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    Home » Blog » Meal Planning

    Foods in Season in April

    Modified: Apr 8, 2025 · Published: Apr 1, 2022 by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    81 shares
    collage of arugula pizza, roasted carrots, roasted peas, and ramps with a text box in middle with post title

    Check out this produce guide to see the best foods in season in April. It includes the 10 best vegetables to eat this month, plus recipe ideas for using them and a weekly meal plan that will make you love April vegetables.

    collage of arugula pizza, roasted carrots, roasted peas, and ramps with a text box in middle

    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see my affiliate disclosure.

    It may not feel like it everywhere in the US (especially in my home state of Minnesota), but spring is on the horizon. As March goes out like a lamb and we welcome the month of April, warmer days and spring fruits and vegetables are almost certainly in the forecast.

    In addition to being a month of continued transition from winter to spring produce, April also plays host to Easter (usually). For those who celebrate this holiday, your Easter brunches and dinners likely include some of the best foods in season in April.

    I included many recipes that are perfect for Easter on this list, in case you need some inspiration. Be sure to check out my produce guide for March and May for more ideas on what to cook this spring, too.

    Jump to:
    • Artichokes
    • Arugula
    • Asparagus
    • Carrots
    • Celery
    • Lettuce
    • Mushrooms
    • Peas
    • Ramps
    • Scallions
    • April Meal Plan
    • 💬 Comments

    Artichokes

    artichoke sitting in a round baking dish with water in the bottom
    instant pot artichokes in a serving bowl next to dipping sauces

    Artichokes are popping up everywhere and will continue to be in season throughout the spring. They make a great side dish or snack and can be prepared in so many different ways. On first glance, however, they can appear intimidating. Be sure to check out my post on How to Prep Artichokes if you’re new to this vegetable.

    Here are the best ways to eat artichokes in April:

    • Microwave Artichokes (try them with one of these dipping sauces!)
    • Instant Pot Artichokes
    • One Pan Lemon Artichoke Chicken

    Arugula

    slice of arugula pizza made on pita bread on a counter
    quinoa arugula salad with pineapple in a serving bowl with a spoon

    The peppery bite of arugula makes it irresistible to some and unpalatable to others. Fortunately, there are some great ways to prepare this vegetable even if you don’t love the strong taste.

    The key is to use flavorful dressings and pair arugula with ingredients that complement its flavor. Choose baby arugula, instead of large leaves, to ensure it’s bite-size and when you want to use it as more of an herb than a vegetable.

    Here are the best ways to eat arugula in April:

    • Simple Spinach Arugula Salad
    • Quinoa Arugula Salad with Pineapple
    • The Best Veggie Cheese Sandwich
    • 15 Minute Arugula Parmesan Pita Pizzas
    • Healthy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes with Arugula

    Asparagus

    asparagus pasta salad in a bowl next to herbs and toppings on a counter
    Shaved Asparagus Salad with herbs on a serving dish

    There are few vegetables that emanate spring better than crisp, bright green stalks of asparagus. I love capitalizing on their crunchy texture in raw preparations and transforming them into perfectly tender steamed or roasted dishes, too.

    Remember to store asparagus appropriately to get the most out of it and prevent it from going rotten. Keep asparagus stalks upright in a glass jar filled with a couple inches of water, or wrap the ends of asparagus in damp paper towels before storing in a loose bag in the fridge.

    Here are the best ways to eat asparagus in April:

    • Asparagus Fried Rice
    • Asparagus Pasta Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
    • Easy Refrigerator Pickled Asparagus
    • Roasted Asparagus and Carrots (great for Easter!)
    • Shaved Asparagus Salad with Mint Tarragon Dressing

    Carrots

    roasted carrots tossed with mint, nuts, and dates in a mixing bowl
    side view of a slice of carrot pie with a dollop of whipped cream

    Bunnies nibbling on carrots is definitely an image I associate with spring. Carrots are also often served at Easter meals. Plus, this hearty root vegetable is harvested in the late spring and can pretty much be stored year-round. So not only are carrots one of the best foods in season in April, but they’re great at almost any time!

    Here are the best ways to eat carrots in April:

    • Healthy Carrot Cake Bars (No Bake) (great for Easter)
    • Dill and Maple Roasted Carrots
    • Spiced Carrots and Dates (my favorite Easter side dish)
    • Prosecco and Carrot Juice Cocktails (also great for Easter!)
    • Homemade Spiced Carrot Pie (make it for Easter dessert)
    • Baked Curry Carrot Falafel
    • Roasted Radishes and Carrots with Compound Butter

    Celery

    green smoothie made from celery in glass jar on a counter
    marinated celery salad with shaved parmesan in a serving bowl on a counter

    Celery may seem like a supporting vegetable, but it can absolutely shine as the star of a recipe! This crunchy stalk is versatile, hydrating, and fibrous, not to mention incredibly long-lasting. Wrap celery in aluminum foil before storing in a drawer in the fridge to extend shelf life. If you have a lot of it on hand, check out how to freeze celery and how to make pickled celery.

    Here are the best ways to eat celery in April:

    • Celery Smoothie with Apple and Banana
    • Buffalo Chickpea Salad Celery Sticks
    • Marinated Celery Salad with Walnuts (makes a great Easter side dish)
    • Roasted Celery with Dates and Blue Cheese
    • Healthy Celery Snack with Herbed Mascarpone

    Lettuce

    Butter Lettuce Strawberry Salad  with goat cheese served on two plates
    a head of romaine lettuce on a marble counter

    Green vegetables definitely have a moment in April. Spring dishes often feature leafy greens and fresh herbs. It’s during this time that lettuce begins to enter its peak season.

    Some of my favorite types of lettuce include butter (or Bibb) lettuce, iceberg, and good ol’ romaine. I love the freshness and crunch that they contribute to recipes.

    Here are the best ways to eat lettuce in April:

    • Grilled Wedge Salad with Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing
    • Rotisserie Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups
    • Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Butter Lettuce
    • Southwest Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    Mushrooms

    mushroom spaghetti in a serving bowl next to a fork and cheese grater
    asparagus soup topped with balsamic mushrooms on a placemat on a counter

    Certain varieties of mushrooms tend to be abundant in early spring. They pair beautifully with other seasonal ingredients, including asparagus, herbs, and spring onions. If you’re wondering how to prep these fungi, see the tutorial on How to Cut Mushrooms (and how to freeze them if you have a lot)!

    Here are the best ways to eat mushrooms in April:

    • One Pot Mushroom Spaghetti
    • Slow Cooker Mushroom Barley Stew
    • Balsamic Asparagus Mushroom Soup
    • Asparagus and Mushroom Naan Bread Pizza

    Peas

    Parmesan Peas and Shallots on an oval serving dish
    fusilli pasta with pesto, peas, and parmesan in a bowl on top of a napkin

    Looking for some easy peasy recipes for April? See what I did there?! Peas might just be my favorite springtime vegetable. Their vibrant color can brighten any dish, all while contributing a delicate, sweet flavor and plenty of fiber.

    You can sometimes find fresh garden peas in the produce section or at the farmers market during this time of year. But if not, you can use frozen peas in most recipes.

    Here are the best ways to eat peas in April:

    • Paprika and Garlic Roasted Peas
    • Parmesan Peas and Shallots (a great Easter side!)
    • Green Pea Smoothie with Mint
    • Vegetarian Pesto Pasta with Peas

    Ramps

    simple lemon grilled ramps on an oval serving platter
    ramp pesto with toasted cashews in a circular glass dish

    The first sight of ramps at the market or store in April makes a lot of foodies rejoice! Ramps are a wild onion that look like scallions and taste like a mix of onions and garlic. They have a short season and are mostly only available in the eastern and northern parts of the US, which is why they are one of the most prized foods in season in April.

    Here are the best ways to eat ramps in April:

    • Simple Sea Salt and Lemon Grilled Ramps
    • Ramp Pesto with Toasted Cashews
    • Creamy Ramp Dip

    Scallions

    slow cooker black beans with scallions in a serving bowl on a counter
    vegan potato salad with scallions and fresh dill in a serving bowl

    Scallions, also known as spring or green onions, are one of the best options in the onion family! They have a milder taste than most other types and can be used in tons of recipes. I feel like I add them as a topping to a dish almost every week.

    One of my favorite ways to use scallions is to make scallion pancakes. If you have my cookbook, you have to try making them (page 189).

    Here are the other best ways to eat scallions in April:

    • Scallion Pesto (Green Onion Pesto)
    • Healthy Breakfast Egg Muffins with Mushrooms and Scallions
    • Vegan Potato Salad with Scallions and Dill
    • Vegan Peanut Noodles with Fresh Herbs

    April Meal Plan

    Are you drooling yet? Foods in season in April are delicious! Here is a one-week sample meal plan to provide inspiration for using these foods.

    • Monday: Balsamic Asparagus Mushroom Soup with grilled cheese
    • Tuesday: Slow Cooker Black Beans with Scallions added to the Quinoa Arugula Salad with Pineapple
    • Wednesday: Vegetarian Pesto Pasta with Peas (use Scallion Pesto for even more spring flavor!)
    • Thursday: Southwest Healthy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    • Friday: Arugula Parmesan Pita Pizzas

    What are you cooking this month? Let the Veg World know in the comments! And while you’re here, subscribe to the weekly newsletter for more seasonal veggie inspiration.

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    1. Lorraine

      April 01, 2022 at 12:00 pm

      You make saving the world with my food choices easy and so delicious! Thank you from Northfield MN!

      Reply
      • Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

        April 01, 2022 at 2:13 pm

        Hi Lorraine, I’m so glad to hear it! And happy to connect with a fellow Minnesotan. Thanks for reading and commenting!

        Reply

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