Earth Day is a good reminder to be a little more thoughtful about what we’re cooking and how much waste comes with it. These recipes keep things simple, seasonal, and practical. They use ingredients that are in their prime this time of year and skip anything that needs five kinds of packaging or an hour of cleanup. You’ll find easy meals that make the most of spring produce without a lot of extra work.

A bowl of rice and green curry with a spoon.
Chicken Saag. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.
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Feta Beet Salad

Feta Beet Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This salad keeps things simple but still hits hard with flavor. Roasted beets, salty feta, and crunchy pistachios come together with a lemony olive oil dressing. It’s a perfect choice for Earth Day when you want something seasonal that doesn’t take much effort.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad

Carrot Citrus Salad

Carrot Citrus Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Roasted rainbow carrots meet sweet oranges and tart Meyer lemons in this no-frills salad. Tossed with a sharp citrus mustard vinaigrette, it’s bright, refreshing, and a smart way to use winter produce before it disappears.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Citrus Salad

Avocado Lentil Salad

Avocado Lentil Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Hearty lentils, creamy avocado, and tangy cranberries get tossed in a lemon dijon dressing for a salad that actually keeps you full. It’s easy to throw together and works great as a lunch when you’re sticking to seasonal greens.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Lentil Salad

Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Rotisserie chicken and citrus segments sit on kale with toasted pine nuts and a sharp orange dijon dressing. It’s packed with texture and makes a perfect winter-to-spring dinner when you’re trying to keep meals fresh and no-nonsense.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Crispy Citrus Chicken Salad

Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one throws together shredded chicken, crunchy Brussels sprouts, sweet apples, and tart pomegranate seeds. The honey mustard dressing ties it all up. It’s perfect for keeping things seasonal without turning on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Salad

Baby Kale Salad

Baby kale salad in a metal plate with apples and roasted chickpeas.
Baby Kale Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

A base of baby kale gets tossed with tahini dressing, roasted BBQ chickpeas, and sliced apples. It’s a solid plant-based meal you can throw together in minutes. Perfect for Earth Day when you want something green without overthinking it.
Get the Recipe: Baby Kale Salad

Roasted Cranberry Broccoli Salad

Roasted Cranberry Broccoli Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Roasted cranberries and butternut squash bring some bold seasonal flavor to a base of broccoli, while croutons, almonds, and pepitas add plenty of crunch. This is a great side dish that works well with just about anything.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cranberry Broccoli Salad

Arugula Pesto

Arugula Pesto. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Arugula brings some bite to this easy pesto, blended with garlic, parmesan, and walnuts. It’s a smart way to use up fresh greens and adds quick flavor to pasta, toast, or roasted vegetables. A solid pick for your Earth Day table.
Get the Recipe: Arugula Pesto

Penne with Pesto

Penne with Pesto. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Lamb and mint pesto tossed with penne makes for a hearty dinner that still nods to spring. It’s a great Earth Day pick when you want something filling but still seasonally on point.
Get the Recipe: Penne with Pesto

Matcha Mint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Matcha Mint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This green dessert checks the box with coconut milk, matcha, and plenty of chocolate chunks. It’s cold, refreshing, and easy to make ahead if Earth Day temps are creeping up.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Mint Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

Chicken Saag

Chicken Saag. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spinach-heavy chicken saag is bold, comforting, and loaded with greens. It’s quick enough for a weeknight and brings the color without getting too precious about it.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Saag

Matcha Bread

Matcha Bread. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This subtly sweet matcha bread brings some green to the snack table without being fussy. Bake it ahead and slice it up for your Earth Day brunch or afternoon tea situation.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Bread

Green Oatmeal

Green Oatmeal. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Spinach sneaks into your morning bowl without tasting like a salad. This green oatmeal works especially well for Earth Day breakfast when you want to start the day on a cleaner note.
Get the Recipe: Green Oatmeal

Leek Apple Cheddar Soup

Leek Apple Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Leeks, apples, and cheddar come together in a creamy soup that fits those in-between spring days. Add a handful of walnuts and cranberries on top and you’ve got a great Earth Day dinner that’s still weather-flexible.
Get the Recipe: Leek Apple Cheddar Soup

Blueberry Avocado Pancakes

Blueberry Avocado Pancakes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These pancakes are rich from the avocado and burst with blueberries. They’re a solid Earth Day breakfast when you want something real, not just another banana-on-toast situation.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Avocado Pancakes

Radish Greens Pesto

Radish Greens Pesto. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Save the radish tops and turn them into a pesto instead of tossing them. This low-waste recipe is all about working with what you’ve got, which fits the Earth Day vibe perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Radish Greens Pesto

Pickled Fennel Citrus Salad

Pickled Fennel Citrus Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Grapefruit, pomegranate, and pickled fennel give this salad some bite and brightness. It’s crisp, fresh, and perfect for the back half of April when heavier meals start feeling off.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Fennel Citrus Salad

Citrus Salad

Citrus Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Oranges, grapefruit, mandarins, and crisp lettuce pull together with feta and a honey dijon dressing. This one’s a quick Earth Day salad that makes use of the last of the winter citrus.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Salad

Shaved Asparagus Blood Orange Salad

Shaved Asparagus Blood Orange Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Asparagus and blood oranges are late spring stars, and this salad keeps them front and center with a crunchy quinoa topping. It’s light, bright, and doesn’t need anything fancy to work.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Asparagus Blood Orange Salad

Pickled Beet Salad

Pickled Beet Salad. Photo credit: Cook Eat Live Love.

Beets, feta, and citrus dressing make this a bold but balanced salad. It’s a smart way to keep things simple and seasonal with ingredients that don’t ask for much.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beet Salad

Lemony Shaved Asparagus Salad

Lemony shaved Asparagus Tomato Salad in a white bowl.
Lemony Shaved Asparagus Salad. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Raw asparagus, cherry tomatoes, lemon, parmesan, and basil pull together in a way that screams late April. It’s sharp, fresh, and great for an Earth Day dinner that doesn’t involve a grill.
Get the Recipe: Lemony Shaved Asparagus Salad

Founder and Writer at  | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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