More Collections: Spring Dinner Ideas, Spring Desserts, Green Salad Recipes
We Love Refreshing and Bright!
After the heavy comfort food of winter, I’m itching to taste the bright flavors of spring. Spring salads are the perfect way to enjoy those refreshing flavors! Why we love spring salads:
From your garden! If you’re lucky enough to have a spring garden, you can use all the great produce from there or check out a farmers’ market. Versatile. Try substituting a spring mix salad in place of regular lettuce! This swap-out can be great for your digestion following a winter diet of heavy foods. Healthy. These wonderful leafy greens provide a rich source of dietary fiber – a great way to start your spring menu!
Spring Produce
Seasonal produce is great to use in these salad recipes. They can offer a tender texture or a bit of a crunch. Their colors and flavors also add to the salad’s appeal! Vegetables. Our favorites include asparagus, beets, broccoli, carrots, fennel, spring greens (lettuce, baby spinach, romaine, kale), cucumbers, green beans, snap peas, potatoes, radishes, and rhubarb. Fruits. Some of our favorite spring fruits include apricots, avocados, blueberries, cherries, kiwis, lemons, mangos, oranges, pineapples, and strawberries.
Best Spring Salad Ideas
We love a fresh salad filled with seasonal fruits and veggies! We have rounded up our favorites, there is sure to be something for everyone.
Cheese adds an extra layer of flavor to pasta salads or veggie salads. It can be cubed, shredded, or crumbled. Some favorite cheeses include feta cheese, goat cheese, parmesan cheese, blue cheese, and cheddar cheese. Nuts and seeds. Use chopped or sliced nuts. They can be raw, roasted, or candied. Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are the most used nuts. You can also toss in some poppy seeds, chia seeds, or sunflower seeds. Fresh herbs and spices can be incorporated for a hint of extra flavor. Use a light touch to not be overwhelming. Herbs often used include fresh dill, fresh mint, fresh basil, cilantro, chives, parsley, and thyme. Simple spices like black pepper and salt can offer a flavor boost. Protein. When served as a main dish, I like to add protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, bacon bits, black, kidney, or white beans, hard-boiled eggs, buffalo chicken, or chickpeas. Dressing. Use a classic combination of extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar to make a light vinaigrette, a simple spritz of lemon juice, or a creamy dressing. Some favorites include Greek Dressing, Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe, Homemade Ranch Dressing, Pesto Salad Dressing, or Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing.
More Springtime Salads & Slaws
For even more spring salads, perfect as a side or main dish, we’ve rounded up more favorites!
Spring Pasta Salad Ideas
We love salad in our house, but our love for pasta also runs deep and when you combine the two, watch out! You’ll want to eat the entire bowl when you make any one of these recipes.
Simple + Delicious!
One of our favorite salads to enjoy during spring and summer is a classic Cobb Salad. The layers of cheese, bacon, and veggies pack every bite with so much flavor and there are multiple ways you can change this dish up by simply swapping out the protein or the dressing you pair with it. This salad will always be a hit! Here is the recipe:
Perfect Spring Salads
We’re sure you will find some new favorites from this list of spring salad ideas listed above. Whether you are looking for the best salad to accompany a meal, or to serve as a meal itself, you’re sure to find the perfect recipe! More Collections: Summer Salads, Healthy Pasta Recipes, Healthy Dinner Ideas
