34 Springy And Satisfying Recipes For When You're Not Sure What To Cook

    May is here! Let's eat.

    Hannah Loewentheil
    by Hannah Loewentheil

    BuzzFeed Staff

    May is here! ☀️

    The sun is shining, summer is just around the corner, and we're digging in to some of the best seasonal ingredients and recipes that this month has to offer. Find several of our favorites below.

    Here's what's in season this month:

    BuzzFeed

    1. Sautéed Dandelion Greens With Eggs

    Skillet dandelion greens with baked eggs.
    A Beautiful Plate / Via abeautifulplate.com

    Similar to spinach but more bitter (think: radicchio or endive), dandelion greens form a delicious base for this baked egg dish. Make it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

    Recipe: Sautéed Dandelion Greens With Eggs

    2. Berry Breakfast Smoothie Bowl

    Berry smoothie bowl
    tasty.co

    Greek yogurt adds tang to balance out the sweetness of the berries — and also adds extra protein.

    Recipe: Berry Breakfast Smoothie Bowl

    3. Blackberry Lemon Dutch Baby

    A Dutch baby filled with blackberries.
    Nutmeg Nanny / Via nutmegnanny.com

    You can use pretty much whatever ingredients are in your fridge to make these giant pancakes, but the simple combination of ripe, sweet blackberries and tart lemon is always a winner.

    Recipe: Blackberry Lemon Dutch Baby

    4. Strawberry and Cream Scones

    Baker by Nature / Via bakerbynature.com

    A little sweet and a bit savory, these scones are truly the best of both worlds.

    Recipe: Strawberry and Cream Scones

    5. Papaya Breakfast Bowls

    A papaya boat with yogurt and other fruits.
    The View From Great Island / Via theviewfromgreatisland.com

    Almost too pretty to eat, these tropical papaya boats filled with your pick of yogurt, granola, and produce is like a work of art.

    Recipe: Papaya Breakfast Bowls

    6. Jumbo Blueberry Muffins

    Several blueberry muffins.
    Sweet C Designs / Via sweetcsdesigns.com

    There is nothing quite like a buttery, moist, homemade muffin, especially when blueberries are in-season.

    Recipe: Jumbo Blueberry Muffins

    7. Mimosas 4 Ways

    Mimosas
    tasty.co

    Friendly reminder that Mother's Day is right around the corner.

    Recipe: Mimosas 4 Ways

    8. Angel Hair With Shrimp and Asparagus

    Skinny Taste / Via skinnytaste.com

    This seafood and veggie pasta dish is totally comforting but still light and fresh thanks to a homemade sauce made with chicken broth, white wine, and garlic.

    Recipe: Angel Hair With Shrimp and Asparagus

    9. Fava Bean Crostini With Pecorino and Mint

    Fava bean toasts with shaved cheese and mint.
    Coley Cooks / Via coleycooks.com

    Make these crostini as a party app or as a filling meal for one served on a slice of open faced toast or sourdough.

    Recipe: Fava Bean Crostini With Pecorino and Mint

    10. Vegan Bang Bang Broccoli

    Jessica in the Kitchen / Via jessicainthekitchen.com

    One bite and you won't believe that vegetables can actually taste this decadent. If you aren't vegan, go ahead and use an egg-based mayonnaise.

    Recipe: Vegan Bang Bang Broccoli

    11. Pork and Chive Dumplings

    Pork and chive steamed dumplings with soy sauce on the side.
    Cooking with Team J / Via cookingwithteamj.com

    Making dumplings from scratch might seem intimidating, but it's surprisingly easy. Start with store bought wonton wrappers and a delicious filling like this savory mixture of pork, chives, sesame oil, and soy sauce.

    Pork and Chive Dumplings

    12. Mexican Papaya Salad

    Papaya salad with cucumbers, onion, cabbage, and cilantro.
    Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com

    Full of papaya, cucumber, jalapeño, and onion, this unique salad checks all the boxes: every bite is the delicate balance of sweet, spicy, and crunchy.

    Recipe: Mexican Papaya Salad

    Foodness Gracious / Via foodnessgracious.com

    Make these artichoke hearts as a spring side dish with your favorite simply prepared protein like chicken, salmon, or shrimp. You'll want to spoon this creamy butter sauce over your whole plate.

    Recipe: Artichoke Hearts in White Wine Butter Sauce

    14. Roasted Chicken Thighs With Fennel and Lemon

    Chicken thighs with fennel.
    The Kitchn / Via thekitchn.com

    Crispy and golden on the outside yet tender on the inside, you'll be surprised this chicken is baked from start to finish and never fried in oil.

    Recipe: Roasted Chicken Thighs With Fennel and Lemon

    Carlsbad Cravings / Via carlsbadcravings.com

    It's officially picnic season, which means you can never have enough pasta salad recipes in your back pocket.

    Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad With Lemon Chive Dressing

    16. Scallop Risotto With Lemon and Sweet Peas

    Scallop and pea risotto.
    Platings and Pairings / Via platingsandpairings.com

    This fancy-tasting, restaurant-quality dish might seem unrealistic to make in your own kitchen, but I can assure you it's easier than you think. All it takes is a bit of patience and stovetop stirring.

    Recipe: Scallop Risotto With Lemon and Sweet Peas

    17. Chive Onion Pesto Pasta With Shrimp

    Brooklyn Supper / Via brooklynsupper.com

    You could buy store bought pesto, but this homemade version using chives and spring onion is next level. Put it on anything and everything, including this seafood pasta.

    Recipe: Chive Onion Pesto Pasta With Shrimp

    18. Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad

    Downshiftology / Via downshiftology.com

    You've been waiting all year for burrata season, and it's finally here. Celebrate with a juicy, ripe peach salad over bitter arugula. The flavor combination is incredible.

    Recipe: Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad

    19. Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Chive Tart

    Asparagus and goat cheese tart with chives.
    Joanne Eats Well With Others / Via joanne-eatswellwithothers.com

    This easy and crowd-friendly dish starts with store bought puff pastry dough. It's topped with a creamy crème fraîche and goat cheese spread, asparagus speaks, and plenty of Parmesan for good measure.

    Recipe: Asparagus, Goat Cheese, and Chive Tart

    20. Charred Salmon with Lemon Herb Couscous & Fava Beans

    Israeli couscous with salmon and fava beans.
    My Jewish Learning / Via myjewishlearning.com

    The best thing about this meal is that it tastes just as good the next day after it's had some time to sit in the fridge, which means plenty of leftovers for you to enjoy.

    Recipe: Charred Salmon with Lemon Herb Couscous & Fava Beans

    21. Pan-Fried Cod in Citrus Basil Butter Sauce

    Pan fried cod in citrus butter sauce.
    Foodness Gracious / Via foodnessgracious.com

    Even if you're afraid of cooking fish at home, this cod recipe will convince you it's truly no big deal. It begins with flaky white fish, which is pan-fried in olive oil and then served (read: smothered) in an outrageously good citrus butter sauce.

    Recipe: Pan-Fried Cod in Citrus Basil Butter Sauce

    22. Thai Papaya Spring Rolls

    Wanderlust Kitchen / Via thewanderlustkitchen.com

    Papaya is the secret ingredient you've been craving in your spring rolls forever. Oh, and remember to make a big batch of the peanut sauce because you'll want to put it on everything.

    Recipe: Thai Papaya Spring Rolls

    23. Spring Vegetable Brown Butter Gnocchi

    Gnocchi with peas, asparagus, and chives.
    The Original Dish / Via theoriginaldish.com

    This spring gnocchi calls for asparagus and peas, but you can really use whatever fresh produce you have on hand.

    Recipe: Spring Vegetable Brown Butter Gnocchi

    24. Grilled Shrimp Rolls on Brioche Buns

    The Original Dish / Via theoriginaldish.com

    If you like lobster rolls, you'll adore these shrimp rolls on buttery brioche. They're more affordable than lobster, but the flavors and texture are shockingly similar.

    Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Rolls on Brioche Buns

    25. Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry

    Beef and broccoli stir fry with peppers and sesame seeds.
    Dinner at the Zoo / Via dinneratthezoo.com

    Before you grab the nearest take-out menu, consider whipping up this colorful and veggie-packed stir fry from scratch. You can get it on the table in under 30 minutes.

    Recipe: Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry

    26. Banh Mi Rice Bowl

    Spoonful of Flavor / Via spoonfulofflavor.com

    This deconstructed banh mi bowl is made with pork tenderloin marinated in fish sauce, soy sauce, lime, and garlic, but you can substitute pretty much any protein from chicken to tofu. Serve it on rice with pickled veggies and Sriracha mayo.

    Recipe: Banh Mi Rice Bowl

    27. Fennel Pasta in Creamy Miso Sauce

    Lazy Cat Kitchen / Via lazycatkitchen.com

    This pasta might seem like an unlikely combination of flavors, but OMG — just wait until you've tried the creamy miso sauce paired with pungent fennel, sweet corn, savory hazelnuts, and spicy red pepper flakes.

    Recipe: Fennel Pasta in Creamy Miso Sauce

    28. Homemade Cherry Pie Bars

    Cherry pie bars.
    The Food Charlatan / Via thefoodcharlatan.com

    Buttery shortbread crust andsweet and tangy cherry pie filling all topped with vanilla glaze, these pie bars are just the right kind of treat.

    Recipe: Homemade Cherry Pie Bars

    29. Rhubarb Almond Cake

    The View From Great Island / Via theviewfromgreatisland.com

    This Norwegian cake is actually meant to be enjoyed for breakfast, which is most definitely the easiest way to start any day off right.

    Recipe: Rhubarb Almond Cake

    30. No-Bake Spring Berry Pie

    Berry pie
    tasty.co

    This uses strawberries and blueberries as the base — but you can swap in raspberries or blackberries too.

    Recipe: No-Bake Spring Berry Pie

    31. Blueberry Hand Pies

    Baker By Nature / Via bakerbynature.com

    The greatest thing about hand pies is you don't have to share. But good luck stopping after just one.

    Recipe: Blueberry Hand Pies

    32. Strawberry Chamomile Paloma

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    This springy cocktail is easy enough to make in a big batch, and while it's actually fairly simple to make, it's guaranteed to impress. The fancy-sounding chamomile honey syrup calls for just three simple ingredients: chamomile tea bags, honey, and water.

    Recipe: Strawberry Chamomile Paloma

    33. Strawberry Blueberry Spring Sangria

    Spring sangria with berries.
    Chalk Full of Love / Via chalkfulloflove.com

    There's no wrong time of year for sangria, but this berry-packed beverage just tastes best when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping.

    Recipe: Strawberry Blueberry Spring Sangria

    34. Blackberry Lemonade Mojito

    A glass of mojito with muddled blackberries.
    Short Girl Tall Order / Via shortgirltallorder.com

    You only need five ingredients to whip up these tasty cocktails: fresh blackberries, mint, rum, lemonade, and club soda.

    Recipe: Blackberry Lemonade Mojito