The world awakens to the gentle alarm of birdsong. A revitalized sun shoos away the lingering chill. Outside your window, the landscape shakes off winter’s grey gloom with a flourish of vibrant green. Spring is here—heralded by an explosion of white and pink blossoms, and welcomed with smiles and open arms. The dawning of a new season also brings fresh spring produce back to brighten your grocery store and your dinner plate.
Everybody celebrates the onset of spring differently. Some frolic and literally smell the roses. Some soak up the first warming rays of the spring sun. Others feast on the bevy of gorgeous spring fruits and vegetables. To us, nothing epitomizes this new season more than tender sprigs of emerald asparagus and the first sparkling red gems of sweetness that pop out of the strawberry patch.
But there are plenty of spring produce options to choose from. You might prefer spring peas, or you may wait all winter for ramps to reemerge. Whatever signifies the season to you, it’s time to explore all that the bright, warm world has to offer—and help you find a new favorite.
Your spring fruits and vegetables shopping list
The long winter wait for fuller produce sections and the return of farmers’ markets is over. Warmer temperatures and better overall growing conditions make it possible to easily fill your cart with fresh spring fruits and vegetables. But not everything is ready for market in time for the equinox.
Spring is a shoulder season, filling the gap between winter’s cold and summer’s blazing temperatures. So you’ll see the produce slowly change from cold-hearty vegetables—like the cruciferous crew of cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and broccoli—to beloved sun-lovers that surface as June approaches.
Since spring produce is so plentiful, we’re broken the long list up into different categories. Make sure to add a few of these spring fruits and vegetables from each group to your cart next time you shop:
Leafy greens
- Arugula
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Turnip greens
- Lettuce (many varieties)
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
Root vegetables
- Beets
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Garlic
- Onions
- Parsnips
- Turnips
Fruits
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Apricots
- Bananas
- Lemons
- Limes
- Pineapples
- Plantains
- Kiwi
- Mangoes
- Cherries
- Avocados
- Blueberries
Other spring produce
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Celery
- Green onions
- Peas (most varieties)
- Ramps
- Rhubarb
- Herbs (many different varieties)
- Mushrooms (many varieties)
Recipes featuring spring produce to brighten up your table
When you have fresh spring fruits and vegetables, there isn’t much you have to do to make it delicious. Throw it all in a bowl with some oil and vinegar for an amazing spring salad. It might even be warm enough to fire up the grill and char some of your spring produce haul as an easy side.
But it’s nice to have a recipe, too. Check out some community favorites that feature the best of spring fruits and vegetables:
- Lentils Over Kale and Fresh Herb Salad (Plant-Based Whole30 only)
- Whole30 Baby Kale, Apple, and Bacon Salad (Original Whole30 only)
- Sweet and Savory Citrus Crunch Salad (Original and Plant-Based Whole30)
- Whole30 Italian-Style Chicken and Kale Caesar (Original only)
- Asparagus Springtime Stew in the Instant Pot (Original only)
- Plant-Based Whole30 Chana Saag (Plant-Based only)
- Whole30 Pork Fried Cauliflower Rice with Peas (Original only)
- Whole30 Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail (Original and Plant-Based)
- Crispy Whole30 Smashed Potatoes with Peas, Lemon & Herbed Aioli (Original only)
- Strawberries and Cream Chia Pudding (Plant-Based only)
- Whole30 Roasted Radishes and Rainbow Carrots (Original as written, but could be Plant-Based-compatible if you substitute ghee for an oil of your choice)
Enjoy the fresh, bright flavors of spring produce
Practicing seasonal eating is easier in the spring. With so much in season, the options for produce picked at the height of seasonal freshness can almost be overwhelming. Focus on eating the rainbow of spring fruits and vegetables, because adding that variety to your diet pays off for your overall health. Your tastebuds will be happy, too!
Just because there’s a lot of produce in season during the spring, that doesn’t mean you have to only eat farmers’ market fresh fruits and veggies. Our meal template suggests filling half of your plate with vegetables. They can be fresh, frozen, organic, conventional, grown in your backyard, or bought at the store—it doesn’t matter. At Whole30, as long as you’re eating your veggies, you’re doing it right.
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