In Season Produce In February 2023

Use this guide to produce in season in February to gain the most nutrients from your food and save money on groceries! You can use this list to help you meal plan for the winter months.

February is here and along with this short month are new and delicious seasonal vegetables!

Many of the seasonal vegetables from January are also best in February. But there are some new ones to introduce as we explore the various tastes these fruits and vegetables have to offer.

Why Eat Produce in Season in February?

Most fruits and vegetables are available year round in the grocery stores. However, you should still shop for the produce in season in February for a few reasons.

1. In season produce is healthier. When you buy fruits and vegetables in their peak season, you will gain the best nutrients from the produce. During the winter, foods high in vitamin C are in season as well as foods that keep the body warm and a full of fiber. These things help keep you healthy in the winter months.
2. In season produce tastes better. Food bought in peak season has the best flavor. It can grow abundantly in the ground and flourishes with the right amount of sunshine. If you’ve ever bought hot-house strawberries off season, you know what I mean! They just don’t taste quite as juicy and sweet as in season berries.
3. In season produce is cheaper. I’m all about saving money where I can, and buying produce in season is always cheaper! Fruits and veggies will grow in abundance when it is peak season and because of that, the markets will reduce the prices.

Seasonal Fruits and Veggies for February

Here is my guide for produce in season in February. It is full of tasty foods that are easy to find this time of year. I hope you see some favorites and maybe find something new to try!

Use this seasonal produce guide with this February Meal Plan to save the most on groceries!

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous vegetable family. Similar to cabbage, kale, broccoli and cauliflower, it is in season late Fall through early Spring. When sliced, a Brussels sprout looks like a miniature head of cabbage! Full of vitamin K, vitamin C, and fiber, Brussels sprouts are great for the winter months.

• Sweet Kale Salad (Costco Copycat)
• Easy Roasted Broccoli (simply sub sliced Brussels Sprouts!)
• Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts
• Wild Rice Pilaf with Brussels Sprouts

Parsnips

This often overlooked root vegetable is FULL of nutrients. It is high in calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It’s also high in folate and vitamin K which are great for pregnant mamas!

Parsnips are amazing when roasted and taste a bit sweet. They are a big favorite when we want “fries” with our favorite burgers.

• Root Vegetable Saute
• Kale and Roasted Vegetable Salad
• Cauliflower Parsnip Mash w/ Roasted Garlic

Radishes

I have to admit, radishes didn’t go over too well in my family. I can’t exactly pinpoint it, but I do want to give them another try! (A reader once recommended roasting them and you really can’t go wrong with roasted vegetables!) You can eat all parts of the radish, although most people stick to the roots. They are rich in potassium and calcium and also high in B vitamins.

Fun Fact: Radishes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes! We typically see the small red radishes at grocery stores, but they also grow in purple and white shades, long and thin or short and round.

• Crunchy Garden Salsa 
• Corn Salad with Radish, Jalapeno, and Lime
• Cinnamon Sugar Radish Chips (maybe I’ll change my mind about radishes!)
• Crispy Roasted Radishes
• Beef Tacos with Radish and Avocado Salsa

Sweet Potatoes

Oh sweet potatoes…if I had to choose one tuber vegetable for the rest of my life, it would be sweet potatoes! While they are high in carbohydrates, it is a complete carbohydrate paired with other vitamins and minerals, making them the super food of potatoes. The taste is sweet and pairs well with anything from slow cooker roast, kale, and eggs!

• Sweet Potatoes and Runny Eggs
• Sweet Potato Apple Bake
• Crash Hot Sweet Potatoes
• Roasted Sweet Potato and Kale Salad 

Turnips

I never knew before that turnips are produce in season in February! I am so glad that I know this now, because they are full of calcium and Vitamin A. While you can eat turnips raw, we like them roasted in a little olive oil with salt and pepper. The taste takes some getting used to but it’s fun to throw some new flavors on the table.

• Easy Braised Turnip Rice Bowls
• Grilled Turnips with Olive Oil
• Roasted Turnips with Balsamic Vinegar and Thyme
• Spicy Skillet Turnip Greens

Fennel

This bulb plant is well known for its help for digestive issues and eye care. It is full of vitamin C and fiber. The taste of fennel is fairly strong and reminds me of licorice.

You can find fennel seeds in most grocery stores for cooking. The stems are often dried and used as herbs and the bulb is also used for cooking.

• Braised Fennel with Pomegranates
• Roasted Carrots and Fennel
• Roasted Beet Sandwich with Ginger, Fennel and Goat Cheese
• Winter Greens Salad with Fennel and Citrus

Butternut Squash

Like other winter squash, butternut is in season all fall, winter, and early spring. For those who are new to winter squash, butternut is a good one to start out with. It has a light sweet flavor similar to sweet potatoes. It is high in calcium and vitamin A.

Fun fact: Butternut squash is a cross between goose-neck squash and hubbard squash. It originates from Massachusetts!

• Butternut Squash Pasta Bake
• Crispy Butternut Squash Spinach Salad
• Creamy Thai Sweet Potato Curry (sub butternut squash!)
• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Mango

Mangoes are delicious! They are one of my favorite fruits for snacking and smoothies. They are high in potassium, magnesium, and iron. Plus high levels of folate and vitamin C make them great for eating in winter.

Mangoes come from tropical regions and are available year round, but the prices do drop in winter because they grow more abundantly.

Fun fact: Mangos are a distant relative of poison ivy! Some people experience sensitivity to mangoes because of the small amount of urushiol contained within the skin.

• How to Cut a Mango
• How to Make Frozen Smoothie Packs
• Fresh Mango Salsa
• Spicy Mango Sweet Potato Chicken

Spinach

Spinach is one of the most popular leafy greens and it’s no wonder why! It is full of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.

It has very little calories and no fat. It’s one of those vegetables that you can really eat a ton of and feel good about! The flavor is fairly mild compared to other dark leafy greens and is good raw or cooked.

• Basic Green Smoothie
• Spinach Salad
• 5 Minute Spinach Pesto
• Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas
• Simple Autumn Rice Pilaf (with spinach!)

Carrots

This root vegetable is like the best basic staple vegetable to keep around. You can snack on them raw, steam them, roast them, shred them, and even hide them in taco meat! I think we were all taught as kids that carrots are good for our eyes, which is true! But they also contain a lot of fiber and antioxidants, along with potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C.

• The Best Ground Beef Taco Meat
• Carrot and Sweet Potato Fritters
• Egg Roll in a Bowl
• Zucchini Muffins with Apples and Carrots
• Vegetable Pasta Primavera

Want to learn more about seasonal vegetables and the cheapest produce? 

Choosing in season produce is one of the best ways to save money on groceries and gain the most nutrients from your foods. Check out some of these other posts on healthy produce and saving money on food:

• Ultimate Guide to the Farmers Markets
• How to Save Money on Food Year Round 
• How to Eat Seasonal Produce
• 12 Simple Ways to Avoid Food Waste
• Fail-Proof Grocery Savings Tips that Work Every Time