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Loaded Spring Salad

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A simple, flavourful, and VERY loaded salad that will give you all the Spring vibes. The herby dressing is a real dream! Feel free to customize this salad by swapping in (or adding!) some of your favourite local in season veggies.

A loaded spring salad is the perfect way to celebrate fresh, vibrant produce while keeping meals light, nourishing, and full of flavor. Packed with crisp vegetables, creamy feta, crunchy walnuts, and a bright, herby dressing, this salad is satisfying enough to stand on its own or serve as a colorful side dish. If you’re looking for a fresh spring salad recipe that’s easy to prepare and bursting with seasonal ingredients, this loaded spring salad is one you’ll want to make on repeat.

What makes this salad truly special is the variety of textures and flavors in every bite. Crisp lettuce creates a refreshing base, while juicy tomatoes and cool cucumbers add balance and hydration. Radishes bring a subtle peppery crunch, and peas add natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the salty feta cheese. Red onion adds a mild bite that enhances the overall depth of the salad without overpowering it.

The toppings elevate this salad from simple to satisfying. Feta cheese adds creamy, tangy richness that complements the fresh vegetables, while walnuts provide crunch and a nutty flavor that makes the salad feel hearty and filling. Together, these ingredients create a well-rounded dish that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or entertaining.

The creamy lemon herb dressing ties everything together. Made with a blend of mayo and yogurt, it offers richness without feeling heavy. Lemon juice adds brightness, while fresh dill and chives bring a classic springtime flavor. A splash of milk or water thins the dressing to the perfect consistency, making it easy to toss and coat every leaf evenly. This dressing is fresh, versatile, and pairs beautifully with crisp vegetables.

One of the best things about a loaded spring salad is how customizable it is. You can easily add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon for extra protein, or keep it vegetarian for a lighter meal. It’s also a great recipe for using up whatever vegetables you have on hand, making it both practical and budget-friendly. Serve it alongside soups, sandwiches, or as part of a spring brunch spread.

If you’re searching for a healthy spring salad, a fresh vegetable-packed recipe, or a creamy herb dressing that works with everything, this loaded spring salad delivers. It’s vibrant, satisfying, and easy to prepare—perfect for welcoming warmer days and lighter meals.

How To Make Loaded Spring Salad

The Ingredients

Lettuce: Lettuce provides a crisp, refreshing base for the salad.
Substitutes: Romaine, butter lettuce, arugula, spinach, or mixed greens.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes add juiciness and natural sweetness.
Substitutes: Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, roasted tomatoes, or sun-dried tomatoes.

Cucumbers: Cucumbers add crunch and freshness.
Substitutes: Persian cucumbers, English cucumber, zucchini ribbons, or celery.

Radishes: Radishes add peppery crunch and color.
Substitutes: Jicama, turnips, fennel, or omit if preferred.

Peas: Peas add sweetness and a pop of green color.
Substitutes: Edamame, chickpeas, green beans, or snap peas.

Red Onion: Red onion adds mild sharpness and depth.
Substitutes: Shallots, green onions, white onion, or pickled red onion.

Feta Cheese: Feta adds creamy, tangy flavor.
Substitutes: Goat cheese, ricotta salata, queso fresco, or dairy-free feta.

Walnuts: Walnuts provide crunch and nutty richness.
Substitutes: Pecans, almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.

Mayo: Mayo adds richness and creaminess to the dressing.
Substitutes: All yogurt, sour cream, or vegan mayo.

Yogurt: Yogurt lightens the dressing and adds tang.
Substitutes: Greek yogurt, dairy-free yogurt, or buttermilk.

Milk or Water: Thins the dressing to the desired consistency.
Substitutes: Almond milk, oat milk, or additional lemon juice.

Lemon: Lemon juice adds brightness and acidity.
Substitutes: White wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar.

Dill: Dill adds fresh, herbaceous flavor.
Substitutes: Parsley, basil, or tarragon.

Chives: Chives add mild onion flavor.
Substitutes: Green onions or finely diced shallots.

What You Need

The Steps

  • Wash and dry all veggies
  • Chop lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, radishes and red onion
  • Whisk together dressing ingredients
  • Assemble salad starting with greens or lettuce and top with tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, red onions, peas, feta cheese, and walnuts
  • Drizzle with dressing and enjoy immediately!

Recipe Tips

 

Loaded Spring Salad

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 small head lettuce
  • 1 cup sliced tomatoes
  • 1 cup sliced cucumbers
  • 1 cup sliced radishes
  • 1 cup peas
  • ¼ cup sliced red onion
  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Dressing

  • 2 tbsp mayo
  • 2 tbsp yogurt
  • 2 tbsp milk of choice or water
  • ½ lemon juiced
  • ¼ cup fresh diced dill
  • ¼ cup fresh diced chives
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Wash and dry all veggies
  • Chop lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, radishes and red onion
  • Whisk together dressing ingredients
  • Assemble salad starting with greens or lettuce and top with tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, red onions, peas, feta cheese, and walnuts
  • Drizzle with dressing and enjoy immediately!

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Meet Ivanka

Recipe creator, toddler mama & wellness enthusiast. Happy&Full is a blog all about quick and easy recipes for every day living! Eating well (and feeling well) doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

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