The recipe database is a free resource for delicious, nutritious, and affordable recipes. These recipes are designed specifically for our partner agencies and intentionally use common food bank ingredients. All of our recipes are available in English and Spanish, and we are always working on adding new recipes and languages to meet the needs of our community.
Our recipes are available in PDF format to easily print and distribute to clients and neighbors. For visual instruction, we have also created video tutorials for some of our most popular recipes: CAFB YouTube channel.
If you are a CAFB partner and would like physical copies, please reach out to us!
Questions? Reach out to us at education@capitalareafoodbank.org or (202) 735-3053.
Main dishes
Main dishes are the heart and soul of any healthy diet. Main dishes give you energy to stay healthy and active throughout the day. Without main dishes such as lean meats and beans, meals are incomplete and lack essential nutrients. Look below for great ideas on main dishes that kick up the flavor and the nutrition!
- Bean and Cheese Tostadas
- Baked Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes
- Baked Eggs over Crispy Rice Cake
- Baked Nachos with Veggies and Smashed Beans
- Baked Root Vegetable Fries
- Barley with Coconut Berbere Dressing
- Bean Quesadillas
- Bibim Guksu (Spicy Cold Noodle Salad)
- Black Bean Burger
- Black-Eyed Pea Salad
- Black-eyed Pea Veggie Wraps
- Breakfast Burrito
- Cabbage and Carrot Quesadillas
- Carrot Cake Pancakes
- Carrot Noodle Casserole
- Cheesy Bean Bites
- Chickpea Stew
- Cheddar and Greens Quesadillas
- Classic Hummus Dip
- Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette
- Eggplant Pizza Rounds
- Frosty Fruit Smoothie
- Kale and Brown Rice Bowl with Peanut Sauce
- Korean Vegetable Pancake
- Lentils and Rice (Mujadara)
- Lemony Lentil Salad with Herbed Yogurt
- Mix & Match Grain Bowl
- Quick Pickled Vegetables
- Roasted Butternut Squash
- Roasted Vegetable Pasta
- Scrambled Greens
- Spaghetti Squash “Pasta” with Fresh Herbs
- Spicy Eggplant
- Sweet Potato & Black Bean Tacos
- Oven Baked Home Fries
- Overnight Oats
- Rajma Masala (Kidney Bean Curry)
- Shakshuka (North African Poached Eggs)
- Vegan Pizza Builder
- Vegan Sancocho with Yuca and Plantains
- Vegetarian Chili Your Way
- Veggie and Egg Muffin
- Whole Wheat Pupusas with Vegetables
Side Dishes
Side dishes offer the extra nutrients needed to make a complete meal. Add one of these dishes to your plate and you have a complete meal. Also, side dishes such as brown rice or sautéed vegetables are packed with fiber, calcium, and protein. Check out the side dishes below for great ideas on how to make a healthy complete meal that is still budget-friendly.
- Cauliflower “Fried” Rice
- Baked Acorn Squash Rings
- Carrot Fried Rice
- Chickpea Stew
- Collard Green Coleslaw
- Curried Sweet Potato Bites
- Ethiopian Collard Greens
- Flavorful Fruit Compote
- Kale Chips
- Lentil Curry with Yogurt Sauce
- Moroccan Beet Salad
- Oven Roasted Potato and Chicken Stacks
- Roasted Sweet Plantain with Ata Din Din
- Sautéed Cabbage
- Smashed Potatoes with Greens
- Sweet Potato Hash
- Roasted Sweet Potato with Apples and Scallions
- Sautéed Vegetables with Noodles
- Tangy and Sweet Stewed Eggplant and Tomatoes
- Sicilian Greens
Soups & Salads
Soups and salads are a great way to have complete one-dish meals that are easy to make and nutrient packed. Add proteins such as grilled chicken or hardboiled eggs to any salad for a complete meal. Don’t think soups are just for wintertime! When made from scratch, soups can be nutrient and protein rich. Want some ideas? The soups and salads below are perfect for side dishes or healthy meals.
- Black Bean and Corn Salad
- Chopped Eggplant Salad
- Citrus Chicken Salad
- Citrus Coleslaw
- Collard Green Coleslaw
- Curried Chicken Salad
- Hardy Greens Salad
- Mediterranean Potato Salad
- Peanut Cilantro Coleslaw
- Salad with Basic Vinaigrette
- Tangy Chicken Salad
- Tuna, Kale, and Egg Salad
- Tuna & White Bean Salad
Dessert & Snacks
Hungry in between meals or craving something sweet? Whip up one of these healthy snacks or desserts to keep your energy levels high. We are often told to stay away from desserts and snacks, but don’t fret, we have plenty of healthy ideas here. No need to fill your stomachs with un-necessary sugar, salt and fat; keep desserts and snacks light and energy- filled.
Sauces & Dressings
Meals without sauces and dressings can be bland, but you can enhance the flavor of any dish by adding a healthy sauce or dressing. Store bought dressings are often filled with additives, so check out the recipes below for ideas on how to cut back on sugar, fat, and sodium while still tasting delicious.