From vivid green to vibrant yellow, rosy red to brilliant orange, fresh vegetables colorfully announce spring’s arrival! Delicious produce that can make any dish pop, these are the garden-fresh ingredients you’ll want to reach for as soon as they poke out of the soil. Armed with the best spring vegetable recipes, plus a tempting assortment of RiceSelect® Grains, you can turn the season’s harvest into dozens of delectable dishes.

As any cook knows, the best food is made with the best ingredients! That’s why shopping for peak produce inevitably results in dishes with deeper flavor, brighter colors and more nutrients. Seasonal vegetables are harvested as soon as they are ripe and ready. This helps to preserve their flavor, color and texture. If you shop local, even better! Vegetables that are grown close to home generally have bolder, stronger flavors and, because they don’t have to travel, are fresher and firmer than their imported counterparts.

Of course, premium grains are some of the best ingredients to pair with spring’s top produce. Ingredients that can take centerstage or support other elements on the plate, they’re delicious, easy to prepare and incredible versatile, whether you’re making breakfast, lunch or dinner! Reach for basmati rice, couscous or another favorite, knowing that RiceSelect® Grains offer reliability, quality and—most importantly—top-notch taste!

Bid farewell to winter with spring recipes packed with colorful veg. Light and refreshing or cozy and rich, they’ll have you welcoming a new season with a noticeable spring in your step.

Spring Greens Risotto

With a bushel of verdant veg and homemade dandelion pesto, this silky RiceSelect® Arborio Rice risotto is pure springtime on a plate. Switch up the green vegetables with the freshest options you can find, from leeks and spinach to green beans, kale, and green onions.

Rice and Turkey Stuffed Peppers 

Comforting on cooler days, these stuffed peppers are a weeknight lifesaver. Brimming with nutty RiceSelect® Texmati Brown Rice, seasoned turkey, and herb-scented tomato sauce, they’re hearty, flavorful and easy to prepare. For a springtime refresh, mix things up with any fresh herbs and vegetables you have on hand.

Garden Veggie Couscous

More of an idea than a strict recipe, this zippy salad is the perfect place to let your creativity run wild! While bell pepper, tomatoes and basil give it a summery vibe, come spring, we reach for asparagus, snow peas, fennel, mushrooms and more. Paired with tender RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous and balsamic vinaigrette, any fresh combination is bound to impress!

Garden Veggie Couscous

More of an idea than a strict recipe, this zippy salad is the perfect place to let your creativity run wild! While bell pepper, tomatoes and basil give it a summery vibe, come spring, we reach for asparagus, snow peas, fennel, mushrooms and more. Paired with tender RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous and balsamic vinaigrette, any fresh combination is bound to impress!

Pomegranate and Pistachio Black Rice Pilaf

A sophisticated addition to any evening meal, this RiceSelect® Black Rice pilaf is earthy, peppy—and incredibly easy to make! With savory notes of onion, garlic and celery, plus a bright boost of flavor from citrus and pomegranate juices, this warm rice dish needs no improvements. To truly celebrate spring, we’d be tempted to stir in some additional herbs, scallions, or leafy greens.

Rainbow Orzo Salad

Crisp, tender and bursting with color, this RiceSelect® Orzo salad is a shoo-in for the title of best potluck dish. Delicious at room temperature, it’s flavored with fresh herbs, feta cheese and zippy lemon vinaigrette. Want to use up your spring produce? Simply combine the tomatoes, cucumber and bell peppers with baby greens or sliced and blanched asparagus or snap peas.

Classic Spring Vegetables to Pick Every Time 

When it comes to spring vegetables, some seem to get all of the attention! Though a few (think asparagus and morels) consistently rank at the top of people’s must-try lists, there are plenty more that you’ll want to seek out this spring.

  • Asparagus – Tender and earthy, asparagus is synonymous with spring eating. Use it in stir-fries, soups and risottos, as well as gently steamed and served alongside egg dishes, roasted meats and more.
  • Morels – Meaty and rich with an umami kick, morels are spring’s most prized mushrooms. They can be sautéed and added to risotto, pasta, rice bowls and egg dishes. They are also popular in soup, sauces, or as part of a savory side dish.
  • Snow peas/Snap Peas – Bright and crunchy, these can be simply sautéed and buttered. They are also great in pasta salads, rice bowls and fried rice.
  • Leeks – A quiche essential, this sweet allium also shines in soups, pasta recipes and risottos.
  • Artichokes – Labor-intensive veggies, these spring beauties are worth every bit of work thanks to their bright flavor and tender leaves. Dip the leaves in melted butter for an elegant snack or serve artichoke hearts in salads, pastas or on pizzas.
  • Radishes – Crunchy with plenty of zip, this peppery vegetable can be eaten raw or tossed into salads or sandwiches. To tame their flavor, sauté them in butter or blanch them. And don’t throw out the greens! Tangy and nutrient-rich, they can be sautéed and served as a side dish or made into pesto.
  • Spinach – Full of grassy flavor, spring spinach can be eaten raw, in salads or sandwiches. Prefer it cooked? Try it in pastas, soups, pot pies and more.


The Best Ingredients to Use in Spring Vegetable Recipes 

Vibrant and fresh, spring cooking should highlight the intense colors and flavors of the season. When cooking with spring produce, stock up on these sidekicks to turn your bountiful basket into a full meal.

  • Eggs – Whether you’re making a simple breakfast scramble loaded with greens or a velvety rich quiche speckled with fragrant mushrooms, eggs are a must-have ingredient for spring cooking. From morning until night, they can be paired with a number of vegetables and used in a variety of ways.
  • Rice - Transformed into risotto or layered into a sophisticated bowl, premium RiceSelect® Rice is a perfect partner to spring’s bounty. Simple to prepare and profoundly satisfying, it’s a staple you’ll want on hand for weeknights and special occasions.
  • Pasta – For hot meals or portable dishes, pasta is a delicious ingredient to pair with spring vegetables. Impress guests by tossing tender spaghetti with cream, asparagus and mushrooms. Or turn RiceSelect® Tri-Color Pearl Couscous into a tasty pasta salad chockful of snappy greens.
  • Fresh Cheese – From goat cheese to ricotta, mild cheeses can heighten any spring vegetable dish. Not only do they add creamy texture, their delicate flavor pairs beautifully with myriad ingredients.
  • Herbs – A staple year-round, fresh herbs are a must come springtime. Scattered across a finished plate, mint, dill, basil, chives and more add a pop of color and fragrant flavor.
  • Other Spring Vegetables –What grows together, goes together! Experiment by combining spring vegetables in the same dish. For example, few things marry as well as asparagus and morels or fresh herbs and radishes.