FRESH SPRING SALADS: 33 RECIPES THAT'LL MAXIMIZE SEASONAL PRODUCE
Nearly every day of the year, we'll have a salad. We see salad as the ideal blank canvas for our favorite products and other add-ins, whether it's an easy fall salad recipe like a delectable roasted squash panzanella or a BBQ salad perfect for a fast summer dinner idea. The first spring days at the farmers' market, which are the ideal foundation for preparing the freshest spring salad recipes, perfectly whet our appetites for crisp, raw vegetables.
These recipes are stuffed with raw and barely cooked veggies, but they still manage to keep the best of the season's finest tender crunch and vibrant greens and pinks. Some of them even include oil-packed tuna, thinly sliced skirt steak, and other proteins to make your salad into a complete dinner. Not a huge fan of greens? Some of these are stuffed full of grains, legumes, and potatoes, which we revivify with a ton of herbs and citrus.
A lot of these salads are fantastic for meal preparation, particularly if you prepare the proteins, dressings, and other ingredients ahead of time. Additionally, grains and heartier vegetables like broccolini and carrots will keep well in the refrigerator. So whether you're looking for a quick supper to prepare ahead of time or the ideal side dish for your family's spring dinner, these nutritious salads will help you get the much-needed vegetables as the days start to get warmer.
Bright Radish Salad
Love radishes? Make an entire salad out of them. We like to tame their bite with honey and sweet Meyer lemon juice. Bright Radish Salad recipe.
Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad
This light, refreshing salad features gets a boost of flavor from chopped capers and Parmesan, which complement the honey-Dijon vinaigrette. Shaved Fennel and Celery Salad recipe.
White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
The dressing on this fresh, filling lunch salad is practically all basil, so you get a mouthful of green in every bite. White Bean and Tuna Salad with Basil Vinaigrette recipe.
Cucumber Radish Salad
Sliced feta and white wine vinegar add just the right amount of punch to round out some sweet, spicy spring veggies. Cucumber Radish Salad recipe.
Cobb Salad
We confess: we’ll eat a classic Cobb pretty much any time of year, even in the dead of winter. But when springtime rolls around, this bacon-and-cheese vehicle — er, we mean, salad — is at the front of our minds. Cobb Salad recipe.
Potato Salad with Vinaigrette
Potato salad. Is. A. Salad. With lots of fresh dill and a light, mayo-free dressing, this one is especially perfect for spring.
Spring Green Salad with Apricot Vinaigrette
The vibrant vegan dressing on this salad gets a complex bite from chopped dried apricots rehydrated in vinegar. Spring Green Salad with Apricot Vinaigrette recipe.
Vegan Caesar Salad
With sweet grilled onions and radishes, this flavor-packed salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Get the Vegan Caesar Salad recipe.
Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
Meyer lemons are a bit sweeter and more fragrant than typical lemons, and they add intrigue to this hearty, fresh salad. Get the Chicken and Asparagus Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette recipe.
Salmon Niçoise Salad
With easy-to-prep ingredients, this salmon salad is a perfect option for lunch on the go. Salmon Niçoise Salad recipe.
Spring Panzanella
Toasted sourdough gives this bright green salad a satisfying and hearty crunch. Spring Panzanella recipe.
Thai Green Papaya Salad
Can't find green papaya? Use underripe mango instead.
Tex-Mex Chicken Salad
Rotisserie chicken and pinto beans make this flavorful Tex-Mex salad a filling lunch option. Tex-Mex Chicken Salad recipe.
Falafel Chopped Salad
Crisp, fluffy falafel is easier to make at home than you may think. Falafel Chopped Salad recipe.
Grilled Romaine Lettuce with Creamy Feta Dressing
Amp up your salad with a little help from the grill. Grilled Romaine Lettuce with Creamy Feta Dressing recipe.
Spice-Grilled Steak Salad
Don't forget to rub the skirt steak with hot paprika before grilling to give it a subtly spicy kick. Spice-Grilled Steak Salad recipe.
Rhubarb and Citrus Salad with Black Pepper Vinaigrette
We made the most of rhubarb season (April to June!) with this sweet and savory salad topped with a sprinkle of pistachios.
Soba Noodle Salad with Shrimp and Ginger Vinaigrette
This is the ultimate meal prep lunch. Make sure to store dressing and veggies separately to maintain the maximum crunch. Soba Noodle Salad with Shrimp and Ginger Vinaigrette recipe.
Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad
Raw carrots star on this side, which gets extra sweetness from a honey vinaigrette. Get the Shaved Carrot and Radish Salad recipe.
White Bean Broccolini Salad
Honey mustard and red pepper flakes give this veggie salad a balanced, spicy-sweet bite. White Bean Broccolini Salad recipe.
Lemony Asparagus, Beans, and Peas
This mix of green veggies is the perfect partner for your Easter ham. Don't forget a sprinkle of sesame seeds at the end — they add just the right amount of crunch. Lemony Asparagus, Beans, and Peas recipe.
Tangy Charred Slaw
Your menu just got even more flavorful with the addition of this zesty lime slaw. Get the Tangy Charred Slaw recipe.
Avocado Salad with Spicy Sesame-Tamari Granola
Replace croutons with savory granola for a little extra flavor in this simple side. Avocado Salad with Spicy Sesame-Tamari Granola recipe.
Romaine Salad with Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette
Flip your average Caesar salad on its head with our bright take on the classic. Romaine Salad with Lemon-Pecorino Vinaigrette recipe.
Charred Snap Peas with Creamy Tarragon Dressing
Searing in a cast-iron skillet will give your snap peas a slightly smoky bite. Charred Snap Peas with Creamy Tarragon Dressing recipe.
Mixed Green and Herb Toss Salad
This isn't your average salad: Mixed herbs act as the greens and edible flowers add a touch of spring. Mixed Green and Herb Toss Salad recipe.
Garden Greens and Pumpernickel Panzanella
Toasted pumpernickel adds earthiness to this bright and fresh recipe. Garden Greens and Pumpernickel Panzanella recipe.
Green Goddess Carrot Salad
Caramelized roasted carrots are the highlight of this simple salad. Pro tip: make extra green goddess dressing and serve as a dip for raw veggies or grilled chicken skewers. Green Goddess Carrot Salad recipe.
Grilled Green Beans, Fennel, and Farro
Pro tip: Char your beans before tossing them with raw fennel and grains for a flavor-packed veggie side ideal for any barbecue. Get the Grilled Green Beans, Fennel, and Farro recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad
Buttermilk ranch is the creamy star of this bar snack-inspired salad. Get the Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad recipe.
Tahini-Lemon Quinoa with Asparagus Ribbons
Shaved asparagus is definitely the new zucchini noodle. Dressed in a nutty tahini dressing, this earthy spring crop really shines. Tahini-Lemon Quinoa with Asparagus Ribbons recipe.
Tropical Radicchio Slaw
No mayo here! Bitter-grilled radicchio balances the sweetness of super-sweet pineapple for the ultimate fresh take on a classic slaw. Get the Tropical Radicchio Slaw recipe.
Comments