50 Classic Spring Recipes to Make All Season Long
With spring officially in full swing, it's time to turn in those winter soups and heavy casseroles and bring back our favorite cold salads, fruit desserts, and fresh vegetable sides. Every spring party or shower needs a spring classic or two, like our Egg Salad Sandwiches or crowd-pleasing Tomato Tea Sandwiches. No backyard barbecue or picnic is complete without a big bowl of pasta salad and an icebox pie, and every Easter celebration can use a pineapple-glazed ham and platter of deviled eggs. Plus, there's no spring occasion that our fruit-inspired pound cakes and cobblers won't make a whole lot sweeter. Southerners love to ring in spring with a freshened-up menu, and these spring recipes are the best of the season.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes
We'll have these crispy 'maters any way you'll serve them—layered on a sandwich, thrown on top of a salad, or (our personal preference) dipped into a tangy sauce.
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Egg Salad Sandwiches
Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwiches
Egg salad looks as ready for spring as we are. This nostalgic recipe never disappoints.
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Strawberry-Lemonade Cake
Recipe: Strawberry-Lemonade Cake
We like to say that this fresh strawberry cake tastes just like spring in a slice. Why not decide for yourself, hm?
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Lemon-Orange Pound Cake
Recipe: Lemon-Orange Pound Cake
Your senses will feel transported to citrus groves far, far away when served this classic pound cake.
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Tomato Tea Sandwiches
Recipe: Tomato Tea Sandwiches
Because we're too busy enjoying the spring weather to make anything complicated. A classic tomato sandwich is all we need.
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Classic Deviled Eggs
Recipe: Basic Deviled Eggs
From Easter lunch to a backyard barbecue, there's no spring event that wouldn't do well with a platter of deviled eggs.
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Pineapple Glazed Ham
Recipe: Pineapple-Glazed Ham
Pineapple and ham go together like bees and honey. This vintage recipe is perfect for Easter brunch—and leftover ham sandwiches!
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Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad
Recipe: Radish, Avocado, and Citrus Salad
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The peppery radishes in this salad are balanced by creamy avocado and sweet-tart citrus and pomegranate seeds.Â
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Ham Salad
Recipe: Ham Salad
This old-school spread never goes out of style. (And it's a great use of leftover Easter ham.)
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Asparagus-and-Goat Cheese Quiche
Recipe: Asparagus-and-Goat Cheese Quiche
This is a company-worthy quiche if we've ever seen one.
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No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie
Recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie
From the creamy filling to the crunchy crust, this no-bake peanut butter pie is mile-high and ready to be served.
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Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw
Recipe: Best-Ever Crab Cakes with Green Tomato Slaw
We wouldn't deem these cakes the "best-ever" lightly. Spring means Maryland crabbing season is officially underway.
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Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Recipe: Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
We'll happily turn to this big-batch brunch casserole all season long.
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Hummingbird Cake
Recipe: Hummingbird Cake
Spring is the perfect time to whip out this classic cake with its ultra-moist layers featuring pineapple, pecans, cinnamon, and bananas.
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Watermelon Salad
Recipe: Watermelon Salad
Dip your toes into the pre-summer pool with this easy salad. Tomatoes and watermelon work in perfect harmony with peppery arugula, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy pecans.
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Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables
Recipe: Skillet Pot Pie with Chicken and Spring Vegetables
Pot pie gets a spring-ready makeover with seasonal veggies and a user-friendly skillet recipe.
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Orange-Glazed Ham
Recipe: Orange-Glazed Ham
Nothing will make your Easter ham feel more festive for spring than this bright orange glaze.
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Classic Banana Pudding
Recipe: Banana Pudding
This classic Southern treat always makes an appearance at the spring cookout or Sunday lunch.
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West Indies Crab Salad
Recipe: West Indies Crab Salad
This little-known Southern salad hails from Mobile, Alabama. Made with fresh crabmeat and a citrusy vinaigrette, this recipe says hello to warmer weather.
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Peach-Raspberry Buckle
Recipe: Peach-Raspberry Buckle
This homey streusel-topped cake is filled with jammy pockets of fruit—it's like a scavenger hunt for your taste buds.
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Fried Catfish
Recipe: Classic Fried Catfish
Nothing gets a Southerner more tickled than crispy fried catfish. Stone-ground cornmeal makes for the crispiest crust you've ever tasted.
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Honey-Mustard Baked Salmon with Vegetables
Recipe: Honey-Mustard Baked Salmon with Vegetables
Panko breadcrumbs add extra crunch to this baked fish dinner.Â
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Ham Biscuits
Recipe: Ham Biscuits
We've never met a snack more suited for a spring brunch or shower than these ham biscuits. The recipe comes with several delicious homemade spread options like Creole Mayonnaise, Chive-Radish Compound Butter, Spicy Orange-Peach Butter, and Pecan Cheese Spread.
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Chilled Sweet Corn Soup
Recipe: Chilled Sweet Corn Soup
Ah, a soup so sweet you'll share it with everyone. This chilled corn soup is the perfect spring-summer soup.
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Peach-and-Blackberry Crisp
Recipe: Peach-and-Blackberry Crisp
A fresh fruit crisp complements any breezy spring night, if you ask us. Feel free to substitute your favorite berries or stone fruits.
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Key Lime Pound Cake
Recipe: Key Lime Pound Cake
Don't pick between your favorite pound cake and cool Key lime pie—this heavenly recipe gives the best of both worlds.
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Classic Baked Beans
Recipe: Baked Beans
This classic side belongs at any backyard barbecue, cookout, or picnic.
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Grilled Clambake Foil Packets with Herb Butter
Recipe: Grilled Clambake Foil Packets with Herb Butter
Something about scattering these ingredients on a newspaper-covered table or serving it all in a big community bowl is just oh-so satisfying. We added traditional Low Country boil ingredients: shrimp, potatoes, corn, and smoked sausage, such as Conecuh.
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Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham
Recipe: Classic Macaroni Salad with Ham
You'll recognize this old-school cold salad. It might be one of our most nostalgic rifts on pasta salad to date.
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Cherry-Nectarine Pandowdy
Recipe: Cherry-Nectarine Pandowdy
This cobbler-like dish likes it a little messy. The crust absorbs the sweet juices from the cooked fruit.
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Spring Lettuce and Leek Soup Recipe
Recipe: Spring Lettuce and Leek Soup Recipe
The bright color and flavor of this soup make it a perfect spring meal.Â
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Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles
Recipe: Potato Salad with Sweet Pickles
There's always room for potato salad on the spring cookout sideboard.
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Pickled Shrimp and Vegetables
Recipe: Pickled Shrimp and Vegetables
Make your shrimp cocktail even more refreshing for spring parties by pickling those tasty suckers with some fresh vegetables.
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Strawberry and Cream Cake
Recipe: Strawberry and Cream Cake
Sour cream cake batter is covered with a crumbly and buttery topping that melts into the cake as it bakes.Â
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Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake
You won't find a season when this classic pound cake doesn't fit right in. You can garnish with fresh produce from your spring farmers' market trip.
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Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing
Recipe: Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing
Seasonal vegetables and tangy dressing bring this shrimp salad to life.Â
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Tarragon Asparagus with Eggs
Recipe: Tarragon Asparagus with Eggs
This side dish dresses up in-season asparagus with a bold Dijon-tarragon vinaigrette and soft, fluffy grated egg. This spring vegetable recipe never fails us.
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Zucchini Bread
Recipe: Zucchini Bread
Add chocolate chips to this loaf for rich, dimensional flavor.Â
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Ham and Noodle Casserole
Recipe: Ham and Noodle Casserole
You won't meet a more family-friendly spring casserole than this one, made with egg noodles, chopped ham, and a mix of springy vegetables. (Put that leftover Easter ham to work!)
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Tarragon Chicken Salad
Recipe: Tarragon Chicken Salad
This simple recipe gets a welcome pop of flavor from tarragon and lemon juice.
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Roasted Leg of Lamb with Lemon-Herb Salt
Recipe: Roasted Leg of Lamb with Lemon-Herb Salt
Make this perfectly roasted lamb the centerpiece of your Easter dinner.
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Oven-Baked Barbecue Chicken
Recipe: Oven-Baked Barbecue Chicken
These sweet and sticky chicken drumsticks make the perfect addition to your cookout—but you can make them in the oven to free up precious grill space.
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Southern Buttermilk Pie
Recipe: Classic Southern Buttermilk Pie
Buttermilk pie is an old-fashioned Southern dessert that doesn't quite get the attention it deserves. This spring, let's change that.
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Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spiced Pecans Recipe
Recipe: Beet-and-Orange Salad with Spiced Pecans Recipe
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This colorful salad does it all with its combination of sweet, savory, salty, and tangy flavors.Â
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Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas Recipe
Recipe: Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi with Peas Recipe
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Sauté the gnocchi with butter and oil until they are golden brown on the outside and hot and tender on the inside.Â
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Fresh Peach Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel
Recipe: Fresh Peach Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel
Say hello to the most perfect crumbly coffee cake, complete with sweet, juicy peaches.
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Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad
Recipe: Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a springtime staple in the South, and this refreshing recipe features a whole parade of tasty ingredients.
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Classic BLT
Recipe: The SL BLT
Nothing beats a basic BLT—but we still managed to do it. Punch up store-bought mayonnaise with lemon zest, fresh herbs, and lots of black pepper for a flavorful twist you never knew you needed.
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Blueberry-Cheesecake Ice-Cream Pie
Recipe: Blueberry-Cheesecake Ice-Cream Pie
You're going to want a slice of this fruity pie on a hot day, trust us. It's one of our favorite spring dessert recipes.
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Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie
Recipe: Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie
This classic fruit pie dresses up in its prettiest pink for all of your spring parties.