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Home » Eat what's in season » Practical produce guide: January 2025

Practical produce guide: January 2025

After indulging for the holidays, January sets us up for enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables. Winter vegetables make hearty soups and stews, while citrus fruits brighten up salads, smoothies, and desserts.

California, Florida, and Texas provide a significant amount of our produce in winter, so the nationwide supply and quality is dependent on their weather.

Let's dive into January's seasonal produce and some recipe ideas.

Jump to:
  • Mandarin oranges
  • Blood oranges
  • Grapefruit
  • Kumquats
  • Kiwi
  • Winter squash
  • Mushrooms
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Parsnips
  • Celery root
  • Celery
  • Sweet potatoes
  • What's available year-round?
  • Recipes for January
  • More seasonal produce guides
Seasonal produce chart: kiwi, kumquats, mandarins, grapefruit, blood oranges, sweet potatoes, celery, celery root, parsnips, winter squash, and brussels sprouts
January seasonal produce
Types of mandarins: minneola tangelo, sumo citrus tangerine, honey tangerine, gold nugget mandarin, W. Murcott clementine, and Shasta Gold clementine

Mandarin oranges

Clementines, tangerines, satsumas, tangelos, and brand names like Halos and Cuties are all different types of Mandarins.

The bags of clementines sold under the Halo, Cutie, or Sweetie (or similar) brands make an easy go-to snack all winter. They are easy to peel by hand and have little (or no) seeds.

Mandrin orange produce guide
Learn how to pick different varieties of mandarins along with dozens of delicious recipes to use them up.
Mandarin orange guide
Mandarins are in season throughout winter and early spring.

However, their flavor can be really hit or miss, mostly depending on how long they were left to ripen on the tree. Citrus fruits don't get sweeter after they are picked from the tree, so ripening at home won't make them sweeter.

If you live in a climate where you still have farmers markets open, you'll have better luck finding flavorful options. Another option is to buy Sumo brand mandarins.

Sumo mandarins are more expensive and started taking social media by storm. The magic behind them is that the flavor is consistently good.

Do Sumo citrus mandarins deserve the hype?
Sumo Citrus are a name-brand mandarin that is almost the size of an orange, seedless, very easy to peel, and taste great. There's also a lot of marketing behind these branded mandarins to make sure you know it. Are they worth it?
Sumo citrus
A sumo citrus mandarin and segmented slices (also known as a Dekopon).

What should you do if you end up with bland clementines that no one seems to want to eat? Use them in recipes where their lackluster flavor won't be as noticeable: muffins, marinades (like mojo chicken), candied citrus peels, or other recipes that use up the zest.

One of my favorite ways to use them up is a homemade Chinese takeout favorite: orange chicken. Make the orange chicken sauce with your favorite meat & veggies or follow the full recipe.

Mandarin orange chicken
Mandarin orange chicken with double the sauce. Flavored with fresh oranges, zest, garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
Check it out
Mandarin orange chicken in a sauce with broccoli, sesame seeds, green onions and rice

Try something new this month - make candied orange peels

Candied orange peels on a drying rack

Learn how to make candied orange peels with any type of orange, including clementines. I even wrote about the entire process to make sure your orange peels don't turn out bitter.

Blood oranges

A seasonal orange knows for it's striking red interior. They are sweeter and less acidic than regular oranges.

They can be used interchangeably with oranges in any recipes. However, they stand out when used specifically for their color. They look stunning sitting on top of a salad, in a dressing, or in cocktails. Try using them for pretty pink valentines desserts to color custards, frostings, and glazes

Blood orange guide
Get more tips on how to pick & store blood oranges, along with a bunch of fun, seasonal recipes.
Blood orange guide
When are blood oranges in season? Get the full scoop along with how to pick the best ones and store them.

Grapefruit

In-season, ripe grapefruit are almost as sweet as oranges. In fact, they are a cross between an orange and a pomelo. However, their bitterness can make them taste less sweet, which is why people often add sugar.

Grapefruit have one of the longest seasons for citrus fruit. They become available in the US in November from Florida and Texas, continuing until April or May. Southern California grapefruit extend the season through May and June.

If you live outside of those states, you can still buy high quality grapefruit because they ship really well. The biggest factor for good flavor is how long they were left to ripen on the tree.

Because of this, grapefruit often taste better later in the season as those fruit have probably had a chance to hang on the tree longer as farmers try to extend the season. I try not to buy grapefruit until at least January, in hopes of better flavor.

Grapefruit recipes & flavor pairings
If your main use of grapefruit is simply eating it fresh, this article is for you. Get some creative recipe ideas, like white chocolate cardamom blondies with a grapefruit frosting, or winter 'spring' rolls with a grapefruit dipping sauce.
Grapefruit recipes
Grapefruit paired with basil, rosemary, honey, peppers, and coriander
Kumquats are in season in the middle of winter to early spring.

Kumquats

If you've never eaten a kumquat, keep an eye out this month and give them a try. I've had luck at Whole Foods, specialty markets, and Asian food markets.

I like to think of kumquats as a defiant mini citrus. Instead of a bitter rind, they are sweet and edible. The flesh is tart instead of sweet. They are eaten whole (like a grape) for a unique treat.

Because the entire fruit is edible, they are easier to incorporate in recipes than you might initially think. They can be hard to use whole, but when sliced, the options seem endless.

Add sliced kumquats to salads, tacos, on top of fish, or my favorite - in sweet & sour chicken (they were born for this). Kumquats also add a tart twist to sweet desserts like on top of frosted brownies, cupcakes, muffins, and quick-breads.

Kiwi in season cut in half to show green flesh

Kiwi

Kiwi are actually in season in fall and winter in the US. The summer kiwi we pair with strawberries are imported mostly from New Zealand and Chile.

Most fruits don't ripen after they are harvested, but kiwi are one of the few fruits that break this rule (along with bananas, for example). Because of this, they can be picked when still hard without sacrificing flavor as much as other fruits.

Early harvesting makes them durable enough to be shipped across the country. The kiwi will ripen in the stores and on your counter, improving in flavor and texture.

If you plan to use kiwi right away, buy ones that are soft. Otherwise, pick out ones that are hard so they store longer until you are ready to use them.

Kiwi produce guide
Get more tips and a bunch of recipe ideas to use kiwi this month.
Kiwi guide

Winter squash

While winter squash season started in fall, they are a staple throughout the cold winter months. Some types store particularly well throughout all of winter - including butternut, kabocha, and sugar pumpkins.

Butternut squash is easily found in any grocery store in January, February, and even March. The butternut squash that I grow in my garden easily lasts through March when stored in my basement.

When to harvest butternut squash
Do you garden? Try growing butternut squash if you haven't already & learn when to harvest them for the best storage.
Grow butternut squash
3 butternut squash ready to be picked

It can be harder to find kabocha squash after the fall months, but your best bet is to shop at an Asian grocery store. Sugar pumpkins seem to completely disappear after November, even though they can store well. If there isn't market demand, stores aren't carrying it I suppose!

Store winter squash in a cool, dry place. Never the fridge (unless they are already cut) - the cold temperatures actually cause them to deteriorate faster.

Butternut squash actually taste better with at least a few weeks of storage after being harvested. During storage, the starch converts to sugar, which improves the texture and flavor of the flesh.

January is a good bet that your butternut squash has had enough storage time to turn sweeter and creamier, without having dried out. Give them a try this month and see if you notice a difference.

Roasted squash seeds on an oven tray, including pumpkin seeds, butternut seeds, buttercup seeds, and acorn squash seeds

Try something new this month: roast your winter squash seeds

The seeds from any variety of winter squash can be roasted - they all taste just like roasted pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds tend to be larger than the other types and the only thing you need to adjust is the roasting time in the oven.

Extra crispy roasted squash seeds
Roast any winter squash or pumpkin seeds at a low temperature for extra crispy results.
Check it out
Roasted squash and pumpkin seeds in a white bowl
Wild mushrooms on a white background, including maitake, cremini, shiitake, portobello, and oyster

Mushrooms

If you visit the farmers market in winter or have a CSA (one of those farm boxes), you've probably been overwhelmed with mushrooms at some point.

While wild mushrooms are mostly available from spring through fall (depending on the variety), the majority of mushrooms in our grocery stores are farmed indoors, year round.

The typical white button, cremini, and portobello mushrooms are commonly found in stores all year. But keep an eye out this winter for more unique varieties. I often see them at Whole Foods and Trader Joes.

  • Shiitake - a lot of that savory umami flavor, use the caps only (stems are tough)
  • King oyster - a savory umami bomb with a pretty neutral flavor and meaty texture
  • Oyster mushrooms - neutral in flavor, spongy in texture
  • Lion's mane - fuzzy, neutral flavor, and they shred like chicken or string cheese (a great fish or chicken substitute)
  • Maitake (Hen of the Woods) - my favorite mushroom. A very strong flavor, which is delicious when roasted in the oven with olive oil and herbs.
A guide to 12 types of mushrooms
I cooked with a dozen different mushrooms from the farmers market this year to catalogue their flavors and suitable recipes.
Mushroom guide
Types of wild mushrooms, maitake, shiitake, portobello, oyster
10 classic cremini mushroom recipes
Cremini mushrooms are a standard go-to for a classic cream of mushroom soup, beef stroganoff, mushroom swiss burger, and more.
Cremini mushroom recipes
A pot of stew with cremini mushrooms, to roundup cremini mushroom recipes

Brussels sprouts

People seem to either love or hate brussels sprouts. I really enjoy them every time their season rolls around. I've been able to convert haters too - with the right recipe.

Brussels sprouts can be bitter and turn mushy or sulfuric when cooked wrong. Don't boil them - it really doesn't help the cause! Roasting is the best option and if you're liberal with fat (like bacon or Parmesan), they can be addictive.

Brussels sprouts recipes
Use bacon, Parmesan cheese, or maple syrup to make great-tasting brussels sprouts.
Brussels sprout recipes
Brussels sprouts with bacon strips, parmesan, and lemons on an olive wood board

Parsnips

Parsnips are similar to carrots with the same growing season. Because demand for carrots is so high, they are available year-round, but parsnips are still only available during their normal growing season in fall through winter.

Split pea soup with ham & root vegetables
Double the vegetables for a hearty, chunky soup. Flavored with ham bones or ham hocks for a deep, savory flavor. Spices include bay leaves and thyme.
Check it out
A bowl of split pea soup with ham and vegetables, including carrots, potatoes, parsnips, and parsley root

They have a similar texture and a slightly sweeter and nuttier taste than carrots. Parsnips are even sweeter when harvested in winter (compared to fall) because they convert their starches to sugar when the temperatures drop. In fact, sugar used to be made from parsnips before cane sugar became ubiquitous.

Larger parsnips can have a woody core. The core will soften when roasted and won't be noticeable in a pureed soup. But a woody core can also be bitter. If you want, cut around the core and discard it.

Parsnip recipes
Get 48 different recipe ideas to use up parsnips this season.
Parsnip recipes
Parsnip recipe ingredients: parsnips, carrots, cauliflower, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, and bruessels sprouts
When is celery root in season? How to pick the best ones and store them.

Celery root

Celery root is a type of celery plant that's grown specifically for the root. It looks gnarly, but has a delicate celery-potato flavor.

It's often added to soups or mashed into a puree. But it can also be eaten raw, added to salads for crunch.

Celery

Celery plants like cool weather and are actually in season from fall through winter and into early spring. This vegetable is available year-round, but when picked fresh and in-season, they are so much better.

Fresh celery has a clean, bold celery flavor and snappy texture. They aren't stringy or dried out, and they crunch when bitten. If you can find it as the farmers market, it's worth trying it out for science.

The first time I grew my own celery, I didn't expect much. But after harvesting my first stalk and being blown away at the crisp, clean flavor, I look forward to growing it every year.

Sweet potatoes

Fresh sweet potato season is coming to an end this month. They do store well, so you'll still find them at the stores year round. Choose sweet potatoes that are firm with no black spots or signs of shriveling.

Store sweet potatoes in a cool, dark place - but not in the fridge. A room-temperature countertop without sunlight is better than a fridge.

When are blood oranges in season? Get the full scoop along with how to pick the best ones and store them.
Blood oranges
Brussels Sprouts in Season
Brussels sprouts
Butternut squash in season, whole and cut in half
Butternut squash
Celery in season
Celery
When is celery root in season? How to pick the best ones and store them.
Celery root (celeriac)
Grapefruits are in season in winter. More on picking the best ones & recipes.
Grapefruit
A kabocha squash in season (also known as Japanese pumpkin).
Kabocha squash
Kiwi in season cut in half to show green flesh
Kiwi
Kumquats are in season in the middle of winter to early spring.
Kumquats
Mandarins are in season throughout winter and early spring.
Mandarin oranges
Types of wild mushrooms, maitake, shiitake, portobello, oyster
Mushrooms
When are parsnips in season? Pick the best ones and store them right to last even longer.
Parsnips
Winter squash in season
Pumpkins, butternut & other winter squash
Sweet potatoes in season
Sweet potatoes

What's available year-round?

Fruits: Avocados, lemons & Limes

Vegetables: Beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, fennel, garlic, herbs, mushrooms, onion-family, potatoes, radishes, sweet potatoes, turnips, salad greens and herbs.

For a full list of other months and all of the detailed produce guides, go to the in-season page.

Recipes for January

A pan of wild mushroom risotto topped with cremini mushrooms

Mushroom risotto

Cremini mushrooms make a great risotto, but adding other types of mushrooms creates a richer flavor. This wild mushroom risotto recipe walks you through different types of mushrooms to try.

Grapefruit poppy seed muffins on a table with slices of fresh grapefruit

Grapefruit poppy seed muffins

These grapefruit poppy seed muffins have twice the amount of grapefruit juice, zest, and poppy seeds as most recipes. They are also fairly low in sugar, for a healthy breakfast or snacking option in January.

A bowl of roasted butternut squash soup with bacon & Cajun spices

Butternut squash soups

My favorite thing about butternut squash soups (besides the flavor) is their dairy-free creamy texture. Don't get me wrong, I love a good splash of heavy cream in soups or a classic broccoli cheese soup.

But there's something fun about making a full-bodied creamy soup with just vegetables and broth. Here are a few to try.

  • A bowl of roasted butternut squash soup with sage croutons
    Roasted butternut squash soup with sage croutons
  • A bowl of Zuppa Toscana soup with butternut squash
    Zuppa Toscana soup with butternut squash
  • Roasted butternut squash soup with bacon & Cajun spices
    Roasted butternut squash soup with Cajun spices & bacon

Yogurt orange vanilla smoothie with cinnamon

The recipe calls for Navel oranges which are in season in winter. If you can't find them, mandarins will work just fine! Get the recipe by Rhubarbarians

Kumquat honeycomb tartines by The Bojon Gourmet

Kumquat honeycomb tartines

If you haven't had kumquats before, they are quite fun. They are tart and sweet and the entire rind is meant to be eaten. Start looking for them now, since their season is short. Get the recipe by The Bojon Gourmet.

Candied orange peels in a basket next to fresh oranges

Candied orange peels

Use any orange peel, including the thin peels from clementines, to make candied orange peels. They are delicious plain, or even better tossed in a cinnamon sugar coating, or even citric acid to make them taste like sour patch kids.

Smashed chickpea avocado sandwich

Avocados are available all year round with great quality. This sandwich is perfect for the healthy-eating sprees of January. Get the recipe from Feasting at Home.

Sweet Potato Soup

6-ingredient sweet potato soup

Packed with flavor and so easy to make - this is one of my favorite winter soups. If you are wondering what the difference is between the white and yellow fleshed varieties, check out the infographic on this page.

Mean green detox salad

Filled with year-round staples like avocado, broccoli, cabbage, as well as some seasonal grapefruit - this salad looks delicious. Get the recipe by Half Baked Harvest.

Sweet and sour blood orange chicken

You can store blood oranges on the counter for a few days, or the fridge for a couple weeks. Get the recipe by Heather Christo.

Baked squash mac & cheese

When you can't take another salad in January but want to still be mostly healthy. Acorn squash make a great 'pot' for holding food, and it is completely edible. Get the recipe by Half Baked Harvest.

Pizza spaghetti squash boats

If you still haven't ordered pizza yet this month but are craving it - this could help! Get the recipe by Gimme Some Oven.

Cauliflower parsnip mash with roasted garlic

Parsnips make a great mash, and add just a slight note of nuttiness which pairs well with the cauliflower. Get the recipe by Love & Lemons.

Spicy tacos with roasted brussels sprouts recipe by I Hearth Vegetables.

Spicy brussels sprouts tacos

These tacos use roasted brussels sprouts, avocado, feta cheese and various seasonings for a fun winter twist of vegetarian tacos. Get the recipe from I Heart Vegetables.

Grilled celeriac with white bean puree by Naturally Ella

Grilled celeriac with white bean puree

Since you'll be grilling whole slices, you'll want to try to find celeriac that isn't spongy in the center. Your best bet is to try to find the heaviest one for its size, indicating it isn't dried out.

If you do get one that has a spongy center, you can just cut around it. Get the recipe by Naturally Ella.

Citrus ricotta tart with almond cornflour crust (gluten free)

Since citrus fruits don't get sweeter after they are picked - it is best to find high quality fruits for this dessert. That way, you aren't tempted to drown it in extra sugar to make up for the loss of flavor. Get the recipe by The Bojon Gourmet.

More seasonal produce guides

If you're wondering what else is currently in season, check out my calendars to see what produce is in season each month (and coming up soon).

Seasonal calendars
Get a full list of fruits & vegetables in season for each month.
See what's in season
January produce in season on a table
  • March produce guide: fruits & vegetables in season
    The practical produce guide: March 2025
  • Bundles of herbs on a black countertop with text "April produce & recipe guide"
    The practical produce guide, April 2025
  • Strawberries in baskets on a farm, with text May produce guide & recipes
    A practical produce guide, May 2025
  • Kabobs over the grill with text, "produce & recipe guide for June"
    The practical produce guide - June 2025

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About the Food Geek

Welcome, I'm Veronica, your resident food geek - experienced recipe developer and gardener. My goal is to help you enjoy eating at home by knowing what fruits & vegetables are currently in season and the best ways to use them. To do that, I've put together seasonal produce guides and recipes with practical advice.

More about me

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