What’s in season in spring? The best spring fruits and spring vegetables

Spring has finally arrived and with it, a fresh wave of colorful produce. Eating seasonally in spring means enjoying spring fruits and spring vegetables at their peak—when they’re freshest, most flavorful and packed with nutrients. Plus, it’s a great way to support local farmers and eat more sustainably.

Spring is a great time for produce because it typically brings a lot of rain, which means bountiful crops and lots of fresh produce items to choose from.

Whether you’re shopping at a farmer’s market or meal planning, embracing spring fruits and spring vegetables adds variety to your diet and makes healthy eating more exciting.

Let’s explore how to make the most of spring’s bounty!

Spring fruits

Here’s a short list of spring fruits to look for next time you head to the grocery store or farmer’s market:

• Apples
• Apricots
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Kiwifruit
• Lemons
• Limes
• Pineapples
• Strawberries

Spring vegetables

Spring also provides a bounty of colorful vegetables and greens to add to your plate, including:

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Celery
• Collard Greens
• Garlic
• Herbs
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Peas
• Radishes
• Rhubarb
• Spinach
• Swiss Chard
• Turnips

Check out this guide from the US Department of Agriculture for more information on what’s in season.

5 recipes to make all spring long

Now that you’ve loaded up on spring fruits and spring vegetables, try these recipes that are perfect for springtime.

1. Strawberry tea refresher

Looking for a perfect patio sipping mocktail? Look no further—this refreshing strawberry tea has a mix of sweet fruit, tart probiotic yogurt drink and fizz to hit all the flavor profiles for a yummy drink.

Strawberries are an amazing source of vitamin C, which has anti-inflammatory properties and helps our immune system stay strong. Green tea also has anti-inflammatory properties due to its high antioxidant levels and may reduce the risk of heart disease and heart events.

Plus, the specific probiotic strain used in this recipe can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements.

2. Garlic herb mushrooms

For a nutritious and yummy vegetable side, try these garlic herb mushrooms. These mushrooms make an amazing side dish to salmon and potatoes, on top of a tofu steak or in a burger.

Mushrooms are filled with lots of fiber, which is great for gut health and blood sugar control, as well as antioxidants, which can help reduce your risk of cancer. Garlic is also an antioxidant-filled vegetable with anti-cancer properties. Irradiated or UV treated mushrooms are also an excellent source of Vitamin D.

3. Easy avocado and black bean quesadillas

Quesadillas are such an easy, tasty and nutritious meal that is quick to make and kid friendly. These avocado and black bean quesadillas pack an extra nutritious punch.

Flour tortillas usually taste better with this recipe, but if you are looking to up the fiber intake, you can use corn tortillas. Both types of tortillas will have iron and B vitamins, which are essential for a healthy body.

Beans are a great plant-based protein with a lot of fiber. Avocados are also a great fiber source and provide your body with healthy unsaturated fats which can give your heart health a boost.

4. Parmesan crusted crushed turnips

Turnips aren’t normally a vegetable that receives a lot of hype, but don’t overlook the turnip this spring! Turnips are a root vegetable with a ton of fiber and other nutritious goodies that can be a great addition to your diet.

Turnips are a natural source of nitric oxide, which has been shown to improve athletic performance and reduce blood pressure. This recipe incorporates a delicious combination of parmesan, garlic and chives. You can either bake or air fry the turnips to make them crunchier.

5. Pineapple kiwi popsicles

What better way to start off the spring than by making some popsicles? This can be a fun activity to do with your kids, on a girls' night or anytime you want a refreshing fruity treat.

In addition to being delicious, the combination of kiwi and pineapple provides your body with lots of great nutrients. Kiwis can help relieve constipation and promote gut health, and the enzyme bromelain in pineapple can help with healing and digestion as well.

Looking for nutritional support on your wellness journey? Connect with a dietitian today.