Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (2024)

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (1)

No matter if your doctor has instructed you to follow a more heart-healthy diet or you’ve chosen to abide by one on your own, it can never hurt to be a little more health-conscious by instituting a new heart-smart habit. To make meals and the hunt for new recipes easier, we’ve compiled a list of heart-healthy recipes to whip up for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. These tasty recipes are great to enjoy solo or as a family. If they land, they may even become part of your new meal rotation.

Many of these recipes include ingredients rich in omega-3 fatty acids, low in saturated fats, and high in fiber — all key components of good cardiovascular health. A diet catered to good heart health correlates to lower blood pressure and cholesterol too. As an added bonus, many of these dishes are low-calorie, coming in at 300 calories or less per serving.

To make browsing our list of heart-healthy recipe ideas easier, we’ve also split them into four categories based on their main form of meat (or lack thereof): chicken, seafood, vegetarian, and turkey. Should you have any dietary restrictions, we have recipes for gluten-free meals and vegan dinner ideas too that you can browse through after saving recipes from this list.

When you're done, quiz yourself on your heart-health knowledge:

Hearth Health Quiz

Chicken Recipes

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (2)

Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (3)

This recipe has chickpeas and sweet peppers, which are packed with heart-healthy protein and vitamins. It can also be cooked on one sheet, meaning fewer dishes and less fuss.

Get the Sheet Pan Chickpea Chicken recipe.

Shop Baking Sheet

RELATED: Easy Sheet Pan Dinners

Chicken Kebabs

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (4)

Chicken has fewer saturated fats than red meats, which is why it's a healthier choice for heart health. These simple chicken kebabs can be thrown on the grill and whipped up in a jiffy.

Get the Chicken Kebabs recipe.

Shop Kebob Skewers

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Apricot-Glazed Chicken and Corn

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (5)

This zesty chicken dish only takes half an hour to make. Its sweet and spicy goodness is sure to make it a family favorite.

Get the Apricot-Glazed Chicken and Corn recipe.

Chicken Salad Collard Wrap

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (6)

Ditch the processed flour tortillas, and use large collard green leaves for these refreshing chicken salad wraps.

Get the Chicken Salad Collard Wrap recipe.

Shop Dijon Mustard

Baked Chicken Cutlets with Pineapple Rice

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (7)

Chicken gets a boost from Asian-inspired ingredients, such as ginger and cilantro. According to a study published in Nutrition, daily ginger consumption is associated with a 13% lower risk of hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure.

Get the Baked Chicken Cutlets with Pineapple Rice recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Roasted Chicken and Garlic Potatoes with Red Pepper Relish

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (8)

Swap chicken fingers and french fries for roasted chicken and potatoes, which are a great source of potassium and essential for overall heart health.

Get the Roasted Chicken and Garlic Potatoes with Red Pepper Relish recipe.

Lemon-Thyme Chicken

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (9)

Chicken is a solid component of a heart-healthy diet, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring. This classic lemon-thyme chicken is a flavorful choice you'll want to remake time and time again.

Get the Lemon-Thyme Chicken recipe.

Roasted Citrus Chicken Salad

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (10)

This tangy chicken is sure to leave your tastebuds and health goals satisfied. Just remember that a little Kosher salt goes a long way in a heart healthy diet.

Get the Roasted Citrus Chicken Salad recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Chicken Marbella

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (11)

This quick and easy chicken dish includes a medley of flavors — sweet, salty, and tangy. Plus, it's packed with 36 grams of protein per serving.

Get the Chicken Marbella recipe.

Shop Red Wine Vinegar

Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (12)

Instead of a taco or wrap with flour tortillas, enjoy this chicken fajita as a salad with romaine hearts and a mix of other colorful veggies.

Get the Chicken Fajita Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette recipe.

Spinach, Chickpea, and Chicken Pitas

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (13)

Stuffed to the brim with heart healthy vegetables, these pita sandwiches are a tasty go-to. While bread may seem scary in the world of heart health, pita bread is actually rich in fiber and can help reduce cholesterol levels.

Get the Spinach, Chickpea, and Chicken Pitas recipe.

RELATED: Super Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Sesame Chicken and Chili Lime Slaw

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (14)

Swapping out bread crumbs for sesame seeds makes this chicken dinner a heart-healthy option, as sesame is known for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, per the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal.

Get the Sesame Chicken and Chili Lime Slaw recipe.

Shop Sesame Seeds

Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (15)

To make this heart-healthy dish vegan, substitute zucchini, summer squash, and red onion for chicken, as well as two tablespoons of olive oil for yogurt.

Get the Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs recipe.

Mediterranean Chicken Pitas

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (16)

With hummus, olive oil, and plum tomatoes, these quick chicken pitas are both healthy and easy.

Get the Mediterranean Chicken Pitas recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Kale and Romaine Chicken Caesar Salad

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (17)

One of the salad's main ingredients, kale, is low-calorie, rich in vitamins C and K, and anti-carcinogenic, which is great for heart health.

Get the Kale and Romaine Chicken Caesar Salad recipe.

Grilled Chicken Caprese

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (18)

Add chicken to a traditional Caprese salad for a boost of lean protein — 45 g to be exact.

Get the Grilled Chicken Caprese recipe.

RELATED: Easy Grilling Recipes to Ring in the Warmer Months

Seafood Recipes

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (19)

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (20)

Salmon is known for being light and heart-healthy, but this recipe does not skimp out on big bold flavor.

Get the Oven-Roasted Salmon with Charred Lemon Vinaigrette recipe.

Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (21)

Swap high-carb pasta for this low-carb alternative: zucchini noodles! They are just as delicious and come with a slew of health benefits.

Get the Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles recipe.

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (22)

Elizabeth Berry

Updates Editor

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (23)

Kate Franke

Editorial Assistant

Kate Franke (she/her) is the editorial assistant at Woman’s Day. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!

Easy Recipes You'll Never Guess Are Secretly Heart-Healthy (2024)

FAQs

What is a good heart-healthy menu? ›

One way to begin is to create a daily meal plan that emphasizes vegetables, fruits and whole grains and limits high-fat foods (such as red meat, cheese and baked goods) and high-sodium foods (such as canned or processed foods).

How do you cook for someone with heart problems? ›

Main dish recipes
  1. 6-grain hot cereal.
  2. Asian pork tenderloin.
  3. Baba ghanoush.
  4. Baked chicken and wild rice with onion and tarragon.
  5. Baked cod with lemon and capers.
  6. Baked macaroni with red sauce.
  7. Baked oatmeal.
  8. Baked salmon with Southeast Asian marinade.

What to cook for someone who had heart surgery? ›

Best Food Groups to Eat After Heart Bypass Surgery
  • Fruits and vegetables.
  • Nuts.
  • Legumes.
  • Fatty fish.
  • Grass-fed meat and dairy.
  • Whole fat dairy.
  • Foods to avoid.
  • Summary.
Feb 19, 2024

What does a heart-healthy diet look like? ›

Heart-Healthy Diet Guidelines

Make vegetables, fruits, and whole grains the focus of your diet. Include fish, legumes (beans), and nuts in your diet and use nontropical vegetable oils (such as olive or canola oil). Limit intake of sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and red or processed meats.

What are the three foods that heal your heart? ›

Chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp seeds are all great sources of heart-healthy nutrients, including fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Numerous studies have found that adding these seeds to your diet can improve many heart disease risk factors, including inflammation, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.

What is the single best food for your heart? ›

Foods to eat
  • Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna, and trout)
  • Lean meats such as 95% lean ground beef or pork tenderloin or skinless chicken or turkey.
  • Eggs.
  • Nuts, seeds, and soy products (tofu)
  • Legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans.
Mar 24, 2022

Can you have pasta on a heart healthy diet? ›

Is pasta on a heart healthy diet? Whole grain pasta is heart-healthy. Research has shown that consuming whole grains, including whole wheat pasta, can help to prevent heart disease. Even better, tomatoes are also considered to be heart-healthy.

Are potatoes good for the heart? ›

As long as they're not deep-fried, potatoes can be good for your heart. They're rich in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure, and they're high in fiber, which can lower the risk for heart disease. "They are definitely not a junk food or refined carbohydrate," said Graf.

What meat is good for the heart? ›

Options include:
  • Seafood — fish and shellfish.
  • Poultry — chicken or turkey breast without skin or lean ground chicken or turkey (at least 93% lean)
  • Lean meats — like pork shoulder, beef sirloin, or lean ground beef (at least 93% lean)
  • Beans, peas, and lentils — like black beans and garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
  • Eggs.
Jul 1, 2023

Is Sweet Potato heart healthy? ›

Eating potassium-rich sweet potatoes helps promote a healthy heart. Higher potassium intake allows you to excrete more sodium lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk for heart disease according to the American Heart Association.

Is cheese heart healthy? ›

Overall milk, yoghurt and cheese have a 'neutral' effect on your heart health, meaning these foods don't increase or decrease the risk of heart disease. The complexity stems from the fact that dairy foods contain saturated and ruminant trans fats, which can increase LDL cholesterol.

How do you make food for heart patients? ›

Eat more vegetables and fruits

Vegetables and fruits, like other plants or plant-based foods, contain substances that may help prevent heart disease. Eating more fruits and vegetables also may help you eat less higher calorie food. Some examples of high-calorie foods are meat, cheese and snack foods.

What is the #1 worst habit for your heart? ›

Top Unhealthy Heart Habits
  1. Smoking. Smoking is one of the most unhealthy heart habits. ...
  2. Alcohol Use. ...
  3. Poor Diet. ...
  4. Stress. ...
  5. Little Physical Activity. ...
  6. Avoiding Physicals and Checkups. ...
  7. High Salt Intake. ...
  8. Inadequate Sleep.

Which drink is best for heart? ›

Water is the drink of choice for heart health. If you're thirsty, drink water. When the weather is warm or we're exercising, our bodies need more water than usual. Unflavoured milk, tea and coffee can be enjoyed in moderation.

What is not good for heart? ›

Foods That Are Bad for Your Heart
  • Sugar, Salt, Fat. 1/17. Over time, high amounts of salt, sugar, saturated fat, and refined carbs raise your risk for a heart attack or stroke. ...
  • Bacon. 2/17. ...
  • Red Meat. 3/17. ...
  • Soda. 4/17. ...
  • Baked Goods. 5/17. ...
  • Processed Meats. 6/17. ...
  • White Rice, Bread, and Pasta. 7/17. ...
  • Pizza. 8/17.
Aug 28, 2023

What are the 10 best foods for your heart? ›

10 foods to improve your heart health
  • Walnuts and almonds. ...
  • Oranges. ...
  • Avocados. ...
  • Dark chocolate. ...
  • Low-fat yogurt. ...
  • Cherries. ...
  • Dark leafy greens. ...
  • Black beans. Black beans are filled with antioxidants, folate, and magnesium that can help lower your blood pressure.

What kind of sandwiches are heart healthy? ›

Salmon and tuna have healthy omega-3 fats that can help keep your heart healthy and your triglycerides within a healthy range. 3. Add meat alternatives - Adding beans or tofu to your sandwich can add bulk and protein to your diet - without the excess fat.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kieth Sipes

Last Updated:

Views: 6448

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kieth Sipes

Birthday: 2001-04-14

Address: Suite 492 62479 Champlin Loop, South Catrice, MS 57271

Phone: +9663362133320

Job: District Sales Analyst

Hobby: Digital arts, Dance, Ghost hunting, Worldbuilding, Kayaking, Table tennis, 3D printing

Introduction: My name is Kieth Sipes, I am a zany, rich, courageous, powerful, faithful, jolly, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.