15 Quick & Easy Salads You'll Want to Make for Dinner This Spring

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Published on March 15, 2024

a recipe photo of the Chicken Harvest Salad with Cherry Vinaigrette — Photo: PHOTOGRAPHER: JEN CAUSEY, FOOD STYLIST: MELISSA GRAY, PROP STYLIST: SHELL ROYSTER

Make one of these crisp, refreshing salads this spring. Each dish is packed with seasonal foods like avocados, artichokes and beets for a meal that’s both delicious and nutritious. Plus, you can prepare these recipes in just 15 minutes or less, so dinner is quick. According to one reader, our Vegetarian Taco Salad is “delicious and so easy.” And you can’t go wrong when you make our Anti-Inflammatory Chicken & Beet Salad.

01 of 15

Fiber-Packed Spicy White Bean & Spinach Salad

a recipe photo of the White Bean & Spinach Salad — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

In this light and refreshing salad, we season white beans with ras el hanout, a Moroccan spice blend which features cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, ginger, cardamom and ground black and red pepper. If you prefer a creamier texture, gently mash some of the beans as you stir everything together. The bean salad is served on a bed of lightly dressed spinach that pairs well with the beans, but also grilled chicken or steak kebabs on another night.

02 of 15

Anti-Inflammatory Chicken & Beet Salad

a recipe photo of the Chicken & Beet Salad — Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Tart cherry juice concentrate adds flavor and helps fight inflammation when teamed up with other anti-inflammatory foods like beets and walnuts in this quick salad. Buying packaged cooked beets cuts down on time (and mess!). Look for them in the produce section where other prepared vegetables are sold.

03 of 15

Vegetarian Niçoise Salad

This vegetarian take on a traditional Niçoise salad omits the fish and piles on plenty of vegetables.

04 of 15

Easy Vegetarian Taco Salad

Taco salad doesn't always have to contain beef—this 15-minute version uses tofu or black bean crumbles, which taste delicious and offer up a healthy dose of protein. This vegetarian meal is so tasty that even meat-only eaters won't miss the beef.

05 of 15

Citrus Lime Tofu Salad

Citrus Lime Tofu Salad

This veggie-packed salad has plenty of protein and fiber, so you'll feel full and satisfied. Prep the ingredients ahead of time for an easy vegan lunch idea to pack for work.

06 of 15

Mason Jar Power Salad with Chickpeas & Tuna

This power salad will keep you fueled for hours, thanks to 26 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. Tossing the dressing and kale, and then letting it stand in the jar, softens it enough so you don't need to massage or cook it to make it tender.

07 of 15

Copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Salad

overhead view of Copycat Chick-fil-a Kale Salad in a bowl with 2 wooden spoons — Jacob Fox

This copycat Chick-fil-A kale salad has a sweet and tangy dressing coating tender kale and cabbage leaves that have been gently massaged. This salad can sit for an hour or two; just be sure to toss it before serving to redistribute the dressing.

08 of 15

Kale & Strawberry Salad

Kale & Strawberry Salad — Greg DuPree

In this kale and strawberry salad, apple-cider vinegar and mustard flavor the dressing while fresh strawberries offer a touch of sweetness. Creamy herbed goat cheese completes this healthy salad that's perfect for lunch or dinner.

09 of 15

Grilled Vegetable Salads with Goat Cheese

Grilled Vegetable Salads with Goat Cheese

Prepare a week's worth of lunches in about 10 minutes using a handful of ingredients from your local specialty grocery store. To save time, we're using a bag of frozen grilled and marinated vegetables, then adding big flavor with marinated goat cheese. If you want to bump up the protein, leftover chicken breast or salmon pair perfectly with this hearty salad.

10 of 15

Spinach & Artichoke Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette

Spinach & Artichoke Salad with Parmesan Vinaigrette

Inspired by the classic warm party dip, this simple salad can be served up right away or divided into small lidded containers for a week of delicious lunches. To keep the hard-boiled eggs tasting fresh, we suggest adding them to your salad just before serving or in the morning before packing your lunch to go.

11 of 15

Avocado Tuna Spinach Salad

Avocado Tuna Spinach Salad — Greg DuPree

Avocado adds creaminess while sunflower seeds provide texture and crunch in this easy tuna-spinach salad.

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Baby Kale Breakfast Salad with Quinoa & Strawberries

Baby Kale Breakfast Salad with Quinoa & Strawberries

Fruit, whole grains and greens for breakfast? Yes! Start your day off right with this breakfast salad recipe and you'll knock out half of your daily veggie quota with the first meal of the day.

13 of 15

Spring Roll Salad

Spring Roll Salad

All the tastes, color and fun of a spring roll without all the work! This healthy salad recipe is bursting with the colors of rainbow from generous amounts of fresh vegetables, shrimp and whole grains all topped with a peanut dressing for the ultimate satisfying salad.

14 of 15

Chicken Nugget Salad

You'll need a fork to eat these chicken nuggets! In this easy, 15-minute lunch recipe, chicken nuggets, cherry tomatoes and whole-grain croutons are served on a healthy romaine salad with a honey mustard dressing.

15 of 15

Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Dressing

This hearty vegan salad is loaded with plant-based power ingredients: chickpeas, quinoa and hummus. We love the crunch of the sunflower seeds and the unexpected flavor of roasted peppers.

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