What’s in season right now? March Seasonal Produce is varied and delicious. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite March Recipes that include Spring Seasonal Foods. Buckle up for some of my favorite recipes that include root vegetables and citrus and tropical fruit as well as cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens and early spring onions among other fresh produce winners.
Eating seasonal produce is beneficial for your mind, your body, your wallet and our environment. Farmers Markets will begin opening and showing off their fresh produce….and I’ve got tons of recipe ideas that are perfect this time of year.
This post has been updated from the original published in February, 2020.
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Benefits to eating in season
- Cost: Generally, in-season produce will be less expensive. Veggies and Fruit in season will be abundant, and therefore available at a lower price. Adjusting your menus to follow a seasonal produce guide is a great way to stay within your grocery budget.
- Taste: Nothing compares to freshly picked produce that has had a chance to ripen naturally.
- Nutrition: Fresh produce is most nutritious when consumed close to the harvest date. Seasonal fruits and vegetables have been able to follow their natural growing and ripening rhythms, cutting down on artificial growing methods. Over time, foods lose their nutritional value if they are not preserved or frozen.
- It’s better for the environment: Buy local when possible! Cutting back on transport is better for the environment and on your wallet.
March Seasonal Produce Guide
March is transition season. We are still eating tons of storage vegetables like celery root, sweet potato and brussels sprouts that are abundantly available in the colder months. BUT this is also the perfect time of the year to embrace spring greens like swiss chard, bok choy and collard greens. Seasonal produce lists include everything from citrus fruit to sweet potatoes….easy to make a meal plan with tons of options for healthy eating.
The fresh produce in the grocery store hasn’t had to travel so far this time of year and it’s amazing to shop and eat local as much as possible. Seasonal recipes at the beginning of March will take advantage of both the local farmers markets and what’s new in the produce section for winning combo and amazing fresh salads.
What fruits are in season in March?
Fruit in season in March includes apples, bananas, lemons, limes, oranges and strawberries. Great news because those are staples in our house, and some of my favorite spring recipes can be made with the fruit in season. I’ll be making Orange and Fennel Salad as often as I can while the oranges are still so good. Scroll on down to find some of my other favorite recipes using march fruit in season.
Fruit in season in March
Fruits in season in March are nutritious, delicious and beautiful to work with. Lemon, limes and oranges take center stage as citrus is a great way to liven up any dish.
Here you'll find salads, smoothies, baked goods and more. March seasonal fruits are perfect to work with when you want easy recipes with no sugar added.
Moist and delicious, with perfect texture and just the right amount of sweetness. You'll love this Healthy Vegan and Gluten-free Banana Bread made with applesauce and no sugar.
This simple lemony arugula salad with avocado and artichoke hearts is tangy, refreshing, tasty and satisfying. It will take you under 5 minutes to make and have you begging for more.
Citrus + Fennel Salad with avocados. Vibrant and Healthy with easy to follow directions to cut those oranges.
A healthy Orange Julius that is sweet and frothy, somewhat frozen and tastes just like an orange creamsicle. This easy to make smoothie is light and refreshing and loaded with nutrients.
No Bake Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe is easy to make and so refreshing. Homemade, sugar free, vegan and delicious....the best way to enjoy those strawberries.
5 Ingredients + 2 minutes is all you need for a super creamy, dairy-free delicious dressing. Use it for salad, grain bowls, roasted veggies, baked potatoes, or as a healthy dip.
March Seasonal Vegetables
The vegetables in season in march are also some of the best. They include arugula, asparagus, beets, bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, celery, kale, leeks, parsnips, onions, potatoes, radishes, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Those seasonal vegetables in march are amazing….and give us so many great options like Creamy Vegan Asparagus Soup, arugula and faro salad, cauliflower red lentil soup and Tuscan Kale Chopped Salad.
Spring officially begins towards the latter part of March. It is a transition season. Depending on where you live, it may still be cool out or maybe it’s warm and sunny. Keep in mind, the weather doesn’t change all at once and neither should your food choices.
You’ll be surprised to find many of your favorite fruits and vegetables in season in March. Some will carry over from winter this month and you’ll see new varieties of your favorite greens and other veggies popping up in your local farmers markets and grocery stores too.
Ease into the weather transition by incorporating more seasonal produce into your meals. This doesn’t mean completely giving up what is still in season from last month. There are no hard lines to draw here. Mix and match as your body gets used to the new fruits and vegetables in season in March.
Soups and stews are perfect for transition season. You can take advantage of emerging produce while still keeping warm. You can also use some typical winter produce mixed in with springs offerings.
Veggie Recipes for March
Asparagus Recipes
Low in calories, high in nutrition...the perfect combo. Asparagus are high in folic acid and also a good source of potassium, fiber, thiamin and Vitamins A,C, and K.
Healthy asparagus soup is dairy-free and delicious. This easy recipe is perfect for transition season.
Let's usher in grilling season with grilled asparagus with a delicious mustard drizzle. This recipe is super simple!
Delicious grain-free side dish that's low in calories and carbs....and ready in just 15 minutes! Cauliflower Rice with Asparagus is easy to make with simple ingredients.
Oh my....you'll get tons of energy from this crunchy quinoa salad that's loaded with fresh greens, asparagus and brussels sprouts. It's crisp and crunchy, satisfying and delicious.
Broccoli Recipes
Broccoli has been in season since the fall and will continue to be through April. YAY! Look for heads that are heavy with small buds tightly packed together. Limp or yellowing broccoli is past its prime.
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that packs a nutritional punch. It's loaded with disease-fighting nutrients that can decrease signs of aging! It's a good source of fiber, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium as well as Vitamins A, C, E, K and folate.
Oh yes! Broccoli soup is super tasty...and perfect for the changing weather in March. You'll enjoy this for lunch or dinner.
Simple recipe for roasted broccoli that is so delicious, they'll be begging for more. This healthy veggie side dish will go well with whatever you're making.
Broccolini is fresh and fabulous this month! Try this easy saute with garlic to wow your taste buds in just 10 minutes.
This one of my all time favorite recipes. It's nourishing, easy and that dressing is oh so tasty too!
Citrus and Crunch Combine for a Delicious and Refreshing Healthful Salad. The dressing is made from fresh oranges and lemons...a few of our March fruits in season too!
Brussels Sprouts Recipes
Brussels Sprouts are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These cruciferous veggies are packed with nutrition and low in calories, making them a nutrient dense addition to your diet.
Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad is just the make ahead salad you need in your life. Delicious and creamy dairy-free dressing makes this slaw taste like the classic, without all the trappings.
Crispy roasted brussels sprouts with a delicious honey-lime-sriracha sauce. An incredibly easy to make side dish that is delicious and nutritious.
A good, crispy latke has no season! Brussels sprouts latkes are baked, not fried for a healthy treat!
When you're craving crunchy, tasty, satisfying and you know you'll feel your best if you load up on energizing greens and veggies....this salad straddles both worlds brilliantly.
Greens Recipes
Oh wow...where to begin? Greens are one of the most healthy things you can eat. There are so many kinds, and it's good to get as wide of variety as possible. Most greens are interchangeable in recipes. Buy a different kind each time to keep your gut flora diverse. Collards, spinach, swiss chard, or kale. Lettuce---of every type, watercress, parsley and arugula...the list is endless.
Leafy greens are dense in B vitamins, have fiber, folate, vitamins C&K. Iron, calcium antioxidants and calcium. They help with bone density, kidney function, lower cholesterol, and digestion.
Make a game of it and see how many servings of greens you can get each day!
This Tuscan Chopped Kale Salad is addictively delicious and ready in just 10 minutes. Crunchy, tangy, satisfying and colorful...a tasty way to add more seasonal plants to your diet!
Decadent chocolate flavor....hidden nutrition. You'd never know there's a good amount of kale in this smoothie....a delicious way to start your day with greens!
Citrus + watercress....a spring dream. Vibrant, healthy and easy to make. Watercress is a nutritional powerhouse....the most nutrient dense of all greens.
Simple salad lets wholesome ingredients shine. Super tasty and ready in no time. So easy to make, you'll have no excuses not to get your greens in!
A salad with loads of texture, crunch, flavor and nutrition! The perfect salad for transition season.
The Ultimate Chopped Salad: Easy Meal Prep will assure you get your greens in all week long!
Kale Salad with DELICIOUS Vegan Caesar Dressing and Crunchy Roasted Chick Peas....what all your salad dreams are made of.
Beetroot Recipes
Beets have an impressive nutritional profile. You can eat them raw or cooked. They add color, texture and taste to many dishes.
Beets are high in fiber, and are an excellent source of folate, manganese, potassium and Vitamins C and A. They support brain health, help fight inflammation, help keep blood pressure and blood sugar in check, and may have cancer fighting properties.
Easy Whole Roasted Beet Salad Recipe with balsamic vinaigrette is a simple side dish that will compliment any healthy meal you’re making. Roasting beets whole turns the crunchy root vegetable into something sweet, tender and juicy.
Eat the rainbow for optimum health. This beautiful salad is delicious and also super nutritious. Easy to make, perfect for meal prep and just what your body is craving!
Delicious and colorful salad is filled with greens, beets, butternut squash, toasted pumpkin seeds and a crave-worthy creamy, dairy-free, balsamic dressing. It's hearty enough to be a meal on it's own, but it would also be a wonderful holiday side dish.
Wholesome ingredients, one pan roasting, delicious cold or hot.
Mushroom Recipes
Mushrooms are the ultimate in vegan umami. So satisfying in texture, taste and nutritional benefits, you won't even miss the meat!
These stuffed Portobello Mushrooms are insanely delicious and satisfying....even meat eaters will adore this plant-based main dish.
Luxuriously rich, creamy, slightly sweet and perfectly savory vegan mushroom stroganoff. You'll love this dairy-free easy recipe. It's perfect on top of pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, a baked potato or grilled veggies.
A low calorie, low carb appetizer: Mushrooms stuffed with tasty cauli-rice mixture are vegan and gluten-free. Easy recipe that is also paleo, whole-30 and delicious!
Oh, this has to be one of my favorite mushroom recipes. It's got all the texture and taste of a traditional chopped liver, but without the meat! If you're vegan, simply omit the hard boiled eggs and you've got a vegan mock liver that's flavorful and satisfying.
Sauteed mushrooms + peppers with tofu. Delicious Vegan alternative to scrambled eggs. High protein plant based breakfast recipe that is easy to make with simple ingredients.
Veggie Fajitas are simple to make on a sheet pan. They are vegan, gluten-free and use wholesome unprocessed ingredients. The mushrooms are my favorite part of this recipe.
The best vegan bolognese you'll ever eat. All of the texture and flavor you'd expect in bolognese...thanks to some vegan umami in the mushrooms.
Delicious Creamy Mushroom Soup. Wholesome vegan ingredients...and tons of great mushroom flavor. YUM!
Cabbage Recipes
Cabbage is rich in antioxidants making it anti-inflammatory as well as a digestive and cognitive superstar. It is a great source of Vitamins C, A, and K. It is loaded with fiber, calcium, folate, potassium and magnesium too....and super low in calories.
Cabbage is in season from late fall to early spring, so this is the perfect time to enjoy it.
This Roasted Cabbage is next level delish. I could make a meal of it and I often do! But seriously, doens't the color alone excite you?
This hearty vegan stuffed cabbage is the ultimate comforting meal. It's super filling, easy to prepare and so delicious.
Food Processor Chopped Salad means you can have a nutritious and delicious chopped salad in 5 minutes! A little bit of everything in each bite....nutritious, delicious, crunchy, savory, creamy...it's got it all going on!
It may be called summer slaw....but this cabbage salad with miso dresing has ingredients that are available RIGHT NOW....and it's the best slaw EVER. I make it all year round because it's that good. Try it and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
Not only does this salad have chopped cabbage, but also roasted sweet potatoes and lentils....this salad is hearty enough for a meal and perfect for meal prep!
Shred, Drizzle, Spice. Serve. The easiest slaw you'll ever make. Vegan, Gluten-free and Mayo free.
Leek Recipes
Leeks are a great way to flavor soups, stews and veggie dishes. They're a good source of Vitamins A, C and K. Plus they have minerals like iron and manganese...and of course, like all veggies, leeks are a good source of dietary fiber.
This delicious soup recipe is a riff on the classic potato leek soup...but uses cauliflower instead of potatoes. It's super easy to make, with simple ingredients and super tasty too.
Leek and Garlic Confit is the amazing condiment you didn't even know you needed in your life....until you taste it and become super fans. It's jammy and flavorful, super spreadable and incredibly delish. You're welcome.
This white bean and escarole soup gets a big flavor boost from leeks! I love the seasonal escarole....a tasty way to get in some spring greens too!
Parsnip Recipes
Parsnips are a nutrient packed root vegetables. They've got a touch of spice, a bit of nuttiness and some sweetness too...making them fun and versatile to cook with. They're the sweetest in late winter and early spring, so march is the perfect time to enjoy them.
Cauliflower rice gets all the glory, but riced parsnips are actually tastier! Any recipe that calls for cauli-rice can be made by pulsing parsnips in your food processor. This grain-free tabbouleh is a favorite of ours.
This is the ultimate Marach recipe....parsnips, carrots and citrus are all in season! Roasted roots are delicious as a simple and beautiful side dish.
This Vegan Parsnip Gratin has all the flavor, texture, decadence and taste you'd expect from a cheesy potato gratin.....but this plant-based dairy-free version is loaded with wholesome ingredients that makes it nutrient dense....and still satisfying and delicious.
Just a little prep and you can have a nourishing and delicious pot of soup cooking on your stove. This soup is one of my absolute favorites....it's delicious, easy to make and so energizing!
Keep in mind, there are plenty more fruits and veggies available in stores right now. Some have been flown in from far away, and some have been grown in greenhouses. Diversity is key to optimum good health.
Buy local when possible. Use your best judgement to incorporate a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables and supplement with frozen when needed. Frozen produce is picked at the peak of ripeness and flash frozen to seal in taste and nutrition.
I created this post is to inspire you to cook with in season vegetables and fruits, and incorporate them into your spring menus. When we eat food that does not grow in the season or climate we live in, it sends mixed messages to the body and we become imbalanced. Eating what’s in season helps us feel more balanced, healthy and connected to nature.
What are YOUR favorite March foods? Let me know in the comments!
Amanda Marie
Such a great article. I am always trying to remember what comes into season when. Thanks for this guide!
Debra Klein
You’re welcome…I find it so helpful to have a recipe right there to make with those seasonal items.
Carolee Marie Cutler Peck
Thank you!!! Thank you!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Debra Klein
My pleasure.
Your Spiced
so many variety of vegan recipes.keep doing. thankyou for the recipe ideas
Debra Klein
You’re welcome. Enjoy.