31 Delicious Things to Do in January

January is the calm after the storm. The glitter has settled, the leftovers are mostly gone, and the fridge is finally ready to be restocked with intention instead of urgency. I always find this month to be a gentle reset, a moment when the pace shifts and the kitchen feels welcoming again rather than demanding. It is the perfect time to reconnect with cooking in a way that feels restorative. I cook for pleasure, not pressure, and I let my cravings guide me toward cozy soups, bright citrus desserts, and simple meals that feel grounding. As I put together my 31 Delicious Things to Do in January, I think about how small rituals in the kitchen can shape the rhythm of the month. These are the ideas that help me start the year with warmth, creativity, and something to look forward to every single day. You can also download the free printable version to follow along all month long.

1. Bake a loaf of sourdough

Kick off the year with something deeply nourishing and grounding. Sourdough baking feels almost meditative to me, a slow ritual that invites patience. If you've never made a sourdough starter, January is the perfect month to begin. There is nothing quite like the smell of warm, crackly bread filling your home.

2. Make a big pot of lentil soup

Lentils are inexpensive, satisfying, and endlessly adaptable. I like to simmer mine with carrots, celery, garlic, and a touch of spice, then finish with lemon and parsley. It's a bowl of comfort that somehow makes the whole kitchen feel cozy.

3. Try meatless Mondays

Commit to one plant-based day each week and let it be something you look forward to. It's good for your body and the planet. My favorites are sweet potato and black bean enchiladas or a creamy mushroom risotto that feels indulgent but still simple.

4. Organize your pantry

Pour your grains into jars, label your spices, and toss anything expired or forgotten. A tidy pantry always inspires me to cook more creatively, and it genuinely changes how relaxed I feel when I sit down to plan meals.

5. Meal prep like a pro

Pick one day a week to reset your kitchen. Roast a tray of vegetables, cook a pot of grains, prep proteins, and blend a sauce or two. I find that a little work upfront makes weekday meals feel effortless.

6. Bake banana bread

If you have brown bananas on the counter, treat them as treasure. Banana bread is the ultimate cozy bake, and it only gets better with chocolate chips, nuts, or even a swirl of tahini. It's a sweet way to brighten a winter afternoon.

7. Host a soup swap

Invite a few friends to make their signature soups. Portion them out, trade, and head home with a freezer full of new flavors. It is community-building in the simplest, coziest way.

8. Cook a recipe from a neglected cookbook

We all have cookbooks we love but rarely use. Open one you haven't touched in ages, pick a recipe you've never tried, and let yourself be surprised by something new.

9. Make your own granola

A mix of oats, nuts, seeds, and maple syrup is all you need. Homemade granola is endlessly customizable and far better than anything you buy in a box. I love making a big batch and sprinkling it on yogurt all week.

10. Simmer a pot of chai

Steep black tea with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and fresh ginger until your kitchen smells warm and inviting. Add milk and sweetener to taste, then sip slowly. It's one of my favorite winter comforts.

11. Write out a monthly dinner plan

Even a loose plan gives your month structure. It reduces stress, cuts down on food waste, and keeps you inspired. I like to try out a few new recipes, so I'm always trying something fresh.

12. Roast a whole chicken

Roast a chicken on Sunday and let it carry you through the week. The leftovers make incredible sandwiches, soups, or simple grain bowls. It's a classic for a reason.

13. Try a new spice

Exploring spices like sumac, harissa, berbere, or za'atar can completely transform your cooking. Choose one new spice and build a meal around it. It's an easy way to expand your palate.

14. Make overnight oats

Mix oats, yogurt, chia seeds, and fruit, then let them rest in the fridge until morning. Overnight oats are quick, nourishing, and endlessly adaptable. I love waking up knowing breakfast is already done.

15. Master a vinaigrette

A homemade vinaigrette can elevate even the simplest salad. Start with oil, vinegar or lemon, mustard, salt, and whisk until creamy. Once you master the basics, you can play with herbs or citrus zest.

16. Make a warm grain bowl

Combine roasted winter vegetables, hearty grains, protein of choice, and a bright sauce. Warm grain bowls are filling, colorful, and a great way to use what you already have on hand.

17. Brew homemade broth

Save your veggie scraps or bones and simmer them into a deeply flavorful broth. I freeze mine in jars or cubes and pull them out whenever I'm making soup, risotto, or anything that needs a little depth.

18. Celebrate citrus season

January is the peak of citrus magic. Think blood oranges, Meyer lemons, and vibrant grapefruit. I love turning them into citrus salads, lemon bars, or even an olive oil cake that tastes like sunshine.

19. Make a cozy baked pasta

Lasagna, mac and cheese, baked rigatoni, baked ziti or even a one-pan chorizo pasta. Whatever you choose, bubbling pasta is the definition of winter comfort. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

20. Bake a batch of muffins

Choose blueberry, lemon poppyseed, or apple cinnamon. Freshly baked muffins make mornings feel a little gentler and afternoons a little sweeter.

21. Cook from a different cuisine

Pick a cuisine you want to learn more about. Korean, Ethiopian, Lebanese, or anything you've been curious about. Cooking from another culture is a delicious way to learn.

22. Make a clean-out-the-fridge dinner

Use the odds and ends you already have. A stir fry, baked veggie frittata, or quesadilla can turn leftovers into something new. It helps reduce waste and sparks creativity.

23. Learn to poach an egg

A perfectly poached egg feels fancy but is surprisingly doable. Crack one into simmering water with a splash of vinegar and let it gently set. Serve it over toast or greens for a simple pleasure.

24. Create a simple tea ritual

Pick a favorite tea, light a candle, and give yourself a few minutes each afternoon to pause. It is a small routine that brings calm to an otherwise busy month.

25. Bake something just because

You don't need a special occasion to bake. Make the cake, bake the pie, stir together brownies simply because it brings you joy. I find that January is the best time to indulge in small pleasures.

26. Make your own spice blend

Mix up your own taco seasoning, garam masala, or pumpkin spice blend. It's fresher, more fragrant, and feels like a small luxury in everyday cooking.

27. Host a mini wine and cheese night

Choose a few cheeses, open a bottle of wine, and spend a slow evening savoring the flavors. It can be a solo treat or an intimate gathering with a friend or two.

28. Try a bread from a different culture

Bake naan, injera, challah, or focaccia. Each bread teaches you a new technique and opens up a new corner of the culinary world. It's a skill-building project that feels fun, not fussy.

29. Make your own salad dressing

Once you get the hang of homemade dressing, it's hard to go back to store-bought. Add herbs, garlic, or citrus zest to make it your own and transform even the simplest greens.

30. Try a new veggie

Choose one vegetable you usually skip. Maybe kohlrabi, rutabaga, or daikon. Find a recipe and give it a real chance. You might discover a new staple.

31. Reflect with dessert

End the month on a sweet, thoughtful note. I love baking something nostalgic like apple crisp or sticky date pudding, then taking a few minutes to reflect on the small wins of the new year so far.

Download Our Printable Checklist

Make cooking your way through the month even easier with our free printable checklist. It includes all 31 delicious things to do in January laid out in a simple, beautiful format you can hang on your fridge, tuck into your planner, or keep on your countertop. Check off each idea as you go and let it inspire small, joyful moments in your kitchen all month long.

A Delicious Start to the Year

January doesn't have to be about restriction. It can be about comfort, joy, exploration, and starting fresh in ways that nourish rather than deprive. I like to think of this month as an invitation to slow down and reconnect with the simple pleasure of cooking for no other reason than it feels good. Let your kitchen be your playground, your creative space, and your refuge from the cold. Cook for yourself, share with others, and savor the gentle rhythm of winter as it unfolds day by day.
And if you're craving inspiration beyond January, you're in luck. I've created a bucket list for every month of the year, each one filled with seasonal ideas and free printable checklists you can download and use at home. My hope is that these lists help you look forward to each new month with a little more excitement and curiosity.
If you try any of these, I'd truly love to hear about it. Tag me on Instagram or drop a comment below. Let's make this a delicious year, one bite at a time.