Friday, March 6, 2026

30 Light and Bright Spring Dinner Recipes

Light and bright spring dinners.

Spring is in the air – I can feel it! My weekly dinner menus are slowly turning over from soups and stews to salads and bowls filled with lots and lots of color.

This is the only list you need as we head into warmer, sunnier weather! ☀️ Some of my all-time favorite dinner recipes for spring are here – bright salads, easy sandwiches for a crowd, herby sauces and dressings, and lots of weeknight wonders (because spring is BUSY, too!).

Hoping you find a new dinner favorite!


Spring Dinner Recipes

Roasted Peanut Kale Crunch Salad

OOOH BABY, this salad is so good! Crunchy kale and cabbage, fresh herbs and fresno peppers, chopped peanuts, and a perfect roasted peanut vinaigrette that tucks into all the salad nooks and crannies.

34 reviews / 4.9 average

Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia Turkey Sandwich

Pillowy sun-dried tomato focaccia gets piled with pesto mayo, turkey, juicy tomato slices, and greens. This sandwich is a beauty and practically a lifestyle!

46 reviews / 5 average

Spring Roll Bowls with Sweet Garlic Lime Sauce

Spring Roll Bowls – basil, mint, rice noodles, fish sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and whatever other protein and veggies you have on hand! Easy to make meatless!

110 reviews / 4.8 average

Salmon Tacos with Mango Corn Salsa

Super easy salmon tacos loaded with a mango, sweet corn, and cucumber salsa!

28 reviews / 5 average

Avocado Mojo Bowls with Sweet Potato and Chicken

We are living our best bowl life this week. Seasoned sweet potato wedges and chicken meatballs or rotisserie chicken all piled onto a plate with a little puddle of punchy green avocado mojo sauce. Yes, wow, repeat.

34 reviews / 4.9 average

Miso Crunch Salad

Shredded cabbage and kale, shrimp, avocado, cilantro and chili-flavored peanuts, and the perfect sweet miso dressing.

35 reviews / 4.9 average

Cilantro Orange Chicken with Rice and Beans

This golden Cilantro Orange Chicken is so flavorful, crisped to golden brown perfection, and just very finger-licking good! Served with rice, beans, and a quick homemade pineapple salsa.

45 reviews / 4.6 average

Ginger Chicken Meatball Sandos

Golden brown chicken meatballs cozied up next to fixings like cucumbers, shallots, kewpie mayo, mint, a bit of chili crisp, and some fresh cilantro to make the ultimate chicken sando!

45 reviews / 4.8 average

Liz’s Bistro Salad

Crunchy, light, bright, and ultra-fresh. This French-inspired bistro salad is an absolute star as a side for nearly any dinner. Tender greens, fresh herbs, pickled onions, and a delicate vinaigrette on top.

20 reviews / 5 average

Chipotle Orange Shrimp with Cilantro Rice

Chipotle Orange Shrimp with Cilantro Rice! Tender shrimp in a sweet-meets-smoky cream sauce piled high on cilantro-speckled rice with a side of tangy cucumbers.

45 reviews / 4.8 average

Harissa Meatballs with Whipped Feta

These Harissa Meatballs with Whipped Feta are perfect for an easy SOS dinner! Store-bought meatballs, bell peppers, zucchini, harissa, and whipped feta all in one bowl. YUMMY!

39 reviews / 5 average

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Lime Drench

These lettuce wraps are a SUMMER DREAM. Mountains of crumbled-crisp ground chicken, fluffy quinoa, and/or rice for added satisfaction, and garlicky gingery sautéed veggies in crisp butter lettuce leaves.

32 reviews / 4.8 average

Elote Style Quinoa Salad

Elote Quinoa Salad made with velvety peppers confit, juicy sweet corn, homemade dressing, cotija cheese, lime, and spices. Perfect for summer and so, so good!

23 reviews / 4.9 average

Pesto Shrimp and Parmesan Risotto

Tender, juicy, garlic-marinated shrimp brushed with a bright pesto sauce and piled high on creamy Parmesan risotto with fresh tomatoes and herbs sprinkled on it all. Wow wow wow! Diving in now!

5 reviews / 5 average

Garlic Cream Bucatini with Peas and Asparagus

This truly is a wonderful springy gem! Bucatini noodles in a garlic-infused creamy sauce and twirled around buttery bits of asparagus and peas. SO GOOD!

18 reviews / 4.9 average

Spring Salmon with Creamed Leeks, Potatoes, and Asparagus

We’re bringing you a plate of sunshine for dinner! Perfectly golden-crisp salmon partnered next to oven-roasted asparagus and a buttery, rich, creamy leek sauce piled on crispy potatoes.

10 reviews / 4.8 average

Red Chile Chicken Tacos with Creamy Corn

These Red Chile Chicken Tacos are always on our minds! Lightly pan-fried corn tortillas stuffed with tender chicken and a pinto bean red chile saucy filling, piles of creamy corn salsa, and tangy homemade pickled red onions. YUM!

52 reviews / 4.9 average

The Oliver’s Salad

We’re bringing you the most beautiful salad inspired by the restaurant Oliver’s in Minnesota. Tender salmon, savory peppers and garlic confit, buttery chunks of avocado, fire-roasted corn, bacon bits, and a river of homemade smoky ranch dressing.

27 reviews / 4.9 average

5 Ingredient Lemon Chicken with Asparagus

Juicy, pan-fried chicken with peppery lemon flavors and tender bites of asparagus with a honey butter sauce. A bright and fresh 5 ingredient dinner on the table in 20 minutes!

120 reviews / 4.8 average

Yummy Salmon Burgers with Slaw

These salmon burgers are THE YUMMIEST! and made with just five ingredients. The best for a quick + easy high protein lunch or dinner.

106 reviews / 4.8 average

Easy Crockpot Carnitas

These are the easiest crockpot carnitas and simple enough for anyone to make! Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly browned with a crispy crust.

159 reviews / 4.8 average

Crispy Chicken Cutlets

Hot, crunchy, salty, and begging for some sauce! These Crispy Chicken Cutlets are a dinnertime winner.

2 reviews / 5 average

Chipotle Salmon with Orange Salsa and Aji Verde

Sweet-and-smoky chipotle salmon topped with fresh orange salsa and creamy aji verde! An easy, delicious, restaurant-level salmon dinner.

35 reviews / 5 average

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Pickley salad, crispy potatoes, and creamy ranch – this smashed potato salad is the perfect summer combo!

10 reviews / 5 average

Sheet Pan Shrimp and Cauli Rice

This Sheet Pan Shrimp and Cauli Rice is the easiest sheet pan dinner! Shrimp, peas, cauliflower rice, seasonings, and Rosso pesto sauce all come together on one pan for a delicious springy meal.

30 reviews / 4.9 average

Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad

This Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad features red peppers, cabbage, chicken, soba noodles, and a quick homemade spicy peanut sauce. Salads don’t get much yummier than this.

91 reviews / 4.8 average

Rainbow Chicken Salad with Almond Honey Mustard Dressing

Tender chicken, plump grapes and berries, crisp lettuce, tangy feta cheese, crunchy almonds, and the real star – almond honey mustard dressing! Eat the rainbow and be glad, friends!

60 reviews / 4.9 average

Pineapple Pork with Coconut Rice

Sticky-sweet pork, juicy pineapple, fresh herbs, jalapeño, and crispy onions all served over a bed of fluffy coconut rice. SO GOOD!

82 reviews / 4.8 average

Amazing Mushroom Bowls with Kale Pesto

Amazing Mushroom Bowls with Kale Pesto! Smoky, sweet, salt mushrooms (or tempeh!), caramelized pineapple, peppers, and dollop of kale pesto, all served over rice.

35 reviews / 4.9 average

The Best Chicken Tinga Tacos

These Chicken Tinga Tacos are THE BEST! Saucy, spicy, real food perfection.

191 reviews / 4.9 average

My Three Favorite Spring Baking Recipes

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Friday, February 27, 2026

25 Best Salad Recipes (That Are Actually Exciting)

I LOVE a good salad. I get asked to bring salads to so many hangouts and holiday gatherings, and I am 100% happy about it every time because a good salad is so fun. They are just a big playground for flavors, textures, and color.

I love a side salad, a fancy salad, and a salad that counts as a meal. These are the ones my family comes back to again and again: crunchy, colorful, loaded with texture, and packed with lots and lots of punches of flavor. Obviously for me, it’s also ALL about the dressing. Give me all of it!

So here is my collection of 25 of my favorite salad recipes! The kind that make you want to put salad on the menu more often. 💛


Best Salad Recipes

Roasted peanut kale salad.

Roasted Peanut Kale Crunch Salad

OOOH BABY, this salad is so good! Crunchy kale and cabbage, fresh herbs and fresno peppers, chopped peanuts, and a perfect roasted peanut vinaigrette that tucks into all the salad nooks and crannies.

34 reviews / 4.9 average
Smashed potato salad in a bowl.

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Pickley salad, crispy potatoes, and creamy ranch – this smashed potato salad is the perfect summer combo!

10 reviews / 5 average
Crispy rice salad in a bowl.

Crispy Rice Salad with Cucumbers and Herbs

Paper-thin veggies, a shower of herbs, a pile of fried crispy red curry rice, and a limey garlicky vinaigrette all over top. This crispy rice salad is all I want to eat right now!

47 reviews / 4.9 average
Miso crunch salad in a bowl.

Miso Crunch Salad

Shredded cabbage and kale, shrimp, avocado, cilantro and chili-flavored peanuts, and the perfect sweet miso dressing.

34 reviews / 4.9 average
Green salad in a bowl with herbs.

Liz’s Bistro Salad

Crunchy, light, bright, and ultra-fresh. This French-inspired bistro salad is an absolute star as a side for nearly any dinner. Tender greens, fresh herbs, pickled onions, and a delicate vinaigrette on top.

20 reviews / 5 average
Beet and burrata salad in a bowl.

Beet and Burrata Salad with Fried Bread

This Beet and Burrata Salad is everything you need. Juicy beets and oranges, a creamy and luscious burrata scoop, peppery arugula, a quick vinaigrette, and crispy fried bread. SO MUCH YES!

20 reviews / 4.9 average
Pasta salad in a bowl.

The Best Pasta Salad

Super easy Pasta Salad – with pasta, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini, olives, and easy Italian dressing. DANGEROUSLY GOOD.

124 reviews / 4.5 average
Elote quinoa salad in a bowl.

Elote Style Quinoa Salad

Elote Quinoa Salad made with velvety peppers confit, juicy sweet corn, homemade dressing, cotija cheese, lime, and spices. Perfect for summer and so, so good!

23 reviews / 4.9 average
Chicken salad in a bowl with cashews and wonton strips.

Napa Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing

This Napa Chicken Salad is crunched up to the MAX! Fresh napa cabbage, juicy rotisserie chicken, a super easy homemade sesame dressing, and crunchy handfuls of cashews, fried wonton strips, dried ramen noodles, crispy fried onions, or sesame sticks…the choice is yours!

18 reviews / 4.7 average
Salad with salmon on top.

The Oliver’s Salad

We’re bringing you the most beautiful salad inspired by the restaurant Oliver’s in Minnesota. Tender salmon, savory peppers and garlic confit, buttery chunks of avocado, fire-roasted corn, bacon bits, and a river of homemade smoky ranch dressing.

27 reviews / 4.9 average
Green salad in a bowl.

Simple Green Salad

Every table needs this Simple Green Salad! Fresh spring greens drizzled with a maple balsamic dressing and sprinkled with whatever crunchies your salad-loving heart desires.

28 reviews / 4.9 average
Roasted broccoli salad.

Liz’s Roasted Broccoli Salad

This Roasted Broccoli Salad is EVERYTHING! Bright lemon, crisped-up bacon, tangy feta, and it’s all built around a big bowl of roasted broccoli. A true hero of a meal!

61 reviews / 5 average
Cashew crunch salad.

Cashew Crunch Salad with Sesame Dressing

This Cashew Crunch Salad is loaded up with crunchy veg, chow mein noodles, edamame, and roasted cashews and it’ll make you ACTUALLY WANT TO EAT A SALAD. And the sesame dressing – OMG!

117 reviews / 4.9 average
Peanut soba noodle salad.

Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad

This Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad features red peppers, cabbage, chicken, soba noodles, and a quick homemade spicy peanut sauce. Salads don’t get much yummier than this.

91 reviews / 4.8 average
Shrimp and miso salad in a bowl.

Shrimp and Avocado Salad with Miso Dressing

This Shrimp and Avocado Salad is topped with spicy shrimp, crisp cucumbers, spinach, creamy avocado, and a generous drizzle of miso dressing. The happiest green salad ever!

62 reviews / 4.8 average
Chicken salad with grapes, blueberries, and cheese.

Rainbow Chicken Salad with Almond Honey Mustard Dressing

Tender chicken, plump grapes and berries, crisp lettuce, tangy feta cheese, crunchy almonds, and the real star – almond honey mustard dressing! Eat the rainbow and be glad, friends!

60 reviews / 4.9 average
Lemon herb pasta salad.

Lemon Herb Pasta Salad with Marinated Chickpeas

A super fresh, super summery Lemon Herb Pasta Salad! Packed with tangy marinated chickpeas, chewy pasta, lots of herbs and garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, and a handful of parmesan to top it off.

46 reviews / 4.9 average
Corn, avocado, and quinoa salad.

Corn, Avocado, and Quinoa Salad with Marinated Tomatoes

The perfect summery quinoa salad – fresh corn, buttery avocado, nutty quinoa, juicy marinated tomatoes, and tons of fresh herbs.

43 reviews / 4.9 average
Couscous salad in a bowl with sweet potatoes and black beans.

Couscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette

A bright, zippy, unexpectedly delicious couscous salad that’s packed with sweet potatoes, black beans, spinach, feta, and more – all tossed with a life-changing lime basil vinaigrette!

72 reviews / 4.9 average
Chopped thai salad with chicken.

Chopped Thai-Inspired Chicken Salad

This simple chopped Thai chicken salad has BIG flavors – peanut, lime, soy, chili, cilantro. Topped with a homemade peanut dressing! Healthy and fresh.

139 reviews / 4.9 average
Salad with grilled chicken, berries, corn, and cilantro vinaigrette.

Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette

This juicy salad tastes like summer! With chipotle chicken, sweet corn, avocado, cilantro vinaigrette, bacon crumbles, and fresh strawberries for a pop of sweetness.

81 reviews / 5 average
Kale salad with sweet potato fries.

Avocado Kale Caesar Salad + Sweet Potato Fries

Avocado Kale Caesar Salad is a life-changer! Kale, avocado, and crunchy seeds drenched in a quick creamy avocado caesar dressing that can easily be made vegan, too. Toss some crispy sweet potato fries in are you are SET FOR LIFE.

73 reviews / 4.9 average
Chicken salad in a bowl.

Super Yummy Chicken Salad

This Chicken Salad is so good! Protein-packed with a delicious creamy dressing, and perfect for an on-the-go lunch in a sandwich or wrap.

10 reviews / 5 average
Peanut noodle salad.

Peanut Noodle Salad

Peanut Noodle Salad – veggies, chicken, brown rice noodles, and an easy homemade dressing. My favorite salad ever!

59 reviews / 4.8 average
Brussels sprouts salad with bacon and almonds.

Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad

This Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad is a perfect side dish for holidays, with shaved brussels sprouts, chopped bacon, and a light citrus dressing.

32 reviews / 4.7 average

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