From juicy pomegranates to earthy beets, this illustrated produce guide lists the fruit and vegetables in season in December. You’ll also find more than 50 seasonal recipes to help you eat fresh and flavorful all month long.
Welcome to month 12 of the Monthly Seasonal Produce Guides. Winter is here, but contrary to popular belief, farmers’ markets remain full of vibrant produce. December brings bright citrus, jewel-toned pomegranates, crisp storage apples and pears, hearty cabbages, and a variety of winter greens.
If you’re asking what fruits and vegetables are in season in December, read on for a comprehensive list by region and a collection of seasonal recipe ideas to inspire healthy cooking all month.
Regional Produce Guide: US East Coast
Fruits:
- Oranges & Mandarins (Florida peak season)
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Cranberries
- Apples (stored late varieties)
- Pears
- Pomegranates
Vegetables:
- Winter squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti)
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Beets
- Parsnips
- Turnips & rutabagas
- Kale & collard greens
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Broccoli & cauliflower
- Leeks & onions
- Garlic
- Celery & celeriac
- Potatoes
Regional Produce Guide: US West Coast
Fruits:
- Oranges, mandarins & tangerines
- Lemons & limes
- Grapefruit
- Pomegranates
- Kiwis
- Apples & pears
- Persimmons (early December in California)
Vegetables:
- Winter squash
- Sweet potatoes & yams
- Carrots
- Beets
- Parsnips
- Kale, chard & collards
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli & cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Leeks & onions
- Celery & celeriac
- Lettuce & spinach (coastal areas)
- Mushrooms
Regional Produce Guide: US Central
Fruits:
- Apples (storage varieties)
- Pears
- Cranberries (Upper Midwest)
- Oranges & grapefruit (southern states like Texas)
- Pomegranates
Vegetables:
- Winter squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Beets
- Parsnips
- Turnips & rutabagas
- Kale & collard greens
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Broccoli & cauliflower
- Potatoes
- Onions & garlic
- Celery root
Regional Produce Guide: EU
Fruits:
- Oranges, mandarins & clementines
- Lemons
- Grapefruit
- Apples
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Kiwis
Vegetables:
- Winter squash & pumpkin
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Beets
- Parsnips
- Turnips
- Cabbage (white, red, savoy)
- Brussels sprouts
- Kale
- Leeks & onions
- Garlic
- Celery root (celeriac)
- Fennel
- Spinach & Swiss chard
December seasonal recipes
Breakfast recipes
- Gingerbread Pancakes
- Pumpkin Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes
- Apple Oatmeal Pancakes
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Bake
- Cinnamon Orange Granola
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Overnight Oats
- Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- Pumpkin Granola
- Apple Cinnamon Granola
Smoothies
- Grapefruit Ginger Smoothie
- Persimmon Smoothie
- Apple Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Pumpkin Smoothie
- Pear Ginger Smoothie
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Smoothie
- Carrot Cake Smoothie
- Goji Berry Smoothie
- Spinach Apple Smoothie
- Apple Avocado Smoothie
- Apple Carrot Orange Smoothie
Salads
- Roast Pumpkin Pear Salad
- Cabbage Carrot Slaw
- Arugula Beans Salad
- Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
- Butternut & Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Apple Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
- Autumn Chopped Chicken Salad
- Pear Salad
- Pomegranate Pear Salad
- Roasted Beets & Butternut Squash Salad
Soup & Stews
- Leek Potato Stew
- Beet Kohlrabi Soup
- Carrot Ginger Soup
- White Wine Cabbage Stew
- Spicy Broccoli Soup
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Thai Butternut Squash Soup
- Moroccan Carrot Soup
- Hearty Irish Stew
- Hungarian Goulash
- One-Pot Chicken Stew
- Sweet Potato & Black Bean Stew
- Red Lentil Stew
Main dishes
- Butternut Squash & Spinach Lasagna
- Creamy Orzo with Roasted Butternut Squash
- Butternut Squash Mushroom Risotto
- Skillet Butternut Squash Gnocchi
- Sweet Potato Chowder
- Black Bean & Butternut Squash Casserole
- Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Side dishes
- Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
- Roasted Garlic Butter Butternut Squash
- Roasted Parmesan Acorn Squash
- Roasted Root Vegetables
- Mashed Butternut Squash
- Everything Bagel Seasoning Brussels Sprouts
- Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
Desserts
- Gingerbread Cake
- Gingerbread Loaf
- Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
- Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
- Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Easy Apple Pear Crisp
- Carrot Cake Muffins
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies
- Apple Carrot Muffins
- Pumpkin Bars
- Pumpkin Roll Cake
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
- Fudgy Cocoa Pomegranate Brownies
- Pumpkin Loaf Cake
- Walnut Brownies
Snacks
- Gingerbread Energy Balls
- Candied Walnuts
- Spicy Cinnamon Roasted Almonds
- Apple Pie Energy Bites
- Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls
- Carrot Cake Energy Balls
- Pumpkin Seeds Energy Balls
Drinks
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Matcha Green Tea Latte
- Turmeric Hot Chocolate
- Turmeric Latte
- Maca Latte
- Matcha Maca Latte
- Gingerbread Latte
- Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
More recipes
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Gingerbread Spice
- Homemade Pumpkin Puree
- 20 Easy Christmas Desserts
- 15 Healthy Fall Pumpkin Desserts
- Best Fall Soups & Stews
- 30 Healthy Cinnamon Recipes
- 20 Healthy Apple Recipes