Hello to all the lovers of fresh spring eats! The sun is out, the flowers are blooming, and we are ready to eat some salad. But not just any salad.
We want the kind that makes you feel like you are eating sunshine. We want creamy potato sides and zippy vinaigrettes.
And yes, we definitely want those dessert salads that are basically just excuses to eat marshmallows with a spoon. It is all happening right now.
1. Spring Pea Salad
If you aren’t the biggest fan of giant bowls of leafy greens, this one is calling your name! It is packed with crunchy cucumber, salty feta, and creamy avocado, which is basically the trio I dream about all winter long.
There is technically a lettuce base here, but honestly, it is so loaded with toppings that you barely even notice it. I love swapping in fresh spinach leaves to get that deep green color and an antioxidant boost.
Also, Persian cucumbers? They are smaller, sweeter, and have a nice thin skin, so they are perfectly crisp and seedless.
2. Spring Pasta Salad
Okay, how adorable is this pasta?! I immediately went on a treasure hunt at my local HomeGoods to find some fun shapes.
I didn’t find the exact one, but I did find some colorful bow ties online that made me just as happy.
The best thing about this pasta salad—besides the cute factor—is that it isn’t weighed down by a heavy sauce.
Instead of drowning everything in mayo, we are keeping it light with a simple dressing of white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and dijon mustard. Toss in a bunch of fresh veggies and it is good to go.
3. Strawberry Shortcake Fluff Salad
We are kicking off the sweet section with this pale pink stunner! If that color doesn’t say “Easter is here,” I don’t know what does.
We are using the term “salad” pretty loosely here, friends. There is no mustard or blue cheese in sight from this point on, but no holiday is complete without a little dessert masquerading as a side dish, right?
This fluff salad is spectacularly simple with just five ingredients, including ready-made angel food cake. Just whip up some cream with condensed milk, mix it all in a big bowl, and get ready to swoon.
4. Spring Arugula Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
Arugula definitely brings a peppery kick to the table, and some people find it a little bitter. I personally love that bite, but you can totally swap in some spinach or lettuce if you want to mellow it out.
That being said, this salad also features sweet strawberries and a honey-lemon dressing, which perfectly balances out any of that bitterness.
We are also adding pearl barley for a chewy texture that packs a fiber punch. Why not, right?
5. Spring Greens with Beets and Goat Cheese
Just like blue cheese, beets can be a little polarizing. I know so many people who adore that earthy taste, and just as many who run the other way!
This recipe uses canned beets, which saves you time since they are already cooked and soft. If you want a punchier flavor, I say peel and roast your own beets to bring out that natural sweetness.
Plus, you can find them in a rainbow of colors to make this dish even more vibrant.
6. Lettuce Radish Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
This salad is crunchy, light, tangy, and peppery—basically everything we want right now. It is also super fast to make, which might make it the easiest recipe on this entire list.
Grab a mason jar for the dressing and just shake up some extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper until it’s emulsified.
If you have a mandolin, slice those radishes and cucumbers nice and thin, then finish it off with finely chopped chives. It is perfect as a side or served with roasted chicken.
7. Citrus Avocado Salad with Pistachios and Mint
I cannot get over how stunning this salad looks! It is so colorful, and I can practically taste that juicy goodness just by looking at it.
As you can see, this one is a little different because there are no leafy greens involved, but don’t worry, there is still a delicious dressing.
We are using blood oranges, cara cara oranges, tangelos, and grapefruit to create a beautiful citrus rainbow. Nestle your creamy avocado right in there and scatter lots of chopped nuts on top.
8. Waldorf Salad
You probably guessed it, but this salad gets its name from the Waldorf Astoria in NYC where it was created. It is a simple classic that has held onto its title as a spring favorite for a reason.
Originally, this salad was just apples, celery, and mayonnaise. But things have definitely leveled up since then!
This version is loaded with extras like pecans, walnuts, cranberries, and pineapple for a serious flavor upgrade.
9. Blueberry, Blue Cheese, and Glazed Walnut Salad
I have to be honest: when I think of blueberries, I don’t usually picture them hanging out with blue cheese. Blueberries are sweet and tart, while blue cheese is tangy and pungent.
But when you pair that strong cheese with enough sweetness, it actually works so well. You can always swap it for feta if you prefer, but give it a try!
In my opinion, the walnuts are the real star here—toss them in honey, cinnamon, and orange zest before toasting for a little extra magic.
10. Orange Fluff Jell-O Salad Recipe
One bite of this orange fluff and you are instantly transported back to childhood. Remember creamsicles? This tastes just like a big bowl of orange cream!
We are making orange jello and vanilla pudding in one pot to get a base that is wonderfully fluffy and scrumptious.
Then, just stir in some Cool Whip, marshmallows, mandarin oranges, and sliced bananas.
11. Cherry Pineapple Marshmallow Jell-O Salad
This recipe is just plain fun! It is fruity, packed with fluffy marshmallows, and you can even serve it in slices.
Start by mixing cherry pie filling with raspberry jello for a base that is a little sweet and a little sour. Then, blend cream cheese with mayo (yes, mayo—trust the process!), lemon jello, crushed pineapple, and Cool Whip to pour over the top.
Finish it off with fruity mini marshmallows and let it set in the fridge.
12. Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad
It might sound simple, but one bite of this salad will leave you totally speechless. You will need shaved Brussels sprouts for this, which are super easy to prep if you have a mandolin—just remember to toss those stems!
Bacon and sprouts are pretty much best friends, and that salty goodness compliments the veggies perfectly (though you can skip the bacon for a vegetarian version).
The citrus dressing brings it all together with lemon and orange juice, oil, salt, and pepper for a lightning-fast finish.
13. Spring Potato Salad
This recipe isn’t just a standard potato salad; it’s more like potato and salad. There is no heavy cream coating here, just a slightly tangy mustard dressing that keeps things feeling fresh.
I love to par-boil the potatoes and let them steam dry for a few minutes for the best texture. Then, use the bottom of a glass to smash them on a baking tray and roast until they are golden and crisp.
You can even add a little Parmesan if you are feeling it.
14. Shaved Asparagus Salad
This is the kind of salad you see in a restaurant and think is too fancy for home, but we are changing that today! Asparagus can be pricey and easy to overcook, which is a tragedy.
But this recipe uses raw asparagus, so there is zero chance of rubbery stalks.
Just grab a vegetable peeler to shave thin strips, coat them in a lemony dressing with plenty of Parmesan, and you have a dish that is totally worthy of a photo.
15. Grilled Asparagus Salad with Lemon & Feta
Asparagus has a pretty distinct flavor that people often compare to beans or even mushrooms. But one thing is for sure: a little salt and a squeeze of lemon juice is all it takes to make it shine.
In this case, we are also adding feta for a lovely pop of creaminess. It’s simple, fresh, and perfect for spring.
16. Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Almonds & Lemon Honey Vinaigrette
This salad is packed with amazing textures and contrasting flavors. We are starting with goat cheese, which brings that wonderful creamy tang.
Juicy strawberries add a terrific sweetness, and toasted almonds are the perfect way to bring the crunch.
For the dressing, just combine a neutral oil with lemon juice, honey, sea salt, pepper, and poppy seeds. Whisk it up and pour it right over the top.
17. Spring Jell-O Salad
This looks a little similar to the cherry pineapple recipe, but the flavors are totally different. This one has two layers instead of three, so instead of topping the Jell-O with cream, we are mixing it right in.
It ends up being kind of like a no-bake cheesecake situation. Once you make the lemon and lime Jell-O, just add cream cheese, coconut milk, mayo, and drained pineapple.
If you want to go nut-free, try swapping the walnuts for toasted coconut.
18. Pina Colada Fluff Salad
Are you sensing a theme here? These sweet Easter salads are all about fruit and plenty of cream. Diet? What diet?
This recipe is loaded with crushed pineapple and coconut cream pudding mix. If you want to make it a little more grown-up, try whisking a splash of white rum into the cream cheese mixture!
19. Five-Ingredient Simple Green Pasta Salad
If you need something fresh, filling, and versatile enough to eat hot or cold, this is the Easter salad for you.
The small tubular pasta looks so cool against the chopped green beans, and having everything the same size means you get a perfect balance of flavor in every bite.
You can definitely use whatever pasta you have on hand. I actually had to go hunting for these specific ones, but I bet elbow macaroni would be just as cute!
20. Triple Berry Mixed Green Salad
At first glance, doesn’t this stunning salad look kind of like a smoothie bowl? Berries are such a fantastic pick for salads because they are vibrant, full of fiber, and loaded with antioxidants.
Plus, they need nothing more than a quick rinse to prep. The dressing here is tangy like some of the others, but this version is much creamier thanks to the addition of Greek yogurt for a decadent finish.
21. Apple, Pecan, and Blue Cheese Salad With Dried Cherries
Unlike goat cheese, which is creamy and mild, blue cheese is incredibly well-defined. You don’t need much to know it is there!
Honestly, I find it a little overpowering sometimes, but when you pair it with other big flavors like crisp apples, tart cherries, and buttery pecans, it mellows out enough that you can really enjoy it.
22. Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing
Some salads look a little sad, and people only eat them because they feel like they should. But with this one? People will be fighting over seconds.
If you are a fan of the strawberry poppy seed salad at Panera, you are going to love this near-identical version.
The balsamic dressing is particularly luscious, and I highly recommend making extra because you are going to want to pour it over everything.
