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    Home » Salads

    18 Light Salad Recipes Perfect for Spring Days

    Published: Apr 12, 2026 by Emmeline Kemperyd · post_comments]

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    Spring is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, vibrant salads that celebrate the season's bounty. With a variety of colorful vegetables, fruits, and herbs, these 18 simple salad recipes are not only easy to make but also bring a refreshing twist to your meals. Whether you're looking for something light for lunch or a side dish for dinner, these salads will brighten your day and add a burst of flavor to your table.

    Caprese Salad with Spinach & Cashews

    Caprese salad with cashews.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This caprese salad is simple to make and hearty enough to serve as a dinner. It's a fresh and satisfying option for any meal.

    Get the recipe

    Shopska Salad

    Shopska salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    In just 15 minutes, you can whip up a delicious and cheesy salad. The Shopska salad is packed with vibrant vegetables, a light vinaigrette, and topped with crumbled Feta cheese, making it perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or even a meal with some bread.

    Get the recipe

    Red Pesto Pasta Salad with Veggies

    Red pesto pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This red pesto pasta is quick to prepare, taking under 30 minutes with only 15 minutes of hands-on time. It's loaded with veggies and flavor, and you can use either homemade or store-bought pesto, enjoying it hot or cold.

    Get the recipe

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad

    Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad
    Photo credit: Midwest Foodie

    This Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad is a quick vegetarian dish that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. It's packed with garbanzo beans, cucumber, Kalamata olives, grape tomatoes, red onion, and fresh parsley, all mixed together with a light white wine vinaigrette.

    Get the recipe

    Ranch Coleslaw

    Ranch coleslaw.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This ranch coleslaw comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for your next barbecue. Using store-bought mayonnaise and ranch dressing, it's easy to prepare and packed with flavor.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Cucumber Salad

    A serving of Greek cucumber salad.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This Greek cucumber salad is quick and easy to prepare, taking just about 15 minutes with fewer than 10 ingredients. It's a refreshing option for a light lunch or a tasty side dish packed with fresh flavors.

    Get the recipe

    Watermelon And Basil Salad With Homemade Balsamic Glaze

    Watermelon And Basil Salad With Homemade Balsamic Glaze
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    This watermelon and basil salad is super easy to make and has a delicious homemade balsamic glaze that adds extra flavor. It's a refreshing dish perfect for warm days.

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad

    Smoked Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing.
    Photo credit: xoxoBella.

    This smoked Italian pasta salad combines the best elements of pasta salad with a delicious smoky twist. It's a great option for a light meal or a side dish that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Cold Soba Noodle Salad

    Soba noodle salad.
    Photo credit: Sustainable Cooks.

    This cold noodle salad is perfect for lunch and can be customized with your favorite protein or enjoyed on its own. It's a simple dish that's easy to pack and take with you.

    Get the recipe

    Larb Gai

    Larb gai.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Thai chicken salad is a healthy option you'll want to prepare regularly. It features a flavorful base and is topped with crunchy peanuts.

    Get the recipe

    White Bean Panzanella

    White Bean Panzanella
    Photo credit: J Cooking Odyssey.

    This Italian-style salad features fresh, juicy tomatoes mixed with white beans and crunchy toasted bread. It's all brought together with a flavorful tomato and white bean dressing.

    Get the recipe

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad

    Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Caulislaw combines cauliflower, carrots, and red onions with a creamy mayonnaise dressing. It's a great side for barbecues or a tasty topping for burgers, and it's quick, healthy, and low in carbs.

    Get the recipe

    Greek Orzo Salad

    Greek orzo salad with feta.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This spring salad features orzo pasta cooked just right, along with crunchy cucumbers, soft artichoke hearts, filling chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. It's all mixed together with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette and finished off with crumbled feta cheese.

    Get the recipe

    Summer Salad With Peaches, Corn, and Crispy Proscuitto

    Salad.
    Photo Credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This easy Spring Salad is a great way to enjoy fresh seasonal produce. It's topped with a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette that adds a nice touch.

    Get the recipe

    Vegetarian Ceasar Salad

    Vegetarian Ceasar salad.
    Photo credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This vegetarian spring salad is a fresh take on a lunchtime favorite. It's perfect for a light meal that's easy to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    Halloumi, Blueberry & Spinach Salad

    Blueberry halloumi salad.
    Photo Credit: Divalicious Recipes.

    This Halloumi, blueberry, and spinach salad is full of different textures and flavors. With its bright colors and rich tastes, it's a satisfying dish.

    Get the recipe

    Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Arugula salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This salad combines sweet, salty, and tangy flavors that go well with any protein. It's especially great alongside salmon or steak.

    Get the recipe

    Sweetheart Cabbage Salad with Gyoza Chickpeas

    sweetheart cabbage salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This sweetheart cabbage salad comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for anyone who thinks they don't like salads. Packed with spinach, chickpeas, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, it's a healthy and tasty option that's simple to prepare.

    Get the recipe

    More Salads

    • White bean panzanella.
      12 Fresh Salad Ideas That'll Change How You Think About Salads
    • Elote pasta salad.
      Flavor-Packed Pasta Salads You Need to Try This Week
    • Pasta salad.
      21 Summer Salads That Will Transport You to Paradise
    • Caprese orzo pasta salad.
      19 Vibrant Pasta Salads That Will Brighten Your Summer Dinners
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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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