32 Healthy Spring Dinners You Can Throw Together in Minutes
These nutritious spring recipes are as simple as they are delicious.
While there's certainly something cozy about the hearty, comforting meals of winter and fall, the refreshing, lighter recipes of spring can be equally satisfying — just in a different way. From nutrient-dense salad recipes to bright and vibrant soups, the options for what to eat in spring are pretty endless. Plus, there is a whole new set of produce available for switching up ingredients in healthy spring recipes. No matter what season it is, though, sometimes there just isn't enough time to spend an hour or more in the kitchen. That's why having access to quick, delicious, and healthy dinner recipes is key year-round.
Luckily, the change in season means that sourcing ingredients for healthy spring dinners is that much easier. After all, a cold, crunchy salad doesn't sound quite as good in December as it does in May. When in doubt, focusing on building a plate with as many colors as possible is a great way to create a healthy dinner, but if you get easily overwhelmed by cooking, taking the guesswork out of it is key. The following 30+ healthy, quick dinner recipes all take 35 minutes or less to prepare and will satisfy a variety of palates, from foodies to picky eaters. Even better, these dinner ideas are perfect for spring, and so quick that they could be prepped the night or morning before.
Grilled Salmon with Greek Salad
You can whip up this light and refreshing dish in just 20 minutes. It doesn't get easier than that!
Chicken, Green Bean, and Bacon Pasta
This heart-healthy, 25-minute dinner features green beans and spinach, but would taste equally delicious with asparagus, sugar snaps, or frozen corn.
Moroccan Chicken Bowl
Sweet 'n' tangy Moroccan chicken for dinner? You betcha. This is loaded with fiber and antioxidants from a slew of tasty veggies.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
Traditional fried rice is a calorie bomb. Here, it gets a healthy transformation with cauliflower "rice." Wanna make it vegan? Skip the eggs and swap maple syrup for honey in the sauce.
Cod with Crispy Green Beans
Pan-seared cod is always a crowd-pleaser, but a drizzle of herby pesto and a side of Parmesan-dusted beans make this quick weeknight supper really stand out.
Mediterranean Fried Rice
It may look Instagram-perfect, but we promise it's a cinch to make, and a very small amount of olive oil (versus larger quantities of vegetable oil in typical fried rice recipes) makes this much lighter than takeout fare. Bonus: It's a great way to use up that leftover rice in the fridge.
Sweet Potato Kale Frittata
Kale, red onion, and goat cheese make this dish a must-try. Bonus: The leftovers are delicious at breakfast, too!
Egg Pepper Rings with Carrot Salsa
This creative dish combines garlic, cilantro, and vegetables in the perfect eggs-for-dinner meal.
Honey-Spiced Salmon with Quinoa
Glazed, broiled salmon sits on a bed of fluffy quinoa in this sweet and savory fish recipe.
Pineapple and Black Bean Fajitas
You won't even miss the meat in these veggie-filled fajitas.
Sautéed Shrimp, Poblanos, and Corn with Creamy Rice
Velvety sour cream makes this nutritious dish feel like a guilty pleasure.
Get the recipe for Sautéed Shrimp, Poblanos, and Corn with Creamy Rice.
Potsticker Stir-Fry
Use fresh garlic, ginger, and crisp vegetables to add flair to store-bought potstickers.
Instant Noodle Soup
This light, broth-based soup is perfect for any night that you just don't feel like cooking.
Steak and Snow Pea Salad with Oranges and Edamame
All it takes is 20 minutes to get this lean meal on the table.
Get the recipe for Steak and Snow Pea Salad with Oranges and Edamame.
One-Pan Spring Chicken with Asparagus and Edamame
Bright green spring vegetables and fresh herbs are the perfect way to liven up basic chicken breasts for spring.
Get the recipe for One-Pan Spring Chicken with Asparagus and Edamame.
Spring Veggie Pasta
Packed with asparagus, leeks, garlic, and lemon, we'll be eating this easy vegetarian dinner all season.
Greek Turkey Burgers
A heart-healthy burger? Yes please!
Chickpea, Spinach, and Quinoa Patties
Loaded with feta, garlic, and jalapeño, these hearty patties make a flavorful vegetarian dinner.
Hot Honey-Roasted Salmon and Radishes
Fresh jalapeño-infused honey and spicy radish greens give this flaky roasted salmon a one-two punch.
Black Bean Veggie Burger with Couscous
If you like a little heat, add red pepper flakes to your patties and serve with jalapeños for an added kick.
Perri is a New York City-born and -based writer; she holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Columbia University and is also a culinary school graduate of the plant-based Natural Gourmet Institute, which is now the Natural Gourmet Center at the Institute of Culinary Education. Her work has appeared in the New York Post, Men's Journal, Rolling Stone, Oprah Daily, Insider.com, Architectural Digest, Southern Living, and more. She's probably seen Dave Matthews Band in your hometown, and she'll never turn down a bloody mary. Learn more at VeganWhenSober.com.
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