20 Spring Salad Recipe Ideas 2024

1. Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

This spring salad is a delicious combination of sweet, nutty, and savory flavors. The poppy seed dressing perfectly complements the juicy red strawberries, fresh spinach, salty feta, and crunchy almonds. Toss everything together for a salad that makes the most of in-season produce. The honey and lemon brighten up the salad while the poppy seeds add a subtle crunch. It’s a colorful, nutritious salad that will have everyone going back for seconds! This fresh, flavorful salad celebrates the arrival of spring with the seasonal strawberries and spinach paired with crunchy nuts, salty cheese and a subtly sweet poppyseed dressing.

Ingredients:

• baby spinach
• sliced fresh strawberries
• crumbled feta cheese
• sliced almonds
• olive oil
• lemon juice
• honey
• poppy seeds
• salt
• pepper

Recipe

2. Asparagus and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This protein-packed spring salad pairs nutty, fluffy quinoa with vibrant green asparagus. The vegetables are roasted until tender and then tossed with the quinoa, herbs, and a bright, lemony dressing. The garlic, parsley, and green onions add tons of flavor. Topped off with crumbled feta for a savory, salty accent, this salad makes a complete and healthy meal. The combination of textures and colors is so appealing. And it can be served warm or chilled. Either way, this salad celebrates the fresh flavors of the new season! The quinoa provides protein to make this a hearty meatless main dish while the asparagus lends its signature flavor.

Ingredients:

• quinoa
• asparagus, trimmed and cut into pieces
• olive oil
• lemon juice
• garlic clove, minced
• parsley, chopped
• green onions, sliced
• crumbled feta cheese
• salt and pepper

Recipe

3. Radish, Peach, and Feta Salad

Sweet summer peaches pair gorgeously with peppery radishes in this phenomenal spring salad. Topped with salty feta cheese and dressed in a sweet and tangy vinaigrette, it celebrates peach season. The fresh mint adds a burst of flavor while the radishes and peaches provide great textures. Slice the radishes and peaches thinly to maximize surface area so they soak up all the flavors. Allow time for the salad to chill in the fridge so the flavors have time to develop. The interplay of sweet peach, tart feta, peppery radish and aromatic mint make this salad truly spectacular. The juicy peaches, crisp radishes, salty feta and fresh mint are tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing to make this salad sing with flavor.

Ingredients:

• radishes, thinly sliced
• ripe peaches, sliced
• crumbled feta
• olive oil
• red wine vinegar
• honey
• fresh mint, chopped
• salt and pepper

Recipe

4. Spring Vegetable Pasta Salad

This lively pasta salad allows you take advantage of spring’s bounty of vegetables. Simply boil pasta shells and mix with fresh, crunchy veggies like peas, carrots, asparagus and red pepper. Toss everything in a flavorful dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and mustard. Finish it off with lots of fresh herbs like dill and parsley plus salty feta cheese crumbles. Feel free to use any combination of spring vegetables – try swapping in broccoli, snap peas, radishes or spring onions. Chill the salad for a few hours so the flavors meld together. Bring this bright, seasonal pasta salad to spring picnics, BBQs and potlucks! This veggie-loaded pasta salad celebrates spring produce with a mix of fresh vegetables and herbs tossed in a lemony dressing with feta cheese.

Ingredients:

• pasta shells, cooked
• spring peas
• finely chopped carrots
• chopped asparagus
• red pepper, diced
• fresh parsley, chopped
• fresh dill, chopped
• olive oil
• lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• garlic clove, minced
• crumbled feta
• salt and pepper

Recipe

5. Citrus Avocado Salad with Shrimp

This vibrant shrimp salad packed with tropical flavors like mango, avocado and citrus fruits. Segment the oranges and grapefruit and mix with creamy, buttery avocado chunks, sweet mango and plump shrimp. Toss everything in a zippy dressing of lime juice, olive oil and just a hint of chili powder. Sprinkle the salad abundantly with fresh, herbaceous cilantro. The mix of flavors and textures in this salad is incredible – sweet, tangy, spicy and oh so refreshing. It’s basically spring on a platter! Let it chill for the flavors to develop before serving this crowd-pleasing salad. The avocados, citrus and mango provide creaminess and brightness to complement the shrimp in this lively salad with a touch of heat from the chili powder.

Ingredients:

• peeled, cooked shrimp
• avocados, diced
• orange, segmented
• grapefruit, segmented
• mango, diced
• fresh cilantro, chopped
• lime juice
• olive oil
• chili powder
• salt and pepper

Recipe

6. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken Caesar salad gets a smoky twist by using delicious grilled chicken breast rather than plain boiled chicken. Marinate chicken breasts in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and seasonings. Grill until cooked through then slice. Toss the warm, juicy chicken pieces with chopped romaine, Parmesan cheese, garlic croutons and a tangy Caesar dressing made with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and anchovies. The charred bits on the chicken match so nicely with the peppery lettuce, nutty Parmesan and garlicky croutons. The interplay of flavors and textures with the creamy, zesty dressing ties it all together into a memorable salad. Smoky grilled chicken elevates this classic salad, lending flavor and texture along with crisp greens, savory cheese and croutons tossed in a garlic-lemony Caesar dressing.

Ingredients:

• chicken breast, grilled and sliced
• romaine lettuce, chopped
• croutons
• Parmesan cheese, grated
• anchovy fillets, minced (optional)
• garlic clove, minced
• olive oil
• lemon juice
• salt and pepper

Recipe

7. Greek Salad with Lentils

This hearty Greek-inspired salad uses protein-packed lentils instead of meat. Cooked lentils provide plenty of plant-based protein as well as creaminess to tie all the ingredients together. Mix crisp cucumbers, bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives and aromatic red onion. Toss with olive oil, vinegar and seasonings for a traditional Greek dressing. Top everything off with crumbled feta for the requisite creaminess and saltiness. The combination of flavors and ingredients celebrate the best of Greek cuisine with the added health bonus of lentils. It’s fresh, filling and packed with flavors – perfect for potlucks and parties! Hearty lentils stand in for meat in this colorful Greek salad filled with vegetables, olives, onion and herbs then topped with creamy, salty feta cheese.

Ingredients:

• lentils, cooked
• cucumber, diced
• green pepper, diced
• grape tomatoes, halved
• red onion, thinly sliced
• kalamata olives
• feta cheese, crumbled
• olive oil
• red wine vinegar
• garlic cloves, minced
• dried oregano
• salt and pepper

Recipe

8. Kale and Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

This salad pairs nutritious leafy kale with sweet, earthy roasted beets, crisp apple and crunchy walnuts. Massage the kale with olive oil to tenderize it, then toss with the fruits, nuts and cheese. Make a tangy-sweet dressing by whisking together olive oil, vinegar, garlic and honey. Drizzle it over the salad ingredients and let it chill before serving. The flavors develop as everything marinates together. Sweetness from the beets and apples, creaminess from the soft goat cheese, crunch from the nuts and kale – this salad truly has it all. The colors are so vibrant thanks to the deep pink beets and green kale too. It’s as nutritious as it is delicious! This fall-flavored salad boasts colorful roasted beets, green kale, crisp apples and nuts all brought together by a sweet and tangy dressing then topped with creamy goat cheese.

Ingredients:

• kale, chopped
• medium beets, roasted and diced
• apple, cored and diced
• walnuts, chopped
• goat cheese, crumbled
• olive oil
• balsamic vinegar
• garlic clove, minced
• honey
• salt and pepper

Recipe

9. Watermelon and Feta Salad

This sweet and salty salad pairs refreshing watermelon with briny olives and salty feta cheese. The crisp cucumber, mint and red onions add great texture and flavor contrast. Whisk together fruity olive oil and bright lime juice for the dressing. Pour it over the cubed juicy watermelon along with all the other fixings and let it chill for at least 30 minutes. The saltiness of the cheese and olives brings out the sweetness of the melon even more. There’s just something irresistible about this unique flavor and texture combination – it’s the perfect summery salad for hot days! The juicy watermelon is the star of this salad, balanced by salty feta and briny olives then accented by mint, cucumber and red onion with a lime dressing.

Ingredients:

• watermelon, cubed
• small red onion, thinly sliced
• cucumber, chopped
• kalamata olives, sliced
• fresh mint, chopped
• feta cheese, crumbled
• olive oil
• lime juice
• salt and pepper

Recipe

10. Spring Mix with Berries, Almonds, and Balsamic Vinaigrette

This easy salad is spring incarnate, loaded with fresh flavors and produce. Make an easy balsamic vinaigrette by whisking together the vinegar, garlic, mustard, olive oil and seasonings. Drizzle the tangy-sweet dressing over the spring greens and top artfully with juicy mixed berries and crunchy almond slivers. Let the salad chill for maximum flavor, giving time for the greens and berries to soak up the dressing. The sweet berries, fragrant greens, nutty almonds and zingy dressing combine into a mouthwatering spring salad. It’s impressive enough for parties but easy enough for everyday lunches too! This fresh and fruity salad features a spring mix base topped with juicy berries and crunchy nuts all brought together by a tangy-sweet balsamic dressing.

Ingredients:

• spring mix salad greens
• mixed berries
• slivered almonds
• balsamic vinegar
• garlic clove, minced
• Dijon mustard
• olive oil
• salt
• pepper

Recipe

11. Caprese Salad with Pesto Drizzle

The classic Caprese salad of tomato, mozzarella and basil gets a flavor boost from garlicky pesto and sweet balsamic glaze. Layer ripe tomato slices, creamy mozzarella chunks and whole basil leaves on a platter. Whisk together olive oil and pesto to make a creamy drizzling sauce. Pour this over the salad along with the balsamic glaze. Finish it off with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Let the platter chill for at least 30 minutes so the pesto dressing can soak into all the ingredients. The tomatoes, cheese and basil already pair wonderfully, but the pesto and balsamic take it to the next level! This classic Italian salad is enhanced by mixing olive oil and pesto into a rich creamy dressing that soaks into the fresh mozzarella and tomatoes contrasted with sweet balsamic glaze.

Ingredients:

• fresh mozzarella, sliced
• large tomatoes, sliced
• olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• pesto
• balsamic glaze
• basil leaves
• salt and pepper

Recipe

12. Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Salad

Earthy carrots pair perfectly with nutty chickpeas in this hearty spring salad. Toss the chopped carrots with oil, cumin and paprika. Roast at 400 F until browned and tender – about 20 minutes. In a large bowl, mix the chickpeas with garlic, lemon zest, tahini, honey and lemon juice. Fold in the roasted carrots and season generously with salt and pepper. The natural sweetness of the carrots contrasts so nicely with the chickpeas, lemon and tahini. Roasted veggies always taste better than raw too! This protein-rich salad makes a complete and healthy vegetarian lunch or dinner. This lively roasted vegetable salad features sweet caramelized carrots contrasted with earthy chickpeas and nutty tahini then accented by lemon, garlic and spices for a hearty meatless meal.

Ingredients:

• carrots, peeled and chopped
• can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• lemon, zested and juiced
• olive oil
• tahini
• honey
• garlic clove, minced
• cumin
• paprika
• salt and pepper

Recipe

13. Farro and Cucumber Salad with Dill

This light and refreshing grain salad features nutty farro, crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes and tons of fresh herbs like dill and parsley. Toss together the farro, chopped vegetables and herbs in a large bowl. Make the lemony vinaigrette by combining the vinegar, olive oil, garlic and honey. Pour over the salad and stir well, allowing everything to marinate before serving. The cucumber and herbs make it so crisp and flavorful, nicely balanced by the hearty farro and sweet tomatoes. It’s a delicious and healthy salad for spring and summer gatherings! Nutty farro joins crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomato and tons of fresh dill and parsley to make this flavorful grain salad perfect for spring and summer eating.

Ingredients:

• farro, cooked
• cucumbers, chopped
• cherry tomatoes, halved
• red onion, thinly sliced
• parsley, chopped
• fresh dill, chopped
• red wine vinegar
• olive oil
• garlic clove, minced
• honey
• salt and pepper

Recipe

14. Broccoli and Apple Slaw Salad

Give coleslaw a healthy makeover with this crunchy broccoli slaw studded with apples, seeds and cranberries. Simply mix together the shredded broccoli and apples, cranberries and seeds in a salad bowl. Make the creamy dressing by blending Greek yogurt, mayo, vinegar, honey and spices. Toss thoroughly with the salad to coat. Let chill for 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. The apples and cranberries provide sweetness to balance out the veggies, while yogurt and mayo make it nice and creamy. Celery seeds, honey and apple cider vinegar give it a tasty tang. This lively salad is perfect for BBQs! Colorful chopped broccoli and apples are accented with sweet cranberries and crunchy seeds then coated in a creamy dressing flavored with cider vinegar, celery seeds and honey.

Ingredients:

• broccoli florets, finely chopped
• apples, cored and shredded
• dried cranberries
• sunflower seeds
• plain Greek yogurt
• mayonnaise
• apple cider vinegar
• honey
• celery seeds
• salt
• pepper

Recipe

15. Quinoa Tabbouleh with Asparagus

This fresh take on tabbouleh uses protein-packed quinoa instead of bulgur wheat. Toss together the cooked, cooled quinoa with tons of chopped fresh veggies like asparagus, tomatoes and cucumber. Heap on the herbs with generous amounts of parsley and mint, which give tabbouleh its signature flavor. Dress with a lemony vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon juice and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Let it chill to let the flavors marry before serving this satisfying meatless meal. The mix of ingredients celebrate spring produce with their lively flavors, colors and textures! This tabbouleh salad swaps nutty protein-rich quinoa for bulgur wheat then piles on the fresh asparagus, herbs and spring vegetables for a lively grain salad.

Ingredients:

• quinoa, cooked and cooled
• asparagus, chopped
• grape tomatoes, quartered
• cucumber, diced
• parsley, chopped
• mint, chopped
• olive oil
• lemon juice
• garlic clove, minced
• salt
• pepper

Recipe

16. Shrimp, Mango and Avocado Salad

Marry seafood with tropical flavors in this amazing shrimp salad layered with mango, avocado and seasonings. Mix together the sweet mango, creamy avocado and plump shrimp. Toss with mixed greens, cilantro and a dressing of lime juice, oil, honey and spices. Chili powder, cumin and black pepper add warmth that complements the sweet fruit and shellfish beautifully. Lime and honey nicely tie all the flavors together. Allow to chill before serving to allow maximum flavor absorption into the salad ingredients. The combo of flavors and ingredients makes this salad pop with spice and brightness – it’s perfect for warm weather! This lively shrimp salad boasts sweet mango, creamy avocado and plump shrimp seasoned with lime, honey and spices over crisp greens for a refreshing and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• shrimp, cooked, peeled and chopped
• mangoes, diced
• avocados, diced
• mixed greens
• cilantro, chopped
• lime juice
• olive oil
• honey
• chili powder
• cumin
• salt and pepper

Recipe

17. Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

Chickpeas make a protein and fiber-packed base for flavorful salad sandwiches. Pulse chickpeas in a food processor until broken up but still chunky. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the onions, carrots, raisins and seasonings. Then stir in the mayo, olive oil, mustard and lemon juice to bind it together. Sandwich the flavor-packed salad between slices of crusty bread. Try adding greens like spinach or lettuce too! The seasonings give this plant-based filling tons of flavor that even meat-eaters will love. Bring these customizable sandwiches to picnics, office lunch breaks or an easy dinner. These hearty chickpea salad sandwiches are stuffed with flavor thanks to seasonings like garlic, curry and mustard mixed into the creamy bean salad for a satisfying meatless meal perfect for taking on-the-go.

Ingredients:

• cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• red onion, finely diced
• carrots, shredded
• raisins
• mayonnaise
• olive oil
• Dijon mustard
• lemon juice
• garlic powder
• curry powder
• salt and pepper

Recipe

18. Strawberry, Spinach and Feta Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• pasta shells, cooked
• fresh spinach, chopped
• strawberries, sliced
• red onion, thinly sliced
• artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• feta cheese, crumbled
• olive oil
• balsamic vinegar
• garlic clove, minced
• dried basil
• pepper
• salt

Sweet, juicy strawberries make a delicious addition to pasta salads when mixed with salty feta and spinach. Simply boil pasta shells, drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Mix with the chopped spinach, artichokes, onion, strawberries and feta while still warm. The heat will wilt the spinach perfectly. Toss everything with the garlicky vinaigrette of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and seasonings. Allow to chill completely so the pasta absorbs the flavors of the dressing and mix-ins. The sweet and salty flavor combo is so addicting, with lovely pops of color from the red berries and green veggies. This unique pasta salad always gets compliments! This lively pasta salad features sweet juicy strawberries contrasting salty feta and earthy spinach then accented by artichokes and red onion in a garlicky balsamic dressing.

Recipe

19. Poached Salmon and Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• salmon fillet, skin removed
• baby potatoes, halved
• green beans, trimmed and halved
• hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• fresh dill, chopped
• olive oil
• white wine vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• garlic clove, minced
• honey
• salt and pepper

Poached salmon is the star of this hearty springtime spin on potato salad. Place the salmon in a skillet with wine, lemon, onion and broth. Simmer gently until just cooked through then break into large chunks. Boil potatoes and green beans until tender then drain and chill. Mix with the flaked salmon, eggs, fresh dill and dressing ingredients. The creamy, flaky salmon pairs so nicely with the crisp beans, starchy potatoes and savory mustard dressing. Dill and hard-boiled egg lend even more richness. Allow to chill before serving this pretty in pink potato salad studded with greens and salmon at picnics and potlucks! Flaky, tender poached salmon is paired with starchy potatoes, vibrant green beans and hard boiled egg then accented by fresh dill and a mustard dressing to make this hearty and satisfying spin on potato salad.

Recipe

20. Green Bean and Egg Salad

This easy salad allows the fresh flavors of blanched green beans to shine with just a few complementary ingredients. Steam green beans until crisp-tender then shock in an ice bath to stop cooking. Mix with chopped egg, onions, parsley and almonds. Make a zingy dressing by whisking together the oil, vinegar, garlic, mustard and honey. Pour over the salad and stir to coat thoroughly; let chill before serving. The interplay of flavors and textures between the sweet and nutty almonds, onion, soft boiled egg, herbaceous parsley and squeaky beans is delicious. It’s the perfect simple salad for summertime! Fresh tender green beans are the highlight of this easy salad accented by the flavors of hard boiled egg, sweet honey mustard dressing and crunchy almonds with parsley.

Ingredients:

• green beans, trimmed
• hard boiled eggs, chopped
• red onion, diced
• roasted almonds, chopped
• fresh parsley, chopped
• olive oil
• red wine vinegar
• garlic clove, minced
• Dijon mustard
• honey
• salt and pepper

Recipe