Easter will be here before you know it, making now an ideal time to begin to plan your menu for this festive spring occasion. Every Easter table needs a variety of salads that lean on the fresh flavors of spring. Here are 10 of the best salad recipes that will be a beautiful addition to your Easter dinner or brunch table.
Asparagus and Radish Salad: Asparagus and radishes are two of spring’s greatest bounties, making it a good idea to use them plentifully during this time of the year.
This asparagus and radish salad is a great use of these two in-season vegetables. The sweet asparagus contrasts wonderfully with the bitterness of the radishes. The addition of the mint sprigs brings another layer of flavor. Take care to not overcook the asparagus. You want them to be crisp and just barely softened. This colorful salad will liven up your Easter table.
Classic Pea Salad: Nothing says Easter dinner quite like a classic pea salad. This iconic dish is a spring stalwart. Petite peas are mixed with bacon, red onion, cheddar cheese, and a creamy dressing to deliver a beautiful salad. While you can use canned peas in this recipe, the frozen peas prevent the vegetable from becoming too mushy and soft. Be sure to leave at least one hour to refrigerate the dish prior to serving it so that all of the flavors have time to meld together.
Creamy Grape Salad: For a different take on a traditional fruit salad, try this creamy grape salad instead. This recipe could not be any easier. A sweet and creamy dressing consisting of cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract delicately coats the mixture of green and red grapes. A sprinkling of brown sugar and pecans is the finishing touch on this light fruit salad. For something lower in calories, feel free to substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
7UP Lime Jell-O Salad: This 7UP lime Jell-o salad may not be the healthiest salad at your Easter meal, but it will certainly be one of the most popular. Serve this salad as a side dish or bring it out for dessert. One of the best things about this dish is that you can make it a few days in advance of your meal, making the food prep easier on Easter morning. You do not even need a Jell-mold to make this refreshing dish.
Frog Eye Salad: This cheery frog eye salad is another gorgeous addition to your Easter meal salad, regardless of if you are eating brunch, lunch, or dinner. The small acini di pepe pasta provides an interesting texture to this dish. The pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and coconut blend together to deliver an explosion of flavors. Kids will particularly love this fun and fruity salad.
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad: No Easter dinner table is complete without deviled eggs. However, rather than go with the standalone eggs, try this creative deviled egg pasta salad recipe instead. This recipe combines the iconic deviled eggs with pasta and a delicious dressing to produce a unique salad dish. You can add more protein to this dish by adding in some diced ham or bacon. You will never go back to serving regular deviled eggs again after trying them in this unique pasta salad recipe.
Easter Rainbow Salad: Looking for a salad dish that is as beautiful as it is tasty? Look no further than this Easter rainbow salad. Resembling a colored Easter egg, this dish makes a stunning centerpiece for your holiday table. Radishes, beets, and strawberries make this dish pop on your table. The sweet vinaigrette and salty pistachios bring all of the flavors together. Although it will look like you have spent a considerable amount of time assembling this beauty, this salad will come together in about 30 minutes.
Carrot-Avocado Salad: This fresh and healthy carrot-avocado salad is an elegant addition to your Easter meal menu. Roasted carrots and creamy fresh avocado provide a contrasting texture to keep this salad interesting. The tangy grapefruit dressing brings out the fresh flavors of the vegetables while the roasted almonds add an element of crunch. There is a lot going on in this unique salad but somehow it all works.
Bunny Fruit Salad: If you are hosting children at your Easter gathering, you must make this fun bunny fruit salad. All you need is strawberries, pineapple, blackberries, and kiwi to create this adorable bunny. Set this at the center of the kids’ table for your gathering as a fun surprise.
All of these salads make good complements to baked ham, prime rib, roast beef, quiche, or whatever meal you decide to prepare for your Easter meal. Your guests will be coming back for seconds of all of these delightful and seasonal salads.