 1 month of fresh microgreens for Christmas meals.
At local holiday markets some farmers sell live trays. These trays double as edible décor on a table. Guests can snip fresh greens to garnish their own food.
Storage steps
- Keep trays growing until needed or up to day 14.
- Harvest with clean scissors.
- Wrap in dry paper towel.
- Store in airtight container in fridge.
- Use within 7 to 14 days.
