Spring is here, and with all the new colors that are popping up at the farmers market, we couldn't be happier. If you love picking up Spring vegetables [1] (like fava beans, English peas, artichokes, carrots, avocados, and asparagus) and are wondering what to do with your bounty, here are 40 healthy recipes to inspire you the next time you're in the kitchen.
Grilled Wasabi Asparagus
Your basic grilled asparagus recipe may be on point, but sometimes it's time for a twist. Spice up your side with this wasabi-flavored grilled asparagus recipe [3].
Stinging Nettles Pasta
Tired of your usual vegetable route? Go for something less ubiquitous than asparagus: this stinging nettles pasta [4] has just the right amount of grassiness.
Mango, Cucumber, and Watermelon Salad
Fish sauce in a fruit salad? It's a sweet-savory combination that just works, especially when it comes to perfectly in-season mangoes. Get the recipe for this unique fruit salad [5].
Eggs in Avocado
A filling, low-prep, protein-packed breakfast that's great for weekday and weekend mornings alike: baked eggs in avocado [6].
Watermelon Radish, Orange, and Goat Cheese Salad
Watermelon radishes are a bright, beautiful veggie to add to your plate, and they're particularly delicious combined with orange, toasted walnuts, and goat cheese [7].
Carrot Chips
If you're constantly craving chips, it's time you found a healthier option. Each batch of these carrot chips [8] is only 79 calories vs. the average bag of 160-calorie potato chips.
Salad in an Avocado
Eating your greens has never been as fun. This chopped-salad-in-an-avocado recipe [9] is perfect for hot late-Spring days. Cool off with this healthy Mexican-inspired dish the next time you don't want to turn on the oven.
Paleo Pasta
A vegetable peeler is all you need to make your farmers market carrot haul into a satisfying noodle-free pasta dish. All the flavors you love in your favorite comfort food are here in this gluten-free, Paleo pasta recipe [10].
Chicken Thighs With Rhubarb-Cucumber Salsa
Boring chicken thighs get a zingy upgrade with this Spring recipe [11].
Ginger-Carrot Soup
Our spicy ginger-carrot soup [12] is high in vitamins A and C and makes a perfect light lunch when your stomach may be feeling upset.
Chicken With Artichokes and Angel Hair
This light and well-balanced recipe for chicken with artichokes and angel hair [13] makes an impressive dinner without requiring much effort or time.
Stuffed Artichokes
Once you've mastered how to roast artichokes, get creative by adding additional ingredients to the mix [14] like spices, cheese, or breadcrumbs.
Avocado Toast
In the mood for a snack with a little spice? Check out POPSUGAR Food's video showing you how to make avocado toast [15] with a slice of whole-wheat bread, sliced avocado, a drizzle of olive oil and hot sauce, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Baked Eggs With Spinach, Ricotta, and Leeks
Baked eggs with leeks [16] make a light and delicious springtime brunch.
Carrot Apple Ginger Soup
The combination of flavors in this recipe for carrot apple ginger soup [17] will have your taste buds singing praises.
Farro Salad With Fava Beans and Feta
Farro is a nutty grain that's packed with minerals and pairs well with fresh fava beans and feta [18].
Warm Artichoke and Mushroom Salad
This supersimple warm artichoke and mushroom salad [19] makes a great side dish or light meal on its own.
Leek and Walnut Pesto
Traditional basil pesto gets a unique and delicious spin [20] with in-season leeks and walnuts instead of pine nuts.
Zucchini "Pasta" With Peas and Parmesan
You don't need a special peeler to create this zucchini "pasta" dish [21] — all you need is a grater. Combined with peas, garlic, and pesto, this low-cal dish will become a springtime favorite.
Fava Bean Bread Salad
A bread salad — or bread topped with a salad! — is a great way to cool off on a warm day. Toss together some cooked fava beans, greens, olive oil, and vinegar, throw that on some bread, and call it a day!
Vegan Pea Soup
This isn't your grandma's pea soup. This easy recipe [22] blends frozen peas with just a few additional ingredients to create a fresh, creamy soup without the cream.
Marinated Mushroom and Asparagus Salad
Vegan and gluten-free, this marinated mushroom salad [23] puts you in asparagus heaven. Earthy enough to stand up on its own, it's also great when paired with tofu, fish, or chicken.
Try This Asparagus Detox Salad
It's already enough that asparagus tastes good, but did you know it also helps in detoxing the body? Give your digestive system a little support with this good-for-you salad recipe [24]. The salad contains all sorts of healthy ingredients like quinoa and beets, but asparagus is the star of the show!
Fava Bean, Arugula, and Lemon Mash
Sort of a springtime twist on hummus, this fava bean and lemon mash [25] makes the perfect cracker-topper for a healthy appetizer.
Grilled Pork and Mango Skewers
Skewers are the perfect outdoor recipe when feeding a large group, and these pork and mango skewers [26] are a low-carb, delicious crowd-pleaser.
Spicy Mango, Papaya, and Cabbage Slaw
This spicy ribboned slaw [27] is a light, crunchy, and satisfying meal that's perfect for a bring-to-work lunch.
Spiced Carrot Soup With Roasted Chickpeas
This light Middle Eastern-spiced carrot soup [28] is bursting with flavors like cumin, coriander, and lemon.
Asparagus With Romesco Sauce
Try this easy Spanish-inspired romesco sauce [29] to serve over a bed of roasted asparagus.
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
There is no better crowd-pleaser than a big bowl of spinach artichoke dip [30]. Well, maybe this version, since it's vegan and soy-free!
Carrot Rosemary Potato Latkes
Latkes aren't just for Hanukkah. Our carrot rosemary potato latkes [31] make for a happy and healthier version of the much-adored appetizer any time of the year.
Steamed Baby Carrots
A simple side of steamed baby carrots with olive oil and lemon [32] would be a welcome addition to any Spring meal.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Get in some fiber and folate with a big bowl of this Mediterranean quinoa salad [33].
Minty Spring Pea Salad
Sometimes the simplest preparation allows fresh produce to shine, and this quick Spring pea salad [34] is the perfect recipe for those fresh peas you'll pick up this season.
Quinoa Salad With Mango, Snap Peas, Ginger, and Lime
This chilled quinoa salad [35] is packed with protein and uses red quinoa for a nuttier flavor.
Fava Bean Puree Crostini
One of our favorite ways to eat fava beans is to puree (or mash) them together with a little lemon, garlic, arugula, and touch of parmesan cheese. Add that mixture to some crostini, and you've got an instant party hit on your hands. You can even make the arugula and fava bean crostini [36] mixture ahead of time, and then whip it out whenever you have guests visiting. Add a little sweetness by topping it with diced pears.
Spring Veggie and Potato Frittata
This recipe for a Spring frittata [37] is made healthier by cutting back on cheese and loading up the veggies.
Fava Bean Quinoa Cakes
These delicious fava bean and quinoa cakes [38] are vegan and gluten-free.
Cod With Asparagus En Papillote
Cooking fish at home can feel intimidating, but our cod with asparagus en papillote [39] couldn't be simpler to make. Simply add all the ingredients into parchment paper to bake in the oven. Dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes!
Sesame Carrot Salad
The umami flavors of this spicy sesame carrot salad [40] will make it a definite crowd favorite. It's also a dish that can be made a day or two ahead without the worry of it getting soggy and lifeless.
Pea Gazpacho
For those Spring days that feel more like Summer, make a batch of this pea gazpacho [41]. The fresh peas and mint in the vegan soup are a classic combination that also offer up a ton of fiber and protein.