In the spirit of spring, I’m making it a point to live by the saying, “Plant the seeds you want to grow.” As someone who strives to bring intention to her life, I see spring as an opportunity to make choices I’ll thank myself for later in the year. And what better way to do this than to invite friends to gather and welcome the spring equinox.
If you’re unfamiliar, the spring equinox is the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator, resulting in approximately equal hours of daylight and darkness across the globe. It marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and occurs around March 20 or 21 each year. After the equinox, days continue getting longer and nights shorter until the summer solstice.
Many traditions around the world honor this day with festivities, rituals, and gatherings to welcome the warmer, brighter season ahead. It can be a chance to refocus your energy and welcome balance and renewal. And spring wouldn’t be the same without its abundance of seasonal ingredients, so we’ve compiled a list of the best spring equinox recipes to help plan your celebration and inspire for what’s ahead.
These menu ideas can help you create a menu that will leave guests feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. With a focus on what’s in season, there’s a recipe for each course and something everyone can find joy in. After you’ve solidified the menu, grab some fresh flowers, your favorite journal, a picnic blanket, and a group of your closest friends to welcome new beginnings.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply want to embrace spring’s spirit, these menus inspire creativity and connection to the earth’s rhythms. Read on for dishes for every course—and don’t forget drinks and dessert!
Appetizers
Carrot and Hummus Toasts
While carrots are in season year-round, they’re best enjoyed during the spring and fall months. When harvested in late spring, this veggie has a sweeter taste and crispier texture. These toasts are a great way to integrate this well-rounded ingredient into your spring equinox menu, served over a layer of hummus and soft bread of your choice.
Snap Pea Salad
This unique recipe was made to be enjoyed picnic-style. With crunchy and sweet sugar snap peas, crunchy cucumbers, and soft white beans for a bit of added protein, this salad is a simple, make-ahead recipe you’ll want to make every spring.
Spicy Marinated Olives
There’s so much to love about these spicy marinated olives. They come together in five minutes, made with garlic, chile, za’atar, and lemon zest,. Serve them on their own or over a bowl of your favorite hummus or soft crusty bread.
Feta Salad With White Beans and Lemon
Hearty salad recipes are the perfect appetizer for incorporating extra nutrients into your menu. This salad is balanced by its ratio of soft feta to chopped veggies. Topped with fresh herbs and butter beans, it will keep everyone feeling satisfied but not stuffed.
Sides
Charred Carrots with Honey-Lime Yogurt, Dates, and Almonds
Charred carrots offer balanced bites of sweet and smoky and make for a stunning side dish to add to your spring equinox menu. Garnish with in-season herbs like fresh dill or mint, and serve over a bed of this to-die-for honey-lime Greek yogurt for a bit of zest.
Simple Citrus Salad
If you’re searching for that pop of color for your spring equinox menu, this citrus salad might be it. With only five ingredients, it’s never been easier to throw together a colorful plate that packs plenty of vitamin C.
Simple Potato Salad with Smoked Chili Aioli
In the spirit of keeping things light and fresh, opt for this simple potato salad with smoked chili aioli as an alternative to the classic Southern or German potato salad. Without a cup full of mayo or mustard, you can truly appreciate the aioli’s kick of heat and the fresh touch of dill.
Strawberry Burrata Salad
This recipe highlights my favorite spring fruit—strawberries! Enjoying this fresh fruit in its prime is key to juicy, sweet berries without the tartness. Paired with creamy burrata and fresh mint leaves, this salad is practically irresistible.
Grilled Romaine Salad with Cherries
Ever tried grilling your salad? If not, this recipe is the perfect opportunity to jump on the underrated trend. All you need is a grill and five ingredients—charred romaine, juicy cherries, creamy feta, crunchy walnuts, and a tangy Meyer lemon dressing.
Main Dishes
Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Chicken
As far as proteins go, chicken is one of the most versatile ingredients to help meet your daily goal. This recipe, however, stands apart from the typical seasoned breast or thighs. Marinated in a zesty, savory yogurt and herb marinade, your chicken will stay juicy and flavorful even after you pull it from the grill.
Mediterranean Kale Salad
As Camille perfectly put it, this kale salad is “sunshine in a bowl.” With all the major elements of a Greek salad, this healthy and satisfying main course is an excellent option for keeping things vegetarian yet filling, with protein from crispy chickpeas.
Mustard-Roasted Salmon and Veggies
This recipe captures the essence of the spring equinox—where vibrant flavors and seasonal produce come together in one pan. It’s a celebration of renewal on a plate, blending zesty mustard with tender, roasted vegetables for a dish that serves as a light, uplifting entree to welcome spring.
Spring Potato Pizza
Potato pizza is one of my favorite ways to enjoy crunchy arugula—an in-season spring green. With thinly sliced potatoes, fresh herbs, and a golden, crispy crust that mirrors the season’s balance of warmth and renewal, this pizza captures the best of spring produce.
Roasted Vegetable Pasta
This roasted veggie pasta uses caramelized veggies to create a main dish that’s as visually appealing as it is appetizing. Using whole ingredients like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, it contains plenty of vitamins, making this a simple and nourishing addition to your menu.
Desserts
Rhubarb Meringue Cake
If you didn’t know, rhubarb is one of the best seasonal fruits to enjoy in spring. That being said, this cake is the perfect spring equinox dessert that feels celebratory and seasonal, with a refreshing balance of tart and sweet.
Strawberry Cake With Mascarpone Creme
This simple strawberry cake featuring creamy mascarpone cheese is a dreamy addition to any spring equinox menu. Think—fruit-based tiramisu minus the cocoa and coffee. It’s indulgent yet fresh, putting spring’s elegance on a plate.
Gluten-Free Citrus Cake with Strawberries and Cardamom Coconut Cream
This cake is a dreamy nod to spring’s awakening—zesty and bursting with seasonal flavors that feel grounding, yet light. Plus, it’s hard to go wrong with this cardamom coconut cream on pretty much anything.
Lemon Raspberry Almond Cake
With juicy raspberries and a touch of zesty lemon, this cake feels like a sun-dappled afternoon in every bite. It’s a nod to the playful side of spring, dominated by bright flavors and light, airy textures.
Drinks
Limoncello Spritz Cocktail
This limoncello spritz couldn’t be more fitting for your spring equinox menu. Bubbly, golden, and kissed with the tang of lemon, it’s like capturing a sunbeam in a glass.
Salty Dog Cocktail
Resembling the light pink color of a spring sunrise, this grapefruit vodka cocktail is the perfect balance of crisp, citrusy, and effortlessly refreshing. Serve with a lightly salted rim to bring it all together.
Elderberry Spring Cocktail
Lastly, but most certainly not least, is this elderberry cocktail. St Germain is this cocktail’s hero ingredient, and it’s paired with vodka, sparkling water, and fresh Meyer lemon juice to create a glass filled with of everything to love about spring.