25 of Our Best Spring-Fresh Side Dishes

Air Fryer Spicy Green Beans

Take your green beans up a notch with this spicy, garlicky recipe. Ready in under 45 minutes, this side dish comes together quickly for a deliciously fiery dinnertime option.

Apricot Almond Pilaf

"A sumptuous but easy Persian-inspired dish," says recipe contributor JOHNTHEBEAR. The carrot, saffron, and apricots make for a lovely gold color." Beautiful presentation with flavor to match.

Italian-Style Swiss Chard

Simply and beautifully flavored Swiss chard makes the perfect complement to any meal. Red pepper flakes and a generous helping of chopped garlic give the tender leaves and stalks serious personality.

Ramp Potatoes

Ramps are wild leeks with a flavor similar to garlicky onions. Here they are sautéed in bacon fat, then combined with golden-brown potatoes for a salty, slightly pungent taste that is uniquely addictive.

• Have These Hearty Potato Sides on the Table in Under 45 Minutes

Zucchini Cornbread Casserole

"This recipe came out great!" says Rebecita. "Easy and tasty. Using a combination of yellow squash and zucchini made it prettier, and next time I will add in some red bell pepper as well."

Spring Herb Hummus Vegetable Garden

Celebrate the season with this family-friendly dip that mimics a real-life garden. Kids will love plucking vegetables out of each row, and everyone will enjoy the taste of creamy hummus with fresh parsley, mint, and chives.

Asparagus, Lemon, and Mint Soup

A uniquely delicious soup with loads of brightness from fresh mint and lemon zest. Chopped hardboiled eggs balances the flavor and boosts protein content. Reviewers suggest adding a sprinkle of cayenne for depth.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

A multifaceted strawberry salad with all the crunchy, sweet, and vinegary goodness that you could you want. Thousands of home cooks agree on the satisfying flavor of this spring-inspired recipe.

Lui's Zucchini Leek Pho

Serious depth and comfort all in one bowl. Zucchini, leeks, celery, and mushrooms are simmered in a richly flavored broth until tender, then topped with fresh cilantro for a warm hug in liquid form.

Italian Zucchini Frittata

This traditional egg bake gets an elegant update from zucchini blossoms. Fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese ensure that there is balanced flavor in addition to beauty.

Maple-Roasted Carrots with Carrot-Top Pesto

Don't throw away those carrot top greens — use them to make a bright, flavorful pesto to drizzle onto maple-roasted carrots for an Easter-friendly side dish. Heart-healthy ingredients combine for a deliciously creamy result.

Grilled Soy-Sesame Asparagus

"This turned out perfectly with lots of flavor infused into the asparagus," says home cook PURSEONALITY. Nice and crisp right off the grill! I served it with grilled salmon and potatoes."

Celery and Carrot Soup

The mellow, slightly sweet flavor of carrot is amplified by tarragon and white wine in this soothing soup recipe. Celery adds a pleasant sharpness to each warming spoonful.

Laura's Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Perfectly crispy potatoes with wonderful Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Melted butter, garlic, lemon, and dill make a winning combination in this mouthwatering, top-rated recipe.

Roasted Radishes

Radishes aren't just for salads. This 5-ingredient recipe tosses the vibrant root vegetable with olive oil and thyme for a quick, flavorful addition to any meal.

Dandelion Salad

Dandelion is an early spring crop that's perfect for making healthy salads. Its natural bitterness pairs well with the sweetness of basil and juicy chopped tomatoes. Make sure to season thoroughly for the best result.

Arakas Latheros (Greek Peas with Tomato and Dill)

"It was delicious," raves reviewer Carol Manzo. "I followed the listed recipe, topped with feta cheese, and had crusty bread on the side. I wouldn't change anything!" Use high quality olive oil to get an authentically Greek flavor.

Mouth-Watering Stuffed Mushrooms

These creamy, super-savory mushrooms boast over 3,000 5-star ratings. Each mushroom cap is filled with cream cheese, Parmesan, minced garlic, and cayenne pepper, then baked until golden. Substantial enough to stand up tp a hearty main dish or to be eaten by itself.

Pea and Pancetta Ramen "Risotto"

Coarsely broken ramen takes the place of traditional risotto in this smoky, cheesy recipe. Frozen peas are cooked with chopped onions, chicken broth, butter, and Parmesan cheese for a hearty side dish that would pair perfectly with ham.

• How to Make Risotto

Fresh Broccoli Salad

A classic broccoli salad with tang and creaminess you're sure to love. Fresh broccoli is combined with mayonnaise, sliced almonds, and bacon for a picnic-friendly side dish.

Scalloped Carrots

"Since I was out of cheddar cheese I used the only cheese in the fridge — smoked gouda," says home cook kdickerson. It was delicious! Even the kids loved it. Will definitely be making again."

Warm Jeweled Barley Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing

Get your grains along with bright, seasonal ingredients. Apricots, onions, and dried cherries combine with barley and a sweet, peppery dressing to create a unique dish with satisfying textural balance.

• See more Barley Recipes here

Fingerling Potatoes with Tarragon Chive Butter

Small, tender potatoes tossed in an herb-garlic butter makes the perfect side dish. Creme fraiche makes this delicious potato dish even more indulgent.

• See more Barley Recipes here

Grilled Fava Beans

Chef John's fava bean recipe celebrates the sweet, seasonal vegetable with a beautiful char and garlic-mint seasoning. To eat, split pods open and enjoy the fresh flavor of this underutilized ingredient.

Baked Fennel with Parmesan

"A simple but totally delicious dish," says recipe creator Rupert. Fennel is baked with cream, creme fraiche and Parmesan cheese. An ideal accompaniment to many tomato-based Italian dishes as the creaminess balances nicely with the acidity."

• See our entire collection of Spring Side Dish Recipes here