Bringing in the Easter spirit with a fresh and vibrant twist is essential, especially when it comes to the food we enjoy during this time. As the unofficial start of spring, it’s only fitting that our Easter salads reflect the bright, colorful, and lively atmosphere surrounding us. Unlike the hearty, filling winter salads that often feature warm ingredients and root vegetables, Easter salads should be light and revitalizing, showcasing an abundance of fresh, seasonal veggies.
Of course, classic options like pasta and potato salads are always a hit, but don’t forget to add a touch of sweetness to the table as well. If you haven’t tried any kind of sweet, fluffy marshmallow salad before, you’re in for a delightful surprise that will surely become a new favorite at your Easter gatherings!
20+ Colorful Easter Salads for Your Spring Table
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Toasted Almonds & Lemon Honey Vinaigrette
Highlighting the perfect blend of textures and flavors, this salad is a true delight. Begin by incorporating goat cheese, which boasts an incredibly creamy texture that’s expertly balanced by its tangy undertones. Moving on to add some natural sweetness, juicy strawberries are the ideal choice, while toasted almonds provide the necessary crunch.
When it comes to dressing, keep things simple by combining your preferred neutral-flavored oil with lemon juice, a drizzle of honey, a sprinkle of sea salt, a few grinds of black pepper, and a pinch of poppy seeds. Whisk everything together until well combined, then pour the dressing directly over the salad.
Spring Pasta Salad
Beyond its adorable appearance, this pasta stands out for its unique shape, which I’d never seen before. I quickly checked my local HomeGoods to see if they carried it, but unfortunately, it wasn’t available. However, I did find a similar alternative online – the colorful bow tie-shaped Donne Del Grano pasta, which became a suitable substitute.
One of the great things about this pasta salad is its relatively light texture, achieved by using a simple dressing made with white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and dijon mustard instead of drowning it in mayonnaise. Additionally, the inclusion of fresh veggies adds a welcome burst of flavor and nutrition to each bite.
Grilled Asparagus Salad with Lemon & Feta
Dishing out flavors that are both strong and unique, asparagus has often been compared to other ingredients like beans and even mushrooms. While its taste can be overpowering at times, it’s surprisingly easy to balance with the right accompaniments. A simple sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice can instantly elevate its flavor profile, allowing its natural sweetness to shine through.
Spring Potato Salad
Flipping through cookbooks and recipes online often leaves me underwhelmed by potato salad variations that rely heavily on mayonnaise or heavy sauces to mask the natural flavors of the potatoes. This recipe isn’t so much about dressing up the potatoes in a thick, creamy layer as it is about allowing their subtle sweetness to shine through with a slightly tangy mustard dressing that’s reminiscent of pasta salads.
For added texture and visual appeal, I recommend par-boiling the potatoes and then letting them steam for a few minutes before smashing them on a baking tray with the bottom of a glass. This helps to break down some of the starches and creates a crispy exterior that adds depth to each bite. A sprinkle of parmesan cheese can also elevate this humble side dish to new heights.
Lettuce Radish Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Hands down, this salad recipe is one of the simplest and quickest to prepare on our list. The combination of crunchy texture, light flavors, tangy zing, and peppery kick makes it an absolute delight. You can easily create the dressing by shaking together extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a mason jar until it emulsifies smoothly.
If you have access to a mandolin, thinly slice the radishes and cucumber for added texture, and then finely chop the chives for a burst of freshness. This salad is versatile and can be enjoyed as a side dish or paired with roasted chicken for a satisfying meal.
Apple, Pecan, and Blue Cheese Salad With Dried Cherries
Evidently, the characteristics of blue cheese are quite distinct from those of goat cheese. While the latter is often described as creamy and tangy with a relatively mild flavor when combined with a zesty vinaigrette and sweet strawberries, blue cheese boasts an intense personality. You don’t need much to detect its presence, as it can be identified even from a distance by its pungent aroma.
In some cases, I find its overpowering quality too dominant, and it tends to overwhelm other flavors in a dish. Nevertheless, when paired with complementary ingredients such as tart apples, chewy sour cherries, and rich buttery pecans, blue cheese can temper its intensity and become more palatable.
Spring Arugula Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
Years ago, I discovered the unique flavor profile of arugula, which can be both peppery and bitter to some people’s taste buds. You might find its robustness overwhelming if you’re not accustomed to strong greens, but there are ways to balance it out. One option is to add milder lettuces or spinach to tone down the intensity. On the other hand, I love the way arugula complements the sweetness of fresh strawberries in this salad, especially when paired with a honey and lemon dressing.
The dressing not only adds flavor but also helps to counterbalance any bitterness that might come from the arugula. If you’re looking for another nutritious addition to your salad, consider pearl barley – it’s an excellent source of fiber without adding any significant flavor, so feel free to toss in as much or as little as you like.
Creamy Broccoli Salad
Joining the ranks of healthy superfoods, broccoli stands out for its impressive nutritional profile, boasting a low calorie count, being gluten-free, and rich in fiber content, making it an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals. Similar to pasta or potato salad, this veggie salad is typically served chilled with a light and creamy dressing, but unlike those high-calorie options, it packs fewer than half the calories.
To make this salad truly irresistible, be sure to incorporate some key ingredients, including cooked and crumbled bacon for added smokiness, plenty of chopped nuts for texture and crunch, sweet chewy raisins to balance out the flavors, and crunchy red onions for an extra burst of freshness. Just as crucial is the dressing itself. Whisk together mayonnaise with white sugar, white wine, and white vinegar until smooth, then toss everything together to ensure a thorough coating.
Triple Berry Mixed Green Salad
Taking a closer look at this stunning salad, it’s easy to see why it might be mistaken for a smoothie bowl. Berries are an excellent choice for salads due to their low sugar content, high fiber levels, and abundance of antioxidants. One of the reasons berries work so well in salads is that they’re relatively low-maintenance – all they need is a quick rinse under cold water to be ready to go.
While the dressing here shares some similarities with those listed above, it’s noticeably creamier, thanks in part to the addition of Greek yogurt for an indulgent finish.
Bacon and Brussels Sprout Salad
Taking just one bite of this dish will undoubtedly leave you speechless, a testament to its incredible flavors. To prepare the ingredients, begin by shaving the Brussels sprouts into thin slices using a mandolin – be sure to discard the stems in the process. This classic combination of bacon and Brussels sprouts is truly a match made in heaven, but feel free to omit the bacon if you’re catering to vegetarians or those with dietary restrictions.
Meanwhile, the citrus dressing, crafted with lemon and orange juice, oil, salt, and pepper, comes together quickly and effortlessly, perfectly balancing out the flavors of this entire dish.
Waldorf Salad
Underpinning the origins of this iconic salad is its name, a nod to its creation at the esteemed Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Unbeknownst to many, simplicity was key in its early days, consisting only of apples, celery, and mayonnaise. However, over time, its popularity soared, and it has since remained a beloved spring salad, with various iterations emerging that incorporate an array of ingredients, including pecans and walnuts, cranberries, and pineapple.
Spring Pea Salad
Fresh from the garden, this spring pea salad is a delightful alternative to overly leafy greens. Filled with the sweetness of cucumber and the tanginess of feta, it’s a dish I eagerly anticipate all winter long. Far from being a plain lettuce base, this salad is packed with an abundance of ingredients that will leave you hardly noticing the lettuce at all. For added depth and nutrition, I like to use fresh spinach leaves instead of traditional greens.
Interestingly, Persian cucumbers offer a sweeter and crisper alternative to regular cucumbers, but feel free to use what’s available in your pantry or fridge.
Blueberry, Blue Cheese, and Glazed Walnut Salad
Navigating unexpected flavor combinations can be both intriguing and intimidating. In the case of blueberries paired with blue cheese, it’s natural to wonder how such contrasting tastes would work together. Blueberries are typically perceived as sweet and slightly tart, while blue cheese is known for its tangy and pungent characteristics. However, when sufficient sweetness is present, this pairing can indeed be enjoyable.
Ultimately, the decision lies in personal preference, and one might opt to omit the blue cheese altogether or substitute it with feta instead. Nevertheless, the true star of this dish remains the walnuts, which are transformed by a mixture of honey, cinnamon, and orange zest before being toasted in the oven.
Spring Greens with Beets and Goat Cheese
Regardless of whether you’re a fan of strong-tasting ingredients or not, beets are often a topic of debate among food enthusiasts. On one hand, many people appreciate their earthy flavor and versatility in various recipes. On the other hand, just as many individuals tend to steer clear of them. Fortunately, when using canned beets for this particular dish, they’ll already be cooked, saving you time and effort while eliminating their crunch.
To enhance the flavor even further, consider peeling and roasting your beets – this will not only bring out their natural sweetness but also add a depth of taste to the overall recipe. Furthermore, beets come in a range of colors, which can make the dish even more visually appealing.
Citrus Avocado Salad with Pistachios and Mint
Visually stunning, this salad is a feast for the eyes, boasting an array of vibrant colors that tantalize the senses. Observe how it diverges from the traditional leafy green base, yet still boasts a zesty dressing to elevate its flavor profile. The key to achieving this kaleidoscope effect lies in selecting a medley of citrus fruits: blood oranges, cara cara oranges, tangelo, and grapefruit provide the perfect palette for the rainbow colors.
To create this masterpiece, gently nestle sliced avocado between the citrus segments and liberally scatter chopped nuts over the top.
Five-Ingredient Simple Green Pasta Salad
Packed with an assortment of flavors and textures, this Easter salad is perfect for those seeking a fresh and satisfying meal that can be enjoyed hot or cold. The combination of small tubular pasta and chopped green beans creates a visually appealing dish where each bite feels well-balanced due to their identical size. Of course, you don’t have to go searching for specific shapes like I did; feel free to use whatever pasta you already have at home.
In fact, elbow macaroni would be an equally charming substitute.
Shaved Asparagus Salad
Delicious salads like this one are often reserved for restaurants or food blogs, but I’m here to show you that it’s achievable to make them at home without breaking the bank. Diners may be deterred from using asparagus in their cooking due to its expense, and rightfully so – a single bunch can be pricey. However, overcooking is also a common issue, resulting in an unpleasantly rubbery texture that’s frustrating to behold.
Fortunately, this recipe sidesteps both problems by incorporating raw asparagus instead. To prepare it, use a vegetable peeler to shave thin strips from each stalk, which will add a delightful crunch and visual appeal to the dish. Once it’s tossed with a zesty lemon dressing and topped with shaved Parmesan cheese, it’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates – including your own!
Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing
Giving salads a bad reputation are those sad, uninspiring creations that only make an appearance on our plates because we think they’re good for us. But with this salad, the tables will turn, and people will be clamoring for more. If you’re a fan of the strawberry poppy seed salad at Panera, you’ll be thrilled to know that this near-identical version is just as delicious.
The balsamic dressing is truly exceptional, and I highly recommend making extra because you’ll want to drizzle it over every last bite.
Strawberry Shortcake Fluff Salad
Taking center stage at the beginning of these sweet recipes is this show-stopping, pale pink masterpiece. The color palette screams Easter from afar, making it an ideal choice for the holiday. It’s worth noting that we’re using the term ‘salad’ quite loosely in these recipes – think of them more as creative desserts rather than traditional salads.
While there won’t be any tangy mustard dressings or pungent blue cheese in sight, every Easter celebration deserves a sweet treat to round out the meal. This stunning fluff salad is incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just five ingredients, including store-bought angel food cake. Simply whip up some cream with condensed milk and combine everything in a large bowl – voila! The result is a light, airy dessert that’s perfect for springtime gatherings.
Cherry Pineapple Marshmallow Jell-O Salad
Kicking off with a delightful twist on traditional desserts, this recipe combines the sweetness of cherry pie filling and raspberry jello to create a jelly base that’s both sweet and tangy. The addition of crushed pineapple with juice gives it an extra layer of flavor, while the use of mayonnaise might raise some eyebrows – but trust us when we say it’s a game-changer!
Next, blend cream cheese with lemon jello, Cool Whip, and a hint of citrus to create a rich and creamy topping that pairs perfectly with the fruity jelly base. Finally, finish it off with a sprinkle of fluffy mini marshmallows and let it chill in the fridge for a few hours before serving. This dessert is sure to be a hit with its unique blend of flavors and textures.
Orange Fluff Jell-O Salad Recipe
Popping into your mind is the nostalgia of creamsicles, a classic childhood treat that instantly transports us to a simpler time. The familiar taste of orange cream is captured perfectly in this indulgent dessert, reminiscent of a big bowl of creamy goodness. You can achieve this delightful flavor combination by cooking both orange Jell-O and vanilla pudding in one pot, blending them together to create a light and airy base that’s simply irresistible.
Next, simply fold in the Cool Whip, add some fluffy marshmallows, a sprinkle of sliced bananas, and a burst of juicy mandarin oranges to round out this scrumptious treat.
Pina Colada Fluff Salad
Taking a closer look at these sweet Easter salads reveals a common thread: they’re packed with fruit and plenty of creamy elements. This might not be ideal for those on a diet, but let’s be honest, it’s hard to resist the allure of such indulgent ingredients. It’s probably unnecessary to mention that this recipe is particularly loaded with crushed pineapples and coconut cream pudding mix.
For those who prefer a more sophisticated take, consider adding a splash of white rum to the cream cheese mixture for an adult twist.
Trisha Yearwood Creamy Grape Salad Recipe
Zest for life is often found in the simplest of pleasures, like indulging in sweet treats that remind us of our childhood. Many people still find that coating grapes in a rich and creamy sauce is an effective way to ensure their kids will finish their meal without complaint. It’s not uncommon for parents to be so enthusiastic about this dessert that they end up hiding it from the rest of the family, just to savor every last bite themselves!
To prepare this tasty topping, use a handheld mixer or the whisk attachment on your stand mixer and blend together cream cheese, sour cream, white sugar, and vanilla extract until you reach a smooth consistency. When you rub a small amount between your fingers and don’t feel any grains, you’ll know it’s ready to be served.
Spring Jell-O Salad
Visually, this dessert is similar to the cherry pineapple recipe that precedes it, but with distinct flavor profiles. Notably, it has a two-layer structure as opposed to three, which alters the composition of the dish. The Jell-O and creamy elements are now combined, resulting in a texture reminiscent of a no-bake cheesecake. Upon preparing the lemon and lime Jell-O mixture, you’ll incorporate cream cheese, coconut milk, mayonnaise, and drained pineapple.
For those who require a nut-free alternative, consider substituting toasted coconut for walnuts.
25 Easy Easter Salads (Perfect for Spring)
Highlighting the flavors of the season, these Easter salad recipes are designed to impress at your celebratory brunch. Harkening back to traditional Italian dishes, some feature pasta as the base, while others showcase fresh asparagus or incorporate sweet berries for a pop of color and flavor.
Instructions
Making use of a pre-planned recipe can make the cooking process much more efficient. Most people start by gathering and organizing all the necessary ingredients, which helps avoid last-minute shopping trips or forgotten items. Once everything is ready to go, you can quickly prep an Easter salad in 30 minutes or less, making it easy to fit into even the busiest of schedules.
