Is it safe to come out yet? Have the icicles melted away, trickling into shallow streams through the dense underbrush? Has the ground thawed to make way for tender green shoots, reemerging after months of sleep? Does it feel like spring out there, or just another day?
No matter the current outlook, I promise, spring is imminent. With the promise of warmth and sunshine just on the horizon, there’s plenty to celebrate alongside the arrival of the vernal equinox. It may or may not seem like it right now, but the wheels are already turning to keep life moving forward, pushing fresh, tender greens back to the surface. From crisp asparagus spears to delicate pea shoots, these early harbingers of the season infuse our dishes with vibrancy that signals the end of winter’s monochrome.
As we stand on the cusp of a new season, our senses awaken to the possibilities that spring brings. From the earthy embrace of early vegetables to the sweet symphony of fruits, each ingredient tells a story of renewal and abundance. Start with a few of my favorite seasonal recipes to put a spring in your step, no matter the weather forecast.
15 Best Plant-Based Recipes For Spring
Start with a few of my favorite seasonal recipes to put a spring in your step, no matter the weather forecast.
Spring Pea Toast
This combination of rich almond-based ricotta and bright pea puree on a slab of hearty, seeded bread is an easy recipe to make at home for a taste of spring that everyone can enjoy year-round, worldwide.
Chive Pesto Soup
Starting with chive pesto, adding liquid and vegetables turned this bright green blend into an ideal spring soup.
Pea Leaf Cazuela
Embrace early spring greens with this garlicky pea shoot cazuela! Deceptively rich and complex but full of flavorful, simple ingredients, think of it like a warm spread that falls somewhere between hummus, pea puree, and spinach dip.
Spring Thaw
This spring dessert inspired by El Bulli is easier than molecular gastronomy but just as impressive. Tender coffee cake, frosty lemon granita, and fresh herbs and flowers are what make this such a special grand finale.
Fiddlehead Scampi
Think shrimp scampi, minus the seafood. Garlicky strands of noodles intertwined with tender fiddlehead ferns, brightened by a hit of lemon and fresh herbs, it simply screams “spring!”
Cream of Pistachio Soup
Lush toasted pistachios are blended to both flavor and enrich the silken brew, dazzling with simplicity and subtlety. Glorious spring greens enhance the color, of course, while adding a light, peppery bite. Fennel, typically a bit player, is essential for this unique concert of seasonal flavors, not to be overpowered by the standard array of aromatics.
Spring Fava Bean Salad
The way that tender fava beans, greens, and bright, spicy lemon dressing meld together in this mixture sets it apart from the average leafy green salad.
Asparagus Crown Roast
Fit for aristocracy, this asparagus pastry with meatless pate was inspired by the Regency-era feast seen in Netflix's hit series, Bridgerton. It's a decadent yet surprisingly healthy entree that will delight fans and foodies alike.
Pea Tea Sandwiches
Putting the "tea" back into tea sandwiches, butterfly pea tea flower gives the cream cheese in this stately snack a brilliant blue color. Fresh peas carry the theme to brighter, bolder flavors than ever before. It's a celebration of spring produce, in all its seasonal glory.
Totally Rad Salad
Tossed simply with a bold dressing highlighting its not-so-distant relative, the horseradish, the complimentary flavors sparkle across this crisp salad. Utilizing the whole vegetable, greens and all, this raw preparation comes together very quickly, ready to start off any springtime meal on a high note.
Asparagus Ruffled Milk Pie (Galatopita)
For a savory take on the classic Greek baked custard, this healthy entree is the stuff of springtime dreams. Fresh mint and lemon zest add bright pops of flavor in every bite, highlighting tender fresh asparagus that's woven throughout the matrix of phyllo and custard.
Sakura Sushi
Pretty pink sushi rolls infused with cherry blossom powder are the perfect dish to celebrate spring! A classic umi-shiso filling makes them a snap to make and enjoy.
Snappy Snap Pea Pasta for One
Celebrate the brilliant simplicity of spring with seared snap peas tossed with pasta, chickpeas, orange zest, and a handful of cilantro.
Pea-zza (Pea Pizza)
Pea-zza, a springy seasonal variant on the classic, is lavished with tender sweet peas, of course, as well as crisp raw snap peas.
Rhubarb Cupcakes
Rhubarb gets the spotlight in this citrus-soaked little cakes, topped off by fluffy vanilla bean buttercream frosting.
Such a great recipe collection, I am looking forward to spring. Thanks!
These all look amazing, Hannah. For the next two weeks, my husband is on a low iodine diet, leading to a scan to determine a cancer treatment, so no new recipes for a bit. I’ll have to come back.
Sending all the healing, healthy vibes to your husband. The recipes can definitely wait!
Ooh, I love all of the Spring cooking inspiration. First up on my list is the Fiddlehead Scampi and Rad Salad – just pinned both. Thank you!
These spring-inspired recipes sound absolutely delightful and are sure to bring a burst of freshness to any table! From vibrant pea toast to fragrant rhubarb cupcakes, each dish celebrates the bounty of the season in its own unique way. Thank you for sharing these recipes, I can’t wait to try them out and welcome the flavors of spring into my kitchen (after 6 months of course), its autumn here down under, so keeping this roundup….