Season's greetings, season's eatings.
If winter was all about cozy comfort foods to get you through the cold weather, spring is all about embracing fresh produce and feel-good meals that feel sunny and bright. Here are some great recipes that are perfect for ushering in the start of spring.
2. Flank Steak With Corn Salsa
Chelsea's Messy Apron / Via chelseasmessyapron.com
You'll want to put this slightly spicy and tangy veggie salsa made with sweet corn, avocado, red onion, and bell pepper on just about everything.
Recipe: Flank Steak With Corn Salsa
3. Sweet Chili Salmon
Salt and Lavender / Via saltandlavender.com
Perfect for weeknight dinners, this two-ingredient meal calls for just salmon and sweet Thai chili sauce. Serve it with rice or soba noodles and your favorite vegetable.
Recipe: Sweet Chili Salmon
The Food Charlatan / Via thefoodcharlatan.com
This outrageously good pasta sauce is made by blending ricotta cheese, lemon, and peas with olive oil and herbs.
5. Shrimp and Avocado Salad With Miso Dressing
Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com
The homemade miso-ginger dressing really takes this Asian-inspired salad from ordinary to extra special.
6. Jerk Chicken Bowls with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice
40 Aprons / Via 40aprons.com
Transport yourself to the Caribbean by way of the dinner table with these jerk chicken bowls. The mango salsa comes together with just a few ingredients, but it tastes like sunshine on a plate.
Recipe: Jerk Chicken Bowls with Mango Salsa and Coconut Rice
Delicious Little Bites / Via deliciouslittlebites.com
Start with your favorite homemade or store-bought pizza crust and load it with creamy mozzarella and juicy, ripe tomatoes. Top with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil for good measure.
Recipe: Caprese Pizza
The Real Food RDs / Via therealfoodrds.com
Make this quiche on a Sunday and eat it all throughout the week for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Glebe Kitchen / Via glebekitchen.com
There's nothing like creamy, tangy peanut sauce for dipping these fresh rice paper rolls filled with shrimp and veggies.
Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net
Give your basic roast chicken a flavor boost with the help of a fresh herb marinade. You can let them sit in the cilantro lime mixture as long as overnight, then just toss them on the grill.
Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
11. Spring Couscous Salad With Basil Vinaigrette
Little Spice Jar / Via littlespicejar.com
Serve this couscous as a side dish or top it with your favorite protein like shrimp or chicken to make it a complete meal.
12. Baja Fish Tacos
Isabel Eats / Via isabeleats.com
These beer-battered fish tacos taste totally restaurant quality, but they're easy enough to make at home. Top them with creamy chipotle mayo and cabbage for some crunch.
Recipe: Baja Fish Tacos
13. Spring Pea Mushroom Risotto
The College Housewife / Via thecollegehousewife.com
This risotto is filled with savory mushrooms and peas and simmered in a mixture of olive oil, white wine, butter, and vegetable broth.
Recipe: Spring Pea Mushroom Risotto
14. Pasta with Lemon, Asparagus, Artichokes and Prosciutto
The Hungry Blue Bird / Via thehungrybluebird.com
This decadent, citrusy, veggie-packed pasta basically sings springtime.
Recipe: Pasta with Lemon, Asparagus, Artichokes and Prosciutto
Foodness Gracious / Via foodnessgracious.com
Easy enough for your average weeknight but impressive enough for date night, this pan-fried cod in a rich basil butter pan sauce hits all the right notes.
Eating Bird Food / Via eatingbirdfood.com
Not a big zucchini noodle fan? Serve these curried mussels with whatever pasta you like best. Or just enjoy with some crusty bread for dipping.
The View From Great Island / Via theviewfromgreatisland.com
Loaded with whatever vegetables you have on hand, this sheet pan supper is almost too gorgeous to eat.
Recipe: Sheet Pan Salmon Primavera
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com
This classic comfort food gets a seasonal touch, thanks to homemade kale pesto and a generous handful of arugula and basil to round out all the flavors.
19. Minestrone Soup With Spring Veggies and Chickpeas
Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com
Loaded with lots of green veggies, protein-packed chickpeas, pesto, and a bit of Parmesan cheese, this soup is comforting yet light.
20. Buffalo Chicken Salad
I Am Baker / Via iambaker.net
When you're craving something nutritious but still want to feel like you're treating yourself, look no further than this hearty salad full of veggies and topped with shredded buffalo chicken.
Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Salad
Spices in my DNA / Via spicesinmydna.com
These bowls happen to be dairy-free, but they're still totally decadent thanks to a flavor-packed combination of coconut milk, green curry paste, ginger, and lime juice.
Coley Cooks / Via coleycooks.com
This dish takes one of winter's best comfort foods but upgrades it for springtime with the help of some seasonal produce like radishes, peas, leeks, and asparagus.
Recipe: Spring Chicken Pot Pie
23. Shrimp Scampi
Damn Delicious / Via damndelicious.net
Fancy-tasting pasta in just 15 minutes? You bet. Start with fresh or frozen shrimp and the rest is mostly pantry staples.
Recipe: Shrimp Scampi
Gimme Some Oven / Via gimmesomeoven.com
A fresh take on Greek avgolemono soup, orzo, chickpeas, and veggies are simmered in a rich, lemon-y broth thats made with eggs in place of cream.
Recipe: Lemony Orzo Chickpea Soup
Every Last Bite / Via everylastbite.com
Not your average lettuce wraps, this Chinese-inspired dinner is made with thinly sliced pork, cabbage, mushrooms, and carrots that are cooked until tender and tossed in tasty hoisin sauce.
Recipe: Moo Shu Pork
Bev Cooks / Via bevcooks.com
You can get creative and top these polenta bowls with your favorite ingredients or really, whatever is in your fridge. If you want some inspiration, this Mexican-inspired combination of pinto beans, ground chicken, and pico de gallo never disappoints.
Recipe: Creamy Mexican Polenta Bowls
Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com
Serve this chimichurri flank steak in tacos, over rice, or even on top of a salad loaded with your favorite veggies.
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com
Cooking fish in parchment paper ensures that it stays super moist and the inside is flaky and fork tender.
Cotter Crunch / Via cottercrunch.com
You can use whatever veggies are in your fridge — like kale, broccolini, potatoes, or tomatoes — and crack some eggs on top. Top it with a drizzle of pesto or Sriracha and call it brunch or dinner.
The Defined Dish / Via thedefineddish.com
If you don't have fresh salmon, you can make this sheet pan Niçoise with cod, canned tuna, or really whatever protein you've got.
Recipe: Sheet Pan Salmon Niçoise Salad
Foodie Crush / Via foodiecrush.com
Keep this veggie-packed pasta meatless or add your favorite protein. In any case, it's a filling dish that tastes even better the next day.
Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad
32. Asian Chicken Soup
How Sweet Eats / Via howsweeteats.com
Classic chicken soup gets an Asian-inspired kick with toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and some fresh herbs. I always like adding some rice noodles into the mix, too.
Recipe: Asian Chicken Soup
33. Ahi Tuna Poke Wonton Nachos
Lena's Kitchen Blog / Via lenaskitchenblog.com
Far from your average nachos, this comfort food gets fancy. Fried wontons are topped with lightly seared ahi tuna, diced avocado, cilantro, green onion, jalapeño, and sesame seeds. Top it all with a drizzle of spicy mayo and dig in.
Recipe: Ahi Tuna Wonton Nachos
The Recipe Critic / Via therecipecritic.com
It isn't quite summer yet, but we can still embrace BBQ skewers. These colorful kebabs are made with shrimp brushed in melted butter, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice, plus any of your favorite veggies.
Julia's Album / Via juliasalbum.com
Give your basic Caprese salad an upgrade with avocado, red onion, and cucumber. You could always toss some pasta or grilled chicken in there as well.
Recipe: Avocado Salad with Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil Pesto
36. Fried Burrata Over Romesco Sauce
Spoon Fork Bacon / Via spoonforkbacon.com
How do you make burrata even more decadent? You fry it so the outside is crispy and golden while the inside remains oh-so creamy.
Recipe: Fried Burrata Over Romesco Sauce
37. Roasted Salmon With Spring Pesto
The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com
Whether you make your own pesto or start with your favorite grocery store version, this roast salmon is guaranteed to earn a spot in your dinner rotation.
Recipe: Roasted Salmon With Spring Pesto
Vanilla and Bean / Via vanillaandbean.com
Crispy, salty, garlicky, and savory, this easy pasta is everything you're craving in one comforting dish.
39. Mediterranean Hummus Bowls
Budget Bytes / Via budgetbytes.com
Hummus bowls are the new power bowls. Start with a scoop of store bought or homemade hummus and load it with chopped veggies, ground meat or roasted cauliflower, and a handful of crumbled feta.
Recipe: Mediterranean Hummus Bowls
40. Green Shakshuka
Spoon Fork Bacon / Via spoonforkbacon.com
The best thing about baked eggs is that you can eat it any time of day: breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Recipe: Green Shakshuka
41. Tomato, Zucchini, and Leek Galette With Herbed Ricotta
Sugar Loves Spices / Via sugarlovespices.com
This savory tart begins with store bought puff pastry, which is topped with herbed ricotta and thinly sliced veggies, then baked until golden brown and melty.
Recipe: Tomato, Zucchini, and Leek Galette With Herbed Ricotta
Le Creme de la Crumb / Via lecremedelacrumb.com
Imagine that rich cheesecake and tangy lemon bars combine to form one irresistible dessert.
Recipe: Cream Cheese Lemon Bars
43. No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
Cake's Cottage / Via cakescottage.com
Even a novice baker can't mess up this no-bake ice box cake, which is layered with graham crackers, whipped cream, sliced bananas, and fresh strawberries.
Recipe: No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake
44. Blueberry Crumble Bars
Just So Tasty / Via justsotasty.com
Made with buttery shortbread on the bottom, juicy blueberry filling, and sugary crumble topping, these dessert bars are nothing short of heavenly.
Recipe: Blueberry Crumble Bars
A Latte Food / Via alattefood.com
Take advantage of the last legs of fresh citrus season with this light and zesty bundt cake topped with sweet lemon glaze.
Recipe: Citrus Almond Loaf Cake
46. Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Tastes of Lizzy T / Via tastesoflizzyt.com
Looking for a new cookie recipe you'll want to make on repeat? These lemon shortbread cookies are dipped in white chocolate and topped with salty crushed pistachios.
Recipe: Lemon Shortbread Cookies
A Pinch of Healthy / Via apinchofhealthy.com
This sweet and savory filling is made with just three ingredients: cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and lime.
Recipe: Easy Key Lime Pie
Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com
Don't let the name fool you into thinking these cocktails are overly complicated. Grab some hibiscus tea bags, orange juice, and rum, and you're half-way there.
Recipe: Orange Hibiscus Mai Tai
49. Grapefruit Lillet Cocktails
We Are Not Martha / Via wearenotmartha.com
These bittersweet cocktails make for delicious brunch-time or pre-dinner sips.
Recipe: Grapefruit Lillet Cocktails
50. Mezcal Sour With Strawberry and Ginger
With Spice / Via withspice.com
You only need five ingredients to whip up these delightfully smoky, sweet, and sour drinks: ginger, Mezcal, lime juice, strawberry preserves, and egg white.
51. Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Cocktail With Cucumber
She Keeps a Lovely Home / Via shekeepsalovelyhome.com
These are grapefruit juice, sake (or your favorite clear liquor), cucumber, mint, simple syrup, and club soda. So good.
52. Peach Julep
Broma Bakery / Via bromabakery.com
Looking for a drink to serve a crowd? You can easily whip up a pitcher of these springy five-ingredient cocktails.
Recipe: Peach Julep