40 Fast Spring Vegetable Recipes—the Perfect Seasonal Sides

40 Fast Spring Vegetable Recipes—the Perfect Seasonal Sides

Read Time: 18 mins

40 Fast Spring Vegetable Recipes—the Perfect Seasonal Sides2/39 Spinach Salad with Rhubarb Dressing 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Spinach Salad with Rhubarb Dressing Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Spinach salad is excellent with this tangy topping, which really perks it up. A friend shared a similar salad dressing recipe with me and I modified it a bit. The rhubarb adds rosy color and mouthwatering flavor.—Twila Mitchell, Lindsborg, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 423 calories, 35g fat (7g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 454mg sodium,

21g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein

21g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein. 3/39 Sauteed Tarragon Radishes 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Sauteed Tarragon Radishes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Who says radishes only belong in salads? These sauteed radishes are cooked in wine and tarragon, and may just change the way you look at radishes forever. They can be served on their own, or added to your favorite au gratin recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 108 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol,

188mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein

188mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein. 4/39 Roasted Carrots with Thyme 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These roasted carrots are so simple but always a hit. Cutting the carrots lengthwise makes this dish look extra pretty.—Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 73 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 226mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat. 5/39 Spring Asparagus 9 Reviews Test Kitchen

This fresh and colorful side dish is delicious served warm or cold

Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This fresh and colorful side dish is delicious served warm or cold. I get lots of compliments on the homemade dressing. —Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 154 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 159mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 6/39 Lemon Garlic Mushrooms 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I baste whole

mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish

mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 94 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 7/39 Herby Pea Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love spring vegetables. One Mother’s Day, I came up with

this flavorful green salad that everyone enjoyed

this flavorful green salad that everyone enjoyed. You could increase the dressing and mix in some cooked small pasta, like acini de pepe, to make it a more robust salad. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 129 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 353mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 8/39 Spring Pea & Radish Salad 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Winters can be

very long here in New Hampshire

very long here in New Hampshire. I always look forward to the first veggies of spring and making some lighter dishes like this fresh salad. —Jolene Martinelli, Derry, New Hampshire Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 50 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 9/39 Citrus Rainbow Carrots 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Citrus Rainbow Carrots Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I grow lots of carrots and I’m always experimenting

with ways to serve them

with ways to serve them. The first time I made this citrusy recipe for my husband, he said it tasted like Christmas! Although he calls them my Christmas carrots,”they’re tasty any time; I especially like serving them at Easter, with the array of carrots available in early spring. It’s easy to prepare, and can easily be doubled to serve a large group. To save time, I sometimes cut up the carrots several days in advance. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 132 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 445mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g

fiber), 2g protein

fiber), 2g protein. 10/39 Lemon Couscous with Broccoli 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lemon Couscous with Broccoli Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I combined two recipes to create this side with broccoli and pasta. The splash of lemon adds nice flavor. Instead of toasted almonds, you could also sprinkle servings with grated Parmesan cheese. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 115 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 328mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch,

1/2 fat. 11/39 Simple Lemon Parsley Potatoes 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For a simply delicious side dish, I often prepare these potatoes. I like the fact that there are few ingredients and they take such little time to prepare.—Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 150 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 84mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. 12/39 Chinese Spinach-Almond Salad 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chinese Spinach-Almond Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total

Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Time 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe combines power-packed spinach, a good source of vitamins A and K, with other veggies, lean meat and crunchy, heart-healthy almonds. Reduced-fat dressing adds a light Asian flavor and touch to each hearty serving. Mary Ann Kieffer – Lawrence, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 244 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 13/39 Roasted Green Beans with Lemon & Walnuts 5 Reviews Contest Winner

This is my Americanized version and it’s always a big hit at our holiday table

Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Green Beans with Lemon & Walnuts Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first tasted roasted green beans in a Chinese restaurant and fell in love with the texture and flavor. This is my Americanized version and it’s always a big hit at our holiday table. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 119 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 229mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 fat. 14/39 Kale &

—Elizabeth Warren, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1 serving:

Bacon Salad with Honey-Horseradish Vinaigrette 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Kale & Bacon Salad with Honey-Horseradish Vinaigrette Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Totally scrumptious and packed with nutrition, this salad was my response to friends who asked how they could incorporate kale into their diets without sacrificing taste. It is also wonderful made with collard or mustard greens, prepared in the same fashion as the kale, or with a mix of spinach & arugula or watercress. —Elizabeth Warren, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1 serving:

My family loves it!

236 calories, 15g fat (3g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 248mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein. 15/39 Radish Asparagus Salad 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Lemon zest and mustard in the dressing add the perfect punch to crisp asparagus and crunchy radishes in this fresh spring salad. My family loves it! —Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 73 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 28mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g

fiber), 2g protein

fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat. 16/39 Air-Fried Radishes Test Kitchen Approved Air-Fried Radishes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Radishes aren’t just for salads anymore. These fried radishes make a colorful side for any meal. Plus, they’re quick to make in your air fryer. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 88 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 165mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 17/39 Broccoli

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Sauteed Tarragon Radishes 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Sauteed Tarragon Radishes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Who says radishes only belong in salads?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community

Want more inspiration like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly dinner ideas and cooking tips!

Subscribe Now

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *