Food and Recipes Quick and Easy Dinners 47 Spring Vegetable Recipes That Will Brighten Up Your Plate By Southern Living Editors Updated on December 22, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox If the start of warm weather season inspires you to break out your grill and try some new recipes, these are the ones you should turn to. Spring vegetables are the stars of these dishes that are full of vibrant flavor and color. We have salads, appetizers, soups, and main dishes fit for any night of the week. While you may have your favorite way to cook up classics like asparagus, spring onion, or peas, recipes like our One-Pan Chicken with Lemon, Olives, and Artichokes or our Sweet-and-Spicy Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots will offer some new inspiration of how to prepare spring's bounty in creative ways. Although the vegetables in these recipes shine bright, many are family-friendly dishes that are sure to please everyone at the table. So hit the market and use the season's bounty to cook our favorite springtime meals full of garden-fresh flavor. 01 of 47 Braised Chicken Thighs With Spring Vegetables Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Somewhat like a springy coq au vin, carrots, peas, and baby potatoes come together in this light, fresh chicken dish. For this recipe, you want to select bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs that will sear to a crispy golden brown. Shower each plate with herbs for the freshest springtime flavor. 02 of 47 Creamy Salmon Fettuccini and Spring Vegetables Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Inspired by pasta primavera, this vegetable-forward dish gets an extra bit of protein from the salmon. The recipe makes the most of seasonal produce like asparagus and peas to create a market-fresh main brightened with lemon zest and dill. Creamy Boursin cheese melds the vibrant flavors together. 03 of 47 Asparagus Frittata Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin Mascarpone cheese makes this frittata featuring leeks and asparagus extra fluffy, light, and creamy. We recommend arranging the asparagus spears on top, where they will remain slightly crunchy after cooking. Sprinkle with dill, chives, or whatever fresh herbs you have in your spring garden. 04 of 47 Chicken Fricassee With Spring Vegetables Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer This one-skillet, 45-minute recipe is both easy and light on cleanup. You'll spend that time appreciating the savory smells of carrots, leeks, mushrooms, and asparagus. This dish can be served over hot egg noodles to make a complete meal. 05 of 47 Pork And Bok Choy Stir-Fry Hector Manuel Sanchez Pull out the wok for this one to sear the flavor into every bite. If you don't own a wok, a large cast-iron skillet will make do. We use carrots and bok choy in this recipe, but other spring vegetables like broccoli or snow peas would be delicious too. 06 of 47 Creamy Spring Vegetable Slaw Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox This slaw of radishes, cucumbers, carrots, and sliced sugar snap peas makes a colorful side for a spring meal. Instead of mayonnaise, the recipe calls for a tangy sour cream and dill dressing. To prevent the grated vegetables from watering down the dressing, salt them and let them drain in a colander for an hour. 07 of 47 Sweet-And-Spicy Sheet Pan Chicken With Cauliflower And Carrots Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox Cayenne pepper and seedless grapes are the secret ingredients in this recipe featuring roasted cauliflower, onions, and carrots. The grapes caramelize in the oven and add a subtle sweetness to the sauce, which is made from the juices and browned bits on the sheet pan. 08 of 47 Skillet Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Buried underneath the puff pastry, you'll find a goldmine of leeks, carrots, peas, and chicken baked in a creamy sauce. Layer the puff pastry on top of the pot pie for a more elegant look. The squares are simple to create with kitchen shears or a paring knife. 09 of 47 Orzo Salad With Shrimp And Lemon Dressing Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Asparagus, sugar snap peas, and English peas make this orzo salad bright and fresh. The veggies are parboiled until bright green and tender-crisp. This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature. 10 of 47 Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas With Orange Zest And Buttery Almonds Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Ditch the green bean casserole and try this sugar snap pea dish instead. The peas are lightly cooked and dressed for ultimate freshness. You'll love the zesty sauce made from butter, almonds, Creole seasoning, and orange juice that's poured over the peas. 11 of 47 Molasses-Soy Glazed Salmon And Vegetables Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Karen Rankin This Asian-inspired dish comes together in just 35 minutes. Use yellow bell peppers with snow peas for more dramatic color. The tangy sauce is a delight on salmon, but feel free to try it on chicken and shrimp as well. 12 of 47 Asparagus-And-Goat Cheese Quiche Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox This dish is for quiche lovers who don't have extra time to put together a pie crust. Get medium-sized asparagus, not too thin or thick, so it will cook until perfectly tender. You can prepare it up to two days in advance if you've got a busy week ahead. 13 of 47 Pork Chops With Spring Onions, Farro, And Asparagus Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This one-dish wonder packs in protein, whole grains, and fresh spring vegetables for a delicious weeknight meal. Quickly browned in a skillet on the stovetop, the chops are then transferred to a baking dish with farro, spring onions, and asparagus. Make certain to buy semi-pearled farro, which bakes fast without soaking. 14 of 47 Broccoli, Grape, And Pasta Salad Jennifer Davick This springy pasta salad features fresh broccoli and diced red onions. Halved grapes and a creamy dressing provide the tangy sweetness that ties it all together. To keep it extra crunchy, stir in pecans and bacon just before serving. 15 of 47 Honey-Mustard Baked Salmon With Vegetables Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Baby red potatoes and sugar snaps accompany honey-mustard salmon in this easy sheet-pan supper. Give the potatoes a head start to make certain they cook to fork tenderness. Drizzle the veggies with our honey-mustard vinaigrette to heighten the flavor. 16 of 47 Ham And Noodle Casserole Jen Causey Ham casserole gets an unexpectedly healthy twist from loads of spring vegetables. Egg noodles, chopped ham, carrots, broccoli, and asparagus bake in a mixture of cream of mushroom soup and oniony cream cheese, topped with bubbly cheese and crispy croutons. This dish can be made two at a time in 8x8 casseroles. 17 of 47 Skillet-Toasted Gnocchi With Peas Victor Protasio We gave gnocchi a fresh springtime riff, with sweet peas, parsley, and lemon. Although the package directions call for boiling, sautéeing gnocchi in a pan with a little butter results in golden brown nuggets with rich, toasty flavor. After browning the gnocchi, this dish takes about five minutes to come together. 18 of 47 Spring Mix Salad With Goat Cheese Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This recipe captures all the flavors of the season with thinly shaved asparagus, sugar snaps, radishes, and fresh mint leaves over spring greens. We used a simple dressing of lemon and olive oil, allowing the flavors of the vegetables and the tender spring greens to come through. This salad is definitely worth a trip to the farmer's market. 19 of 47 Chicken Risotto With Spring Vegetables Jennifer Davick Transform risotto into a main-dish meal with the addition of chicken and vegetables. Asparagus and zucchini lend spring-green color and light the flavor, while the creamy rice and cheese make this dish filling and satisfying. We recommend preparing risotto in a Dutch oven for slowly blending the ingredients together. 20 of 47 Pasta Shells With Spring Vegetables Alison Miksch This pasta on a bed of ricotta is the very definition of spring. The pasta and vegetables are tossed in lemon juice and olive oil, then topped with more cheese and fresh mint. Pea tendrils, the tender tips of pea vines that taste just like the vegetable, make a charming garnish for this light pasta dish. 21 of 47 Snapper Baked In Parchment With Spring Vegetables Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller This recipe uses the French technique of wrapping fish and veggies in parchment paper to steam in the oven. You can also use flounder, sole, striped bass, or salmon in place of the red snapper. The fish steams with gold potatoes, asparagus, and peppers in the parcel, which is opened at the table to release a dramatic cloud of aromatic steam. 22 of 47 Tangy Potato-Green Bean Salad Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox You'll love this fresh take on potato salad, which replaces the usual mayonnaise dressing with a lively lemon-dill vinaigrette. New potatoes soak in the dressing along with slender green beans (haricots verts), radishes, and chives. If you can't find haricots verts, try substituting sugar snap peas or snow peas. 23 of 47 Warm Radish-And-Potato Salad With Smoked Trout And Radish Leaf-And-Mint Pesto Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox This recipe makes full use of radishes from the garden or market, including the green leaves. You can use the standard round red radishes, or incorporate rainbow or white icicle radishes for a fancier look. The salad is dressed with a zingy mint pesto. 24 of 47 Deviled Egg Salad And Asparagus Tartines Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox This twist on the traditional finger sandwich gets a refreshing crunch from toasted bread and a spicy kick from hot sauce. Asparagus spears make the appetizer an elegant choice for any springtime event. Assemble just before serving to keep the toasts nice and crisp. 25 of 47 Baked Pork Tenderloin Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall A shaved salad of fennel, radishes, and carrots brightens up a meal of simply seasoned pork tenderloin. You'll want to slide a bit of the salad dressed with lemony honey-mustard vinaigrette onto every forkful with the pork. Prepare the salad while the pork bakes and then rests, a process that only takes 20 minutes. 26 of 47 Spring Salad With Berries And Bacon Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry This Spring Salad with Berries and Bacon is equally savory and sweet. And unlike most salads, the recipe features strawberries on every level—we even blend it into the dressing. Crunchy bacon pairs beautifully with the sweet strawberry vinaigrette and thinly sliced shallot. 27 of 47 Grilled Radish-And-Fennel Salad With Goat Cheese Toasts Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely In this recipe, a grill sweetens radishes and fennel bulbs, infusing them with chargrilled flavor. Use larger radishes so they don't fall through the grate. Serve the veggies alongside grilled baguette slices smeared with goat cheese and dill. 28 of 47 Salmon Bagel Sandwiches Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke This sandwich recipe features salmon slow-cooked in an aromatic blend of lemongrass, fennel, scallions, and dry white wine. We serve the fish on everything bagels along with a cream cheese mixture flavored with chives, radishes, and lemon. Top with your favorite spring vegetables, such as arugula and red onions. 29 of 47 Creamy Slow Cooker Tarragon Chicken Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis In this slow-cooker recipe, the chicken cooks directly on top of halved baby carrots that soak up all that rich flavor. Peas and tarragon are stirred in during the last 15 minutes to preserve their freshness. Serve this dish with egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes. 30 of 47 Slow Cooker Green Minestrone Soup Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis In our Slow-Cooker Green Minestrone Soup, all the green garden goodness that spring has to offer finds its way into one warming bowl. We're talking celery, leeks, green onions, spinach, and peas. Canned cannellini beans add heartiness to this vegetarian recipe. Give each bowl a swirl of olive oil and serve with a hunk of crusty bread. 31 of 47 Lemon Chicken Soup Hector Manuel Sanchez We've added white wine, English peas, flat-leaf parsley, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the usual carrots, onion, and celery to make this comforting soup extra fresh. The slow cooker does most of the work of braising the meat and vegetables. Throw in the rice-shaped orzo pasta in the last 20 minutes. 32 of 47 Skillet Radishes With Orange Zest And Tarragon Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis You've never had radishes like this before. Sautéing radishes in a skillet allows them to soften and absorb all the syrupy flavor of fresh-squeezed orange juice, shallots, and sherry vinegar. This recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner and pretty enough for an Easter table. 33 of 47 Beet, Fennel, And Apple Salad Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith Spring beets add gorgeous color to a salad, especially if you find a selection of golden and deep red varieties. Here the beets are served on a bed of arugula along with shaved fennel and apples. Parsley, mint, and a light honey-lemon vinaigrette enhance the flavor-packed dish. 34 of 47 Sautéed Radishes With Bacon Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Torie Cox In another cooked radish dish, the root vegetables caramelize in bacon drippings, brown sugar, and seasoning. Stir the hot radish mixture into the spicy greens you harvested from the bulbs. The greens will wilt slightly to create an incredibly tasty warm salad. 35 of 47 Lemony White Bean Salad With Broccoli Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Sometimes a warm roasted salad is just what you need on a cool spring day. This recipe combines spicy arugula and roasted broccoli for a double dose of cruciferous vegetables. White beans and shaved Parmesan will add heartiness to your plate, making this a nice lunchtime meal once you add a roll or bread. 36 of 47 Beet-Goat Cheese Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis The jewel tones of this dip will brighten any table. Our recipe blends beets with tangy yogurt, creamy goat cheese, and sweet dates for a healthy dip that is delicious on crackers or pita chips. Roasting the beets first naturally sweetens and softens the flavor of this earthy vegetable. 37 of 47 Arugula Salad With Bacony Croutons And Sherry Vinaigrette Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke A bed of peppery arugula can hold its own under thick-cut bacon, blue cheese, and toasted pecans. The homemade sherry vinaigrette incorporates shallots for even more flavor. With the addition of grilled chicken or fish, this can become a main-dish meal. 38 of 47 Grilled Endive-And-Halloumi Salad With Strawberries Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Halloumi is a firm, briny cheese that softens ever-so-slightly while on the grill. We've paired that with grilled endive—the heat mellows the flavor and adds lovely grill marks to its sturdy leaves. Toss that with sweet strawberries and spicy onions and arugula, and you have a salad bursting with flavor. 39 of 47 Creamy Baked Eggs With Leeks And Spinach Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis In this breakfast bake, eggs rest on a bed of sautéed spinach and leeks swirled with heavy cream. The dish is easy to assemble: make eight depressions in the greens and crack an egg in each one. After the dish bakes until the yolks have just set, sop up all the saucy goodness with toasted English muffins. 40 of 47 Spinach And Artichoke Bites Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: William Smith For an easy, party-friendly finger food, blend marinated artichoke hearts, fresh spinach, and cheeses and bake in refrigerated crescent roll dough. Each bite is like your favorite artichoke dip, but already served on bread. Brush each crescent with egg so that the rolls turn an appetizing golden brown. 41 of 47 Grilled Baby Artichokes with Brown Butter Aïoli Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Baby artichokes require less prep than their larger counterparts, making them perfect for eating fresh from the grill. We blanch them for about five minutes to make certain the chokes turn out tender. You'll love them dipped in the garlicky aïoli. 42 of 47 Asparagus Soup Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Karen Rankin This lime-green asparagus soup looks especially brilliant with a swirl of cream. You can choose chicken broth or vegetable, depending on the flavor profile you're going for. Garlic, shallots, and a touch of white wine vinegar add complexity to each spoonful. 43 of 47 Asparagus With Eggs And Prosciutto Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Welcome at either brunch or lunch, this recipe combines the grassy flavor of asparagus with the saltiness of soft-boiled eggs and prosciutto. The dish is dressed with a maple-Dijon vinaigrette and sprinkled with sea salt, making it suitable as either a side or a salad topping. 44 of 47 Baked Chicken Roulade Photo: Jennifer Davick The asparagus-spinach filling in this chicken dish looks impressive when sliced into roulades. You'll pound boneless chicken breasts to 1/8 inch before rolling the mixture inside and baking. Plate the chicken with roasted baby potatoes for a hearty springtime meal. 45 of 47 Asparagus Ribbon Crostini Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Christina Daley Elegant curls of asparagus are garnished with lemon zest and torn mint for a remarkably pretty and fresh spring appetizer. This recipe requires almost no cooking aside from toasting the baguette. You can create fancy-looking asparagus ribbons by using a Y peeler. 46 of 47 Garden Potato Salad Photo: Helen Norman Red-skinned new potatoes contrast with spring-green veggies and herbs in this lightly dressed potato salad. Smaller potatoes can be halved to cook quickly in boiling water. Use any fresh herbs from your garden—this is their chance to shine. 47 of 47 One-Pan Chicken With Lemon, Olives, And Artichokes Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer This Mediterranean-inspired dish is best served over pearl couscous so all the pan sauce can be soaked up. Artichokes and red onions simmer in a lemony broth for about 20 minutes until they reach full flavor. A relish of chopped olives and fresh herbs elevates the zesty flavor. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit