As Easter approaches, you also start to see the first signs of spring: flowers blooming, birds chirping, and gardens overflowing with spring vegetables. And one of the best ways to put those vegetables to good use is with an Easter salad on your holiday menu. Just think how pretty a big bowl of arugula with fresh strawberries will look alongside your glazed Easter ham or how refreshing a crisp, crunchy carrot salad would be when paired with a comforting casserole.
Here, you'll find easy Easter salads that are as pretty as they are tasty—including one of Ree Drummond's favorite recipes! In her household growing up, Easter dinner always included a springy pea salad. "It's a fun, simple, seasonal salad that's great for any spring gathering, but it's a particularly nice addition to your Easter menu," Ree says. And while most of these Easter salad ideas double as healthy Easter recipes, there are also some comforting crowd pleasers with lots of creamy dressing.
These options are as colorful and diverse as any spring salads. There are leafy green salads, make-ahead potluck salads, and classic salads for the whole crew. Just look at the nostalgic Waldorf salad. "I don't eat it very often, but anytime I do, I'm instantly transported to the 1970s," Ree says. So whether you want a pop of freshness on the table or just want to make sure everyone gets their greens to cancel out all that candy, these Easter salad recipes will surely be a hit.
Asparagus Salad
Asparagus shines in this salad, tossed in a lemony vinaigrette and finished with delightful toppings such as bacon, walnuts, radishes, fresh herbs, and parmesan cheese. It’s just the right balance of bright, salty, and crunchy.
Get the Asparagus Salad recipe.
Broccoli Caesar Salad
Try a fresh twist on the classic that swaps romaine for roasted broccoli florets and stems, cooked until golden. Everything gets tossed in a light, creamy Greek-yogurt Caesar dressing, then finished with homemade cheesy croutons for extra crunch.
Get the Broccoli Caesar Salad recipe.
Carrot Ribbon Salad
How stunning is this spring salad? It’s all about color and crunch: delicate carrot ribbons are tossed in a creamy lemon-tahini dressing that's sprinkled with crunchy, salty pistachios and fresh herbs.
Get Ree's Carrot Ribbon Salad recipe.
Sweet Potato Salad
Here’s a hearty alternative to the classic mayo-based potato salads. Roasted sweet potatoes are tossed with peppery arugula, crispy bacon, tart dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and creamy goat cheese, all finished with a sweet-and-tangy bacon and maple syrup vinaigrette.
Get the Sweet Potato Salad recipe.
Ham Salad
Give Easter ham a retro makeover in a mere 15 minutes. Blend it with celery, pickles, and hard-boiled egg, plus a creamy dressing. It’s a tangy, crunchy spread that you can pile onto sandwiches or serve with crackers.
Get the Ham Salad recipe.
Egg Salad
Creamy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, this classic dish is the versatile addition that your spread needs. Served as a side dish, on toast, or even in sandwiches.
Get the Egg Salad recipe.
Green Goddess Salad
If you want to make this ahead, go for it! The combo of sugar snap peas, green onions, cucumbers, and green cabbage will stay crunchy for days. Making that creamy dressing from scratch really pulls it together.
Get the Green Goddess Salad recipe.
Cabbage Salad
Another make-ahead idea is this colorful, crispy salad. Cabbage, arugula, green onions, and parsley get an extra crunch from toasted pecans and sliced tart apples.
Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.
Radish Salad
When you're craving something crisp and cool, this radish salad is the perfect bite! It combines crunch of sliced radishes and cucumbers with a zesty dressing and lots of fresh herbs.
Get the Radish Salad recipe.
Carrot Salad
Easter bunnies love carrots, so serve a salad those critters would be jealous of! This recipe marries classic American Southern-style carrot salad with French versions that get a fresh boost from an herby, mustard-laced vinaigrette.
Get the Carrot Salad recipe.
Waldorf Salad
Now here's a throwback! This Waldorf salad can be scooped and served out of lettuce cups with a little drizzle of yogurt.
Get the Waldorf Salad recipe.
Layered Salad
This type of salad is a staple at potlucks because it's so easy to make ahead. Add layers of veggies, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, cheese, and a creamy dressing that will "seal" the salad until your ready to toss and eat!
Get Ree's Layered Salad recipe.
Pea Salad
Ree's favorite Sunday brunch food from childhood inspired this recipe. She loved loading up on a pea salad with big chunks of cheese, slivers of red onion, and a light, creamy dressing.
Get Ree's Pea Salad recipe.
Spring Salad with Radishes
Sometimes simple is best! As is the case with Ree's spring salad that she tops with colorful pink radishes, red onion, and her Aunt Trish's citrus dressing.
Get Ree's Spring Salad with Radishes recipe.
Strawberry Arugula Salad
This spring salad brings together a delightful combination of fresh strawberries, peppery arugula, and tangy feta cheese. The addition of pecans adds a satisfying crunch.
Get Ree's Strawberry Arugula Salad recipe.
Caesar Salad
Say goodbye to limp lettuce and premade dressing with this restaurant-style Caesar salad. The highlight of this recipe is the homemade creamy, garlicky dressing that pairs perfectly with the crunchy romaine, shredded parmesan, and croutons.
Get the Caesar Salad recipe.
Broccoli Salad
This salad is a beautiful mix of textures and colors. It's creamy, crunchy, smoky, fresh, chewy, tart, and just a tiny bit sweet.
Get the Broccoli Salad recipe.
Cucumber Salad
Cucumber salad tastes as fresh as springtime. With just two main ingredients and the dressing, this salad is easy to throw together for large groups and totally budget-friendly.
Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.
Green Bean Salad
Like an Easter egg hunt, you will keep making colorful discoveries in this tasty salad. Each bite explodes with flavor from green beans, tomatoes, olives, and goat cheese.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
You can't find a prettier combination than rosy strawberries, verdant green spinach, bright orange slices, and cool white goat cheese! A poppy seed vinaigrette gives this mix an extra fresh flavor.
Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.
Broccoli Salad
Greek Lemon Potatoes
Strawberry Pavlova
Pull-Apart Garlic-Herb Biscuits
