Healthy Spring Salad Recipe Ideas

With springtime comes an abundance of fresh growth, new beginnings, and beautiful transformations all around. What better time to dust off your best spring salad recipes to ring in the season? 

There’s something about salads that feels so springy. Whether you’re planning your menu for Easter dinner with the family or brainstorming the perfect side dish to bring to a backyard cookout, salads just work this time of year.

In this guide, we’re going to show you how to make some of the most iconic spring salads, as well as some unique and exotic salads you may not have tried. In the end, we’ll even teach you how to get creative and come up with your very own signature spring salad recipe ideas.

Nutritious, satisfying, and delicious—what’s not to love? Here are seven stellar springtime salads to add to your recipe book.

1. Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

If you order a Greek salad from the local pizza shop, most of the time, you’re getting a house salad with feta cheese on top. While there’s nothing wrong with that style of Greek salad, an authentic horiatiki really captures the best of Mediterranean cuisine.

This recipe is incredibly simple and straightforward, but the flavors and textures are divine—the sum of the whole is greater than its parts. It also keeps well in the fridge, but don’t expect to have any leftovers with this spring salad recipe idea!

Ingredients:

Salad:

• 1 cucumber (sliced into half moons)
• 3-4 Roma tomatoes cut into chunks (cherry or grape tomatoes work, too)
• ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 cup kalamata olives
• Bell peppers (optional)
• Capers (optional)
• 8 oz feta cheese (cubed)

Dressing:

• ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all your veggies and feta cheese.
2. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the salad.
3. Add oil, vinegar, and seasonings.
4. Stir gently.

This is one of the best spring salad recipes for large groups—that’s why we recommend mixing everything together. However, traditionally, horiatiki is dressed and seasoned individually and served with large slices of feta on top of each salad (as pictured). 

Either way is delicious. So feel free to adjust this spring salad recipe idea to fit your personal preferences.

2. German Potato Salad

Similar to the recipe above, this German-style potato salad is an authentic take on a backyard cookout classic. There’s no mayonnaise, and the salad is served warm (although it’s also quite tasty served cold). 

While the classic cold and creamy potato salad has its place, we highly recommend trying this hearty dish! 

Some people like their potato salad heavily dressed, while others prefer more subtle flavors. Feel free to add more or less of any ingredient as desired. As a general rule, all our spring salad recipe ideas can be adjusted. So don’t feel obligated to follow the recipes to the letter.

Ingredients:

• Peeled waxy potatoes (new potatoes are ideal)
• Bacon
• 1 small onion (diced)
• White vinegar
• Fresh parsley
• A dash of high-quality brown mustard (optional)
• Salt, pepper, and sugar to taste

Directions: 

1. Boil the potatoes until they’re just barely fork tender.
2. Fry the bacon with the onions.
3. Drain the grease, saving just a little bit to coat the salad. You can also skip the grease and use a dash of olive oil if preferred.
4. Combine all ingredients.
5. Stir gently.
6. Serve warm.

3. Elote-Inspired Corn Salad

Some of the tastiest spring salad recipe ideas draw inspiration from other dishes. This is one of them. 

One of the best spring salad recipes for those who enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine, this simple salad delivers the zesty flavor of elote—a beloved Mexican street food—in a salad bowl-friendly format.

While we recommend using grilled corn on the cob if possible, boiled works, too. You can also use frozen or canned corn in a pinch.

Ingredients:

• 6 ears worth of corn kernels removed from the cob
• ¼ cup cotija cheese 
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• Juice of 2 limes
• Fresh cilantro to taste (chopped)
• Sliced jalapeños (optional)
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp chipotle powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

This is another one of those spring salad recipe ideas that can be customized. Some people love it spicy and smoky with lots of hot peppers and seasonings, while others prefer it smooth and subtle without them. 

1. Stir all ingredients together.
2. Top with more cotija cheese and cilantro. Add a dash of chili powder for color.

4. Strawberry and Spinach Salad

If you’re looking for a versatile salad that can easily transition from side dish to meal, this is one of the best spring salad recipes to add to your repertoire. 

For a hearty meal, add lots of grilled chicken (rotisserie chicken from the grocery store works, too!). Leave out the chicken for a light, refreshing side salad. Like all our spring salad recipe ideas, feel free to adjust portions to your personal taste!

Ingredients:

Salad:

• Baby spinach
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Thinly sliced strawberries
• Toasted pecans (chopped)
• Grilled or rotisserie chicken (optional)
• Feta cheese

Vinaigrette:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Whisk all vinaigrette ingredients together thoroughly.
2. Toss all salad ingredients in a large bowl with vinaigrette.

5. Caprese Salad

Easy-breezy caprese is always a hit! You can whip up this refreshing salad in minutes. It’ll be gone in the blink of an eye, so plan to make another batch! As is the case with all the spring salad recipe ideas on this list, the fresher the ingredients, the better the flavor.

Ingredients:

Salad:

• Cherry, grape, or Roma tomatoes
• Fresh basil leaves
• Fresh mozzarella balls
• Salt and pepper to taste

Balsamic Reduction Dressing:

• 4 parts balsamic vinegar 
• 1 part honey

Directions:

Dressing:

1. In a small saucepan, stir balsamic vinegar and honey together.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Let it cool.

Salad:

1. Combine all ingredients.
2. Drizzle balsamic glaze on top.

6. Moroccan Carrot Salad

Here’s one of the best spring salad recipes for those seeking something different from the norm. This salad is bursting with bold flavors and exciting textures. It’s also a great way to use up those carrots sitting in your fridge!

This spring salad recipe idea is super satisfying as-is, but you can also add proteins to make it more robust. Some chilled lentils, chicken, or salmon would all make lovely additions.

Ingredients:

Salad: 

• 1 lb peeled and grated carrots
• ¾ cup peanuts
• ¾ cup golden raisins
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro 
• 2 thinly sliced scallions

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp harissa sauce
• Juice and zest of 1 lime
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp freshly grated ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Combine all salad ingredients.
3. Stir dressing into salad.

7. Tri-Color Rotini Pasta Salad

Sometimes, classic spring salad recipe ideas are classics for a reason! This deli-style pasta salad is impossible to put down, and it’s easy to ramp up the quantities if you’re serving a large crowd.

Ingredients:

• 1 box tri-color rotini pasta
• 1 head chopped broccoli
• 1 lb cherry or grape tomatoes
• 1 thinly sliced red onion
• 1 finely chopped red pepper
• 1 can sliced black olives
• 1 chopped cucumber
• 1 bottle Italian dressing
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil your pasta according to the instructions on the box.
2. Let it cool. 
3. Combine all ingredients.
4. Chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.

How to Create Your Own Spring Salad Recipe Ideas

Some of the best spring salad recipes are invented on the spot! Follow this simple guide, and you’ll be a salad specialist in no time!

1. Add Greens

• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Kale
• Spring mix
• Cabbage
• Arugula
• Watercress

2. Add Veggies

• Carrot
• Cucumber
• Radish
• Pepper
• Tomatoes
• Corn
• Cauliflower
• Mushroom
• Celery
• Scallions

3. Add Fresh Herbs

• Cilantro
• Parsley
• Basil
• Chives
• Mint
• Dill
• Oregano
• Rosemary

4. Add Protein

• Chicken
• Beans
• Lentils
• Tuna
• Steak
• Shrimp
• Bacon
• Tofu
• Chickpeas
• Edamame
• Cheese
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Nuts

5. Add Fruit

• Berries
• Apples
• Pears
• Mango
• Grapes
• Watermelon
• Oranges
• Pineapples

6. Add Dressing

• Oil (olive, sesame, avocado)
• Acid (vinegar, citrus)
• Herbs and spices to taste

Shop Handcrafted Stainless Steel Salad Serveware

Now you have some delectable spring salad recipe ideas to work with, but you’re not quite done yet! The best spring salad recipes deserve to be served properly!

At Mary Jurek Design, we craft high-quality salad sets by hand. Each piece is a functional work of art that will last a lifetime and elevate the presentation of every meal. 

We offer a wide range of salad bowls and utensils, as well as other entertaining essentials, including pitchers, barware, and trays and platters. Each of our curated collections brings something fresh to the table, so shop around.

Browse our Blog for More Inspiration

Our tableware blog is an amazing resource for anyone looking to enhance their lifestyle. In addition to other spring salad recipe ideas—our perfect Maine lobster salad is always a hit—we provide lots of other seasonal recipes, holiday decorating tips, gift guides, and more.

As spring blossoms and blooms all around us, there’s no better time to refresh your surroundings. Explore our timeless, traditionally handcrafted serveware now, and make this spring season the best one yet!