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It’s officially time to work cold lunches back into rotation, embrace a new season of produce, and enjoy bright, refreshing meals, even if it’s still raining outside. Here are my Favorite Spring Recipes For Your Next Meal Plan!
Spring is definitely a time of food transition in my house. A little from Winter, a little from Summer. We bring back smoothies, but we still make soup. We bring back salads, but we still eat casseroles. You get the idea!
That’s why this list has a nice mix of hot and cold dishes, different cooking methods, and ideas that start incorporating in season produce once again. When it still feels cold and gloomy out, I go for warm foods. On those rare sunny Spring days, I opt for something cold for lunch.
If you feel the same way about Spring food, this list of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack recipes is for you. Many of these options can be enjoyed hot or cold. And all of them are simple to make for meal prep or perfect to enjoy right when you whip them up.
These are seriously some of my favorite recipes I’m enjoying on repeat this Spring. If you get even one idea off of this list for your next meal plan, then I’ve accomplished my mission!
Here’s what all my favorite Spring recipes have in common:
- Many of these recipes can be enjoyed cold from the fridge or reheated in some way, so you can change up the temperature of the dish depending on your mood.
- No matter the cooking method, each of these recipes is simple to make. No complicated cooking methods or spending hours in the kitchen. These are all great recipes for cooking beginners.
- Customize any of these recipes to make them your own – change up the flavors, servings, and side dishes to fully enjoy.
Here’s some of my favorite equipment for cooking in the Spring:
- Air Fryer – Okay I’ll admit, I use my air fryer year round. But it’s also key for cooking things quickly. I use the Cosori XL 5.8 qt Air Fryer (affiliate link!). It’s my favorite for cooking chicken!
- 3 Compartment Glass Meal Prep Containers (affiliate link!) – These are my favorite lunch containers. They also come in a 2 compartment option! Best for storing lunches where you want to keep things separate until you enjoy.
- Good mixing bowls – You can never go wrong with a good set of mixing bowls. Of course these are good year round, but I noticed lots of these Spring recipes need to be mixed in a bowl. I use the 8-Piece Pyrex Sculptured Mixing Bowl Set (affiliate link!) for pretty much everything!
How to start meal planning:
For an easy method to get you started with meal planning, check out my article 5 Steps to Help You Make a Meal Plan That Works!
The best way to meal plan is a little bit different for everyone – some use a mobile app, some write on a laminated sheet with dry erase marker, some simply keep a note with meals listed in their phone.
It depends on what works for you! The only way to know what works best for yourself is to start and give it a try. If it doesn’t work very well, try another method instead.
Here are some of my Favorite Spring Recipes for Your Next Meal Plan:
As the days get a little warmer, start introducing cold lunches again with this Tuna Egg Salad Meal Prep. Even better, use up any of those leftover hard boiled eggs! This meal prep makes three servings, and can be enjoyed with crackers, as a sandwich, or on a bagel.
How to make baked oatmeal cups even better? Stuff them with an ooey gooey jam center! The oats are flavored with peanut butter so when you bite into it, you get a perfect bite of PB&J. Enjoy these cute oat cupcakes chilled or reheated!
I'll use pretty much any excuse to make some sandwiches. I love this one because the method is a little different and does require you to prep ahead, but it's SO WORTH IT. The pesto is pressed into the bread overnight, making it perfectly flavorful and juicy along with the roasted red peppers, spinach and cheese.
Here's another meal prep with options: feel free to reheat on a cold day, or enjoy a chilled quinoa bowl on a warm day! I also love adding some flaked tuna to this bowl for an extra bit of protein. This one is excellent for those busy Spring days.
This time of year, I'm definitely getting back into a salad groove. I always grow lots of greens in my garden, but it takes a bit to get me into a salad everyday kind of vibe after Winter is over. Simple spring mix salads are a great way to start with seasonal produce to craft a delicious salad lunch. Tips for meal prepping this one ahead are in the post!
Keep breakfast prep simple with these PB Banana Oatmeal bars. Made in one bowl with ingredients you might already have on hand - not to mention super quick and easy! You can reheat this with a drizzle of PB or enjoy them chilled and on-the-go!
Versatility can be key in Spring! This protein is perfect for the unpredictability of Spring weather. Add it to a wrap or salad on a warm day - cook up a burrito bowl or simple pesto chicken rice dish on a chilly day. If the weather can't decide, at least you have a perfect lunch or dinner option either way.
Make this quinoa salad for a Spring gathering, or prep it for your household and serve with a simple protein for a fresh, balanced lunch or dinner. This salad is full of Spring's finest produce: peas, asparagus, radishes, fresh herbs, and more!! Great as leftovers too!
Carrot cake is 100% the pumpkin spice of Spring, is it not? Once the new season begins, carrot cake is everywhere! But I get it. Carrot cake is delicious! You should give these Carrot Cake Overnight Oats a try if that's your thing. Plus it's a super delicious way to eat carrots for breakfast!
Fire up the grill if it's warm, or make these inside on the stovetop! Spring food is all about what the weather is doing in my opinion. These light and delicious Feta Basil Turkey Burgers are packed with flavor, can be made in advance, and they're perfect for a Spring dinner.
This pasta really only takes one dish to make! It's the kind of meal I would make on a classic Spring day - not too hot or cold out, but you still want a warm, filling meal. The pasta, sausage and veggies are coated in a parmesan and olive oil based sauce, with tons of flavor from garlic and sun-dried tomatoes!
These cookie balls are deceptively good. I'll probably end up making these year-round at my house, but the flavor combo of oatmeal cinnamon reminds of Spring for some reason. These balls are so quick, the easiest to transport or serve on-the-go, and the best part: they taste just like oatmeal raisin cookies.
Have you made any of these Spring recipes before? Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
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