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Home » Best Recipes Collection

18 Fresh and Flavorful Recipes to Celebrate The Start of Spring

Modified: Mar 21, 2025 · Published Mar 21, 2025 · by Jacqueline Piper · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links. Read our privacy policy.

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4-photo collage of food photos with the text celebrate spring with 17 refreshing & light recipes.

Spring has officially arrived, bringing longer days, blooming flowers, and the fresh flavors of the season! To celebrate, we’ve gathered 18 light and refreshing recipes perfect for kicking off spring. Think fluffy strawberry muffins for bright mornings, vibrant salads packed with crisp veggies, and a savory pea quiche ideal for a leisurely lunch.

Green Pea Quiche

A green quiche with a slice missing, topped with greens and crumbled feta.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Spring has sprung, and this Feta and Green Pea Quiche is the perfect way to celebrate! This vibrant dish boasts a stunning green pea filling nestled in a unique avocado pastry crust.

Get the recipe: Green Pea Quiche

Vegan Strawberry Muffins

Muffins with strawberries in them behind a halved muffin.
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

Calling all strawberry lovers! Indulge in these delightful Vegan Strawberry Streusel Muffins. Made entirely with plant-based ingredients, these muffins are fluffy, flavorful, and bursting with fresh strawberries.

Get the recipe: Vegan Strawberry Streusel Muffins

One-Pot Shrimp Pasta

A bowl with pasta, shrimp, and chopped asparagus.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Ditch the dishes and indulge in a delicious one-pot shrimp pasta! This recipe brings together perfectly cooked pasta with succulent, sautéed shrimp. Fresh lemon juice and fragrant thyme add a touch of brightness.

Get the recipe: One-Pot Shrimp Pasta

Roasted Broccoli Quinoa Salad

Broccoli, quinoa, chickpeas, crumbled feta, and slivered almonds in a large bowl.
Image Credit: My Plant Based Bowl

This Roasted Broccoli Quinoa Salad is a textural and flavor delight. Fluffy quinoa meets its perfectly toasted counterpart, creating a delightful contrast in every bite.

Get the recipe: Roasted Broccoli Quinoa Salad

Lemon Pepper Pasta

A bowl with swirled pasta with greens and two lemon wedges.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Craving a quick and flavorful pasta dish? Look no further than this Lemon Pepper Pasta! It's a budget-friendly meal that's bursting with bright, zesty flavors.

Get the recipe: Lemon Pepper Pasta

Creamy Zucchini Mushroom Pasta

A bowl with swirled pasta, topped with zucchini, chopped parsley, and lemon slices.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

Embrace zucchini season with this incredibly easy One-Pot Zucchini and Mushroom Pasta! This creamy and satisfying dish comes together in a single pot, making cleanup a breeze.

Get the recipe: Creamy Zucchini Mushroom Pasta

Carrot Fries

Carrot fries in a bowl with dip.
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

Snacking doesn't have to be boring! These Air Fryer Carrot Fries are a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional fries. Made with just a few simple ingredients they're crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Get the recipe: Carrot Fries

Sheet Pan Chicken And Asparagus

A sheet pan with two cooked chicken breasts and a bunch of asparagus spears.
Image Credit: for Pipercooks

Streamline your weeknight dinners with this fuss-free One-Pan Chicken with Asparagus! Tender chicken and fresh asparagus bake together on a single sheet pan, coated in a delicious honey Dijon sauce that's both tangy and sweet.

Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken And Asparagus

Kale Chicken Salad

A bowl with sections greens, cucumber, cilantro, green onions, and sliced cooked chicken beside a jar of green dressing.
Image Credit: for Pipercooks

Craving a flavorful and healthy salad with a protein punch? Look no further than this Chicken and Kale Salad with Creamy Avocado Cilantro Dressing!

Get the recipe: Kale Chicken Salad

Greek Cucumber Salad

A bowl with chopped cucumber, red onion, and dill coated in a creamy dressing.
Image Credit: My Plant Based Bowl

Beat the summer heat with this refreshing Greek-inspired Cucumber Salad! Cool, crisp cucumbers are bathed in a creamy Tzatziki dressing, bursting with fresh flavors like dill and garlic.

Get the recipe: Greek Cucumber Salad

Strawberry Lemon Cake

A vanilla cake with strawberries sliced into squares.
Image Credit: for Pipercooks

This Lemon Strawberry Cake is bursting with fresh flavors, perfect for a delightful summer dessert. The cake itself is wonderfully moist thanks to the addition of lemon zest, and it's studded with sweet, juicy strawberries throughout.

Get the recipe: Strawberry Lemon Cake

Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Smashed baby potatoes on a plate with dip.
Image Credit: for Pipercooks

Craving crispy, fluffy potatoes without the hassle? These Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes with Dijon Mustard and Thyme are the answer! Made with just 5 ingredients, this recipe is easy to make.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes

Vegan Lemon Aioli

A bowl with white dip garnished with lemon zest in front of two whole lemons and crackers spread with the dip.
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

Ditch the mayo and embrace the creamy goodness of cashews! This vibrant Lemon Cashew Aioli is bursting with flavor, thanks to a touch of fresh lemon juice and zest.

Get the recipe: Vegan Lemon Aioli

Cabbage Crunch Salad

A salad of shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, cilantro, and peanuts in the bowl.
Image Credit: for Pipercooks

Craving a light, refreshing salad with a satisfying crunch? This Cabbage Crunch Salad is ready in just 20 minutes and packed with flavor. Crispy cabbage gets tossed with a creamy peanut butter dressing, creating a delightful contrast of textures.

Get the recipe: Cabbage Crunch Salad

Spinach And Arugula Salad

A bowl with spinach, sliced apples, pecans, and feta cheese, topped with a balsamic dressing.
Image Credit: for Pipercooks

Beat the heat with this vibrant Summer Salad! Arugula and spinach form a refreshingly peppery base for sweet apple slices, tangy feta cheese, and a delightful crunch from pecans, sunflower seeds, and pepitas.

Get the recipe: Spinach And Arugula Salad

Broccoli Crunch Salad

Broccoli salad in a bowl topped with pumpkin seeds.
Image Credit: for Pipercooks

This Summer Broccoli Crunch Salad is a vibrant explosion of textures and tastes. Crispy broccoli florets meet crunchy pepitas for a delightful contrast, while a creamy chipotle mayo dressing adds a touch of smoky heat.

Get the recipe: Broccoli Crunch Salad

Vegan Cucumber Sandwich

Hands holding up a halved sandwich filled with greens and cucumber slices,
Image Credit: The Veggie Yaya

Sometimes, simple is simply satisfying. This classic cucumber sandwich delivers on all the essential elements: freshness, satisfying crunch, and effortless ease.

Get the recipe: Vegan Cucumber Sandwich

Labneh Dip

White dip on a plate topped with nuts, spices, tomatoes, black olives, sliced cucumber and radish, oregano leaves, and chive blossoms.
Image Credit: Pipercooks

This quick and easy dip features Middle Eastern labneh - a creamy strained yogurt with the texture of cream cheese and the tanginess of Greek Yogurt. Flavored with Middle Easter Za'atar seasoning and garnished with fresh herbs, walnuts, black olives, and tomatoes for a pretty plate for entertaining.

Get the recipe: Labneh Dip

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Hi, I'm Jacqueline!

Welcome to Piper Cooks, where I've been sharing my homemade recipes for 10 years! I share simple, delicious recipes made from scratch, perfect for busy families and food lovers alike. Let's turn everyday meals into something fun and delicious!

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