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Sick Day Recipes

Published: · Modified: · 15 Comments

This cold and flu season, keep yourself hydrated and fortified with these vegan and vegetarian sick day recipes.

This cold and flu season, keep yourself hydrated and fortified with these vegan and vegetarian sick day recipes.

There is no cure for the common cold.  These recipes will not 'cure' your cold, but instead will hopefully help you feel better by filling you with nourishing ingredients and throat-soothing liquids.

Have you stayed healthy this winter?  

I sincerely hope so.

However, I keep seeing news stories about epidemic flu levels.

I've been disinfecting all the things, washing my hands constantly, stocking up on pantry essentials for my emergency food supply, and being hyper-aware of what I touch in public.

You know, all the things we're supposed to be doing.

Even so, flu season is still running rampant, and I know quite a few of you are feeling under the weather.

These sick day recipes are for you. And for me, the next time I catch a cold.

Sick Day Drink Recipes

These drink recipes are here to soothe your throat, to boost your immune system, and to help you sleep.

Try a healthy smoothie to boost your vitamin-C levels, a probiotic drink (like kombucha, water kefir, or milk kefir), or a soothing hot cocktail or tea.

And our homemade cough syrup isn't technically a drink, but you can sip it!

Orange Smoothie with Kefir Milk
This orange smoothie with kefir is a sweet and tangy, immune-boosting smoothie, and is packed with probiotics and vitamins C.
Make It
orange smoothie with kefir in glasses
Arugula Smoothie
This easy arugula smoothie uses healthy bitter greens, tart pineapple, and fatty, rich avocado for a filling, delicious vegan drink.
Make It
arugula smoothie
How to Make Kombucha
Want to learn how to make kombucha? This tutorial will walk you through each step, plus check out our tips on equipment, carbonating, continuous brew, and more!
Make It
bottled kombucha
How to Make Water Kefir
Love water kefir? This fermented, vegan probiotic drink is easy to make at home, and is a delicious, light, and flavorful alternative to milk kefir or kombucha.
Make It
How to Make Milk Kefir
Are you tired of buying store-bought kefir? This step-by-step tutorial will walk you through How to Make Milk Kefir at home– all the way from the kefir grains to adding flavor!
Make It
Plain kefir, strawberry kefir, and strawberries on a counter
How to Make Mint Tea
Love fresh herbs? Learn how to make mint tea (and other herbal teas) with fresh mint and herbs from the garden. 
Make It
How to Make Mint Tea with fresh herbs
Tea Hot Toddy
This tea hot toddy is made with herbal tea, bourbon, lemon juice, and honey. It's a delicious hot cocktail that's the perfect for sick days.
Make It
This vegan-friendly Mint Tea Hot Toddy hot cocktail is the perfect "get well" drink for for cold winter days.
Homemade Ginger Tea
Love ginger tea? It's easy to make from scratch! Try making this homemade ginger tea with fresh ginger, lemons, and honey. Drink it hot or iced!
Make It
homemade ginger root tea in tea cups
Lemon Ginger Shot
This easy lemon ginger shot is made with fresh ginger and lemons. Add a little cayenne pepper for a wellness shot with an extra kick!
Make It
lemon ginger wellness shot
Bourbon Cough Syrup
This homemade cough syrup uses bourbon (or whiskey), raw honey, and apple cider vinegar for an easy tonic. Use it to soothe a sore throat, calm a cough, or simply because it's delicious!
Make It
Homemade Cough Syrup with Whiskey (Bourbon Cough Syrup)

Sick Day Foods

Some of these recipes are here to help clear your sinuses; others are here to soothe your throat.

"Get Well Soup" with Onion and Garlic
This vegan “Get Well Soup” features sweet caramelized onions, roasted garlic, fresh ginger, and turmeric to help you feel better!
Make It
Onion and Garlic 'Get Well Soup'
Vegan Kimchi Soup
This vegan kimchi soup is an easy version of Korean tofu stew (Sundubu jjigae), and is made with kimchi, tofu and potatoes. Make it in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop!
Make It
Vegan kimchi soup in bowls on a serving tray
Vegan Tortilla Soup
This spicy vegan tortilla soup is made with peppers, tomatoes, spices, and a beer broth. Make it in your Instant Pot or on the stovetop!
Make It
Vegan tortilla soup in bowls
Tomato Soup from Canned Tomatoes
This tomato soup from canned tomatoes is a quick and easy soup for cold, winter days.  Pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich for a meal!
Make It
tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches

What are your favorite sick-day recipes?  Let me know in the comments!

More Cooking Basics

About Sarah Trenalone

Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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Comments

  1. Dawn - Girl Heart Food

    Ugh! Cold season suck!! But sometimes unavoidable, especially this time of year!I love a good soup any time, regardless of a cold, but when I do have one? Extra soup with extra garlic for me, please! All of these look delicious!

    Reply

    • champagne-tastes

      Same! Stay healthy!

      Reply

  2. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

    Knock on wood, I haven't succumb to any cold or flu viruses this year -- but that doesn't mean I wouldn't want to try some of these fabulous soups and drinks. Is that a ramen bowl, I spy??? There's a new ramen place opening close to us, and I'm dying to go -- I'd love to make it at home -- but the recipe for authentic ramen broth takes 3 days (not an exaggeration), so I'd definitely have to plan for that... LOL! Great round up!

    Reply

  3. Michele

    This year it seams like the sickness has been so hard to get rid of. I love that there are so many options here to have things that will help get us on the road to feeling better because I am over eating boring old chicken noodle soup. Im especially looking forward to the spicy noodle soup! (yay for flavor!!)

    Reply

    • champagne-tastes

      It's really insane. There are some school districts nearby that are closed all week because of the flu.. and we're hardly ever sick but have been fighting this for about 2 weeks! Nasty stuff this year!

      Reply

  4. Amanda

    What a great roundup of recipes for this time of year. All I keep hearing is how flu is at record levels where I live and I'm just waiting for it to invade my home. Haha. We've been lucky so far. That Immune-boosting Elderflower-Turmeric Tea sounds lovely. I think I'm going to make a pot and get ahead of the game!

    Reply

  5. Donna

    Ugh this winter has been TERRIBLE!! I swear I have been sick for 5 weeks straight (thanks to my daughter starting preschool - thanks kid bugs). These recipes look amazing, and so nourishing!!

    Reply

    • champagne-tastes

      I'm right there with you! It's been the worst ever- I'm never sick and it's been 3 weeks of BLAH. I'm so ready for spring!

      Reply

  6. J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all

    That Immune Boosting Green Smoothie has my name written all over it. I haven't been sick in a long time but here in GA the pollen is already really bad so a drink that will help soothe a sore, dry throat sounds wonderful right about now. I am going to be checking out more of these recipes to keep on hand too!

    Reply

    • champagne-tastes

      I hear ya! I'm in WV near KY and allergy season is already in full swing!

      Reply

  7. Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy

    My husband has had a cold for a couple of days now, and we have tried everything we can think of to help him get better. I love that elderflower-turmeric tea. I will have to give it a try. My favorite cold remedy is raw garlic with some salt and bread. Not everyone can digest it raw but i made a garlic sandwich this weekend and it was pretty good. Spread some butter on a slice of bread, season with salt and paprika, and spread 1 minced garlic clove on top. So good!

    Reply

    • champagne-tastes

      Hey I might try that! This cold season is horrible!!!

      Reply

  8. Kitty

    When I'm congested I like to eat spicy Chinese soup. But I think I'm going to add than smoothie to my arsenal of cold remedies. Thanks!

    Reply

  9. Charlotte | Sweet Sundays

    What perfect timing for me to stumble upon this post! I look forward to trying a few of these this weekend to kick my head cold.

    Reply

    • champagne-tastes

      Aw feel better!

      Reply