Seasonal recipes to mark the start of spring

After a long winter, the arrival of spring brings sunshine, warmth and an exciting array of seasonal ingredients. Hearty, slow-cooked meals are swapped for vibrant dishes that reflect the changes in produce delivered by the spring harvest. 

It’s also the season for maple syrup harvesting, as cold nights and warmer days force the sap of the maple tree out towards the trunk. From here, the sap is collected and then transported to a sugar shack where it is boiled to form pure maple syrup. 

To celebrate the shift in seasons, we’ve revisited some of our favourite spring recipes that combine delicious seasonal ingredients with the natural sweetness of maple syrup. 

Five wonderful spring recipes with maple syrup 

From baked treats to flavoursome meats, our selection of spring recipes hits all the right notes. We’ve also included a vegan dish as well as a couple of pescetarian options, so you can be sure there’s something for everyone.

Roast lamb with yoghurt marinade

This roast leg of lamb is too good to be enjoyed only at Easter! It all starts with the thick yoghurt marinade, which balances sour lemon juice with sweet maple syrup and is left to infuse with the lamb overnight. 

Once roasted the next day, a light dressing consisting of olive oil, fresh herbs and capers is poured over the lamb, which is then left to rest for 20 minutes until perfectly juicy and tender. Serve this lamb in yoghurt marinade with your choice of spring vegetables. 

Scallop risotto

Seared scallops are laid delicately on a bed of creamy tomato risotto in this richly flavoured seafood dish. Cooked over a high heat for just a few minutes, the scallops have a slightly crispy surface that gives way to a soft and buttery inner core. 

The rice is infused with garlic, shallots and fresh thyme before being cooked in an earthy sauce consisting of white wine and vegetable stock. Maple syrup and double cream are stirred in at the end, adding an indulgent twist to this dreamy scallop risotto.

Vegan simnel cake

Often associated with Easter and Mother’s Day, simnel cake is a delicately flavoured fruit cake that can be enjoyed throughout the spring. This recipe from Nourishing Amy uses plant-based ingredients to create a vegan simnel cake that tastes just as good as the original. 

Featuring dried fruits, mashed banana, ground almonds and orange juice, the cake is packed with nutritious ingredients. A generous serving of vegan-friendly maple syrup is added to the batter to form a deliciously sweet base.  

Teriyaki cod

Sweet and salty teriyaki sauce serves as the perfect coating for cod in this quick and simple teriyaki cod recipe. Pure maple syrup is used instead of sugar in the teriyaki glaze, while the additions of white wine, lime juice and chilli powder provide an extra edge. 

Once the cod fillets have been left to marinate for at least an hour, they are baked for around 15 minutes and then brushed with what remains of the teriyaki glaze. The recipe is incredibly versatile and can easily be prepared with salmon or other white fish.

Green salad with croutons

This list wouldn’t be complete without a heart-healthy spring salad! This simple but delicious salad with croutons features an array of leafy greens alongside avocado, sweetcorn and Emmental cheese. 

The croutons are made by mixing bite-size pieces of bread with dried herbs, maple syrup and a splash of olive oil. These sweet and lightly spiced chunks are then baked until golden and crunchy. Pure maple syrup also makes its way into the dressing, adding extra sweetness to the salad. 

Ring in spring with maple syrup

As a vibrant and versatile ingredient, maple syrup makes for a great addition to a wide range of spring recipes. Learn more about the versatility of maple syrup and discover new ways to use the sweetener in your baking and cooking in our dedicated spring recipes section. 

And if you like the look of our spring recipes, make sure to explore the rest of our recipes with maple syrup.