Fresh Spring Salad Recipes

Bright with lemon and dill, the blanched carrots and snap peas get “dipped” in the pool of creamy dressing underneath when you spoon up a helping--a playfully pretty twist on two nostalgic carrot classics.

Peas 'n' Carrots Salad with Buttermilk Ranch

This lightly sweet potato salad is a great way to use up leftover Easter ham.

Spring Potato Salad recipe

At Dante in Omaha, chef Nick Strawhecker serves a deceptively simple house salad that's all about letting good-quality greens shine. Finely grated cheese and chopped nuts add salt and crunch. It's perfect for spring and fall, when local lettuce is available.

Spring Salad with Lemon-Thyme Dressing

Uncooked asparagus might sound strange, but this is essentially an elegant take on slaw—slicing a firm vegetable like cabbage or carrot thinly to break down its cell walls and allow a tangy dressing to soak in.

Shaved Asparagus Salad

Think of this as a welcome update on three-bean salad, with radishes and celery adding color and crunch to wholesome garbanzo beans. It travels beautifully and is great for potlucks and picnics.

Dilly Chickpea and Radish Salad

Any crouton is delicious, but a crouton made with buttery brioche? Divine. It’s a luxe addition to this simple lemon-dressed salad from Epicure Catering in Michigan. (This recipe makes a generous amount of croutons; store extras in an airtight container for a day or two.)

Arugula Salad with Brioche Croutons 

Fresh ginger and red pepper flakes add welcome zing, but the real surprise here is napa (aka Chinese) cabbage. Cara Mangini, of Little Eater in Columbus, Ohio, likes it for slaws because it's more tender than ordinary cabbage but still holds up better than lettuce. 

Sweet and Spicy Cabbage and Peanut Slaw 

This beautiful, French-inspired, veggie-ful potato salad says "au revoir" to mayonnaise and instead features a light garlic vinaigrette. That means the dish can safely sit out for a while (and even tastes better at room temperature).

Mediterranean Potato and Green Bean Salad

You could make a meal of this dish: caramelized zucchini, crunchy almonds, salty cheese and hearty quinoa, all dressed in honey-basil vinaigrette. The recipe comes from Little Eater, in Columbus, Ohio.

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Feta 

It's not just a salad—it's a crunchy, juicy, sweet, salty, tart, buttery, nutty potluck dazzler.

Mexican Citrus Salad with Avocado

This hearty, healthy salad combines juicy fruit, flavorful fresh herbs and warm spices. Even people who are skeptical of the nutritious bulgur wheat will be surprised how much they like it.

Orange Tabbouleh

Loaded with protein and fresh greens, this is a simple yet flavorful potato salad. Paired with a fruit salad, it's almost hearty enough to eat as a meal.

Greens, Eggs and Ham Potato Salad

Why save this classic for when you're dining out? Rotisserie chicken makes it easy to enjoy a Cobb at home. Just add a whole-grain roll, and you've got a well-rounded meal.

Chicken Cobb Salad