20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (2024)

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (1)

If you've got veggie-averse kids at home, now's the time to start introducing them to fresh produce. Farmers markets are bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables, and they're sweeter and tastier than any other time of the year. From fresh asparagus and peas to carrots, Spring onions, kale, and more, we've rounded up our favorite kid-friendly springtime recipes. Bon appétit!

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (2)

Egg Fried Rice

Leftover rice gets a fun and healthy upgrade with Annabel Karmel's egg fried rice. She says adding chicken, prawns, and vegetables — especially Spring onions, peas, and carrots this time of year — "makes a complete meal, and this is a great, quick supper to throw together for all the family. It's fun to serve chicken rice in a bowl with some child-friendly chopsticks."

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (3)

Chicken Teriyaki

You'll forget your favorite takeout's phone number after trying this slow-cooker chicken teriyaki from Cooking Classy. This Asian dish has just the right amount of salty and sweet, which results in lots of empty plates. Boost it with some farm-fresh vegetables to make it even healthier.

Source: Cooking Classy

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (4)

Spicy Citrus Grilled Shrimp

Kelsey Banfield's The Naptime Chef specializes in quick and easy recipes that can be prepared in about as long as it takes a tot to nap. Her spicy citrus grilled shrimp "can easily be prepared at any time during the day and grilled up in no time for dinner." Plus, it's light and refreshing for this time of year.

Source: The Naptime Chef

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (5)

Turkey Sliders With Baked Potato Wedges

Dinnertime may be a rush, but it's a great time to bring kids into the kitchen. Everyday Food's Sarah Carey shares a recipe that kids can easily lend a hand in making: "Give burgers and 'fries' a healthier, more kid-friendly spin by baking them in the oven (no spattering grease!). Just make sure a grown-up handles the pans."

Source: Everyday Food

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (6)

Simply Super Salmon Teriyaki

We can't stress the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids enough. The healthy fats — found in oily fish like salmon, trout, tuna, and mackerel —optimize messaging between nerve cells in the brain, keeping the brain functioning properly. Getting kids to eat the nutrient-rich foods isn't a fight when they are well seasoned. Annabel Karmel says, "My children and I all love Japanese food, and it is well worth investing in bottles of sake and mirin (sweet Japanese cooking wine), as you will want to make this salmon teriyaki over and over again!" Snow peas and sugar snap peas — common accompaniments to Japanese cooking —are particularly good this time of year.

Source: Annabel Karmel

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Marinated Beef With Vegetables

Beef doesn't have to be an all-day affair. Annabel Karmel says: "This delicious, quick, and easy-to-prepare beef stir-fry is bound to become a family favorite. It makes a great all-in-one meal."

Source: Annabel Karmel

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Pork and Mango Stir-Fry

Meals that can be prepped in the morning and then quickly cooked at dinnertime are ideal for families juggling after-school activities. This pork and mango stir-fry from Amanda Haas and Cooking Light — which can also be made with chicken breasts — can be prepped before everyone heads off for work and school in the morning and then cooked in just 10 minutes! Pack it full of fresh vegetables for a real Spring meal.

Source: Cooking Light Real Family Food

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (9)

Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

Getting kids to try fish can be tricky, but just read the ingredients in Amanda Haas and Cooking Light's parmesan-crusted tilapia, and you know it is something your kids will love. Amanda says it tastes great on its own or served in fish tacos for kids who love to build things!

Source: Cooking Light Real Family Food

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (10)

Middle Eastern Chicken Burgers

If your kids love hamburgers, it's time to introduce them to the burger's fun new cousin. Weelicious's Catherine McCord replaces the beef in the traditional patty with lighter and healthier ground chicken and then jazzes it up with some fresh herbs from the garden to create Middle Eastern chicken burgers. "By incorporating some curry, garlic powder, fresh parsley, and mint into the ground chicken and sauce, you give the ordinary burger a huge burst of unforgettable flavors." She says her family enjoys them off the bun as much as on!

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Couscous Salad With Chickpeas, Tomatoes, and Mint

On weeknights, every minute counts, and if Mom and Dad don't need to turn on the stove, that's precious moments saved! Jessica Seinfeld's couscous salad with chickpeas, tomatoes, and mint doesn't require any oven time, as it simply uses hot tap water for making the couscous. Packed with protein and flavor, Jessica says, "it's also perfect the next day for a brown-bag lunch."

Source: Do It Delicious

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (12)

30-Minute Italian Lemon Chicken Sauté

This quick, easy, and light chicken dish from A Year at the Table is wonderfully versatile and can be served with rice or pasta. With lots of bright lemon flavor — lemons are juiciest this time of year — this dish is a perfect dinner any night.

Source: A Year at the Table

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Chicken Pizza

Instead of ordering takeout, try making this homemade chicken pizza tonight for a real family-friendly treat. From POPSUGAR Food, this recipe is easier than you think and masks tomatoes with a lot of cheese and fresh flavor. Leave out the jalapeño if your kids aren't into spice.

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Soy-Ginger Flank Steak

Serve your flank steak the way the pros do, and cut it diagonally instead of straight up and down. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser for adults and kids alike!

Source: The Mom 100 Cookbook: 100 Recipes Every Mom Needs in Her Back Pocket

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What to Make: Mango Sherbet

As the days get warmer, cool off with a refreshingly tropical mango sherbet. The limited ingredients — including one of Spring's powerhouse fruits, the mango — maintain the vivid flavor of the fruit.

Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

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Asparagus Pizza

Fresh flavors come together in perfect Spring harmony for a lovely asparagus pizza with lemon vinaigrette.

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Carrot Zucchini Bread

If you're looking for a twist on tradition, it's time to taste some carrot zucchini bread, made with Spring-fresh carrots.

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (18)

Avocado-Pear Smoothie

A creamy avocado and pear smoothie is a cool and refreshing way to start your morning.

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Steamed Baby Carrots

A simple side of steamed baby carrots with orange-dill butter would be a welcome addition to any Spring meal.

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (20)

Carrot Rosemary Potato Latkes

Latkes aren't just for Hanukkah. Our carrot rosemary potato latkes make for a happy and healthier version of the much-adored appetizer any time of the year.

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (21)

Spinach- and Ricotta-Stuffed Shells

Spinach is particularly tasty in Spring months. Knowing that kids can't get enough pasta (and cheese) makes these spinach- and ricotta-stuffed shells a great addition to the weeknight dinner rotation.

Source: Real Simple

20 Spring Recipes to Get Kids Eating Fresh This Season (2024)

FAQs

What foods are popular in spring? ›

Find more in-season foods all year round!
  • Kale. ...
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Strawberries. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Ramps & Scallions. ...
  • Parsnips, Turnips, Rutabaga. ...
  • Beets. ...
  • Cauliflower and Broccoli.
Mar 11, 2024

How do you make food exciting for kids? ›

Take a look at our favorite tips to make food a little more interesting for your kids.
  1. Get them involved. Ask your kids to go grocery shopping with you. ...
  2. Offer the new food with foods you know your kids like. ...
  3. Make foods interesting and fun. ...
  4. Enjoy a “family-style” meal.

What should I eat on spring day? ›

Top Spring recipes
  • Herby spring chicken pot pie. ...
  • App onlyBraised spring onions. ...
  • Gnocchi traybake with lemony ricotta. ...
  • Crispy smashed new potatoes with asparagus, jammy eggs & pickled radish. ...
  • Spring bouquet traybake. ...
  • App onlyAsparagus, rocket, caper & hollandaise tart.

What do you serve at a spring luncheon? ›

Spring Lunch
  • Coronation chicken salad with mango salsa.
  • Herb Roasted Salmon.
  • summer quinoa with asparagus, peas, scallions and shrimp in lemon mint dressing.
  • Pesto orzo with roasted vegetables, feta cheese and toasted pine nuts.
  • Orange and Beet Salad with Goat cheese.
  • Pavlova with Cream, Fruit and Caramel Sauce.

What food is in season in April? ›

April is all about spring vegetables—asparagus and artichokes are at their peak, snap peas begin to make an appearance, as well as young carrots with their fern-like carrot tops, and fava beans. Spring garlic, spring onions, leeks and fennel are thriving, as are the first spring radishes.

What are the best seasonal foods? ›

To determine the best time to buy certain fruits and vegetables, it's best to know the peak seasons for each type.
  • Winter Season. · Chestnuts. · Grapefruit. · Lemons. · Oranges. ...
  • Spring Season. · Apricots. · Avocado. · Mango. ...
  • Summer Season. · Blackberries. · Blueberries. · Nectarines. ...
  • Fall Season. · Apples. · Cranberries. · Figs.

What food makes kids happy? ›

Dark leafy greens are high in Vitamin B-12, B9 (also known asfolate) and other B-vitamins. B-vitamins get an “A+” when it comes to producing natural brain chemicals that positively affect mood and other brain functions. Common leafy greens that you can grow in your garden include kale and spinach.

What are spring flavors? ›

Spring has its own flavor profiles. Winter is a time for cinnamon, nutmeg, spice and chocolate. Spring is the time to shed those heavy flavors and transition to lighter flavors such as citrus, herbs and berries. This is the time to lighten up desserts and have a little fun trying out new flavor combinations.

What meats to eat in spring? ›

What Are The Best Meats For Spring?
  • Beef. Beef is a great source of protein and other important nutrients that are vital for your health. ...
  • Pork. Pork is a versatile meat that can be cooked into a variety of dishes. ...
  • Chicken. ...
  • Lamb.
Feb 27, 2023

What fruit is in season in spring? ›

By the first day of spring, we're ready for fresh strawberries, blueberries, and mangoes. And as the season progresses, your choices for what fruits you can buy fresh expand. If a certain type of fruit can be grown locally, farmers' markets and orchards are a great place to get the freshest springtime fruit.

What to serve 12 people for lunch? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar.
  • Meatballs.
  • Butter Chicken.
  • Lasagna.
  • Chili.
  • Homemade Pizza.
  • Baked Pasta.
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What are some examples of finger foods? ›

Fun Finger Food Ideas for Kids
  • Pigs in a Blanket. Excite the kids at your event with the best finger foods for a party. ...
  • Chicken Tenders. Chicken tenders will always be one of the favorite finger food ideas for kids. ...
  • Mozzarella Sticks. ...
  • Chicken Taquitos. ...
  • Pepperoni Pizza Rolls. ...
  • Bean and Cheese Taquitos. ...
  • Fish Sticks. ...
  • Empanadas.
Jan 10, 2024

What do people eat and drink in spring? ›

9 spring fruits and vegetables you should be eating right now
  • Asparagus. These vibrant green spears are a good source of vitamins A, C, E, K, fiber, folate, and the chronic-disease fighting antioxidant glutathione. ...
  • Leeks. ...
  • Strawberries. ...
  • Rhubarb. ...
  • Fava beans. ...
  • Watercress. ...
  • Radishes. ...
  • Artichokes.
Apr 19, 2021

What is the Speciality of spring season? ›

Spring is also the season when trees, plants, and flowers start to bud, grow and bloom. Plants need water, light, warmth, and soil or compost to grow. They get the perfect conditions they need to grow in spring - when there are often more rain showers and sunlight compared to the cold winter.

What does spring season bring? ›

Spring, with its blooming flowers, warmer weather, and longer days, is often associated with new beginnings and fresh starts. It's a time of renewal and rejuvenation after the cold, dark months of winter.

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