There are many great things to enjoy about spring, but few are better than the season’s bounty of fresh vegetables and herbs. The list of springtime produce is long—asparagus, carrots, peas, and leeks, just to name a few. But the season can feel short when you’re trying to enjoy it all. These recipes each star top picks from the produce aisle at their peak of flavor from late March through early June. With quick prep and minimal cooking time required, these plant-forward meals make it easy to savor springtime’s bounty all season long. Save these spring dinner ideas to enjoy this season!
Crispy Pork Chops with Spring Salad
This affordable, weeknight-easy meal delivers satisfying crunch in every bite. Naturally sweet sugar snap peas balance the mild bite of fresh radishes in a colorful salad alongside crunchy, breaded, air-fried pork chops.
Get the recipe: Crispy Pork Chops with Spring Salad
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts with Veggies
This complete chicken dinner is a nutritious alternative to frozen nuggets—and it hits the table in about the same amount of time. The air fryer creates a craveably crisp coating on seasoned chicken breasts served with a trio of spring veggies that quickly cook in the microwave.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Breasts with Veggies
Sheet Pan Chicken with Radishes
Pretty pink radishes, a harbinger of spring, take on mellow sweetness when roasted in the oven. Here, they cook together with chicken thighs in a no-fuss sheet pan meal flavored with a homemade lemon-herb compound butter.
Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken with Radishes
Creamy Pasta Primavera
Primavera, which literally means “spring” in Italian, combines all the best parts of a springtime vegetable garden in a single dish. Our light but satisfying version made with fresh asparagus, sugar snap peas, and leeks gets its creaminess from garlic and herb spreadable cheese.
Get the recipe: Creamy Pasta Primavera
Creamy Chicken with Asparagus
Always-popular asparagus reaches new heights of flavor during its peak in April and May. It’s the standout star of this chicken and veggie skillet served over egg noodles that comes together with just five minutes of prep.
Get the recipe: Creamy Chicken with Asparagus
Pesto Steak, Asparagus, and Potato Skillet
This recipe proves you don’t need to cook an elaborate meal or dirty a load of dishes to savor the season. Fresh asparagus and another springtime star, fingerling potatoes, round out this 15-minute steak skillet dressed up with store-bought pesto.
Get the recipe: Pesto Steak, Asparagus, and Potato Skillet
Chicken Breasts with Tarragon Salsa Verde
When passing through the produce aisle, don’t forget about all the fresh herbs in peak season. Regular ol’ chicken breast becomes truly memorable with the addition of this homemade salsa verde with fresh tarragon, parsley, and the briny zing of capers.
Get the recipe: Chicken Breasts with Tarragon Salsa Verde
Steamed Salmon with Dill Rice
Though available year-round, dill is an herb synonymous with spring. It’s the spotlight flavor of this light and lean, five-ingredient meal that elevates steamed salmon and rice with a dollop of lemon-dill sour cream.
Get the recipe: Steamed Salmon with Dill Rice
Ricotta Dumplings with Peas
A trio of spring greens—peas, chives, and mint —is the verdant star of this vegetarian comfort meal. Mild ricotta cheese, egg yolks, and Parmesan combine into pillowy dumplings tossed with two kinds of sauteed peas and garnished with fresh mint.
Get the recipe: Ricotta Dumplings with Peas
Braised Chicken with Spring Vegetables
Tender braised chicken takes on new life with the help of garden-fresh veggies in this one-pot recipe. Peak season leeks, asparagus, and peas round out a meal-in-one starring chicken thighs flavored with dill and lemon.
Get the recipe: Braised Chicken with Spring Vegetables
Spring Pizza with Asparagus and Prosciutto
Put a fresh spin on pizza night with this one-of-a-kind pie that takes its cues from the season. A layer of goat cheese serves as the sauce on store-bought dough topped with ribbons of asparagus, peppery arugula, prosciutto, and runny-yolked eggs that bake directly on top.
Get the recipe: Spring Pizza with Asparagus and Prosciutto
Spring Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Frozen puff pastry is a store-bought helper that gets this spring-inspired pot pie on the table with just 10 minutes of prep. The traditional combination of chicken and mirepoix in a creamy sauce gets a bright, vegetal flavor from the addition of leeks, asparagus, and peas.
Get the recipe: Spring Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Spring Minestrone Soup with Ditalini
This vegan-friendly soup brimming with veggies is perfect for early spring nights when there’s still a faint chill in the air. Ten minutes of prep is all you need for a vitamin-rich blend of spinach, asparagus, zucchini, and peas in a garlic-infused broth bulked up with ditalini noodles.
Get the recipe: Spring Minestrone Soup with Ditalini
Slow Cooker Spring Green Risotto
Forget constant stirring and babysitting at the stove. This risotto comes together mostly hands-free with the help of the slow cooker. Asparagus, peas, and meaty pancetta turn the classic dish of creamy Arborio rice and Parmesan into a complete meal that also works as a hearty side.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Spring Green Risotto
Slow Roasted Salmon over Beets
Beets are another not-to-be-missed springtime treat from the produce section. A single sheet pan is all you need for this weeknight winner that pairs the mild sweetness of beets with slow-roasted salmon and a finish of fresh orange juice, which melds the flavors together.
Get the recipe: Slow Roasted Salmon over Beets
Ravioli with Peas and Mint
Two seasonal produce picks elevate a reliable freezer staple to company-worthy in this never-fail, 10-minute meal. Peas gently sauteed in butter and garlic add rich flavor and texture to frozen cheese ravioli finished with mint and grated pecorino.
Get the recipe: Ravioli with Peas and Mint
Spring Chicken Stew with Leeks and White Wine
Whether you’re nursing a springtime cold or just craving a bowl of comfort food, this easy Instant Pot recipe is a reliable go-to. Leeks, carrots, potatoes, and peas add flavor and nutrients to a belly-warming stew with chicken thighs, white wine, and fresh thyme.
Get the recipe: Spring Chicken Stew with Leeks and White Wine
