20 of My Favorite Spring Dinner Recipes Perfect for the Season
Simple meals to shake up your dinner routine (and maybe get the kids to eat some green stuff).
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When people ask me what my favorite food is, I have so many follow-ups questions. What time of year is it? What fruits and vegetables are in season? And while I love the fresh produce that fall and summer bring, there’s something about spring flavors that bring out the foodie in me. Whether it’s asparagus, peas, leaks, or green beans—all the greens of spring have me desperately searching for family-friendly spring dinner recipes.
As the days grow longer and the first hints of warmth return, spring always breathes new life into my kitchen with an array of fresh ingredients and bold flavors. I want to eat things that feel crisp and light, and bring more color into my cooking than usual. From citrus salads and herb-infused dishes to light and lively mains like a veggie quiche (yes, even for dinner!), spring has me searching for recipes that feel fresh.
Whether you’re hosting a garden dinner party or simply looking to bring a touch of seasonal flair to your usual weeknight dinners, I’m rounding up a collection of spring dinner recipes that highlight the very best the season has to offer.
Soups & Salads
1. Easy Gazpacho
I love soup, but the spring feels too hot for my favorite New England clam chowder recipe. This is a great option for those days that you just don’t want to turn on the stove to add to the heat around you. Plus, you can make it ahead.
2. Simple Spring Mix Salad Recipe
Radishes make their yearly debut in the spring and this recipe incorporates the crisp, zesty vegetable beautifully. You could also substite radishes for beets (my preference) Keep this recipe on hand for a healthy lunch or to add a little something seasonal to your dinner.
3. Turkey Burger Bowls
We’ve all likely heard the importance of “eating the rainbow,” meaning getting lots of colorful fruits and vegetables in our meals. This light and easy recipe is a great way to add some veggies to your day, as well as a good source of protein from the turkey burger.
4. 15-Minute Thai Chicken Soup with Spring Vegetables
Just because it’s getting warmer outside doesn’t mean that we have to give up soup just yet. This Thai chicken soup recipe incorporates all of the best spring vegetables like mushrooms, peas, and bell peppers.
Chicken
5. Harissa Chicken Meatballs
I haven’t met a hot sauce I don’t like, and harissa is no exception. If you want to, you can find milder versions, or substitute it all together. Also, fresh hummus is easy to make and incredibly delicious. I like to make a big batch at the beginning of the week and it’s a good base for this recipe.
6. Baked Honey Mustard Chicken
Rosemary is one of my favorite seasonal herbs in the spring, and this recipe beautifully incorporates its woodsy flavor. It mixes perfectly with the sweet honey mustard to make juicy chicken breasts.
7. Grilled Chicken Kabobs
Grilling season is finally upon us and we can’t think of a better way to take advantage of it than with kabobs. This recipe is filled with colorful vegetables and delicious chicken. The perfect weeknight recipe.
8. Lemon Pepper Chicken & Potatoes Sheet Pan Meal
Light but hearty, sweet but tangy, this sheet pan meal is the perfect dichotomy that your weeknight meals have been missing. Fill up on chicken, potatoes, and broccoli in the easiest, tastiest way possible.
Beef & Pork
9. Skillet Balsamic Pork Chops with Peaches and Gorgonzola Cheese
This recipe includes flavor combinations you may have never known you needed. The tanginess of the balsamic mixed with the saltiness of the pork and gorgonzola and the sweetness of the peaches makes for a mouth-watering meal you’ll want to make again and again.
10. Spring Burger with Swiss and Leeks
Burgers are always a good idea, and this recipe makes them undoubtedly spring. Topped with caramelized leeks and shallots, this is one of the tastiest burger recipes out there and one you’re going to want to try ASAP.
11. Slow Cooker Hoisin Pulled Pork
Light and airy steamed buns, slow cooker pulled pork, and fresh ginger are a match made in spring dinner recipes heaven. Perfect for a weekend venture, turn to this recipe when you have some extra time and want to try something new.
12. Healthy Sloppy Joe Recipe with Sneaky Veggies
Is there anything better than a healthy recipe with sneaky vegetables to serve the fam? Kids (and adults!) love Sloppy Joes, so this dish will surely make it into your weekly meal plan time and time again.
Seafood
13. Pistachio Crusted Salmon
Fish is always a favorite of mine, but I prepare it even more in the spring and summer because it’s such a lovely light protein. Pistachio is a nice surprise in this recipe. I’ve always baked with it, but now I’m thinking of more ways to expand my recipes.
14. Grilled Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers
We can’t think of a better combination than jerk spices mixed with the sweetness of a refreshing pineapple. This recipe mixes the best of both worlds and is perfect for welcoming in grilling weather.
15. Pan Seared Salmon with Orzo Salad
It doesn’t get much more refreshing that a delicious piece of salmon. This recipe includes lightly seasoned salmon with a homemade orzo salad that is simply delicious.
16. Easy Fish Tacos
For a simple weeknight meal that’s light and can be topped with fresh seasonal avocados, look no further. These fish tacos have just as much vibrant flavor as they do color.
17. Easy Italian Baked Fish
Made with just two ingredients (yes, seriously!) this baked fish really is easy to make. Pair it with pasta, a side salad, or veggies for a great weeknight meal.
Pasta
18. Spring Ham and Asparagus Lemon Cream Pasta
‘Tis the season of asparagus and we plan to take full advantage of it. This refreshing pasta is light and delicious, filled with ham, asparagus, peas, and parsley.
19. Healthy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Nothing says summer is coming than a pasta salad. This unique recipe takes just five minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook—easy peasy!
20. Farmers Market Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with Pesto
For many areas, the return of spring means the return of farmer’s markets. This recipe is the perfect dish to make with all of your seasonal farmer’s market finds like mushrooms, red peppers, and asparagus.
Spring always feels like a fresh start, and there’s no better place to bring that energy than into the kitchen. Whether you’re juggling weeknight meals with kids or hosting something a little more special, these recipes are meant to make dinnertime a bit easier and a lot more colorful.
I hope this list gives you some fresh ideas to try with your crew, whether it’s a new veggie-packed pasta, a lightened-up comfort food, or something fun on the grill. If you end up making any of these, let me know! I’d love to hear what your family thought or what your go-to spring dinners are.
Here’s to longer days, lighter meals, and maybe even a few dinners eaten outside.
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Yum! We did sloppy Joes already this week. I'm looking forward to grilling and lots of seafood.