25+ Fresh Spring Salad Recipes

By Jorie Nicole McDonald
February 16, 2010
Hector Sanchez
Simple preparation and fresh ingredients (chicken, shrimp, baby greens, mint leaves, fruit) make these salad recipes perfect for the season. Spring salad recipes come together in a jiffy; no need to spend hours in the kitchen. Whether you want a light side salad or something heartier for a main dish, these spring salad ideas are sure to impress. A few quick steps and a couple of your favorite ingredients will wow any spring party guest. Beyond basic lettuce and dressing, we've added flavorful parings like shrimp and orzo, buttermilk and fried chicken, and chicken and white beans. Take a look through our best-ever spring salad recipes and choose the one you just can't resist.
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Ombré Citrus Salad

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Ombré Citrus Salad

This cool and tangy salad is the perfect side for any spring or summer meal. Dress it up for Easter brunch, but keep the recipe on file for a quick summertime side to bring to a last-minute cookout.

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Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad

Potato salad gets a fresh and crunchy twist with bright flavors and lots of yummy texture. Make the dressing ahead of time for an easier assembly.

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Strawberry-Rhubarb Salad

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Strawberry-Rhubarb Salad

A homemade dressing makes this simple-to-fix salad really special. You can prepare the dressing, rhubarb, and mint toppings up to a day ahead – then just cover and chill.

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Homemade Chicken Salad

MyRecipes

Recipe: Homemade Chicken Salad

A make-ahead recipe for great chicken salad is like money in the bank when it comes to easy entertaining – and this is one the best. A wreath of fresh celery creates a simple but striking addition.

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Chicken, White Bean, and Spinach Salad

Photo: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chicken, White Bean, and Spinach Salad

Chopped salads are all the rage. The fact that this irresistible combo is super healthy and light is just an added bonus.

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Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing

Entertaining is easy with this elegant Orzo Salad with Shrimp and Lemon Dressing. It's light, fresh, and oh-so tasty.

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Dixie Chicken Salad with Grapes, Honey, Almonds, and Broccoli

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Dixie Chicken Salad with Grapes, Honey, Almonds, and Broccoli

This gorgeous salad partners with breadsticks and cheese tortellini tossed with fresh basil, grape tomatoes, and Italian dressing.

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Crispy Chicken-and-Broccoli Salad

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Crispy Chicken-and-Broccoli Salad

Crispy chicken and fresh broccoli make this garden salad an excellent choice for a light, spring meal.

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Grilled Salmon Panzanella Salad

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Grilled Salmon Panzanella Salad

Throw a little salmon in your fresh spring salad for a boost of hearty protein.

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Grilled Scallop-and-Mango Salad

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Grilled Scallop-and-Mango Salad

This delicious seafood salad is fast and fresh. What more could you want?

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Grilled Steak Salad with Green Tomato Vinaigrette

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Grilled Steak Salad with Green Tomato Vinaigrette

Balance your red meat craving with some beautiful, leafy greens and top it off with a homemade vinaigrette.

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Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad

Stephen DeVries

Recipe: Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad 

Salad with a southwestern flair deserves its rightful place as your main dinner dish this spring.

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BLT Salad with Buttermilk-Parmesan Dressing and Buttery Croutons

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: BLT Salad with Buttermilk-Parmesan Dressing and Buttery Croutons

If you're looking for the ultimate comfort salad recipe, give this BLT variety a try. Complete with buttermilk-parmesan dressing, it's rich and creamy.

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Chicken, White Bean, and Spinach Salad

Photo: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chicken, White Bean, and Spinach Salad

Never heard of a slow-cooker salad? It may just change your life.

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Chicken Niçoise Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chicken Niçoise Salad

Serve it family style or on individual plates; either way we suggest enjoying a piece of French bread with this salad to complete the meal.

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Quick Chopped Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Quick Chopped Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

This quick and easy salad gets a welcomed upgrade with a creamy buttermilk dressing.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

Jen Causey

Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad

Personalize this delicious salad with the addition of your favorite fruits, but be sure not to forget the orange juice-honey dressing.

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Herbed Cucumber-and-Tomato Salad

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Herbed Cucumber-and-Tomato Salad

Large chunks of cucumber and tomato make this salad wonderfully hearty.

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Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

Is it even a Southern table without collards on the table? Answer: no way.

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Field Pea-Tomato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Field Pea-Tomato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Recipe: Field Pea-Tomato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This delightful salad is pure bliss on a plate. Packed with field peas and fresh tomatoes, it's flavorful and filling.

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Chicken Salad-Stuffed Tomatoes

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chicken Salad-Stuffed Tomatoes

If you're tired of basic leafy green salad, shake things up a bit with these Chicken Salad-Stuffed Tomatoes.

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Shaved Carrot, Asparagus, and Apple Salad

Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke, Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Shaved Carrot, Asparagus, and Apple Salad

This salad is for fruit and vegetable enthusiasts when lettuce just won't cut it. Carrot, apple, and asparagus combine for a tangy and delicious flavor.

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Lemon Dill Potato Beet Salad

Lemony Potato-and-Beet Salad with Dill

Recipe: Lemon Dill Potato Beet Salad

You simply can't go wrong with a scrumptious potato salad. This one combine lemon and dill for a perfectly zesty finish.

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Turnip Green Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Recipe: Turnip Green Salad

Turnip greens are the secret hero of this garden salad.

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Tuna Pasta Salad

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Tuna Pasta Salad

Light tuna flavor and comforting pasta create a healthy and addictive salad recipe.

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Three-Bean Pasta Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Toni Brogan

Recipe: Three-Bean Pasta Salad

Beans and pasta is the match made in heaven we never knew we needed - until now.

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By Jorie Nicole McDonald