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25 Best Spring Salads Full of Fresh, Seasonal Flavor

Toss together a flavorful meal in minutes.

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best spring salads
C.W. Newell

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.

1

Asparagus Salad

spring salads asparagus
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.)

Get the Asparagus Salad recipe.

2

Tex-Mex Chicken Caesar Salad

spring salads tex mex
Ryan Liebe

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.

Get Ree's Tex-Mex Chicken Caesar Salad recipe.

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3

Perfect Side Salad

spring salads perfect side
C. W. Newell

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!

Get Ree's Perfect Side Salad recipe.

4

Green Goddess Salad

spring salads green goddess salad
C.W. Newell

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.

Get the Green Goddess Salad recipe.

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5

Cabbage Salad

spring salads cabbage salad
Antonis Achilleos

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.

Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.

6

Avocado Salad

avocado salad
Caitlin Bensel

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.

Get the Avocado Salad recipe.

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7

Radish Salad

radish salad
Will Dickey

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.

Get the Radish Salad recipe.

8

Southwestern Salad

southwestern salad
Will Dickey

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.

Get the Southwestern Salad recipe.

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9

Waldorf Salad

waldorf salad
Will Dickey

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.

Get the Waldorf Salad recipe.

10

Fish and Chips Salad

fish and chips salad
Caitlin Bensel

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.

Get the Fish and Chips Salad recipe.

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11

Chef's Salad on a Stick

salad on a stick
Caitlin Bensel

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.

Get the Chef's Salad on a Stick recipe.

12

Strawberry Arugula Salad

spring strawberry arugula salad
David Malosh

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.

Get Ree's Strawberry Arugula Salad recipe.

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13

Cajun Cobb Salad with Shrimp

cajun shrimp salad
Kristen Kilpatrick

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!

Get the Cajun Cobb Salad with Shrimp recipe.

14

Watercress Salad With Pistachios

spring watercress salad with pistachios
Ryan Liebe

Watercress mixed with thinly sliced radishes and fennel gets tossed in a honey-balsamic dressing, then topped with salted roasted pistachios.

Get Ree's Watercress Salad With Pistachios recipe.

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15

Strawberry Spinach Salad

spring salads strawberry spinach salad
Will Dickey

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.

Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.

16

Chickpea Salad

spring chickpea salad
Caitlin Bensel

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.

Get the Chickpea Salad recipe.

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17

Carrot Salad

spring salads carrot salad
Will Dickey

Add this carrot salad to your Easter menu and every bunny will be happy. It's colorful, crunchy, and so easy to make ahead of time!

Get the Carrot Salad recipe.

18

Barbecue Chicken Salad

spring salads barbecue chicken salad
Con Poulos

When the weather starts to warm up, this healthy-ish salad will be a refreshing dinner option. Just don't forget the ranch dressing!

Get Ree's Barbecue Chicken Salad recipe.

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19

Greek Salad

spring salads greek salad
Danielle Daly

You can't go wrong with this classic Greek salad. It's one of the best ways to show off your bounty of garden veggies.

Get the Greek Salad recipe.

20

Cucumber Salad

spring salads cucumber salad
Caitlin Bensel

This elegant salad will look just as pretty at your Mother's Day brunch as it would at a backyard barbecue. And it'll taste as good, too!

Get the Cucumber Salad recipe.

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