Heirloom Hearth

Spring is the perfect time to embrace fresh, light, and flavorful salads that highlight the best of the season’s produce. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a side dish for a gathering, or a vibrant main course, these ten springtime salads will bring brightness and nutrition to your table.

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1. Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, almonds, and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinaigrette with poppy seeds.
3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently before serving.

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2. Asparagus & Pea Salad with Lemon Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup fresh peas (or thawed frozen peas)
• 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch the asparagus and peas for 2 minutes. Drain and cool under cold water.
2. In a bowl, combine asparagus, peas, goat cheese, and pine nuts.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Toss gently before serving.

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3. Radish & Cucumber Dill Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
• 1 cup thinly sliced radishes
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine cucumbers, radishes, and fresh dill.
2. In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat.

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4. Spring Greens & Avocado Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed spring greens
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Arrange greens in a serving bowl and top with avocado, walnuts, blue cheese, and cranberries.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
3. Drizzle dressing over the salad and serve immediately.

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5. Mango & Arugula Salad with Citrus Dressing

Ingredients:

• 4 cups arugula
• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1/4 cup sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup cashews, toasted
• Juice of 1 orange
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In a salad bowl, combine arugula, mango, red onion, and cashews.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, olive oil, and salt.
3. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss to combine.

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6. Herbed Quinoa & Chickpea Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped mint
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine quinoa, chickpeas, cucumber, parsley, and mint in a bowl.
2. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
3. Toss well and refrigerate before serving.

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7. Snap Pea & Radish Slaw

Ingredients:

• 2 cups snap peas, thinly sliced
• 1 cup thinly sliced radishes
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Combine snap peas, radishes, and chives in a bowl.
2. Whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and salt.
3. Pour over salad and toss gently.

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8. Watermelon & Feta Mint Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cubed watermelon
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp balsamic glaze

Instructions:

1. Arrange watermelon in a serving dish.
2. Sprinkle with feta and fresh mint.
3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve chilled.

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9. Zesty Carrot & Orange Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 orange, segmented
• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Combine carrots, orange segments, and pistachios in a bowl.
2. Drizzle with honey and lemon juice, then toss to coat.

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10. Spring Garden Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked fusilli pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup chopped basil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and basil.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar, then toss gently.
3. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.

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These light and refreshing salads are the perfect way to welcome spring, offering a mix of textures, flavors, and colors that highlight the season’s best ingredients. Try them as a side dish, pack them for a picnic, or enjoy them as a satisfying meal on their own!