Spring on Your Plate: 5 Fresh Salad Recipes for the Season

Oh, how foodies like us love spring! More than the warmer weather, we get excited about the fresh, colorful bounty that comes with it! We can’t wait to stroll through the farmer's market and find vibrant spears of asparagus, plump pods of peas, and freshly picked strawberries—just some of the delectable produce that steal the show every year as the weather begins to warm up.

And you know what this means? Salad season, of course! Spring is the best time to indulge in these healthy bowls because you can create the most colorful, flavorful combinations with the freshest, crispiest ingredients. 

To welcome spring, we've rounded up recipes featuring the stars of the season—they’re guaranteed to put a spring in your step and a smile on your face!

Celebrate the Season with These Spring Salad Recipes

From light and refreshing to hearty and satisfying, there's a salad for every palate and occasion. Whether you want to create a simple side dish for a weekend brunch with family or friends, or something a little more fancy to go with your main course, spring's bounty has got you covered! 

1. Berries and Ham Salad

Who knew berries and ham could be a beautiful combo? This spring salad recipe will definitely bring sunshine to your plate. What sets it apart is that you're not just tossing a few lonely berries on top and calling it a day. Nope, you're gonna go all in! You’ll have strawberries at every turn: strawberries in the salad and strawberries in the dressing! Plus, you've got the flavor of ham ready to provide a delicious contrast. It's the perfect savory counterpart to the sweet, juicy goodness of your strawberries, adding depth and richness to your bowl. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 slices of Buddig Original Ham, coarsely chopped
• 3 cups strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, halved 
• 5 cups baby spring mix
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp shallot, finely chopped
• 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp honey
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• ¾ tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

• Take 1 cup of strawberries and place them in a blender or food processor. Add honey, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, finely chopped shallot, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. 
• Process for about 30 seconds or until smooth. 
• Add in the oil and run the blender for another 30 seconds until well mixed. 
• On a large platter, arrange your spring mix together with the remaining 2 cups of strawberries, tomatoes, ham, and sliced shallot.
• Drizzle it with your strawberry mixture and top with feta cheese.
• Serve immediately.

2. Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken Strips

This easy spring salad combines fresh baby spinach with grilled chicken for a tasty mix of flavors. It's healthy, low-calorie, and full of nutrients. The combination of lean protein and leafy greens not only makes for a delicious meal but also provides a much-needed energy boost to fuel your springtime adventures.

INGREDIENTS:

For the salad

• 1 lb Buddig Fix Quix Grilled Chicken Breast Strips
• 2 bunches spinach, stemmed
• ¼ cup olives, sliced
• 24 medium cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled

For the dressing

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• ¼ cup onions, finely chopped 
• 1 tsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped 
• salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

• Combine all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Once thoroughly mixed, you can transfer to a bottle and refrigerate for 24 hours. 
• Next, put all the salad ingredients in a large salad bowl and toss until well mixed. 
• Drizzle with your desired amount of dressing and toss lightly. We suggest adding a little dressing at a time until you’re happy with it. 
• Serve immediately.

3. Warm Snap Peas & Ham Salad with Tarragon Butter

What could be a better spring salad recipe than one with snap peas? Snap peas, being the versatile legumes they are, can be enjoyed as a crunchy snack, as a side dish, used in stir-fry recipes, and of course, in salads. It's the crunch and the sweet, refreshing flavor that make them a great addition to any meal. Plus, they're rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, so apart from the “Yum!,” they also provide a nutritious boost to any recipe. This salad recipe with tarragon butter, which features this beloved ingredient, is one of our favorites!

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 oz Buddig Premium Deli Smoked Ham, coarsely chopped
• 8 oz snap peas, halved lengthwise
• 3 tbsp tarragon leaves, chopped 
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, warmed
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

• Steam snap peas and ham for 3 minutes, or until the peas are tender but still crunchy. Once the peas are crisp-tender, transfer them to a large bowl, together with the ham. 
• Add butter, tarragon, and lemon juice and toss until everything is well mixed.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and mix again.
• Serve immediately.

4. Spinach Salad with Black Forest Ham Dressing

This one involves light cooking (versus just tossing ingredients into a bowl), but it’s absolutely worth it. Still healthy, but the savory ham provides a fuller flavor and gives your salad that extra something that makes it more exciting. Plus, the smoky aroma of the black forest ham gives this dish a unique, interesting, and satisfying flavor profile.

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 oz Buddig Premium Deli Black Forest Ham, sliced into small strips
• 6 oz spinach leaves, stems trimmed
• 4 oz baby bella mushrooms, sliced
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, halved lengthwise
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes 
• 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
• Olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp  honey
• 1 ½ tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 ½ tsp.Dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

• In a nonstick skillet, fry the sliced ham in 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until brown and crispy. Make sure to stir occasionally. 
• While you’re cooking the ham, get a large salad bowl and place the spinach, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes in it.
• Line a plate with paper towels. Once cooked, transfer the ham to the plate using tongs. 
• Leave the remaining oil that you used to fry the ham in the skillet.
• Start making the dressing by cooking the shallots in the same skillet over low heat. Stir frequently and continue cooking for about 3 minutes or until the shallots are soft.
• Add the honey, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper to the skillet and give it a good stir. Cook for a few seconds then turn the heat off. 
• Place the spinach in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the spinach leaves and toss, making sure the leaves are evenly coated with the mixture. 
• Add salt and/or pepper if needed.
• Top with the egg halves and ham and serve immediately.

5. Hawaiian Potato Salad

If you want something with a bit of a tropical flair—and carbs—this is the best spring salad recipe for you. Who says salads always have to be bland or restrictive, anyway? They're meant to be enjoyed, too, and sometimes, it’s okay to embrace hearty ingredients like potatoes and meat. With this dish, you get to have both—and more!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ½ cups Buddig Original Turkey Lunch Meat, diced
• 4 ½ cups red potatoes, sliced into half-inch thick rounds
• 4 ½ pineapple, diced
• 1 ½ cups green onions, chopped
• 3 tbsp black or white sesame seeds
• 90 ml water
• ½ cup sweet chili sauce

DIRECTIONS:

• Pour water into a large pot, and then add the sliced potatoes. 
• Turn the heat on and bring the water to a boil, then to a simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes. 
• When the potatoes are tender, transfer them to a large bowl and let them cool completely.
• Once cooled, get back to your bowl and add in the turkey ham, pineapple, green onions, sesame seeds, sweet chili sauce, and water.
• Toss lightly until everything is well mixed.

Enjoy Spring and Your Salad with Buddig Meats

Spring is the best time to add color and flavor to your meals. Take advantage of the beautiful, fresh bounty that the season brings. These spring salad ideas are the best place to start. 

With the weather warming up, you can start enjoying outdoor activities again. Make sure you have the energy you need by adding protein to your greens (and reds and oranges, too!) For easy meal preps that don’t require a lot of intense cooking, deli meats are it. No, they’re not only for sandwiches! They can be used for creating quick and easy protein-packed salads, wraps, pasta, and more!

As spring approaches, make sure you stock up on Buddig lunch meats so they’re always at arm’s reach whenever you’re craving a salad—or something else. They’re gluten- and MSG-free and made with real spices to create naturally delicious flavors so you can be sure you’re only serving (and eating) quality meats.