Nicole Ench / BuzzFeed
Spring will officially be here later this month. 🍋
That means we're working a ton of seasonal eats into our meals in March: from veggie-packed pasta dinners to citrus-topped desserts. (Also, don't forget to set your clocks back on the 8th, and raise a St. Patrick's Day glass on the 17th!)
Here's what's in season right now:
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
If you're not a quinoa fan, this would also work over rice or stuffed into a pita pocket.
White beans and a ton of veggies — like in-season carrots and broccoli — give this soup plenty of plant-based protein and vitamin A.
Recipe: Instant Pot Vegetable Soup
3. Sheet Pan Gnocchi & Mushrooms
Joe Lingeman / The Kitchn
If you've never roasted gnocchi before, you need to try it. It's faster (no waiting for water to boil) and IMO tastier — since they crisp up perfectly.
Recipe: Sheet Pan Gnocchi & Mushrooms
4. 3-Ingredient Irish Mule co*cktails
Whiskey + ginger ale + lime.
The simple sauce — of Dijon mustard and maple syrup — is tangy with just a bit of sweetness.
Put those perfect avocados to use.
Recipe: Trader Joe's Breakfast Hash
This cooks in less than 10 minutes and works as an all-purpose side — or even a main.
Recipe: Airfryer Asparagus and Mushrooms
8. Puff Pastry Citrus Cream Tart
This is one of those desserts that *looks* fancy — but is actually incredibly easy to make, thanks to starting with grocery store puff pastry.
Recipe: Puff Pastry Citrus Cream Tart
9. Keto Cabbage & Kielbasa Skillet
Olive & Mango / The Kitchn
If you haven't cooked much with cabbage yet, this is a great starter. The cabbage takes on the flavor of everything around it — sausage, plus a bit of mustard and apple cider vinegar — and is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Recipe: Keto Cabbage & Kielbasa Skillet
Taco Tuesday: Spring edition.
11. Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Garlic Pesto
Smashed potatoes deserve to be eaten year-round. They're doused here in an easy pesto packed with basil, lemon, and garlic.
12. Citrus, Shrimp, and Avocado Salad
When it comes to salads, it doesn't get much more seasonal than this: peppery arugula, creamy avocado, and shrimp seared in the juices from fresh lemon and orange.
Let the slow cooker do all the hard work on the holiday.
A smart dry rub with paprika adds equal parts flavor and golden-brown color.
Recipe: 15-Minute Garlic Chicken Thighs
The carrots get crisped and caramelized in the oven, and the feta at the end adds richness.
Recipe: Roasted Carrot & Feta Salad
16. Pesto Pasta Salad with Peas and Arugula
Test-drive this in the spring — then carry it over to summer potluck season.
17. Creamiest Lemon Bars
You could also swap the lemons for blood oranges to make a super pretty light pink version.
Recipe: Creamiest Lemon Bars
18. Vegan Stirfry with Broccoli and Tofu
A simple sauce and marinade combo — with soy sauce, hoisin, and rice vinegar — adds a ton of flavor and color.
Fair warning that whole artichokes require a bit of extra prep upfront, but the end result is worth it.
20. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Lindsay Hunt / BuzzFeed
Start with the classic version — then experiment with one of these flavorful variations: like spicy chicken tortilla soup, or coconut curry chicken soup.
Recipe: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
21. Cucumber and Radish Salad
Bright, easy to assemble, and pairs well with just about anything.
Recipe: Cucumber and Radish Salad
22. Irish Soda Bread
No kneading required.
Recipe: Irish Soda Bread
23. White Wine-Braised Chicken and Vegetables
Everything you want to eat — all in one pan.
24. Red Curry Quinoa with Coconut and Greens
One of the most satisfying flavor boosters for quinoa is this spicy-savory-sweet mix of red curry paste and coconut water.
Can't decide between a chocolate or peanut butter dessert? That's where these come in.
