Best Spring Side Dishes

Spring Side Dishes

There’s nothing like produce in season. Vegetables and fruits picked in their prime and served up from local farms (or your garden) are absolutely divine. Their taste is fresh, crisp, and flavorful.

With the warmer temperatures, the sunnier days, and the opening of local farmers’ markets, we are eating fresh spring vegetables again. Some of you may even subscribe to CSA boxes and are looking for new ideas on how to spruce up the vegetables in this week’s box.

We’ve put together this wonderful list of the best spring side dishes so that you can take full advantage of all the fresh produce that shows up in spring.

What vegetables are in season in spring?

What’s in season in spring will vary depending on where you live. Here are a few of our favorite spring vegetables that are widely available during the season:

The Best Spring Side Dishes

Sautéed Radishes with Sweet White Balsamic Glaze

Raw radishes are crisp and peppery, but cooking them transforms their flavor. The heat softens their bite and brings out a gentle sweetness, which is why I love them sautéed.

4.96 stars (50 ratings)

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Cooking radishes is a wonderful way to enjoy more of spring’s spicy treat. Cooking them mellows their heat and the slightly sweet glaze in this recipe pairs with them perfectly. Also, try these spring radish recipes:

• miso butter roasted radishes

Spring Green Bean and Asparagus Side Dishes

Sauteed Asparagus Recipe

Sauteed Asparagus is a quick and easy side dish recipe. The asparagus spears are fresh and flavorful and will be ready to eat in only 10 minutes.

4.84 stars (37 ratings)

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Asparagus is the iconic spring side dish. The tasty spears can be roasted with parmesan, steamed, pan-fried, or eaten raw. Here are a few other spring asparagus recipes we love:

• Asparagus Salad with Reduced Balsamic Vinaigrette

Also, look for other green veggies at the market, like green beans near the end of spring. These green bean recipes are all delicious:

• Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic
• Green Beans with Bacon and Boursin

Roasted Broccoli Salad Recipe

I'm a big fan of broccoli salad. While I love my broccoli blueberry salad and grilled broccoli caesar salad, this roasted broccoli salad is my favorite.

I use both roasted and raw broccoli, which gives the salad the best texture. But my real secret trick is the tiny pieces of tart lemon. You get them every few bits, and they brighten up the salad – they're my favorite part!

4.90 stars (64 ratings)

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While broccoli and broccolini can be found year-round in the grocery store, it tastes the best when you find it at your local market in late spring. You can roast broccoli for a super simple spring side dish, or try it in one of these recipes:

• Roasted Broccoli Steaks with Butter Toasted Pine Nuts
• Broccoli Cheese Soup
• Classic Broccoli Coleslaw
• Broccoli and Kale Salad with Blueberries and Coconut
• Roasted Broccolini with Tahini Yogurt

Spring Carrot Side Dishes

Creamy Carrot Pasta Sauce Topped with Pesto

This vibrant, veggie-filled carrot pasta sauce is an absolute ode to springtime. Using carrots as a base for a creamy sauce and their bright green tops for a flavorful pesto, it's a delicious take on mac and cheese that the whole family will love. It's easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes, and extra sauce can be frozen for easy weeknight dinners!

4.89 stars (18 ratings)

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Fresh, spring carrots make a wonderful addition to your spring side dishes repertoire. We often serve our creamy carrot pasta (pictured above) as a side dish to baked chicken to salmon. You can also turn the greens into carrot top pesto!

• Garlic Herb Carrot Fries
• Quick Garlic Roasted Carrots
• Spicy Honey Carrots

Spring Salad Side Dishes

Spring Mix Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

This easy and beautiful spring mix salad features tender baby greens, crunchy radishes, and nutty sunflower seeds lightly tossed in a homemade honey lemon vinaigrette. It's perfectly simple for serving alongside main meals or you can transform it into a heartier meal-salad with your favorite add-ins. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and ready in under 10 minutes!

4.73 stars (29 ratings)

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After a winter of lackluster greens, it’s always exciting to find fresh and flavorful lettuce at the spring market. Try making your go-to salad recipes with spring greens or try one of these spring side dish salads:

• Asparagus Salad with Balsamic Glaze
• Arugula and Wild Rice Salad

Springtime New Potato Recipes 

Roasted Mini Potatoes with Herbs, Garlic, and Lemon

Don't let their size fool you! These roasted mini potatoes may be small, but they're bursting with the flavors of fresh herbs, garlic, and a hint of lemon. They're golden and crispy on the outside with a soft center, making them the perfect easy side dish the whole family will love.

4.60 stars (52 ratings)

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New potatoes come into season as early as April. When you spot them, pick up a bag; They’re wonderfully tender.