Crisp Spring Salad
This crisp spring salad is your answer to light, detox-friendly meals packed with nutrients and seasonal ingredients. A fresh spring salad recipe that supports women’s health with every crunchy, colorful bite.
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Fresh Spring Salad
As a nutrition consultant and chef, spring always feels like nature’s invitation to eat vibrant, living food. After a long winter of hearty dishes and warm comfort meals, the arrival of tender salad greens, fresh herbs, and snappy vegetables makes me feel like I’m waking up again.
I still remember my grandma in Poland picking dandelion greens in the garden and tossing them with early spring onions, lemon juice, and a glug of golden olive oil. It was the freshest thing I’d ever tasted. That little memory continues to inspire me every time I visit the farmers’ market and see the season’s first butter lettuce and snap peas.
This elegant salad is a celebration of all that is crisp, bright, and beautiful about spring—and it’s good for you, too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This salad is more than just a side dish—it’s a whole mood. Whether you’re planning a dinner party or looking for a light lunch that makes you feel radiant, this colorful spring salad has everything:
- A rainbow of textures and flavors
- Detox-friendly ingredients that support digestion and hormonal balance
- A perfect addition to your spring meals or even a full meal with added protein
- Ideal for picnics, brunches, or when you just need something crisp, cool, and refreshing
Ingredients you’ll need for Crisp Spring Salad
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Did you know?
Every part of the dandelion is edible—leaves, flowers, and even the root. The leaves are rich in calcium, iron, and vitamins A, C, and K, making them fantastic for bone health and blood detoxification. In traditional herbal medicine, dandelions have long been used to support liver function and digestion. Basically, it’s your body’s spring-cleaning buddy.
And get this—dandelion greens are naturally bitter, which can actually help stimulate digestion and bile flow. That bitterness? It’s like your digestive system’s wake-up call.
How to Make Crisp Spring Salad
- Wash and dry all the salad greens and vegetables. Use a salad spinner or wrap them in a towel to keep them crisp.
- In a large bowl, layer the spring mix, butter lettuce, and dandelion greens.
- With mint vinaigrette or pine tips balsamic vinaigrette
- Top with shaved fennel, thin slices of watermelon radish, sliced snap peas, and orange segments.
- Sprinkle on mint leaves and edible flowers.
- Just before serving, drizzle with a lemon vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a little honey if you like a hint of sweetness. That’s it—fresh, fabulous, and totally satisfying.
Adds Into the Crisp Spring Salad
- Soft goat cheese
- Tangy feta cheese
- Mini mozzarella balls
- Fresh strawberries
- Cherry tomatoes
- Good protein: chicken or steak
Health Benefits for Women’s Health
This salad isn’t just pretty—it’s powerful. Here’s why it’s one of my favorite things to make, especially in spring:
- Dandelion greens support liver detoxification, which is key for hormonal balance.
- Fennel has phytoestrogens and is traditionally used to ease bloating.
- Citrus fruits like oranges offer vitamin C for adrenal support.
- Mint soothes digestion and cools inflammation.
- Butter lettuce and spring mix are rich in folate and fiber, great for gut and heart health.
- Snap peas offer crunch and plant-based protein to support metabolism.
Eating with the seasons gives your body exactly what it craves during the shift in weather—a reset through nourishing, hydrating, detox-friendly ingredients.
Chef Angie’s Tips
- Always use the freshest lettuce you can find—check your local farmers market during peak seasons.
- A mandoline makes shaving fennel and radishes easy and elegant.
- Keep your vinaigrette in a separate container if prepping ahead to keep things crisp.
- If you’re serving for a dinner party, sprinkle pine nuts or some crumbled blue cheese right before serving.
- Want to make it a full meal? Add hard-boiled eggs or grilled chicken.
Ways to Serve
- As a starter for an Easter or spring brunch
- Perfect for spring potlucks and get together
- Next to grilled fish or roast chicken for a healthy spring recipe main dish
- Tucked into a grain bowl with quinoa for a hearty salad
- Topped with avocado and served with grilled new potatoes or green beans
Storage
Store leftover salad greens in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to keep them dry and fresh. If already dressed, eat within a day—no one likes soggy lettuce.
Keep homemade dressing in a small jar in the fridge for up to a week.
Equipment
Here’s what makes this easy spring salad a breeze to throw together:
- Large bowl for tossing
- Sharp knife or mandoline for slicing vegetables
- Salad spinner (game-changer for keeping lettuce crisp)
- Mason jar or small bowl for mixing salad dressings
- Salad tongs for serving
FAQ
Can I use olive oil in the dressing?
Absolutely. A good-quality olive oil adds that essential richness and flavor to your homemade dressing. I also like adding a touch of Dijon mustard and honey for a simple lemon dressing.
Is this a good spring side dish for Easter or Mother’s Day?
Yes! It’s light, fresh, and colorful—perfect for special occasions or a holiday meal.
Can I use red onion or spring onions in this salad?
Yes! Thinly sliced red onion adds a mild bite, and spring onions are lovely in spring recipes.
What’s the difference between butter lettuce and other salad greens?
Butter lettuce is tender and mild, making it great as the base of a salad. For more texture, you can mix it with crisp lettuce or spring mix.
Can this be turned into a main course?
For sure! Add your favorite protein (grilled salmon, roast chicken, tofu) and you’ve got a satisfying, full meal.
Can I prep this for lunch?
Yes! To keep everything crisp and fresh, store the dressing separately and add it when ready to eat.
There’s no better way to embrace the time of year than with a bowl of the freshest, most beautiful salad greens, crunchy veggies, and juicy fruits. This is more than just a seasonal salad—it’s a celebration of spring on a plate.
The bright colors, tangy flavor, and nourishing ingredients make it one of those delicious salad recipes you’ll come back to again and again. Plus, it’s one of those healthy recipes that actually makes you feel like you’re glowing from the inside out.
So next time you’re at the farmers market or your local grocery store, grab the most colorful ingredients you can find and whip up this crisp spring salad. It’s the perfect way to honor the season, your health, and your love of beautiful, whole foods
More Spring Recipes
Gluten-Free Żurek: Polish Sour Rye Soup
Best Deviled Egg Dip
Marbled Easter Eggs Using Oil
Spring Detox Smoothie Recipe With Cilantro
Creamy Spring Chicken Salad With Mayo
Spring Salad Recipe With Fennel
Pine Tips Balsamic Salad Dressing (From Spruce)
How To Make Chocolate-Covered Spruce Tips
How To Make Pine Tips/ Needles Infused Oil
Crisp Spring Salad
Equipment
- Mason jar for dressing
Ingredients
- 1 Butter lettuce
- 2 cups Spring mix
- 2 Watermelon radish sliced
- 8 Dandelion leaves chopped
- 1 Fennel shaved on mandoline
- 2 Oranges sliced, quartered
- 2 oz Mint leaves
- 6 oz Snap peas sliced in a half
Instructions
- Wash and dry all the salad greens and vegetables. Use a salad spinner or wrap them in a towel to keep them crisp.Layer the spring mix, butter lettuce, and dandelion greens in a large bowl. Top with shaved fennel, thin slices of watermelon radish, sliced snap peas, and orange segments.Sprinkle on mint leaves and edible flowers.Just before serving, drizzle with mint vinaigrette or lemon vinaigrette made from olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a little honey if you like a hint of sweetness.
Nutrition
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