After months of braving the cold and surviving on comfort food to keep you warm, you might be craving a bit more color and crunch in your diet. And with a bounty of spring vegetables and fruits incoming, what better way to get your fresh food fix than eating a spring salad? Pack one for a perfect picnic lunch or toss one up for a healthy dinner! The best spring salads will add vibrant color and flavor to your plate while showcasing fresh produce from local farmers' markets.
Looking for a spring salad to serve on your Mother's Day brunch menu? Try Ree Drummond's perfect side salad that goes with practically anything else you'd want to serve or an asparagus salad that stays crunchy for days. And while there's plenty of lettuce, including arugula, baby gem, and spinach, you'll also find seasonal favorites to mix in as well. Think radishes, carrots, and crunchy cabbage!
Besides the delicious side dishes and spring appetizers on this list, like the colorful avocado salad or the salad on a stick, there are plenty of heartier options that are a whole meal on their own, too. Try the shrimp Cobb salad, the grilled pork salad with fresh strawberries, or Ree's barbecue chicken salad with herby ranch dressing. Now that's a spring salad recipe that even a meat-eating cowboy would love! Best of all, no matter which salad you choose, your meal will be ready in minutes.
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Asparagus Salad
C.W. Newell
Asparagus is the ultimate spring veggie! Toss it with bacon, parmesan, walnuts, radishes, fresh herbs, and a lemony vinaigrette for a refreshing salad that will stay crunchy for days. (If it lasts that long, of course.)
A classic Caesar salad is always a winner. Now you can kick it up a notch with chicken, avocado, monterey jack cheese, and a smoky, spicy chipotle dressing. Top with tortilla chips for extra crunch.
Sure, you can have this salad any time of year. But when veggies are springing forth, it makes all the difference. Best of all, it goes with practically anything else you have on the menu!
Go green this spring! Cabbage, cucumbers, snap peas, and green onions serve as a vessel to soak up the herby, lemony dressing made with avocado, spinach, basil, parmesan, and shallots.
Kickstart slaw season with this crunchy cabbage salad! Toss shredded cabbage with nutty toasted pecans, tart green apples, and peppery arugula. You can enjoy it for days to come, even after it's been dressed.
This lettuce-free salad is bursting with texture and flavor, thanks to juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, and crisp cucumber. Top it off with a drizzle of tangy salsa verde dressing for extra zest.
Fresh radishes are the surest sign of spring! Their vibrant hue and peppery taste will brighten up any salad. In this dish, they're paired with crisp cucumbers and a generous handful of fresh herbs.
Take your usual salad from boring to bright by adding the bold flavors of the American Southwest to your bowl! It's loaded with corn, black beans, avocado, pepper jack cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips.
This classic salad is both elegant and practical, making it the perfect choice for your Mother's Day menu or a picnic in the park. Serve the crunchy apple-based salad on its own or over crisp lettuce cups for even more elegance.
This salad is loaded with springy green peas, tender butter lettuce, and, of course, crisp fried fish and French fries! It's a great way to combine quick freezer aisle staples with the freshness of a salad.
You've never seen salad like this before! The pretty presentation makes it fun to eat. Not to mention, each skewer is loaded with meats, cheeses and veggies, just like a classic chef's salad.
Put all of your fresh strawberries to use this spring with this delightful salad that combines the sweet fruit with peppery arugula, tangy feta cheese, and mint. Add pecans for a satisfying crunch.
This twist on a classic Cobb salad will really bring the heat! Not only is the homemade Cajun seasoning mix used to cook the shrimp, but it's also added to the creamy Cajun ranch dressing!
Whether you're growing strawberries in your own backyard or you see them pop up at the farmers' market, you'll want to make this fresh salad throughout the season. The lemon poppy seed dressing is a refreshing finishing touch.
The fresh medley of veggies in this salad make it perfect for spring! Along with chickpeas, it's bursting with tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, and feta. Just don't forget the lemon and lots of herbs.