20 Quick & Easy Salads You'll Want to Make for Dinner This Spring

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.

Make one of these crisp, refreshing salads this spring. Each dish is packed with seasonal foods like avocados, artichokes and beets for a meal that’s both delicious and nutritious. Plus, you can prepare these recipes with just 25 minutes of active cooking time, to keep dinner prep quick. Options like our Chickpea, Beet & Cucumber Salad and Raspberry-Spinach Salad with Avocado & Walnuts will help you end your day on a tasty note.

01 of 20

Chickpea, Beet & Cucumber Salad

Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.
Credit: Photographer: Ali Redmond.

In this colorful salad, earthy beets and hearty chickpeas are tossed with crisp cucumber, tender greens and nutty farro for a vibrant mix of texture and flavor in every bite. Enjoy it as a light vegetarian lunch or serve alongside grilled chicken or fish for an easy, make-ahead side.

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02 of 20

Lemon-Garlic Dense Bean Salad with Feta

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey.

Lemon and red-wine vinegar brighten this hearty bean salad, while creamy feta and crunchy roasted almonds add richness and texture. Serve it on its own for a quick lunch or pair it with grilled chicken or fish for a simple dinner.

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03 of 20

Easy Salad with Carrot-Ginger Dressing

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.

This vibrant salad features crisp vegetables tossed with a creamy carrot-ginger-miso dressing that’s packed with bold flavor. Edamame adds plant-based protein for a quick and refreshing meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.

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04 of 20

Chickpea, Cabbage & Cucumber Salad

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Lauren Odum, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

This easy salad comes together quickly for lunch or dinner. From crisp cucumbers to crunchy cabbage, it’s super fresh with tons of textural contrast. Tomatoes add a pop of sweetness and acidity. If you don’t have chickpeas on hand, white beans make an excellent swap.

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05 of 20

Raspberry-Spinach Salad with Avocado & Walnuts

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, food stylist: Julian Hensarling, prop stylist: Josh Hoggle

This raspberry-spinach salad includes juicy raspberries, creamy avocado and crunchy walnuts, which create a delightful mix of colors and flavors. The bright, citrusy dressing sets this salad apart and complements the richness of the avocado and the walnuts. This salad is perfect for a light lunch, an easy side dish or part of a brunch spread.

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06 of 20

Chopped Italian Chickpea Salad

Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist Phoebe Hauser.
Credit: Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist Phoebe Hauser.

This chopped Italian-inspired salad combines crisp lettuce, creamy chickpeas, juicy tomatoes and sharp provolone in a zesty red-wine vinaigrette. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own for lunch yet versatile enough to serve alongside grilled chicken or fish.

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07 of 20

Loaded Chopped Taco Salad Bowl

Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.
Credit: Photographer: Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer.

This no-cook taco salad bowl is packed with fiber and plant-based protein from black beans. A medley of toppings, including crispy lettuce, sweet bell peppers, cotija cheese and pickled onions, add texture and flavor. A tangy lime vinaigrette completes the quick, colorful meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

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08 of 20

Chopped Broccoli & Chickpea Salad

Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Ruth Skipworth.
Credit: Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong, Food Stylist: Ruth Skipworth.

This hearty broccoli-chickpea salad is packed with satisfying texture and flavor from tender chickpeas, crunchy almonds, sweet golden raisins and tangy feta cheese. A mash of feta forms the base of the creamy, lemony dressing, coating every bite.

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09 of 20

Chopped Salad with Italian Vinaigrette

This chopped salad is a crisp, colorful mix of veggies. It’s tossed with a zesty homemade vinaigrette, while chickpeas bring on the plant-based protein and fiber. Everything is chopped small for the perfect forkful every time.

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10 of 20

Herb-Marinated Veggie & Chickpea Salad

Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.
Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek.

This herb-marinated veggie-and-chickpea salad is a refreshing, no-cook dish packed with fresh flavors. It brings together crisp raw vegetables and fiber-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty herb dressing that infuses every bite. Since it requires no stove or oven time, it’s perfect for warm days, meal prep or busy weeknights when you want something quick.

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11 of 20

High-Protein Black Bean Salad

Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.
Credit: Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong.

In this high-protein salad, black beans take center stage. As the main source of plant-based protein, they make the salad satisfying, with their creamy texture pairing perfectly with sweet potato, crisp veggies and a citrusy dressing. It’s an easy, filling option for lunch or dinner—especially for those looking to add more plant-powered protein to their diet.

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12 of 20

Crunchy Chopped Salad

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

This chickpea-cabbage salad features carrots and cucumbers, giving it a quartet of ingredients that all begin with the letter “C”! This chopped salad is loaded with fiber and prebiotic chickpeas, promoting a healthy gut. Green cabbage keeps the color vibrant and fresh, though red cabbage works just as well.

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13 of 20

High-Protein Caprese Chickpea Salad

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This caprese chickpea salad is a fresh, protein- and fiber-packed, plant-based twist on the classic Italian favorite. It combines creamy mozzarella pearls, juicy cherry tomatoes and fragrant fresh basil with hearty chickpeas for a satisfying dish. A simple balsamic vinaigrette ties everything together with a tangy-sweet finish. It’s quick to prepare, colorful and bursting with summery flavor.

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14 of 20

High-Protein White Bean Salad with Feta & Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

This white bean salad with feta and lemon-garlic vinaigrette is quick and requires no stove time. White beans bring plant-based protein and fiber to help keep you full. Creamy feta cheese provides a tangy, salty contrast to the bright vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh herbs and toasted walnuts, this salad is perfect for a light lunch.

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15 of 20

Chickpea Chopped Salad with Pita Chips

Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
Credit: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel

This chickpea, cucumber and tomato salad is fresh and delicious. Packed with crunchy pita chips, creamy feta and briny olives, this salad delivers vibrant flavors in every bite. Enjoy it as a side dish or add grilled or roasted chicken or salmon to make it a main dish.

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16 of 20

High-Protein Pasta Salad

Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Credit: Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This high-protein pasta salad is a satisfying dish packed with plant-based protein from chickpea pasta and chickpeas, with an extra boost coming from fresh mozzarella cheese pearls. Tossed with fresh veggies and flavored with zingy za’atar seasoning, this salad is perfect for meal prep, a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner.

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17 of 20

Cabbage Crunch Salad with Cider Vinaigrette

Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Credit: Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali

This crisp and fresh cabbage-apple salad features carrots, walnuts and creamy Gorgonzola cheese. Allowing the cabbage to sit before serving helps soften it and develop the flavor. While any type of cabbage will work well, tender cabbage like napa will need less time to soften, while a sturdier variety like red or green cabbage will take a bit longer.

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18 of 20

This High-Fiber Salad Is Inspired By Indian Street Food and Helps Me Manage My Blood Sugar

Credit: Ali Redmond
Credit: Ali Redmond

This flavorful salad was inspired by bhel puri, a type of chaat (savory snack) served across India, and features puffed quinoa and lentils for extra protein and fiber.

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19 of 20

No-Cook White Bean & Spinach Caprese Salad

This easy white bean and spinach caprese salad features the classic combination of juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil and tangy balsamic vinegar, but adds tender white beans and fresh baby spinach to the mix. If you can’t find mozzarella pearls, cut or tear a fresh ball of mozzarella into bite-size pieces instead. If you like your salad with a little kick, try swapping out the spinach for arugula or use spring mix for a more mild flavor.

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20 of 20

5-Ingredient Avocado & Chickpea Salad

Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.
Credit: Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Sammy Mila, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco.

This avocado-and-chickpea salad is a fresh, flavorful dish that comes together in minutes. Made with just five ingredients, it’s as simple as it is satisfying. Creamy avocado pairs perfectly with hearty chickpeas for a filling, plant-based meal. With no cooking required and minimal prep, it’s a perfect quick lunch or dinner.

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Original Source:

https://www.eatingwell.com/quick-and-easy-salad-recipes-to-make-for-dinner-this-spring-11970917