The 6 Best Simple & Nutritious Spring Side Salads

Delicious spring side salads that go with any meal

Salads are the perfect spring food. Why? Because they’re healthy, refreshing, flavorful, and not to mention easy to make! Plus, salads are a terrific accompaniment to any main dish and a simple way to add extra nutrients. Need some cooking inspiration? Here are six delicious spring salads that pair well with all your favorite meals:

1. Strawberry arugula salad

This sweet and tangy salad is made with watercress, arugula, strawberries, and poppy seeds and is packed with antioxidants and fiber.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups watercress leaves
• 3 cups arugula leaves
• 3 cups sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind

Directions:

• In a large bowl, combine the watercress, arugula, and strawberries
• In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, oil, poppy seeds, and orange rind
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss together

2. Greek salad

This traditional Greek salad is made with a nonfat yogurt-based dressing to cut down on fat without losing flavor.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups romaine lettuce
• 1 cup endive lettuce
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup sliced radishes
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon nonfat plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, endive, onions, radishes, and tomatoes
• In a jar, mix together the lemon juice, oil, yogurt, honey, and oregano
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Pour the dressing over the salad
• Sprinkle the fresh basil on top, and toss together

3. Mint melon fruit salad

This refreshingly sweet fruit salad makes for a nutrient-dense and tasty breakfast side.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon grated lime peel
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 small honeydew melon, cubed
• 1/2 cantaloupe, cubed
• 1-pint strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup fresh mango cubes
• 1 cup fresh pineapple cubes

Directions:

• In a large bowl, mix together the lime juice, honey, and mint until combined
• Add the fresh fruit, and toss to combine

4. Papaya pork salad

This salad is both rich in protein and fiber, which will keep you fueled for hours.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon sliced natural almonds
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 12 ounces pork tenderloin cut into small strips
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• 1/4 cup apricot nectar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
• 1/2 ripe papaya, cubed
• 1 mango, cubed
• 4 cups fresh spinach

Directions:

• In a small bowl, mix together the cumin, chicken broth, cornstarch, cold water, apricot nectar, lime juice, honey, and red pepper flakes until combined
• In a large salad bowl, mix together all other ingredients
• Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss together

5. Mediterranean chickpea salad

This light and refreshing spring salad combines filling chickpeas with fresh cucumbers and tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 1 15 ounce can of chickpeas, drained
• 1/2 small red onion, sliced
• 1/2 cucumber, chopped
• 1 roasted red pepper, chopped
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the parsley, garlic, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper
• In a large salad bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients
• Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss

6. Grapefruit avocado salad

This spring salad is loaded with healthy fats and antioxidants.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large pink grapefruit
• 4 cups mixed baby greens
• 1 cup sliced avocado
• 1 cup sliced mango
• 1/2 red onion, chopped

Directions:

• In a small bowl, mix together the oil, sherry vinegar, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper
• Using a serrated knife, peel the grapefruit, and then slice it into chunks
• Add any grapefruit juice to the dressing, and mix well
• In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, avocado, mango, red onion, and grapefruit
• Pour the dressing over the salad, and mix together

Embrace all that spring produce has to offer

Add these fresh and tasty spring-inspired side salads to any main dish for a complete, nutritionally-balanced meal. While some salads might sound boring, they don’t have to be. The above salad recipes are made with flavorful seasonal ingredients that will help you welcome spring.

References

1. “20 Low-Calorie Salads That Won’t Leave You Hungry,” Prevention, April 22, 2014.
2. “300 Calorie Salads,” Cooking Light, July 27, 2016.
3. “Lunch for a Month: 31 Grab-and-Go Meals Under 400 Calories,” Shape, n.d.