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60 Scrumptious Spring Salads

By , SparkPeople Blogger
Nature isn't the only thing going green for spring—there's something about the season of growth and renewal that has us hankering for salad. To grow healthier and stronger for the warmer months, it’s important to include plenty of veggies—and what better way to sneak in extra greens than with a delicious salad?
 
If you still think salads are synonymous with self-deprivation, it's time to turn over a new leaf. Today's versions are so chock full of flavors, textures and colors that you'll find it hard to believe how healthy they are.
 
Between all of these crisp greens, savory slaws, fresh fruits and lovely legumes, your favorite sandwich should be very nervous.
 
1. Sweet Spring Quinoa Salad with Ramp and Rhubarb Dressing: This medley of veggies, fresh fruit and quinoa is the perfect spring topper for a bed of dainty Bibb lettuce.


Image via The Healthy Apple

2. Arugula Salad with Almonds and Lemon Dill Vinaigrette: Sweet, juicy peppers are the perfect complement to peppery arugula in this detoxing spring/summer salad.

3. Fresh Corn Salad: Tender corn, juicy tomatoes and red onion dressed in a tangy homemade vinaigrette equals spring side dish perfection.


Image via Simply Sissom

4. Spicy Thai-Style Zucchini and Carrot Salad: Ribbons of carrot and zucchini blend with fresh herbs and roasted peanuts in this Thai-inspired dish.

5. Asian Almond Crunch Chicken Salad: For when salad is more than a side dish! Sprouts, carrots and radish keep this salad light, while almonds add a tasty crunch and chicken fills you up.


Image via Foraged Dish

6. Shrimp, Cucumber and Feta Orzo Salad: If spring had a flavor, this would be it.

7. "Spring Fling" Fluff Fruit Salad: A spring celebration wouldn’t be complete without this bright, fresh and fun fruit salad that showcases all of the season’s best produce.


Image via The Seasoned Mom

8. Simple Cilantro Jicama Salad: Quite possibly the most simple salad ever.

9. Spring Garden Cobb Salad: A classic kick-off to salad season.


Image via Fake Food Free

10. Roquefort Pear Salad: Blue cheese is the perfect complement to the sweetness of the pears.

11. Chicken Salad for One: Packed with crunchy pecans, sweet grapes and other amazing flavors, this recipe can be prepared with poached or rotisserie chicken.


Image via Zagleft

12. Mushroom Kale Salad with Orange Dill Dressing: Is it just us, or are mushrooms and kale a match made in spring heaven?

13. Sesame Ginger Snap Pea Salad: You can toss together this flavorful and healthy Asian-inspired side dish in just 10 minutes!


Image via The Seasoned Mom

14. Thai Chopped Chicken Salad: Romaine lettuce, purple cabbage, red peppers, carrots, fresh cilantro and crunchy peanuts are tossed in lime juice and drizzled with a spicy Thai peanut sauce.

15. Red Cabbage and Golden Raisin Salad: A colorful side salad featuring crunchy red cabbage, sweet golden raisins, toasted pecans and tangy goat cheese.


Image via All Roads Lead to the Kitchen

16. Guacamole Tossed Salad: Looking for an easy, yummy salad to serve with Mexican dinners? Here's your winner.

17. Spring Salad with Roasted Corn, Tomatoes and Manchego: Packed with flavor, this simple, healthy salad is perfect for lunch or dinner.


Image via Zagleft

18. Roasted Tomato, Black Bean and Arugula Salad: When combined with arugula and black beans, roasted tomatoes are even more delicious than normal.

19. Asian Cucumber Noodle Salad with Ginger Almond Dressing: This satisfying vegan, gluten-free salad is light and refreshing while still being hearty enough for a meal in itself.


Image via Avocado Pesto

20. Vegan Kale Caesar Salad Recipe: Enjoy the flavor of classic Caesar salad in this yummy vegan version.

21. Maple Roasted Carrot Salad: Roasted carrots, baby spinach, dried cranberries and toasted walnuts are the stars of this spring masterpiece.


Image via Foraged Dish

22. Warm Snow Pea & Chicken Salad: Thinly sliced snow peas are flavored with creamy Asian dressing in this fresh, crunchy side dish.

23. Strawberry, Arugula and Feta Salad: With baby arugula, tiny sprouts and the first pick of strawberries, this salad is perfect for spring.


Image via Foraged Dish

24. Kale and Red Cabbage Slaw with Walnuts: Raw kale is massaged with olive oil and then gets some crunch from red cabbage and walnuts.

25. Positively the Best Potato Salad: Parsley, mint and pine nuts are delicious companions to fresh baby red potatoes.


Image via The Healthy Apple

26. Meghan's 4-Ingredient Party Salad: Although it's elegant enough for special events, it's fast and simple enough for weeknight dinners.

27. Moroccan Spiced Carrot Salad: This simple salad gets its exotic flavor from the addition of a North African spice blend.


Image via The Foraged Dish

28. Spring Spinach Salad: Organic spinach forms the base of this easy lunchtime salad.

29. Spring Cleaning Detox Salad: This vitamin-packed salad is loaded with kale, carrots, bell pepper, radishes, cucumber, avocado, walnuts, beets and lemon-parsley vinaigrette.


Image via The Roasted Root

30. Greek Garbanzo Bean Salad: Easy and light, it's a great alternative to pasta salads.

31. Edamame Quinoa Salad: Packed full of superfoods, it's drizzled with a little lime and olive oil for that extra kick.


Image via The Girl Who Ate Everything

32. Fresh Mint and Beet Salad with Meyer Lemon Dressing: Packed with vitamins and minerals, this refreshing vegan salad is also delicious when wrapped inside a whole grain tortilla.

33. Vegan Asian Chicken Salad: The combination of flavorful dressing, crushed nuts and spices make this a salad you won't soon forget.


Image via The Big Man's World

34. Kale Salad with Strawberries and Celery: Add chicken or tofu to give this sweet-and-savory salad a protein punch.

35. Sesame Crunch Salad: Serve it as an appetizer or amp it up with some protein (chickpeas, anyone?) for a main course.


Image via The Big Man's World

36. Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad: Crisp coolness and spicy sauce form a flavorful combination that's perfect for spring soirees.

37. Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Salad: Who says you have to hold off your salad craving until lunch?


Image via Amy's Healthy Baking

38. Roasted Radish, Spinach and Almond Salad with Balsamic Coconut Vinaigrette: It's hard to believe that a gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and vegan dish can be this delicious.

39. Honeydew and Ham Salad: It's the perfect combination of sweet and salty, juicy and crunchy.


Image via Amy's Healthy Baking

40. Purple Slaw Salad with Maple Vinegar Dressing: This colorful salad celebrates the tastes, hues and textures of spring.

41. Warm Spinach Antipasto Salad: Filled with salami, parmesan, roasted eggplant, peppers and red onions, this is a healthy, easy recipe for one.


Image via Zagleft

42. Green Bean and Tomato Salad: This is a scrumptious way to squeeze more greens into your spring diet.

43. Spring Green Salad with Kiwi, Raspberries and Date-Balsamic Vinaigrette: This marvel of fruits, greens and flavors will fill you up without leaving you bloated or sluggish.


Image via Roasted Root

44. Cranberry Brussel Slaw: Loaded with fresh veggies, sweet apples and dressed in a simple lemon and olive oil dressing, this salad satisfies.

45. Berry Salad with Basil, Mint and Feta: This berry salad combines blackberries and strawberries with fresh herbs from the garden.


Image via Fake Food Free

46. Tri-Tip Steak Salad: Delicious tri-tip steak combines with cherry tomatoes, dried cherries, toasted almonds, red pepper and lemon cilantro vinaigrette—and there’s an option to swap in chicken, too.

47. Lentil Avocado Salad: Topped with tomatoes, avocados and light Dijon vinaigrette, this is a mouthwatering meatless main salad.


Image via Zagleft

48. Mediterranean Salad: Greens are tossed with cucumber, red pepper and feta for a savory salad fit for a potluck.

49. Vegan Southwest Shredded Jackfruit Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing: This super filling recipe uses shredded jackfruit as a plant-based meat substitute.


Image via Avocado Pesto

50. Lemony Spinach Quinoa Bean Salad: This super simple salad makes a perfect healthy lunch or a side dish served with meat or fish.

51. Chickpea, Brown Rice and Kale Salad in a Jar with Pesto: Layer pesto-flavored kale on top of rice and chickpeas, then dump in a bowl and toss for a yummy, on-the-go lunch.


Image via Fake Food Free

52. Japanese Cucumber Salad: It doesn't get much simpler—or fresher—than this light spring side dish.

53. BLT Spinach Salad with Fresh Garlic Dill Dressing: You won't even miss the sandwich part, we promise.


Image via Fake Food Free

54. Black Lentil Salad with Roasted Asparagus: A delicious and nutritious way to use up those extra black lentils in the pantry.

55. Pesto Orzo Salad: This flavorful side dish is sure to be the star of any spring or summer picnic.


Image via The Big Man's World

56. Spring Panzanella Salad w/ Balsamic and Spring Herb Vinaigrette: A twist on the classic Tuscan salad, this dish utilizes the beautiful green bounty of spring vegetables and herbs.

57. Shrimp and Crabmeat Salad with Creole Dressing: The shrimp is the only ingredient you'll need to cook in this seafood lover's salad.


Image via Zagleft

58. 3-Ingredient Chicken Pesto Salad: A simple, healthy and flavorful twist on a traditional classic.

59. Healthy Satay Chicken Salad: Combining sweet, salty and spicy flavors, it's equally delicious in sandwiches, wraps and bowls.


Image via The Big Man's World

60. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette: Fresh veggies combine with chickpeas, paprika and cumin in this healthy side dish.
 
Which of these fresh salads would you like to try this spring?