The warmer weather, longer days, and blooming flowers offer plenty of reasons to get excited about spring. But another less-obvious aspect of the season that I’ve been eagerly awaiting all winter is the return of spring produce and all the yummy recipes that go with it. Don’t get me wrong: I love making cozy dishes when the weather outside is cold and dreary, but after months of eating strictly stews and heavy winter meals, I’m tired of feeling like I have the diet of a Victorian child.
Now that spring is here, I’m celebrating by whipping up some light, fresh recipes using spring’s seasonal produce, like strawberries, carrots, and peas. The fact is that in-season fruits and veggies simply taste better since they’re picked at peak flavor. And according to the Mayo Clinic, produce is more nutrient-dense when harvested during its prime, so shopping in season has extra health benefits. Plus, you might even save some money at the grocery store, since produce tends to cost less when sold in-season. Read on to learn what produce is in season for spring and find some of the best recipes to put your next haul to good use.
What produce is in season for spring?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, here are all the fruits and vegetables that are in season during spring:
- Apples
- Apricots
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Celery
- Collard Greens
- Garlic
- Herbs
- Kale
- Kiwi
- Lemons
- Lettuce
- Limes
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Peas
- Pineapples
- Plantains
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Swiss Chard
- Turnips
Spring recipes to try this season
Once you’re all stocked up on seasonal fruits and veggies, try one of these spring recipes to take advantage of the season’s best flavors.
1. Spring Pea Pasta with Burrata
Don’t worry—just because we’re opting for lighter meals in the spring doesn’t mean we’re eliminating pasta. This spring pea pasta is packed with flavor and is the perfect recipe to add a spring twist to a favorite dish.
2. 3 Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza
If the thought of putting lemons on pizza sounds strange to you, let this recipe convince you otherwise. The lemony flavor mellows out as the pizza cooks, resulting in a bit of caramelized sweetness and a bright, fresh flavor. Add plenty of fresh basil and some chili flakes on top for the perfect finishing touch.
3. Rainbow Kale Salad with Carrot Ginger Dressing
This colorful spring salad recipe is loaded with a rainbow of veggies: red beet, carrot, watermelon radish, and kale. The addition of cubed avocado, roasted chickpeas, and pepitas means it’s packed with protein, too.
4. Asparagus Pasta with Lemon
When you’re craving pasta but don’t want anything too heavy, this lemon asparagus pasta is the answer. The asparagus is roasted alongside lemon slices, then tossed with tagliatelle pasta, Parmesan shavings, fresh basil, panko breadcrumbs, and a simple olive oil sauce. Even better: It takes just 30 minutes from start to finish.
5. Rainbow Roll-Ups with Peanut Sauce
This recipe packs all sorts of fresh spring veggies into one yummy wrap. Plus, they’re super easy to throw together. Just roll some sliced veggies, cooked rice, and hummus into a collard green leaf, then serve with the creamy, salty-sweet peanut sauce.
6. Carrot Ginger Soup
The start of spring does not necessarily mean the return of warm weather. For those lingering chilly days, this carrot ginger soup will warm you right up. It’s delightfully creamy (although it’s totally dairy-free) and has a bright, tangy flavor thanks to the fresh ginger and a splash of apple cider vinegar.
7. Havarti Avocado Sandwich with Spicy Mayo
These sandwiches are the perfect dish to pack for a spring picnic. Load yours up with melty Havarti cheese, roasted tomatoes, avocado, sprouts, and a homemade spicy mayo (or use store-bought—I won’t tell!). Pack some chips on the side, and you’ve got yourself a delicious, portable lunch.
8. Bright Spring Vegetable Salad
This recipe is chock-full of spring produce, all wrapped up into one delicious salad. It also makes it super easy to eat the rainbow thanks to the assortment of colorful vegetables like radishes and asparagus.
9. Iced Lemon Pound Cake
This recipe is basically a Starbucks Iced Lemon Loaf but even better because it’s homemade. Whip up this lemony pound cake for an after-dinner dessert or an indulgent breakfast.
10. Pasta Primavera
Pasta primavera literally translates to “spring pasta,” which means it’s the perfect thing to make as the season gets underway. This recipe calls for a mix of asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, zucchini, peas, and grape tomatoes, but you could easily customize it based on what you have in your fridge. Tossed with the garlicky lemon cream sauce, anything would be delicious!
11. Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Garlic Cilantro Lime Slaw
Something about shrimp just feels so spring to me. It’s fresh, filling, and delicious, and these spicy shrimp tacos are no exception.
12. Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
OK, I know I said I said I’m sick of soup, but when seasonal allergies strike, a warm bowl of soup can be just the thing to make you feel better. The zesty lemon flavor makes this soup recipe just right for springtime, while the mix of veggies, orzo, and chicken make it hearty and filling.
13. Garlic Shrimp Pasta
This pasta recipe might seem fancy, but it’s actually quite simple to make. Plus, you can easily customize it with your favorite vegetables—or whatever is in season!
14. Carrot Cake Pancakes
Who says carrot cake is just for dessert? These pancakes are sure to start your day off on a sweet note, and they’re also gluten- and dairy-free.
15. Spring Vegetable Frittata
As someone who eats eggs for breakfast all the time, I’m always looking for a way to mix up my usual boring scramble. This frittata is easy enough to add to my breakfast rotation but looks impressive enough for a fancy brunch spread.
16. Oven Roasted Asparagus Flatbread
Move over, pizza delivery! This pesto-topped flatbread is packed with delicious, in-season ingredients, and you can whip it up faster than a delivery driver can get to your house.
17. Rhubarb Crisp
IMO, spring desserts are absolutely unmatched. Something about sweet, in-season fruit in a baked good recipe is simply divine, and this rhubarb crisp is just that.
18. Mushroom Pasta
This mushroom pasta seamlessly balances rich, creamy flavor without being too heavy, making it an ideal spring recipe for when the weather still hasn’t quite warmed up.
19. Spicy Tuna Spiralized Spring Vegetable Salad
This spicy tuna spring salad is budget-friendly, ready in 10 minutes, and, most importantly, delicious. You’ll never go back to just eating canned tuna on a cracker after tasting this.
20. Blueberry French Toast Casserole
It’s impossible to have a bad day when it starts with French toast, especially a healthy one full of lemon and blueberries. Since this recipe is made in casserole form, you can put it together the night before and then simply wake up and pop it in the oven.
21. Spring Lentil Salad
This recipe is great for meal prepping because it keeps so well in the fridge. No soggy greens here! Make it for dinner and enjoy leftovers for lunch the next day.
22. Charred Corn and Goat Cheese Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is a staple meal, and adding a fun twist only makes it that much better. This charred corn and goat cheese avocado toast will leave you wondering how you ever ate it any other way.
23. Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
If you love a classic chicken and rice dinner, this is the spring recipe for you. It takes this basic meal prep dinner to a whole new level.
24. Strawberry Muffins
Muffins are so versatile: They can be a yummy breakfast, sweet treat, or midday snack, and these tasty strawberry muffins will have you partaking in all three uses.
25. Honey Sriracha Salmon with Pineapple Avocado Salsa
Nothing says warm weather like a ripe, juicy pineapple, and that is the star of this recipe. Thanks to the addition of grilled salmon and avocado, it’s also full of protein, which is perfect if you’re trying to up your intake.
26. Vegan Swiss Chard Wraps
These vegan Swiss chard wraps can be made in just 20 minutes, and trust me, you’ll want to drizzle the homemade sriracha sauce over everything once you try it.
27. Avocado Bruschetta
This recipe comes together in minutes but tastes like you spent much more time in the kitchen. Serve it as an appetizer or side dish, or keep it all for yourself for a delicious girl dinner.
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
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