This simple spring salad recipe with fennel is vibrant and crisp, with fresh, colorful seasonal veggies, sheep feta, and a tangy dressing that will make you want to eat more. This salad burst with fresh flavor and colors. Learn how to create this elegant salad that celebrates the essence of spring with a tangy flavor.

Simple Spring Salad Recipe With Fennel

I love to eat seasonally, and I always wait for the new season to come to start eating beautiful seasonal veggies and a good seasonal salad. This salad is one of my favorite of my healthy spring recipes.

As the days grow longer and the temperature rises, there’s a refreshing shift in the air. Spring is upon us, bringing a bounty of fresh produce and vibrant flavors. One of the best ways to celebrate the arrival of this rejuvenating season is by indulging in a crisp and colorful spring salad.

Spring salads are a delightful fusion of tender greens, crunchy vegetables, tangy dressings, and a sprinkle of assorted toppings. They’re a feast for the taste buds and a celebration of nature’s bounty. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a side dish for dinner, or a vibrant appetizer, a spring salad will hit the spot.

The beauty of a spring salad lies in its versatility. With an abundance of seasonal ingredients available, you can let your creativity run wild and tailor your salad to suit your taste preferences. For this easy spring salad, you can use your creativity and use your favorite ingredients.

What to Use in Spring Salad?

Fresh Greens: Start with a base of crisp, tender greens such as baby spinach, arugula, or mixed salad greens.
Seasonal Vegetables: Incorporate a variety of seasonal vegetables to add texture, flavor, and nutritional value to your salad. Think sliced radishes, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, peas, fennel, and vibrant bell peppers.
Herbs: Fresh herbs are like little bursts of flavor that can elevate your salad to new heights. Add a handful of chopped dill, mint, basil, parsley, or cilantro to infuse your salad with aromatic goodness.
Protein: To make your salad more filling and satisfying, consider adding a source of protein. Grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, hard-boiled eggs, or chickpeas are all excellent options that complement the flavors of spring vegetables.
Nuts and Seeds: For added crunch and nutritional benefits, sprinkle your salad with a handful of toasted nuts or seeds. Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, and sunflower seeds are all popular choices that add flavor and texture.
Dressing: A well-crafted dressing can tie all the elements of your salad together and enhance its overall flavor profile. Keep it simple with a classic vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey, or experiment with homemade creamy dressings or citrus-infused options.
Cheese: Use tangy feta cheese, soft goat cheese, burrata, blue cheese, mini mozzarella balls, or sheep parmesan.

What Spring Veggies to Use

Spring brings an abundance of fresh, crisp vegetables perfect for adding color, flavor, and nutrients to your salad.

Asparagus: This quintessential spring vegetable is tender, flavorful, and versatile. Whether roasted, grilled, or shaved raw, asparagus adds a delightful crunch and a hint of sweetness to your salad.
Peas: Fresh peas, whether sugar snap peas, snow peas, or English peas, are a delightful addition to spring salads. They bring a pop of color, sweetness, and crunch that perfectly complements other ingredients.
Radishes: With their vibrant hue and peppery flavor, radishes add a refreshing crunch to spring salads. Thinly sliced or shaved, they bring a delightful bite that balances out the other flavors.
Fennel: This aromatic vegetable has a subtle licorice flavor and a crisp texture that adds depth to salads. Use shaved fennel and toss it with your greens for a refreshing and flavorful addition.
Artichokes: Fresh artichokes are a springtime delicacy that can add a touch of elegance to your salad. Whether grilled, steamed, or marinated, artichoke hearts bring a unique flavor and texture to the mix.
Spring Onions: Also known as scallions or green onions, these mild alliums are a staple of spring cuisine. Their delicate flavor and vibrant green color make them a perfect addition to chopped or thinly sliced salads.
Carrots: Spring carrots are young and tender, with a sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with other spring vegetables. Whether grated, sliced, or shaved into ribbons, they add color and crunch to your salad.
Lettuce: Spring mix, arugula, or butter lettuce. Make sure to choose a crisp lettuce.

What Herbs to Use

Herbs are the secret ingredients that can take your spring salad from good to extraordinary, adding layers of flavor, aroma, and freshness.

Basil: With its sweet, aromatic flavor, it is a classic spring salad choice. Tear or chiffonade the leaves and toss them with your greens for a burst of freshness that complements a wide range of ingredients. Make sure to use fresh basil.
Mint: Refreshing and vibrant, mint adds a cool, invigorating flavor to salads. Chop or tear the fresh mint leaves and sprinkle them over your salad for a touch of brightness that pairs well with fruits, vegetables, and proteins alike.
Parsley: As one of the most versatile herbs, parsley adds a fresh, grassy flavor and a pop of green color to your salad. Chop it finely and toss it with your greens or use it as a garnish to enhance the visual appeal of your dish.
Cilantro: Known for its bold, citrusy flavor, cilantro adds a zesty kick to spring salads. Chop the leaves and scatter them over your salad for a burst of freshness that pairs well with spicy or savory ingredients.
Chives: Delicate and mild, chives add a subtle onion flavor and a hint of brightness to salads. Finely chop the leaves and sprinkle them over your salad for a touch of flavor that complements a wide range of ingredients.
Dill: With its feathery leaves and delicate flavor, dill adds a touch of elegance to spring salads. Chop the leaves and toss them with your greens for a hint of sweetness and a subtle hint of anise-like flavor.
Tarragon: Known for its distinctive flavor reminiscent of licorice and citrus, tarragon adds a unique twist to spring salads. Chop the leaves and sprinkle them over your salad for a burst of flavor that pairs well with seafood, chicken, and vegetables.
Chervil: Often described as delicate and slightly peppery, chervil adds a subtle yet distinctive flavor to salads. Chop the leaves and sprinkle them over your salad for a touch of elegance and freshness.

What are The Best Dressings

A well-crafted dressing can elevate the flavors of your salad, bringing everything together in perfect harmony. You can use various dressings, such as lemon vinaigrette, dijon mustard vinegarette, balsamic vinaigrette, champagne vinaigrette, simple lemon dressing, and honey mustard dressing. For homemade dressing recipes, go here. You can also use freshly squeezed lemon juice or lime juice with olive oil.

What to Serve With Simple Spring Salad Recipe With Fennel

Here are some delicious options to serve alongside your simple spring salad recipe with fennel:

Grilled Chicken Breast: Lightly seasoned and grilled chicken breast makes a perfect protein accompaniment to a spring salad. Its tender, juicy texture and mild flavor complement the salad’s freshness without overpowering it.
Pan-Seared Salmon: For a heartier option with a burst of flavor, consider serving pan-seared salmon alongside your spring salad. The salmon’s rich, buttery texture pairs beautifully with the crispness of the salad greens.
Quiche: A classic quiche filled with seasonal vegetables, cheese, and eggs is a wonderful option for a springtime meal. Its creamy, custardy filling and flaky crust provide a satisfying contrast to the lightness of the salad, creating a balanced and comforting meal.
Soup: A warm bowl of soup is a comforting addition to any springtime meal. Choose a light and refreshing soup, such as a chilled cucumber soup or a sweet pea soup, to serve alongside your salad for a satisfying and nourishing meal.
Crusty Bread or Rolls: Serve slices of crusty bread or warm rolls alongside your spring salad to round out the meal and provide a satisfying crunch. Whether you prefer a classic baguette, whole grain bread, or artisan rolls, bread is perfect for soaking up any leftover dressing.
Pasta Salad: Another excellent springtime meal option is a refreshing pasta salad filled with colorful vegetables, cheese, and herbs.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers: For a lighter alternative to meat, consider serving grilled shrimp skewers alongside your spring salad. The tender, succulent shrimp pair beautifully with the crispness of the salad greens and add a touch of elegance to the meal.

Equipment

Cutting Board
Chef’s KnifeMixing Bowl
Salad Spinner
Whisk or Jar with Lid
Serving Platter or Bowl
Tongs or Salad Servers

Not only this simple spring salad recipe with fennel is delicious and nutritious, but is packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, they support overall health and well-being, making them a perfect addition to any balanced diet. Perfect for a dinner party, main course. With this fresh spring salad recipe, you can impress anyone!

So why not embrace the season and treat yourself to a delightful spring salad today? Whether enjoyed as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a colorful appetizer, it’s a delicious way to welcome spring’s arrival and savor the season’s flavors. Happy salad-making!

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