Refresh Your Recipes for Spring

It’s March! And whether spring has already sprung for you or you’re still caught in winter’s last gasp, mild days are on the way—and with it, the return of lighter, simpler fare. Our favorite dishes that celebrate the season are bright, vegetable-forward meals that leave you feeling energized. These protein-packed seafood recipes bring together flavors (and nutrients!) in delicious and surprising ways, and are ready to give you that spring zing. 

DILL TUNA SALAD CRISPY RICE CRACKER CAKES

Crunch and creaminess unite in this springtime power lunch of rice cakes topped with smashed avocado, our convenient Dill Tuna Salad packet, and crisp radishes and cucumbers. For an even spring-ier makeover, add a sprinkling of fresh dill at the very end.

LEMON GARLIC TUNA ZUCCHINI NOODLE SALAD

 Think of this bright, basil-y dish as spring’s answer to winter’s hearty pastas. Zucchini noodles and shredded carrots are a low-carb vegetable alternative to classic spaghetti, and you have the option to serve them one of two ways: For a crunchier salad-style version, leave your zucchini and carrots raw, or for a more classic pasta, lightly pan fry them for a few minutes until they’re tender. Lemon garlic tuna supplies the savory protein, and basil pesto works wonders for melding all the flavors together—we like to finish everything off with a final spritz of lemon right before serving.

COLESLAW WITH EVERYTHING BAGEL SALMON

While cabbage can be found in supermarkets year-round, it’s a cool-season crop—which means it’s at its most tender and delicious this time of year. This potluck-perfect dish makes great use of salmon pre-seasoned with a flavor-packed spice blend of garlic, salt, onion & sesame seed. For an even lighter version, leave out the mayo, up the vinegar slightly, and finish with a good extra virgin olive oil. 

LEMON GARLIC TUNA STUFFED MINI PEPPERS

Colorful sweet bell peppers take their star turn in this glitzy and breathtakingly easy appetizer. All you have to do is dole out servings of our pre-seasoned Lemon Garlic Tuna into your peppers, top with cheddar, and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes. The resulting two bite wonders are garlicky, savory, a little bit sweet, and impressively low-carb. Added bonus: Red and orange peppers are full of vitamin C, so these protein-packed snacks are fueling your spring nutrition too. 

MORE CLEVER SWAPS FOR SPRING EATING

Need even more ideas? The shift from winter to spring meal planning is also about smart substitutions to recipes you’ve already got in your repertoire. Trade in creamy, mayo-based dressings for citrus-forward vinaigrettes, swap out pasta for carrot or zucchini spirals, and let riced cauliflower stand in for your regular rice every so often. Our favorite trick is to shake up recipes with a handful of fresh herbs, which can do the heavy lifting in the flavor department. Parsley, cilantro, mint, or basil can each transform salmon or tuna into something special—and for the bold of heart, why not try all of them together? 

Spring is also the season of asparagus, snap peas, English peas, radishes, spring lettuces like arugula and more—layer them into your regular grain bowls, wraps, or salads for a little added excitement. If you’re feeling stuck in your food routine and need some ingredient inspiration, hit up your local farmers markets to find vegetables at their peak ripeness. Don’t stress about having your meal plan firmly in hand—great ingredients first, recipes later. And if there’s one final takeaway, it’s this: Lightening your meals for spring never has to mean sacrificing taste—it just means thinking fresh.