December Produce: What’s in Season the Last Month of the Year?
Dr. Axe > Nutrition > Articles

Fact Checked

This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information.

With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies.

Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased.

The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

December Produce Guide: What’s in Season as Fall Transitions to Winter?

By

December produce

Eating seasonally helps you get the freshest flavor, the highest nutrient density and ingredients that naturally support your body during colder weather. December produce is full of vibrant citrus fruit, hearty root vegetables, winter squashes, leafy greens and antioxidant-packed favorites that shine in soups, stews, salads, baked goods and holiday dishes.

Below you’ll find a complete guide to December seasonal produce, including detailed profiles for December fruits and December vegetables, plus tips on choosing, storing and preparing each one.

What produce is in season in December?

What fruits are in season in December? What vegetables are in season in December?

Here are some of the freshest and most available December produce.

December fruits

  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Oranges
  • Clementines
  • Mandarins
  • Grapefruit
  • Lemons
  • Limes
  • Pomegranates
  • Cranberries
  • Persimmons
  • Kiwifruit
  • Pineapple
  • Dates
  • Winter melon
  • Guava
  • Passion fruit
  • Grapes
  • Kumquats
  • Bananas
  • Blood oranges
  • Tangerines
  • Avocados
  • Mango
  • Strawberries

December vegetables

  • Winter squash (butternut, acorn, kabocha, etc.)
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Kale
  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Turnips
  • Rutabaga
  • Leeks
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Spinach
  • Celery root (celeriac)
  • Fennel
  • Winter radishes
  • Parsnips
  • Collard greens
  • Artichokes
  • Peas
  • Pumpkin
  • Arugula
  • Bok choy
  • Chicory
  • Endive
  • Mushrooms
  • Potatoes
  • Radicchio
  • Spaghetti squash
  • Swiss chard
  • Watercress
  • Celery
  • Kohlrabi
  • Romanesco

Top December fruits in season

1. Apples

Crisp, sweet or tart depending on the variety, apples remain abundant through winter thanks to long storage life. They’re rich in fiber, vitamin C and polyphenols that support immune and digestive health.

Varieties: Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Jonagold, McIntosh

How to choose and store: Choose firm apples with smooth, unbruised skin. Store in the refrigerator for up to four to six weeks.

How to prepare:

  • Bake with cinnamon
  • Add to slaws
  • Add to soups for sweetness
  • Recipes: baked apples, apple cinnamon oatmeal, apple cider vinegar salad dressing, apple dessert recipes

2. Pears

Pears are juicy, sweet, floral and perfect for winter recipes. This fruit is also fiber-rich and a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K and copper.

Varieties: Bosc, Bartlett, Anjou, Comice, Forelle, Seckel

How to choose and store: Look for pears that yield gently at the stem when ripe. Ripen at room temperature, and then refrigerate.

How to prepare:

3. Oranges

Bright, juicy and naturally hydrating, oranges are among the most popular fruits on the planet. It’s easy to see why considering orange nutrition is high in vitamin C, folate, potassium and antioxidants.

Varieties: Navel, Cara Cara, Valencia

How to choose and store: Choose heavy oranges with firm skin. Refrigerate up to three to four weeks.

How to prepare:

  • Juice into dressings
  • Add segments to salads
  • Use zest in baked goods
  • Recipes: Citrus salad, orange vinaigrette, orange tahini dressing

4. Clementines

Seedless, sweet and easy to peel, clementines are among the simpler December fruits to eat. These small orange citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C, flavonoids and fiber.

Varieties: Cuties, Halos, Satsuma

How to choose and store: Pick bright, glossy, firm fruit. Store in the fridge one to two weeks.

How to prepare:

  • Snack on whole
  • Add to fruit salads
  • Blend into smoothies
  • Recipes: clementine smoothie, citrus winter bowl, clementine-mint fruit salad

5. Mandarins

Slightly tangier than clementines with deep citrus aroma, mandarins are available in December. This type of orange contains vitamin C, beta-carotene and other antioxidants.

Varieties: Tangerines, Satsumas, Dancy, Honey

How to choose and store: Choose soft, aromatic mandarins. Refrigerate up to 10 days.

How to prepare:

  • Use in marinades
  • Incorporate into baked goods
  • Add to winter salsas
  • Recipes: mandarin chicken salad, mandarin orange vinaigrette, mandarin yogurt parfait

6. Grapefruit

Juicy, tart and refreshing, grapefruit certainly has a distinctive flavor. Nutrition-wise, grapefruit is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidants like lycopene (particularly the pink varieties).

Varieties: Ruby Red, Star Ruby, White grapefruit, Pink

How to choose and store: Choose heavy fruits with smooth skin. Refrigerate up to three weeks.

How to prepare:

  • Broiled with honey
  • Segment for salads
  • Juice for dressings
  • Recipes: broiled grapefruit with honey, grapefruit and avocado salad, grapefruit detox water, citrus bliss juice

7. Lemons

Lemons are bright, aromatic and immune-supporting citrus fruits. They provide a hearty dose of vitamin C, flavonoids and potassium.

Varieties: Eureka, Lisbon, Meyer

How to choose and store: Pick heavy, fragrant lemons. Keep in the fridge up to four weeks.

How to prepare:

8. Limes

Tangy, bright and perfect for savory dishes, limes are often used as a flavor enhancer. Similar to lemons, they are high in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Varieties: Persian, Key, Bearss

How to choose and store: Choose soft, heavy limes. Store in the fridge for weeks.

How to prepare:

9. Pomegranates

Pomegranates have crunchy, juicy seeds bursting with tart-sweet flavor. They’re high in polyphenols, vitamin C and fiber.

Varieties: Wonderful, Angel Red, Parfianka, Desertnyi

How to choose and store: Pick heavy fruit with tight skin. Store refrigerated up to two months.

How to prepare:

10. Cranberries

Cranberries are tart red berries that pair well with winter flavors. These berries supply vitamin C, manganese and proanthocyanidins.

Varieties: Stevens, Early Black, Howes

How to choose and store: Choose firm, glossy cranberries. Freeze for yearlong use.

How to prepare:

11. Persimmons

Persimmons are sweet, honey-like fruits in season late fall through winter. They provide vitamin A, fiber and antioxidants.

Varieties: Fuyu (eaten firm), Hachiya (eaten soft), Chocolate, Jiro

How to choose and store: For Fuyu persimmons, choose firm fruits, while Hachiya should be soft.

Store on the counter until ripe.

How to prepare:

  • Slice for salads
  • Add to oatmeal
  • Bake into breads
  • Recipes: persimmon salad with greens, persimmon chia pudding, baked persimmon slices, persimmon smoothie

12. Kiwifruit

Tropical, tangy and high in winter nutrients, kiwifruit is an interesting and delicious December produce item. Kiwi is a strong source of vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and antioxidants.

Varieties: Green (Hayward), Golden, Hardy

How to choose and store: Choose slightly soft kiwi. Store in the fridge one to two weeks.

How to prepare:

  • Blend into smoothies
  • Add to fruit salads
  • Spoon out fresh
  • Recipes: strawberry kiwi smoothie, kiwi-chia pudding, kiwi-spinach green juice

13. Pineapple

Pineapple is a sweet tropical fruit available fresh in winter months. It’s loaded with vitamin C, manganese and bromelain.

Varieties: Smooth Cayenne, MD-2 (HoneyGold), Queen, Sugarloaf

How to choose and store: Look for golden skin and fragrant aroma. Store whole pineapple at room temperature for two to three days.

How to prepare:

  • Grill slices
  • Add to smoothies
  • Use in stir-fries
  • Recipes: pineapple smoothie, pineapple stir-fry, pineapple salsa

14. Dates

Dates are sweet, chewy and nutrient-dense winter fruits, and Medjool dates are particularly healthy. They offer plenty of fiber, potassium, magnesium and antioxidants.

Varieties: Medjool, Deglet Noor, Barhi, Zahidi

How to choose and store: Choose plump, glossy dates. Refrigerate for freshness.

How to prepare:

  • Use in energy balls
  • Blend into smoothies
  • Stuff with nut butter
  • Recipes: date energy balls, date caramel sauce, date-sweetened smoothies

15. Winter melon

Winter melons have a mild flavor perfect for soups and stews. They provide vitamin C, potassium and hydration-supporting compounds.

Varieties: Large Round, Long , Fuzzy (Wax Gourd)

How to choose and store: Choose firm melons with dull skin. Store it whole in a cool place up to a month.

How to prepare:

  • Add to soups
  • Stir-fry cubes
  • Simmer into teas
  • Recipes: winter melon soup, winter melon tea, winter melon stir-fry

16. Guava

Guava is a tropical fruit with a fragrant aroma and naturally sweet-tart flavor. Its flesh ranges from pale yellow to vibrant pink depending on the variety, and the seeds inside are edible.

Guava is in peak condition in late fall and early winter, making it a standout December fruit that brings brightness to colder months.

Guava is exceptionally rich in vitamin C. It also contains vitamin A, folate, fiber, potassium and antioxidants such as lycopene (especially in pink guava).

These nutrients can help boost immunity, gut health, skin health and cardiovascular function.

Varieties: Pink, White, Lemon, Strawberry

How to choose and store: Choose guavas that are slightly soft when gently pressed and have a sweet, fruity aroma. Avoid those with large bruises or overly soft spots.

Ripen firm guava at room temperature, and then refrigerate ripe fruit for up to four to five days. Store cut guava in an airtight container in the fridge, and use within two to three days.

How to prepare:

  • Slice into fruit salads
  • Blend into smoothies
  • Purée for sauces
  • Add to oatmeal and yogurt bowls
  • Use in salsas and chutneys
  • Recipes: guava smoothies, guava-chia jam, guava salsa

17. Passion fruit

Passion fruit is a small, round tropical fruit with a thick rind and a fragrant, sweet-tart, jelly-like pulp filled with crunchy seeds. It’s intensely aromatic, deeply flavorful and especially prized in winter when it naturally comes into season.

The bright pulp adds a refreshing burst to both sweet and savory dishes.

Passion fruit is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, potassium and beneficial plant compounds, including carotenoids and polyphenols. Its fiber supports digestion, while the antioxidants promote immune function and healthy skin.

It’s also hydrating and low in calories.

Varieties: Purple (most common), Yellow (larger, more tart), Giant

How to choose and store: Select passion fruits that feel heavy for their size with deeply wrinkled skin (a sign of ripeness). Smooth-skinned fruits will ripen on the counter within a few days.

Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator for up to a week. Scoop out the pulp, and freeze it for smoothies or sauces.

How to prepare:

  • Scoop the pulp and eat fresh
  • Add to yogurt or chia pudding
  • Blend into smoothies
  • Use in salad dressings
  • Stir into cocktails or mocktails
  • Add to marinades for fish or chicken
  • Recipes: passion fruit smoothie bowls, passion fruit vinaigrette, passion fruit glaze

Top December vegetables in season

1. Winter squash

Winter squash varieties are sweet, dense, earthy and rich in antioxidants. They’re good sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

Varieties: Butternut, Acorn, Kabocha, Delicata, Spaghetti, Hubbard

How to choose and store: Select squash that feels heavy and has hard skin. Store uncut squash in a cool place for one to three months.

How to prepare:

2. Sweet potatoes

Sweet, starchy and perfect for winter dishes, sweet potatoes pop up in the autumn and stick around for the winter. These healthier potatoes hold a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

Varieties: Orange-Flesh (Beauregard, Jewel), White, Japanese (Murasaki), Purple (Okinawan)

How to choose and store: Pick firm potatoes with smooth skin. Store in a cool, dry place (not the fridge).

How to prepare:

3. Brussels sprouts

Mildly nutty when roasted, Brussels sprouts are a hearty vegetable popular when the weather turns cool. They provide vitamin K, vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber.

Varieties: Long Island Improved, Jade Cross, Diablo

How to choose and store: Choose tight, bright green sprouts. Refrigerate up to one week.

How to prepare:

4. Kale

Kale is a hardy leafy green that thrives in cold temperatures. A true superfood, kale nutrition is particularly loaded with vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C and antioxidants.

Varieties: Curly, Lacinato (Dinosaur), Red Russian, Siberian

How to choose and store: Look for dark, firm leaves. Store in the fridge with stems wrapped.

How to prepare:

5. Cabbage

Cabbage is crunchy, versatile and ideal for winter cooking. It’s bursting with vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and antioxidants.

Varieties: Green, Red, Savoy, Napa

How to choose and store: Choose firm, tight heads. Store in the fridge up to four weeks.

How to prepare:

6. Broccoli

Mildly earthy and nutrient-rich, broccoli is one of the most consumed December vegetables. It’s especially high in vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and sulforaphane.

Varieties: Calabrese, Broccolini, Romanesco

How to choose and store: Choose tight, bright green florets. Refrigerate for three to five days.

How to prepare:

7. Cauliflower

Mild, creamy when cooked and low-carb, cauliflower is one of the more versatile December veggies. Similar to broccoli, it’s high in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants.

Varieties: White, Purple, Orange (Cheddar), Green

How to choose and store: Choose dense heads with no browning. Refrigerate for a week.

How to prepare:

8. Carrots

Carrots are sweet, crunchy, earthy root vegetables that are popular all over the world. They provide a hearty dose of beta-carotene, fiber and potassium.

Varieties: Nantes, Danvers, Imperator, Chantenay, Baby, Rainbow

How to choose and store: Choose firm, bright carrots. Store in the fridge up to four weeks.

How to prepare:

9. Beets

Beets are earthy and sweet, and they’re definitely among the most resilient December produce items. Beetroot is high in folate, manganese, nitrates and fiber.

Varieties: Red, Golden, Chioggia (Candy-Striped), White

How to choose and store: Pick firm beets with vibrant greens. Store the roots in the fridge up to three weeks.

How to prepare:

10. Turnips

Turnips are peppery root vegetables that are best after a frost. This places them squarely in the December produce category.

Turnips supply vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants.

Varieties: Purple-Top, White, Tokyo

How to choose and store: Choose small, firm turnips. Refrigerate up to two weeks.

How to prepare:

  • Roast
  • Mash
  • Add to stews
  • Recipes: roasted turnips, mashed turnips, turnip grain bowls

11. Rutabaga

Sweeter than turnips, rutabagas are great for winter comfort meals. They offer vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

Varieties: American Purple Top, Laurentian, Joan

How to choose and store: Choose firm roots with smooth skin. Store in the fridge up to one month.

How to prepare:

  • Mash
  • Roast
  • Use in soups
  • Recipes: rutabaga mash, roasted rutabaga fries, rutabaga soup

12. Leeks

Leeks have a mild, sweet onion flavor that complements many dishes. They also offer vitamin K, vitamin A and antioxidants.

Varieties: American Flag, King Richard, Giant Musselburgh

How to choose and store: Look for firm, straight stalks. Refrigerate for one to two weeks.

How to prepare:

  • Sauté
  • Add to quiches
  • Use in potato leek soup
  • Recipes: potato leek soup, sautéed leeks, leek frittata

13. Onions

Onions are foundational winter aromatics that are utilized year-round in a ridiculous amount of recipes. Along with garlic, onion is one of the most used flavor enhancers around.

Considering they contain vitamin C, antioxidants and quercetin, it’s easy to see why.

Varieties: Yellow, Red, White, Sweet (Vidalia, Walla Walla)

How to choose and store: Choose dry, firm bulbs. Store in a cool, dry place.

How to prepare:

  • Caramelize
  • Use in soups
  • Add to sautés
  • Recipes: caramelized onions, French onion soup, roasted onion wedges

14. Garlic

Immune-supporting and aromatic, garlic is another culinary staple that’s widely available in December. It provides allicin, antioxidant and sulfur compounds, making it one of the healthiest spices around.

Varieties: Softneck, Hardneck, Elephant

How to choose and store: Choose firm bulbs with tight skins. Store in a mesh bag at room temperature.

How to prepare:

  • Roast whole
  • Sauté
  • Add to marinades
  • Recipes: roasted garlic, garlic sautéed greens, garlic-infused olive oil

15. Spinach

Spinach is a tender leafy green available year-round, but it is at its sweetest in the winter. A nutritional powerhouse, it contains vitamins A, C and K, as well as folate and iron.

Varieties: Savoy, Flat-Leaf, Semi-Savoy

How to choose and store: Choose bright, crisp leaves. Refrigerate up to five days.

How to prepare:

  • Add to omelets
  • Blend in smoothies
  • Sauté with lemon
  • Recipes: sautéed spinach, spinach omelet, spinach smoothie

16. Celeriac (celery root)

Celeriac is an earthy root vegetable perfect for winter mash and soups. Celery root is a good source of vitamin K, fiber and antioxidants.

Varieties: Alabaster, Brilliant, Mentor, Diamond

How to choose and store: Choose firm, heavy roots. Store in the fridge two to three weeks.

How to prepare:

  • Mash
  • Roast
  • Add to soups
  • Recipes: celeriac mash, celeriac soup, roasted celeriac

17. Fennel

Crunchy, sweet, aromatic with slight anise flavor, fennel just feels right during the month of December. It’s high in vitamin C, fiber and potassium.

Varieties: Florence (Bulb), Bronze, Sweet

How to choose and store: Choose white, firm bulbs. Refrigerate up to two weeks.

How to prepare:

Conclusion

  • December produce includes immune-supporting citrus, fiber-rich roots, hearty winter greens and antioxidant-packed seasonal fruits.
  • Eating December fruits and vegetables ensures freshness, maximum nutrient density and better flavor.
  • December produce complements warming dishes like soups, stews, roasts, salads and baked goods.
  • Choosing and storing produce correctly helps extend shelf life and reduce food waste.
  • When you prioritize December seasonal produce, you support your health naturally during the colder months and enjoy some of the most flavorful foods of the entire year.

More Nutrition

View All