Crisp Nights and Cozy Bites: 4 Kidney-Friendly Winter Recipes

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy cozy kidney-disease meals that taste great. These recipes are full of flavor and easy to make. From hearty dinners to comforting soups, there’s something for everyone this season.

• Stuffed Pumpkin Meatloaf
• Pork Chops with Mandarin Orange Salsa
• Brown Rice Linguine with Creamy Tofu Alfredo
• Creamy Pumpkin Coconut Soup

Pumpkin isn't just for pies and desserts. This stuffed pumpkin meatloaf, packed with spinach, chickpeas, and tomatoes, is proof!

Ingredients

• ½ tsp ground Black Pepper
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (fresh)
• ½ tbsp Lemon Zest
• 2 tbsp Peeled Tomatoes (crushed)
• 2 tbsp Chickpeas (raw, mature seeds)
• ½ cup Spinach (fresh)
• 2 tbsp chopped Onion
• 1 tsp Olive Oil
• ¼ cup Water
• 2 tbsp chopped Onion
• ½ cup White Flour (all-purpose)
• ¾ cup Organic Bulgur Wheat
• ¾ cup Pumpkin (raw)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, mix pumpkin, bulgur, flour, and onion. Set aside 15 minutes. Add a few drops of water if dry.
3. In a skillet, heat oil and sauté onions for 3 minutes.
4. For filling, mix onions with spinach, chickpeas, tomatoes, lemon zest, lemon juice, and pepper.
5. Divide the meatloaf mixture in half. Press one half into the bottom of a 4x7" baking pan.
6. Spread filling on top, then cover with the second half.
7. Bake for 15–25 minutes until golden.

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Brighten up your pork chops with sweet mandarins and fresh veggies. The result is a tasty orange salsa that brings a splash of color to winter days.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless pork loin chops (4 oz each)
• 8 clementines (mandarin oranges)
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp salt substitute seasoning
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cucumber, diced
• 2 tbsp grape tomatoes, quartered
• 1 tbsp bell peppers, diced
• 2 lime wedges, juice only
• 2 cups brown rice, cooked
• 2 cups spinach, cooked

Directions

1. Place pork chops in a casserole dish.
2. Peel, seed, and section the mandarins. Chop half for salsa; mash the other half for marinade.
3. Mix orange juice and soy sauce with mashed mandarins and pour over pork. Refrigerate 4–6 hours.
4. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix onion powder, salt substitute, and chili powder. Season pork chops.
5. Bake for 22–28 minutes.
6. Combine chopped mandarins with cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, and lime juice for salsa.
7. Serve pork chops with salsa, brown rice, and spinach.

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Nothing says comfort like a bowl of pasta on a cool day. This tofu alfredo will fill you up without compromising your kidney health.

Ingredients

• 8 oz brown rice linguine pasta
• 16 oz silken tofu
• Juice from ½ lemon
• 2 garlic cloves
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ⅛ tsp black pepper
• ⅛ tsp dried rosemary
• ⅛ tsp dried basil
• ⅛ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp dried parsley

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Blend tofu, lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, pepper, and herbs until smooth.
3. Heat the sauce in a skillet over low heat. Add pasta, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
4. Serve warm.

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This soup is smooth, creamy, and lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s perfect for chilly evenings and makes a perfect appetizer or easy dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp white pepper
• 15 oz canned pumpkin
• 1 cup no-salt-added vegetable or chicken broth
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (or substitute cream or lite coconut milk)

Directions

1. Sauté onion in olive oil for 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper.
2. Add pumpkin and broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes.
3. Stir in coconut milk and blend until smooth. Serve warm.

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Looking for more kidney-friendly inspiration? Explore our kidney-friendly superfoods or find a new kidney-disease-friendly recipe.

^{*These recipes are for informational use only and not a substitute for medical or dietary advice. Consult your healthcare provider or dietitian for personalized guidance.}