Warmer days and longer daylight hours call for lighter meals. Salads not only add nutrients and fiber to our meals, they bring a pop of colour, texture and interest, too. I’ve collected eight of my favourite fresh spring salads to share with you. Some are vegetarian, some are vegan, some are paleo, some are dairy-free, and all are gluten-free. Whenever you invite a group for a meal, there will likely be someone with special dietary needs, so I hope this round-up of spring salads will be helpful!
1. This Strawberry-Mango Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese combines fresh sweet strawberries, mango, spicy arugula, creamy avocado and goat cheese, all drizzled with a flavourful citrus vinaigrette.
2. Here’s a classic spinach salad with a healthier option. Love spinach salad but hate the traditional high-fat buttermilk dressing? Try this updated paleo Classic Spinach Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing.
3. This Asparagus Smoked Salmon Salad with Sesame Miso Dressing combines asparagus with smoked salmon, zucchini ribbons, and radishes on crisp greens with a to-die-for sesame miso dressing.
4. Sweet red onions and a flavourful Thai dressing turn plain cucumbers into something fancy. This Cucumber Mint Salad is ready in less than 10 minutes!
5. Pineapple Jicama Salad. Sweet with a little heat! Serve with your favourite spicy Tex-Mex meals for a bright refreshing contras. Suitable for Paleo diets.
6. This fresh paleo Prawn Mango Avocado Salad with sizzling shrimp can be on your dinner table in fifteen minutes. Sweet, juicy mangos, creamy avocado and tender shrimp all tossed with a lemon-lime dressing make a simple but simply delectable salad.
7. Springtime Potato Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing. A healthy mayo-free potato salad made with baby potatoes, capers, dill and Dijon!
8. Tropical Fruit with Honey Mint Lime Syrup. Enhance the natural sweetness of fresh fruit with this simple syrup made with honey, mint and lime.
What a wonderful collection! Thanks!
Thank you! and thanks for stopping by.
What perfect timing. The weather has been beautiful in the UK over the last week. I could eat that prawn avocado and mango salad right now
Me too! I never get tired of fresh prawns!
I totally agree with you, Elaine. Salads are perfect meals for warmer days. This is one amazing recipe roundup. Everything looks so delicious and light. I love taking salads to my office for lunch and I already found something I will try next week. Can’t wait.
Thanks so much, Natalie!
A really good round up. I like all the different ingredients and textures. I like the different cuts on the vegetables – especially the zucchini ribbons.
Thanks Peter. There are so many ways to serve fresh vegetables!
I try to eat seasonally as much as possible. Not as a way to just get fresh produce but to conserve energy costs as much as possible. Come this time of year I gravitate to fresh and fun salads with a small side of grilled chicken thighs or pork. I am bookmarking this and return when I need salad inspiration!
Also, your photography is beautiful! I adore your style.
Thanks so much! We try to eat seasonally too, but it’s harder during the winter months. I like to bring lots of colour into my meals and fresh salads are an easy way to do that. I can’t wait until I can pick things straight from my garden!
Your salads look beautiful! Thank you for the bright, fresh inspiration on what is a cold, snowy day here in Ontario!
You have snow . . . we have RAIN! Where’s the sunshine? Have a great day.
It’s like you read my mind! I was just looking to switch up lunch salads and the spring time potato salad looks perfect.
This is a lovely collection, Elaine. So fresh and bright. I especially love the sound of the asparagus smoked salmon salad. Yum!!
Great collection of beautiful salads and lovely pictures too. I am actually craving the cucumber mint salad right now.. looks fabulous
Thanks so much, Dahn. I crave fresh veggies in the spring!