April Seasonal Produce Guide: Fresh Ingredients & Delicious Spring Recipes

Discover the bounty of spring! Here’s your ultimate list of what you should cook this April, based on the freshest produce currently in season. Get ready for vibrant, healthy, and incredibly delicious recipes that celebrate the arrival of spring.

Hello friends and welcome to a new month! I’m thrilled to share another installment of our “What to Cook This April: Produce in Season” guide. This series has become a cherished tradition, not only for providing you with culinary inspiration but also for helping me curate a collection of delightful, seasonal dishes to share with you. Spring has officially sprung – and oh, how quickly it arrived! With the gentle showers gracing us and longer, brighter days ahead, my kitchen is buzzing with excitement for the season’s most vibrant and beautiful ingredients. Eating seasonally means enjoying produce at its peak flavor and nutritional value, making every meal a celebration.

Curious about which fresh ingredients are truly shining this April? From crisp greens to earthy root vegetables and bright citrus, this month offers an incredible variety. Let’s dive into my top picks for April’s seasonal produce, complete with delicious recipe inspirations to get you started:

Asparagus

Pictured: Garlic Roasted Asparagus (Step-by-Step)

Asparagus is the quintessential spring vegetable, and I have completely fallen in love with its delicate flavor and satisfying crunch. Its season is wonderfully short, making it an even more anticipated treat each year. These vibrant green spears are incredibly versatile; I’ve enjoyed them roasted to perfection, pureed into creamy soups, and even shaved raw into salads for a refreshing bite. Asparagus is not only delicious but also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins K, A, C, and folate, making it a fantastic addition to any healthy spring meal. Roasting them, as shown in the pictured Garlic Roasted Asparagus, truly brings out their natural sweetness and a slight nutty flavor. It’s a simple yet elegant side dish that complements almost any main course. This spring, make sure to incorporate these delightful spears into your cooking routine!

Discover more exciting Asparagus Recipes >>

Beets

Pictured: Roasted Beet Hummus

My fascination with beets might just be an obsession, given how frequently they appear in my kitchen and on this blog. I’ve even jokingly considered starting a beet farm! But seriously, their incredible versatility and unique qualities make them a must-have ingredient. Beets can transform from a crisp, earthy root vegetable into something wonderfully smooth, velvety, and sweet once roasted. Their vibrant, jewel-toned color is simply divine, adding a beautiful pop to any dish. Rich in fiber, folate, manganese, potassium, and iron, beets are fantastic for heart health and energy. Whether you’re roasting them for a simple side, grating them raw into a salad, or blending them into a creamy dip like the Roasted Beet Hummus pictured, their distinct flavor and health benefits are undeniable. Don’t forget to try different varieties, from red to golden beets, for varied flavor profiles and visual appeal.

Explore more delightful Beet Recipes >>

Broccoli

Pictured: Asian Tofu Stir Fry with Honey Sriracha Sauce

Broccoli is a year-round staple, but its peak in spring makes it extra delicious and nutritious. What I adore about broccoli is its incredible adaptability; you can enjoy it roasted for a slightly charred, nutty flavor, crisp-tender when steamed, raw in refreshing salads, or quickly stir-fried, and it consistently delivers fantastic taste. This cruciferous powerhouse is especially high in Vitamin C, making it excellent for boosting immunity, and also provides a good source of Vitamin K and fiber. It pairs beautifully with a range of flavors, from simple garlic and lemon to more complex Asian-inspired sauces, as demonstrated in the delectable Asian Tofu Stir Fry with Honey Sriracha Sauce. Don’t discard the stems – peel and slice them for an extra crunch in your dishes! Broccoli is a testament to how healthy eating can be both easy and incredibly satisfying.

Find more versatile Broccoli Recipes >>

Cabbage

Pictured:Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Ginger Sauce

Cabbage, often overlooked, truly shines in April with its bright, beautiful leaves and incredible versatility. Whether it’s green, red, or Napa cabbage, it’s an affordable and nutritious vegetable that deserves a spot on your spring plate. I particularly love its dual nature: when used raw, it provides an amazing crunch factor, perfect for vibrant slaws, tacos, or as a crisp wrapper for dishes like the Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Ginger Sauce shown above. When cooked, it transforms into a tender, slightly sweet ingredient, excellent when sautéed with garlic, braised, or even simmered down in coconut milk for a creamy, comforting dish, as I’ve previously enjoyed. Cabbage is also a fantastic source of Vitamin C and K, and dietary fiber, supporting overall health. Don’t be shy to experiment with different types and cooking methods to unlock its full potential this season.

Browse more inventive Cabbage Recipes >>

Cauliflower

Pictured: Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

Out of all the incredible ingredients highlighted here, cauliflower holds a special place as my absolute favorite. Its popularity has soared in recent years, and for good reason—it’s a true chameleon in the kitchen! If you followed my culinary adventures, you’d know I can’t get enough of it. Cauliflower is incredibly versatile, serving as a low-carb alternative for rice, pizza crust, and even hearty “steaks.” It’s packed with Vitamin C, K, and fiber, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet. Roasting cauliflower, as seen in the stunning Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower Steaks, truly transforms it, bringing out its natural nutty sweetness and creating a wonderfully tender interior with crispy edges. These “steaks” are an absolute revelation and a must-try recipe, especially if you’re new to vegetarian cooking or aiming to incorporate more vegetables without compromising on flavor. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can be elevated into an unforgettable dining experience.

Discover more transformative Cauliflower Recipes >>

Citrus (Oranges, Lemons, Limes and more)

Pictured: Quinoa and Corn Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

As we transition into warmer weather, the bright and zesty flavors of citrus become even more appealing. I am a huge citrus fan, and our kitchen is consistently stocked with limes, lemons, and oranges because they are incredibly versatile and enhance almost every dish. These vitamin C-packed fruits are essential for adding a refreshing tang to both sweet and savory recipes. They can be the main feature, adding a burst of flavor to a dish, or play a supporting role in a vibrant sauce or dressing. Consider incorporating different varieties like grapefruit or mandarins for unique notes. The Quinoa and Corn Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing pictured perfectly illustrates how a simple citrus dressing can elevate an entire meal, bringing a refreshing zest that brightens up all the other ingredients. From marinades to desserts, and of course, dressings, citrus fruits are your go-to for adding that essential spring zing.

Explore more uplifting Citrus Recipes >>

Greens (Herbs, Spinach, Kale, and more)

Pictured: Apple Candied Walnuts and Blue Cheese Salad with Honey Apple Dressing

Spring is truly the season of greens! From tender spinach and robust kale to crisp lettuce varieties and an abundance of fresh herbs, they begin to flourish everywhere this time of year. I make it a point to always keep a bag of fresh greens in my fridge, ensuring I’m ready for spur-of-the-moment salads, vibrant pestos, or simply sautéing them as a quick, healthy side. The difference between fresh and dried herbs is monumental; you will absolutely taste the unparalleled freshness and aroma that fresh herbs bring to a dish. My new favorite herb is undeniably rosemary – I’ve been incorporating it into everything, from roasted vegetables to savory bread. This abundance of greens and herbs makes them perfect for creating light, refreshing, and nutrient-dense meals like the Apple Candied Walnuts and Blue Cheese Salad pictured. I’m even contemplating growing my own herb garden soon, a testament to how much I value fresh flavors.

Mushrooms

Pictured: Creamy Coconut Spinach and Mushroom Quinoa

Mushrooms are one of those ingredients that everyone should enthusiastically embrace. Their earthy, umami-rich flavor profile and incredible ability to absorb and enhance other tastes make them an indispensable ingredient in my kitchen. When cooked, mushrooms transform into soft, delectable morsels that add a satisfying depth to any dish. They are also a good source of B vitamins, selenium, and copper. I try to incorporate them into everything from stir-fries and soups to pasta and grain bowls. The versatility extends to various types: cremini, portobello, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms each offer unique textures and flavors. This Creamy Coconut Spinach and Mushroom Quinoa is easily one of my all-time favorite mushroom dishes because the mushrooms become so incredibly garlicky, tender, and savory, perfectly complementing the creamy quinoa and fresh spinach. Don’t limit yourself to just one kind; explore the wonderful world of mushrooms this spring!

Find more earthy Mushroom Recipes >>

Radishes

Pictured: Quick Pickled Radishes

It’s incredible to think how I’m only just fully appreciating radishes now! Not only are they undeniably pretty with their vibrant hues, but their distinctive crunch and refreshing peppery kick remind me so much of kohlrabi, a vegetable I fell in love with a couple of years ago. Radishes are a true sign of spring, bursting with fresh flavor and a satisfying texture that elevates any dish. They are fantastic when eaten raw, adding a zesty bite to salads and sandwiches, but they also shine when lightly roasted or, as shown in the pictured Quick Pickled Radishes, transformed into a tangy, crunchy condiment. This versatile root vegetable is also a good source of Vitamin C. Be sure to explore all the different varieties available, from the popular red radishes to colorful Easter egg radishes (pictured above), elongated daikon radishes, and any other unique kinds you might discover at your local market. Each type offers a slightly different nuance in flavor and texture, making them a joy to experiment with throughout April.

Uncover more exciting Radish Recipes >>

Sweet Potatoes

Pictured: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos

Last but certainly not least, we celebrate the magnificent sweet potato. While often enjoyed year-round, sweet potatoes are a fantastic ingredient to keep in rotation through April. This humble root vegetable is renowned for its incredible ability to seamlessly transform itself from a sweet dessert component to a savory and robust main dish ingredient whenever needed. Whether you enjoy them crunchy, perfectly roasted, mashed into a creamy side, spiced up, or simply baked until soft, sweet potatoes are an absolute must for this month. We practically use them every single week, all the time, non-stop – they are truly a total staple in our kitchen! Packed with vitamins A and C, manganese, and fiber, they are as nutritious as they are delicious. The Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos pictured are a perfect example of their savory potential, offering a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal. Embrace the sweet potato in all its glorious forms this spring!

Discover more delightful Sweet Potato Recipes >>

As you embark on your culinary adventures this April, I genuinely hope you find inspiration in these seasonal gems. There’s nothing quite like cooking with fresh produce at its peak, and these ingredients promise to bring vibrant flavors and essential nutrients to your table. If you try any of these fantastic recipes or invent your own dishes using this month’s seasonal produce, please do let me know! Share your creations in the comment section below, or tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #jessicainthekitchen. I love seeing what you’re cooking up! What delicious meals do you plan to make with April’s bounty?

P.S. For even more culinary inspiration and organized recipe discovery, I’ve completely revamped my Pinterest boards to be ingredient-specific. This means you can easily find a wealth of amazing recipes tailored to each of these seasonal April produce items and many more. Head over to check it out and get pinning your next delicious meal!