Best 20 Spring Salad Recipes

SPRING SALAD WITH FENNEL AND ORANGE

Steps:

• Whisk together the sugar, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, basil, and olive oil in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves; set aside. Toss the salad greens, sliced fennel, orange, onion, almonds, and cranberries in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to serve.

SPRING ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together the rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and mustard. Drizzle in the peanut oil and sesame oil while whisking vigorously to emulsify. Set aside.
• Bring a pot of lightly-salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus to the water and cook 3 to 5 minutes until just tender, but still mostly firm. Remove and rinse under cold water to stop from cooking any further.
• Place the asparagus in a large bowl and drizzle the dressing over the asparagus. Toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle with sesame seeds to serve.

SPRING SALAD WITH FRUIT, FETA, AND PECANS

Steps:

• 1. Raspberry Vinaigrette: Blend all ingredients together well, (a small whisk works great). Drizzle over salad just before serving.
• 2. Wash and dry the greens well, then just before serving, plate each individual salad bowl with the greens.
• 3. Divide the oranges, strawberries, feta cheese and chopped pecans onto each plate for a beautiful presentation. (The pecans can be toasted for a nuttier flavor, if desired.)
• 4. Lightly drizzle with the vinaigrette just before serving, and put the rest of it on the table in case anyone wants more with their salad.

SPRING STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the spinach and strawberries.
• In a blender, place the sugar, salt, vinegar, and oil, and blend until smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds. Pour over the spinach and strawberries, and toss to coat.

KAREN'S SPRING MIX SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss together the mixed greens, avocado, tomato, olives and pepperoncini peppers. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, garlic salt, oregano and basil. Pour over the salad mixture and toss to coat. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve.

SPRING ASPARAGUS, HAM AND POTATO SALAD - HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

Steps:

• Make up the dressing by putting all the dressing ingredients into a jar and shaking it well. The dressing can be made up well in advance.
• Choose two attractive plates or bowls and start to assemble the salad.
• Place the potatoes on the plate/bowl first and then arrange the strips of ham & asparagus spears over the top - gently mix through to "just" mingle the ingredients together.
• Next, scatter the minced/finely diced red onion over and then the sliced cornichons - if you are using them.
• Pour over the honey & mustard dressing - giving the salad a liberal dousing!
• Season and scatter the chopped chives and/or the chopped chervil over the top.
• Serve with crusty bread & a glass of crisp, chilled white Chablis or Chardonnay!
• Optional ideas:.
• You could also add peas, broad beans, olives or crispy bacon!

SPRING VEGETABLE RICE SALAD (INSALATA DI RISO)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rice, stir, and adjust heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent any grains from sticking to the pot, until the rice is just barely done, about 15 minutes. It will continue to cook as it cools. Drain the rice well and spread it out on a tray to cool quickly.
• Bring another large pot of salted water to a boil. Holding an asparagus spear in both hands, bend the spear until it breaks naturally at the point where it becomes tough. Repeat with the remaining spears. Discard the tough ends and cut the tender part into 1/3-inch lengths. Blanch asparagus and peas together in the boiling water for 1 minute and 30 seconds, then lift out with a strainer and transfer to a paper towel lined baking sheet to cool.
• Shell the fava beans, then blanch the unpeeled beans in the same boiling water for about 3 minutes. Drain, transfer them to a paper towel lined baking sheet to cool. Peel the fava beans by pinching open the loose skin; the peeled bean should slip out easily.
• Put the lemon juice in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the olive oil.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooled rice, asparagus, peas, fava beans, basil, parsley, lemon zest, ham and cheese. Toss with your hands to blend. Pour the dressing over the salad (you may not need it all) and toss gently. Taste and adjust seasoning.

SPRING PEA & RADISH SALAD

Steps:

• Snip ends off beans and sugar snap peas; remove strings from snap peas. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat. Add beans and reduce heat; simmer, covered, 4-5 minutes. Add sugar snap peas; simmer, covered, until both beans and peas are crisp-tender, another 2-3 minutes. Drain., Toss beans and peas with radishes. Stir together honey, tarragon, salt and pepper. Drizzle over vegetables.

SPRING CHICKEN AND PEA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 1/2 in. of water to a boil. Add peas; cover and cook 5-8 minutes or until tender., Drain peas; place in a large bowl. Add endive, radicchio, chicken, radishes, onion and mint. In a small saucepan, combine oil, lemon zest, juice, jelly, garlic, salt and pepper; cook and stir over medium-low heat 4-6 minutes or until jelly is melted. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat. If desired, sprinkle with pine nuts.

SPRING LAYERED SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS AND BUTTERMILK DRESSING

Steps:

• Toss the onions with 2 tablespoons each vinegar and cold water and a large pinch of salt in a small bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, tossing occasionally. (The onions will turn bright pink.) Strain.
• Meanwhile, set up a steamer in a pot of simmering water. Add the asparagus, and steam until bright green and crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove, spread out on a baking sheet and let cool.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, Parmesan, mayonnaise, garlic, the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Using a straight-sided 3-quart tall glass bowl for 1 large salad or four 16-ounce wide-mouth glass jars with lids for 4 individual salads, make a first layer with half the arugula, then add the following in separate layers: the radishes, half the broccoli, the snap peas, the pickled red onion, the remaining arugula, the remaining broccoli, and the asparagus and egg. Sprinkle the top with the almonds. (The salad can be put together, covered and refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving.)
• If making 1 salad, just before serving, transfer it to a large bowl, toss with about half the dressing and season with salt and pepper. If making 4 salads, add dressing to each jar, season with salt and pepper, cover with the lid and shake to coat. Serve the remaining dressing on the side.

SPRING SUNSHINE SALAD WITH CITRUS PARMESAN DRESSING

Steps:

• Salad:.
• Wash and dry salad greens well and place them in a large bowl.
• Add orange pieces, nuts, and onions.
• Toss well with the Citrus Parmesan Dressing .
• Add the avocado and toss the salad gently, so as not to mush the avocado.
• Sprinkle with some Parmesan shavings(using a vegetable peeler).
• Citrus Parmesan Dressing:.
• In a bowl combine the grated Parmesan, orange zest and juice, and the shallots.
• Whisk in the red wine vinegar.
• Whisk in the olive oil and finish by seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Or you may use a jar and shake the dressing.
• A few more ideas from Heidi:.
• Gently heat the dressing and toss with spinach, for a warm, slightly wilted dinner salad.
• Use the vinaigrette as a marinade.
• Use it to toss with pasta (stuffed cheese filled pasta is an especially good choice).

SPRING ROASTED POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450°F. Spray 18x13-inch rimmed baking pan with cooking spray.
• In small bowl, mix dressing ingredients with whisk.
• Place potatoes in center of baking pan, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the oil; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss to coat. Spread in single layer in pan. Roast 30 minutes, turning once.
• In medium bowl, toss asparagus with remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
• Remove potatoes from oven, and arrange asparagus on baking pan with potatoes. Roast 5 to 7 minutes or until potatoes are lightly browned and asparagus is tender.
• Transfer roasted vegetables to serving bowl. Add dressing; toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes to allow vegetables to absorb dressing. Add arugula; toss to combine. Serve immediately.

GREEK CHICKEN, GARDEN VEGETABLE AND SPRING MIX SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Brush chicken breasts with oil; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place chicken in 2-quart shallow baking dish; bake 25 to 30 minutes or until no longer pink in center (165 degrees F.). Cool chicken enough to handle; slice into thin strips.
• Combine salad blend, vegetables from pouch, garbanzo beans, cherry tomatoes, olives and red onion in large bowl. Toss with Greek Vinaigrette, to taste. Divide salad mixture on 4 large plates. Top each with sliced chicken. Sprinkle with feta cheese.
• Greek Vinaigrette:
• Whisk together 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel, 1 teaspoon dried oregano crushed, salt and black pepper, to taste until well blended. Makes about 1 cup.

SPRING GRAIN SALAD

Steps:

• Add the cooked grains, goat cheese, peas, tomatoes, radishes, pine nuts and scallions to a large bowl. Add the dressing to taste, then toss to combine. Place the arugula on a large platter or serving bowl. Top with the grain salad, then garnish with the parsley and serve.

SANDY'S SIMPLE SPRING LETTUCE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine shallot, honey, mustard, and salt in a jar with a lid; add olive oil, lemon juice, and vinegar. Cover jar with lid and shake until dressing is thickened.
• Place arugula in a bowl and drizzle dressing over greens; toss to coat.

SPRING CHICKEN DINNER SALAD

Steps:

• Place chicken in a large saucepan and pour in 4 cups cold water to cover; add 3 Tbsp. Diamond Crystal or 3½ tsp. Morton kosher salt. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then immediately turn over chicken with tongs. Cover pot, remove from heat, and let chicken sit until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 150°F, 5-10 minutes (depending on thickness of breast). Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, squeeze lemon halves into a medium bowl. Whisk in mustard, then gradually stream in oil, whisking constantly until dressing is thick and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
• Using a rolling pin, whack green beans on a cutting board until skins split and insides are softened but not pulverized.
• Transfer beans to a medium bowl and drizzle in 2 Tbsp. dressing. Massage beans with your hands to break down further and coat; season with salt.
• Separate lettuce leaves; toss in another medium bowl with chives and basil. Arrange on a platter.
• Toss radishes, peperoncini, and 1 Tbsp. dressing in the same bowl; season with salt. Slice chicken ¼"-½" thick; season with pepper. Arrange chicken, radish salad, green beans, and avocado on platter with lettuce as desired. Drizzle with more dressing; serve remaining dressing alongside.

SPRING SALAD WITH CREAMY GOAT CHEESE DRESSING

Steps:

• Spiced Pecans:
• In a small bowl combine the paprika, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat add the sugar and cook until all of the sugar is melted and light brown in color. Carefully whisk in the butter. Add the spice mix and turn off the heat. Add the pecans and stir with a rubber spatula until all of the pecans are completely coated. Spray with nonstick cooking spray which will help the pecans separate. Once all of the pecans are coated turn out onto a greased sheet tray or a sheet tray lined with a silicone mat. Break up any pieces that may be stuck together. Let cool 5 minutes before serving with the salad.
• In a medium bowl whisk together the goat cheese and buttermilk. Whisk in the remaining dressing ingredients until combined and smooth. Set aside.
• Heat the canola oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and fry until crispy and light brown, about 5 minutes. Remove to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.
• Add the greens to a large bowl. Drizzle with 3/4 of the dressing, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and toss to coat the greens. Transfer the salad to a platter and garnish with candied pecans, sliced grapes, and fried shallots. Drizzle with remaining dressing and serve.

BROCCOLI GRAPE SPRING SALAD

Steps:

• Cook bacon in skillet or microwave until crisp.
• Crumble and set aside.
• In a large salad bowl, toss together the bacon, broccoli, celery, green onions, green and red grapes, raisins and almonds.
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar.
• Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

SPRING SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the first seven ingredients; shake well. Just before serving, combine spinach, strawberries, pecans and onion in a large salad bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat.

SPRING GREEK PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well., In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, vinegar, water, garlic, salt and pepper until blended. Stir in oregano., In a large bowl, combine pasta, vegetables and, if desired, olives. Add vinaigrette and cheese; toss to combine. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.