Spring Salad Recipes

The air is warmer, the days are getting longer, and colorful blooms are painting the landscape again! What better way to savor spring than with fresh flavorful spring salads? Spring salads are more than just a side dish; they’re an expression of the season’s bounty.

Today, I’m thrilled to gather all my easy spring salad recipes in one place, offering you a garden of inspiration for your own seasonal feasts. Get ready to toss your way into spring with these refreshing and utterly delicious salads!

Why Spring Salads are the Best

As earth wakens with fresh colors and spring energy, our palates crave a similar nourishment! After months of comforting, heavier winter foods, spring salads offer a welcome breath of fresh air – and fresh flavors! They’re the perfect way to celebrate the season’s first harvest, with the delicate sweetness of new greens, and the crispy early vegetables!

Spring salads are lighter, leaving you feeling energized rather than weighed down… They’re the best way to add a rainbow of nutrients into your diet!

Plus, the combination of spring flavors and textures create a most delightful bite. And with lighter, brighter dressings, fresh herbs and citrus, they awaken the taste buds in a way that’s perfectly in tune with the spring spirit!

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans

I was first introduced to this strawberry salad recipe in 2012 at a friends house for dinner… It’s like all the best parts of spring decided to have a party in a salad bowl!

This fresh strawberry salad is pure spring magic… You’ve got fresh spinach, sweet strawberry bursts, creamy feta goodness, and crunchy candied pecans for a party in your mouth! All finished off with a creamy dressing. This salad makes the perfect side to salmon or steak!

Green Goddess Salad

Dive into creamy, herby perfection with a Green Goddess salad, where every bite is a vibrant burst of spring.

The name says it all… Fresh greens tossed with avocado, herbs, green onion, broccoli, cucumber, crunchy seeds, crumbled cheese, and a creamy herb dressing! Plus, I add in hard boiled eggs and roasted chicken breast to make a satisfying lunch or dinner! The creamy dressing, while decadent, gets its flavor from those bright green ingredients, making it feel less heavy than a typical mayo-laden dressing. This green goddess dressing is like a breath of fresh, herby air in a bowl!

Fresh Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing

This fresh fruit salad is a burst of pure springtime joy for so many reasons! It’s a gorgeous medley of colors and textures, showcasing springs bounty! The combination of these sweet and slightly tart fruits is simply irresistible. But what makes it even better is the light and zesty citrus dressing!

Fresh orange and lemon juices, sweetened just a touch with honey or maple syrup, enhance fresh fruits’ natural flavors without overpowering them… And that optional sprinkle of fresh mint adds a cool, herbaceous note that makes every bite even more refreshing! Plus, pansy flowers aren’t just pretty; they hint at the blossoming beauty of the season. It’s a simple elegant salad that’s light, hydrating, and utterly delicious – the perfect sweet treat to celebrate spring!

Fresh Cobb Salad

With protein from the chicken and eggs, healthy fats from avocado, and a variety of fresh vegetables, this Cobb Salad is a well-rounded dish that won’t leave you feeling hungry.

The colorful crisp greens, bright red tomatoes, creamy avocado, yellow eggs, and the contrasting bacon and chicken – make it a feast for the eyes… Perfect for spring.

The beauty of a Cobb salad is its versatile, Add some tender, blanched asparagus spears or some thinly sliced spring radishes for a peppery crunch. Sweet peas are also great for a pop of color and sweetness!

Loaded Taco Salad

Spice up your spring with a vibrant taco salad, a fiesta of fresh greens, savory seasoned ground beef, and the best homemade tomatillo jalapeno ranch dressing.

This flavorful taco salad is loaded with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, Pico de Gallo, avocado, lime and ground beef, cheese and beans… For a protein packed lunch or dinner salad!

Spring Pasta Salad

Twirl your fork through a vibrant pasta salad, where tender noodles mingle with a medley of colorful spring vegetables and a zesty dressing, creating a refreshing and satisfying bite.

Give your pasta salad a springtime makeover! Ditch the heavy mayo and think fresh and green… Toss in some tender broccoli, asparagus, sweet little peas, maybe some radish slices for a bit of crunch, and some fresh spring onions or scallions!

Don’t forget a shower of bright herbs like dill and parsley – they make all the difference. For the dressing, go light and zesty with a lemon vinaigrette; it’ll really make those spring flavors pop. If you want to add a little something extra, some grilled chicken or shrimp would be great, or even some crumbly feta for a bit of tang. Just load it up with all the fresh spring veg and you’ve got yourself a perfect spring pasta salad!

Strawberry Walnut Salad

This strawberry walnut salad is like sunshine in a bowl! It’s the ultimate easy spring salad – just toss together fresh spring greens and baby spinach, sweet juicy strawberries with that first taste of warmer days, and crunchy walnuts for a delightful bite… A sprinkle of tangy feta or blue cheese adds a little zing, and a touch of red onion gives it a subtle savory note.

The quick candied walnuts are a breeze to make and add the perfect sweet crunch. Drizzled with balsamic glaze, it’s a simple yet sensational salad that screams springtime freshness and comes together in minutes – perfect for those brighter, busier days! This fresh spring salad goes perfect with parmesan lemon tilapia, or a tender London broil!