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Spring Salad Recipes
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6 Fresh Spring Salad Recipes

Katie WellsAug 6, 2011Updated: Oct 7, 2019
Reading Time: 5 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » 6 Fresh Spring Salad Recipes
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Seasonal Eating for Spring
  • 1. Spring Salad With Honey Mustard
  • 2. Strawberry Feta Salad
  • 3. Fish Taco Salad
  • 4. Color Burst Salad
  • 5. Cucumber Salad Recipe
  • 6. Spring Greens Salad With Crispy Prosciutto
  • And a Bonus... Radish Cream Cheese Dip!

One of my favorite things about spring is the fresh lettuce at the farmer’s markets and the return of the amazing flavors of fresh vegetables and herbs. When spring finally arrives, we are all excited for radishes, peas, fresh strawberries, and greens!

These spring salad recipes are the perfect way to really showcase garden produce and celebrate the return of warm weather with some fresh seasonal eating.

Seasonal Eating for Spring

We try to eat seasonally as much as possible. In the winter, this means focusing on a lot of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, winter squash, beets, and tubers. These usually make their way into soup or stews in the Instant Pot, but it’s also possible to eat them in a roasted vegetable salad like this one.

As much as I love those veggies, when spring finally arrives it just naturally feels like time to make a change and lighten things up.

Green ebook cover with spices, bears, and veggies on a table

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One strategy of course is just to pile all the fruits and veggies together in whatever way sounds tasty (topped off with one of these homemade salad dressings). If you’re looking for a more nuanced approach, here are some of the spring salads that are especially winning combinations:

1. Spring Salad With Honey Mustard

salad honey mustard chicken strawberriesI was so excited when a local farmer started selling his homemade goat cheese at our farmer’s market. I can now get all of the ingredients for this salad (one of my all-time favorites) locally and inexpensively when they are in season. It tops fresh greens with grain-free breaded chicken, fresh strawberries, pecans, goat cheese, and dried fruit with a honey mustard dressing.

This is a kid and adult favorite at our house for sure, and filling enough for a meal. There’s something in it to please even the pickiest eaters (because breaded chicken fingers), but helps kids see the fun of a colorful healthy plate.

I do make the honey mustard dressing from scratch, but since I discovered these store-bought dressings with awesome ingredients I usually have those at the ready in the fridge as well.

Here’s the recipe for Spring Salad With Honey Mustard.

2. Strawberry Feta Salad

Strawberry Feta Salad Recipe

Strawberries and greens is one of my absolute favorite ways to do a salad. (Obviously, since it’s very similar to the recipe above!) If the honey mustard or goat cheese on my Spring Salad just isn’t your thing, this version features lots of freshness and just a light drizzle of olive oil. Tangy feta and some crunchy pecans and cashews round out the mix. Until spinach is in season, I substitute any leafy green.

This salad would go wonderfully with a scoop of Grilled Citrus Chicken Salad as well!

Here’s the Strawberry Feta Salad recipe.

3. Fish Taco Salad

fish taco saladFor years, I refused to try fish tacos because I couldn’t imagine how it could possibly be good! (Fish on a salad?!) I finally tried them in college when they were the nightly special at a favorite restaurant. Surprise, surprise… I absolutely loved them! Just goes to show you should try new things. (Are you listening kids?)

After going grain-free and vegetable oil-free, flour tortillas weren’t on the menu, but I still occasionally craved the flavors of fish tacos. This salad was my solution. We top it with baked fish as well as fermented beets or sauerkraut for a kick, and avocado for creaminess. I also sometimes add fresh sour cream or raw cheese if we’re doing dairy.

Here’s the Fish Taco Salad recipe.

4. Color Burst Salad

asian color burst saladEver eaten at a Japanese restaurant where they serve salad with a ginger dressing? I loved that dressing and figured out how to recreate it at home with fresh ingredients. It inspired this salad which I often use as a quick lunch option with leftover chicken or beef.

Top fresh greens with chicken, sunflower seeds, fermented beets or sauerkraut, and raisins and it makes a delicious and fresh meal. Surprisingly, I’ve even eaten this one for breakfast.

The dressing here is an Asian Coconut Ginger Vinaigrette made with coconut milk and fresh ginger root. I can’t even take it as I’m sitting here typing this… I want to make this right now!

Here’s the recipe for Asian Color Burst Salad.

5. Cucumber Salad Recipe

sliced cucumber onion saladGranted, this recipe is best a little later in the season when cucumbers are in season, but it fits the bill for light and fresh. I make this often in the spring and early summer and it’s always a crowd-pleaser at potlucks and picnics. It is a healthier take on the traditional cucumber salad and it combines cucumbers and red onions in a sweet vinegar marinade.

This salad is super simple to prep but takes about 2 hours to marinate in the fridge so plan ahead a bit.

Here’s the Cucumber Salad recipe.

6. Spring Greens Salad With Crispy Prosciutto

spring salad crispy prosciutto

This simple salad is super fresh and uses the best of seasonal spring produce. Tender radishes, sweet snap peas, and a touch of green onion atop fresh baby lettuces and brought together by a creamy Green Goddess dressing… what could be better?!

Spinach, arugula, or baby romaine all go great in this salad.

Get the recipe here.

And a Bonus… Radish Cream Cheese Dip!

Radish cream cheese dip recipe

Ok, I know, this isn’t a salad and I’m totally cheating by putting it in here. Still, radishes are one spring vegetable we often don’t know what to do with and that deserve a little more appreciation! They are a great veggie to grow in the garden with kids because they are fast-growing and one of the first crops to pop up in spring.

While they may be too zesty for some kids (or adults) to eat by themselves, paired with cool cream cheese they add the perfect amount of zip to a dip! Serve alongside a salad with carrots or cucumbers for dipping, or with grain-free crackers.

Here is the Radish Dip recipe.

What is your favorite spring salad when the weather turns warm? Share below!

4 Fresh and Seasonal Salads for Spring

Category: Recipes, Salad Recipes

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (24 Comments)

  1. Lynda

    August 7, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    One of my Favorite Salads is:
    Romaine Lettuce, baby spinach
    Grilled chicken with homemade cajun seasoning
    Pico de gallo : avocado, lime, onion, tomatoes, green bell pepper, garlic- finely diced- with an optional dash of sea salt and pepper (all of these minus the avocado, fresh from the garden if possible!)
    a mix of asagio (sp?) shredded hard cheeses
    topped with  homemade cilantro lime dressing- olive oil, honey, lime juice, ginger, cilantro, garlic- processed in a blender.
    I can give the appropriate specs if any of you would like the recipe!

    Reply
    • Crista

      August 7, 2011 at 1:54 AM

      I’d love your dressing recipe! Thanks!

      Reply
    • Sherry England-

      August 14, 2011 at 6:26 PM

      I would love the recipe for the Cilantro Lime Dressing including appropriate specs pleese!

      Reply
      • Lynda

        August 15, 2011 at 3:24 PM

        hi!! sorry it took me so long to look at this!  Here is the Recipe: 1 jalepeno pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped, 1 clove garlic, 3/4 tsp minced fresh ginger root, 1/4 cup lime juice (fresh lime preferrably), 1/3 cup honey, 2 tsp basalmic vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste, 1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves and 1/2 cup evoo (extra virgin olive oil).

        Place the jalapeno pepper, garlic clove, and ginger into a food processor or blender (or mince by hand); pulse until the jalepeno and garlic are finely chopped. pour in lime juice, honey, vinegar, and salt. Add the cilantro leaves; pulse a few times to blend. turn the food processor or blender on, and slowly drizzle in the olive oil until incorporated into the dressing. Season to taste with salt before serving.

        Enjoy! it is really yummy! oh, it will separate in the fridge. Just shake before serving. thanks!

        Reply
  2. Kimberlie Meyer

    August 6, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    My favorite salad is:

    mixed baby greens
    shredded chicken
    chopped walnuts
    strawberries
    balsamic vinegarette

    Reply
    • Sherry England

      August 8, 2011 at 4:53 AM

      sounds yummy!!

      Reply
  3. Tammy

    August 6, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    I signed up for the newsletter.  My favorite salad has greens, tomatoes, cukes and hard boiled eggs.

    Reply
  4. Stef

    August 6, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    I just found your blog and I’m loving it so far! 
    My favorite salad is smoked salmon, avocado, spinach, lemon juice, cucumber, olive oil and salt.

    Reply
  5. Kimmi

    August 6, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    I love the classic spinach salad
    Spinach
    Bacon
    Blue cheese
    Hardboiled egg
    Apple
    Pecans

    Reply
  6. Kimberlie Meyer

    August 7, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    Another salad I just made the other night and it was FABULOUS was a chicken salad

    chicken breast
    roasted red bell pepper
    cherry tomatoes/grape whatever you find at the farmer’s market
    green bell pepper
    1/2 a red onion chopped

    dressing is garlic, white wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.  Chill and serve on lettuce cups (butter lettuce is what I used).  

    I am for sure making this often this summer.  Yum, yum!

    Reply
  7. Angela

    August 6, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    This one seems to be a favorite for this summer.
    mixture of baby spinach and romaine
    tomato
    cucumber
    red onion
    grilled chicken
    uncured nitrate free bacon
    hard boiled egg
    cheddar cheese

    Dressing of choice, mine is a honey mustard.
    also as organic as you can get 🙂

    Reply
  8. Jim

    August 6, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    My Salad
    Assorted greens
    cucumbers
    cherry tomatoes
    onion
    carrots
    any fruit I might have on hand
    feta cheese
    bacon bits
    sunflower seeds
    Dressing of choice

    Reply
  9. Corrie

    August 6, 2011 at 3:15 PM

    I also really love a salad with:
    spinach
    feta
    tomatoes
    cucumbers
    onion
    and red or yellow bell peppers.
    If I have left over meat from dinner, then I will add that to the salad as well.
    Some times, simple can be delicious

    Reply
  10. Corrie

    August 6, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    My favorite salad:
    Hearts of palm
    cranberries
    Gorgonzola cheese
    toasted almond slivers
    artichoke hearts
    tomatoes
    cucumber
    and mixed greens.
    This is so good you don’t even miss the salad dressing!
    (Oh, and I signed up for the newsletter too)

    Reply
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