12 Keto-Friendly Light Spring Salad Recipes

Spring is the perfect time to embrace light, refreshing, and low-carb meals that are full of vibrant flavors.

These 12 keto-friendly spring salad recipes are packed with fresh ingredients like crisp vegetables, greens, and healthy fats, making them ideal for those following a ketogenic diet.

Each salad is carefully crafted to be light yet satisfying, full of the season’s best produce, and free from carbs that might derail your progress.

Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a side dish, or a full meal, these keto-friendly spring salads are sure to keep you feeling nourished and energized throughout the season.

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1. Avocado and Cucumber Salad

This avocado and cucumber salad is light and hydrating, with creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, and a zesty lemon dressing that’s perfect for spring.

Ingredients:

• 1 avocado (diced)
• 1 cucumber (sliced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Dice the avocado and slice the cucumber.
2. Toss the avocado and cucumber in a bowl.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

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2. Spinach and Bacon Salad

This keto spinach and bacon salad combines the rich, smoky flavor of bacon with fresh spinach, making it a satisfying and nutritious meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spinach (fresh)
• 4 slices bacon (crispy and crumbled)
• 1/4 red onion (sliced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the bacon until crispy and crumble it.
2. Toss spinach, crumbled bacon, and red onion in a bowl.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and apple cider vinegar, then season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

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3. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

This grilled chicken Caesar salad is keto-friendly and replaces croutons with crunchy bacon bits, topped with a creamy homemade dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1 chicken breast (grilled and sliced)
• 2 cups romaine lettuce (chopped)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (shredded)
• 2 tbsp Caesar dressing (keto-friendly)
• 2 slices bacon (crispy and crumbled)

Instructions:

1. Grill the chicken breast and slice it.
2. Toss romaine lettuce, Parmesan, and bacon bits in a bowl.
3. Drizzle with keto-friendly Caesar dressing and top with grilled chicken. Serve immediately.

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4. Caprese Salad with Pesto

This classic Caprese salad is upgraded with a vibrant pesto dressing, making it a keto-friendly, flavorful option for a light spring meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella (sliced)
• 1/4 cup pesto (keto-friendly)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the mozzarella.
2. Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella on a plate.
3. Drizzle with pesto and olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

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5. Zucchini Noodle Salad with Lemon Dressing

This zucchini noodle salad is a low-carb alternative to traditional pasta salad, featuring zucchini noodles and a refreshing lemon dressing.

Ingredients:

• 2 zucchinis (spiralized into noodles)
• 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Spiralize the zucchinis into noodles.
2. Toss zucchini noodles and cherry tomatoes in a bowl.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

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6. Shrimp and Avocado Salad

This shrimp and avocado salad combines tender shrimp with creamy avocado for a satisfying and flavorful meal, topped with a light lime dressing for a refreshing spring dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 avocado (diced)
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté the shrimp in olive oil until pink and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side.
2. Toss the shrimp with diced avocado and mixed greens in a bowl.
3. Drizzle with lime juice, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

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7. Kale and Cabbage Slaw

This vibrant kale and cabbage slaw is full of crunchy vegetables and dressed with a creamy, tangy dressing, making it a satisfying side dish or light main meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups kale (chopped)
• 1 cup cabbage (shredded)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (keto-friendly)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix kale and cabbage together.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss the kale and cabbage with the dressing and serve chilled.

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8. Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

This salad combines the earthy sweetness of roasted beets with creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts for a light, satisfying dish that’s perfect for spring.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium beets (roasted and sliced)
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1/4 cup goat cheese (crumbled)
• 1/4 cup walnuts (chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Roast the beets, then slice them into rounds.
2. Toss mixed greens with roasted beets, goat cheese, and walnuts.
3. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

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9. Grilled Eggplant and Tomato Salad

This grilled eggplant and tomato salad is a hearty yet light option, featuring grilled eggplant paired with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium eggplant (sliced)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• Fresh basil for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Grill eggplant slices for 3-4 minutes per side until tender and lightly charred.
2. Combine grilled eggplant and halved tomatoes in a bowl.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, garnish with basil, and season with salt and pepper.

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10. Tuna Salad with Mixed Greens

This quick and easy tuna salad combines protein-packed tuna with fresh mixed greens, and it’s topped with a light mustard dressing for a healthy, satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 can tuna (packed in olive oil, drained)
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1/4 cup red onion (sliced)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine the tuna, mixed greens, and red onion in a bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss the tuna salad with the dressing and serve immediately.

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11. Cabbage and Sausage Salad

This warm cabbage and sausage salad is a hearty, keto-friendly dish featuring sautéed sausage, cabbage, and a tangy mustard vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cabbage (shredded)
• 1/2 lb sausage (crumbled)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Sauté sausage in olive oil until browned and cooked through.
2. Add shredded cabbage and sauté for 3-4 minutes until tender.
3. Drizzle with apple cider vinegar and mustard, season with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

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12. Roasted Salmon and Avocado Salad

This roasted salmon and avocado salad is full of healthy fats, with tender roasted salmon paired with creamy avocado and a lemon vinaigrette for a perfect light spring meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 salmon fillets
• 1 avocado (diced)
• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Roast the salmon fillets at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
2. Toss mixed greens and diced avocado in a bowl.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and top with roasted salmon.