Spring has sprung! As the weather warms up and plenty of fresh produce comes into season, you might be looking for some tasty new recipes to use up your farmers market finds. Celebrate the season with these 19 healthy spring salad recipes that are perfect for a light and fresh meal!
Grain salads are a great way to get more fiber into your diet while trying something different from traditional lettuce-based options. Quinoa also happens to be a complete protein. It’s one of the few plant foods that contains all essential amino acids. In this particular recipe, it’s mixed with feta crumbles, walnuts and parsley, then dressed with a homemade basil vinaigrette.
Get the Spring Quinoa Salad recipe.
This pasta salad uses whole wheat pasta as its base and is mixed with fresh green peas, asparagus tips and watercress, a leafy green known to be rich in vitamin C. The dressing is light and lemony made from lemon zest, olive oil and black pepper. It’s all topped off with some shaved parmesan for a salty, flavorful bite.
Get the Simple Spring Green Pasta Salad recipe.
This fun recipe takes a classic twist on a traditional Caprese salad by mixing in some hearty asparagus, which helps to make it more filling as a meal. Asparagus also happens to provide a wide variety of antioxidant nutrients and serves as a good source of fiber. In addition to asparagus, this recipe features cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil and mozzarella cheese, all dressed in a homemade vinaigrette.
Get the Asparagus Caprese Salad recipe.
Turnips don’t always get the attention they deserve but these early spring root vegetables are packed in nutrients. They can actually be swapped with potatoes in a lot of recipes! But in this particular healthy spring salad recipe, we put them front and center as the base of a warm grain bowl that is also packed with leafy greens, creamy goat cheese and fiber-rich farro. All of these fresh ingredients are then dressed with lemon juice, olive oil and black pepper.
Get the Roasted Turnip Salad recipe.
Many people appreciate radishes for the zesty spice that they can add to a dish when eaten raw. In this particular spring salad recipe, they add some peppery flavor to some sliced cucumbers—both of which are then dressed in fresh lemon juice and topped with fresh dill. For a sweet and refreshing twist, we recommend mixing in some cubed watermelon.
Get the Easy Radish Salad recipe.
Caesar salads are a traditional favorite. In this spring salad recipe, we add a twist to a classic Caesar by making it with nutrient-rich asparagus instead of romaine. You’ll grill the asparagus until lightly charred and dress it in a Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing. Of course, you’ll need the croutons and shredded parmesan cheese to top it all off in classic Caesar style.
Get the Grilled Asparagus Caesar Salad recipe.
When it comes to springtime fresh produce, strawberries are plentiful! In this customer-submitted recipe, you’ll fix sliced ripe strawberries with other wholesome ingredients like avocados and fresh spinach. Some grilled chicken breast adds lean protein while mozzarella cheese adds more flavor. This salad pairs well with a drizzling of Raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
Get the Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad recipe.
This simple spring salad recipe makes it easy to fill up on fiber and fresh veggies. Simply mix a can of rinsed and drained chickpeas with some diced celery and chopped red onion and bell pepper. Then add a mayonnaise-based dressing with some mustard for a tangy kick. It’s a healthy side dish or make it even more of a main course by topping with a lean protein like grilled chicken.
Get the Easy Chickpea Salad recipe.
In this salad recipe, some unexpected flavors come together in a delightful way. Sliced beets, cucumbers, red onions and orange are mixed with arugula and dressed in a zesty vinaigrette made from orange juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, honey and a pinch of salt. We not only love the flavor combination but also the way this recipe packs in so much good nutrition.
Get the Arugula Beet Salad recipe.
Fresh blueberries are a springtime favorite and full of amazing antioxidant power. They also happen to be the star of this recipe which also features an unexpected mix of ingredients like quinoa, corn, arugula and goat cheese. It’s all dressed in a lemon vinaigrette that helps to balance out the flavors.
Get the Blueberry Quinoa Salad recipe.
Roasting veggies helps to bring out their depth of flavor by releasing their natural sugars. While roasted veggies can certainly be enjoyed plain, serving them as a medley in salad form can make an enjoyable and filling meal. This spring salad features roasted carrots, brussels sprouts and beets mixed with kale and farro. It’s dressed in a zesty vinaigrette for a dish that is full of flavor.
Get the Farro Roasted Vegetable Salad recipe.
This healthy spring salad recipe brings together three superfood favorites: Beets, quinoa and kale. Mixed with some feta cheese crumbles and a lemony vinaigrette, it’s packed with flavor while also being incredibly healthy and filling. Satiety is important so that you aren’t tempted to snack later!
Get the Beetroot and Quinoa Superfood Salad recipe.
If you’ve ever had a spinach and strawberry salad, you know that the flavor combination just works. Of course, from an aesthetic standpoint, the bright redness of strawberries with the dark green shade of leafy spinach is a beautiful combination. This salad also features crumbled feta and a simple balsamic vinaigrette. Add some nuts for some extra crunch.
Get the Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad recipe.
Traditional Panzanella is a Tuscan chopped salad using soaked bread. While white bread is frequently used, we’ve made our version with healthy whole wheat pita bread. It also features delicious vegetables like chopped cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and artichoke hearts. Some shredded rotisserie chicken adds lean protein and makes this dish even more filling. Plus, it’s all dressed in a delicious homemade vinaigrette.
Get the Mediterranean Panzanella Salad recipe.
Beets, fresh arugula and goat cheese crumbles come together in this simple-but-delicious salad that is coated in a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Beets boast all kinds of health benefits, including being high in fiber and helping to promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut. While that should make you feel good about this dish, it also tastes totally amazing, too.
Get the Balsamic Beet and Goat Cheese Salad recipe.
Veggie spirals continue to add flavor and interest to all types of salads. In this recipe, roasted carrots are in the spotlight and mixed with roasted pumpkin seeds and dates. It’s then topped with goat cheese for a great low-carb alternative to a pasta dish.
Get the Roasted Spiralized Carrots recipe.
This recipe makes a full meal with sliced ham paired with pineapple and a side of quinoa salad that also ties-in plenty of pineapple flavor. It’s filling and delicious and makes a great choice for family dinner night. Plus, it’s just 367 calories per serving.
Get the Hawaiian Honey Ham and Quinoa Salad recipe.
This healthy spring salad recipe combines fiber-rich farro with a whole bunch of veggies, cashews and edamame. It’s packed with flavor and hearty goodness. The Asian-inspired dressing features tangy soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, olive oil and garlic powder. It adds just the right amount of tang to this crunchy salad.
Get the Asian Cashew and Farro Salad recipe.
Fennel is a layered, bulbous vegetable that is packed with fiber. It is known for its mild licorice flavor and works well as the base of a salad. In this recipe, it pairs nicely with a sliced apple and celery—all drizzled in lemon juice, olive oil and some seasoning. A serving is just 78 calories, making it a nice side to any Nutrisystem meal.
Get the Filling Fennel Salad recipe.
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