My Asparagus Salad recipe features tender asparagus, salty feta cheese, and sharp red onion tossed in a bright lemon vinaigrette. Serve my cold asparagus salad as a simple and healthy side dish for a weekday or even holiday meal. This recipe is vegetarian, low carb, low calorie, and naturally gluten-free.
Love asparagus recipes? Also try my Cheesy Asparagus Casserole, Roasted Lemon Parmesan Asparagus, and Grilled Asparagus in Foil.
Asparagus Salad recipe
I love eating Asparagus year-round, but there is something special about enjoying it in spring when it's in peak season. It's an early-season vegetable that is one of the first crops to grow. Because of that it just so happens to be plentiful and inexpensive this time of year making it the perfect item to cook with and serve. If you are looking for a unique way to enjoy asparagus this year, this tasty Asparagus Salad recipe will win you over with its simplicity and flavorful toppings like feta and red onion.
This fresh and light side dish is simple enough to make any weeknight but tasty enough to serve for Easter dinner.
Why You'll Love this Marinated Cold Asparagus Salad...
If you haven't tried a Cold Asparagus Salad yet, this is the perfect place to start. I love this recipe featuring fresh asparagus, salty feta, and sharp red onion. The ingredients for the recipe are simple and easy to find. The flavors are simply irresistible.
I topped the salad with a homemade vinaigrette made of fresh lemon, olive oil, mustard, garlic powder, and just a touch of honey. This bright dressing is just what this simple salad needs to really pop.
What are the health benefits of eating asparagus?
In addition to tasting great, Asparagus just happens to be one of the healthiest foods you can eat! It's loaded with essential vitamins including B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. There are also goodies like folic acid, iron, and fiber in it.
It's also low in calories and this entire recipe comes in around 150 calories per serving.
Can you eat asparagus raw in a salad?
Yes, you can eat asparagus raw. It will not hurt you and is safe to eat that way, but I feel like it's pretty tough. Since it is, I decided to BLANCH it for this Asparagus Salad. Blanching asparagus cooks it a very small amount to make it slightly more tender and it brings out the bright green flavor. For this salad, I think blanching is the best way to enjoy the asparagus. Keep reading for my tips to blanch asparagus.
Do you need to soak asparagus?
You do NOT need to soak asparagus to eat it. A good rinse off wash will work. I do recommend either cooking it fully or blanching like this recipe before eating it though because it is tough.
Ingredients:
Here's what you'll need to make this Cold Asparagus Salad.
- Asparagus: I use two bunches of fresh asparagus spears for this recipe. I prefer the thinner stalks, although any size can work. Thick or thin asparagus is delicious! To prepare the asparagus to chop off the ends and blanch it follow my directions below. After blanching cut it into 1-inch pieces for the salad.
- Red Onion: A bright red onion adds a bit of bite and punches to this salad. For this salad, I like to dice it into small pieces.
- Crumbled Feta: Salty feta is the magic ingredient to make this salad from boring to WOW! It pairs perfectly with asparagus. You can use fat-free or full-fat depending on your dietary preferences.
- Parsley: You don't have to add parsley, but I think it adds another earthly dimension to this dish.
For the Dressing:
- Lemon Juice: The key ingredient to this Asparagus Salad dressing is bright fresh lemon juice. I use a whole one to bring out the flavors of the dish.
- Olive Oil: Extra-virgin Olive oil compliments the lemon perfectly and turns the lemon into a bright vinaigrette. I really love THIS olive oil.
- Mustard: A small amount of Dijon mustard adds a nice tang to this dressing. Use brown mustard.
- Honey: To balance out the acidity of the lemon I added a bit of honey to the dressing.
- Garlic Powder: I like how evenly the garlic powder spreads in the dressing.
- Salt & Black Pepper
How to Make Asparagus Salad:
I have full instructions on how to make asparagus salad in my recipe, but here's a quick overview.
- Blanch the asparagus. See the photos and directions below on how to do this.
- Cut the asparagus into 2-inch segments.
- Prepare the dressing by whisking the lemon, olive oil, mustard, honey, and garlic powder together in a large bowl. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cut asparagus, red onion, feta, and parsley to the bowl and toss it together.
- Serve at room temperature or cold.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How to blanch asparagus for a salad:
If you haven't blanched asparagus for a salad before it's pretty simple.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare a second bowl with ice water.
- Remove the woody ends of the asparagus.
- Submerge the asparagus in the boiling water for 1 minute. If your asparagus is really thick it can stay in the water for a bit longer.
- Using tongs, remove the asparagus from the boiling water and submerge it in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain the cold water after the asparagus cools.
Blanching turns the asparagus a pretty bright green and makes it a bit softer and less woody to enjoy in an Asparagus Salad like this one.
Asparagus Salad Variations
I love this delicious Asparagus Salad recipe as written, but here are some fun ways to mix it up.
- Add other Fresh Herbs- Basil, Oregano, Mint or Chives would be yummy.
- Add Dried Herbs - Basil, Italian Seasoning Blend, or Herbs de Provence
- Fresh Cherry Tomatoes, fresh peas, or kalamata olives.
- Add canned tuna or chicken.
- Add greens like arugula or baby spinach.
- Substitute Another Cheese - Crumbled Goat or Cubbed Sharp White Cheddar
- Bottled Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
- Add Nuts - Pine Nuts, Pistachios, or Slivered Almonds
- Add avocado to make it creamy!
- Add Protein - Chicken, fish, or shrimp would turn this into a well-rounded meal.
What to Serve with the Salad:
This healthy side dish goes great with so many dishes!
- Simple Pesto Salmon
- Balsamic Glazed Salmon
- Grilled Lemon Shrimp
- Mushroom, Kale & Feta Crustless Quiche
- Three Cheese & Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
To make this Asparagus Salad recipe a complete meal serve it over a bed of pasta or quinoa with extra lemon.
This is the BEST Asparagus Salad Recipe!
This bright and flavorful Asparagus Salad recipe will win you over. It's the perfect spring salad. My family loves it and I hope you do too. Give it a try and let me know what you think.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers of the Asparagus Salad recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, the salad tastes great when made ahead. Prepare it up to 24 hours before serving it. The hearty asparagus will not wilt.
Can asparagus be eaten raw in a salad?
Yes, asparagus is perfectly fine to eat raw, however, it tastes better when you blanch it, making it just slightly more tender and less woody. That's why this recipe has you blanch your asparagus before making the asparagus salad recipe.
More Asparagus Recipes to Love:
- Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
- Rosemary Garlic Asparagus Saute
- Easy Tortellini Pasta Salad with Asparagus
- Salmon, Asparagus & Tomato Foil Packets
- Whole Wheat Pasta with Asparagus, Tomato & Pine Nuts
- Cheesy Asparagus Casserole
- Grilled Asparagus in Foil
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Cold Asparagus Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Asparagus Salad:
For the Dressing:
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- First you will need to blanch the asparagus. To do that, bring a pot of water to boil. Prepare a second bowl with ice water.
- While you are waiting on the boil, snap the woody ends off the bottom of the asparagus.
- Submerge the asparagus in the boiling water. Allow to boil for just one minute (a bit longer if your asparagus is super thick) and then pull it out of the water. Submerge the asparagus in the ice water to stop it from cooking any further.
- Cut the blanched asparagus into two-inch long pieces.
- Make the dressing by whisking the lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Toss the asparagus, red onion, parsley and feta in the bowl.
- Serve cold and garnish with extra feta, lemon slices, and parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for Later!
Lise says
I was thinking of a Dijon mustard - would that work?
Lise says
Please specify to kind of mustard
JulieWunder says
I tested with a brown mustard! You could sub what you have on hand though. I'd skip a grainy one because it would give the dressing a different texture.
Genevieve | Fitty Foodlicious says
I love asparagus! We grow it on our farm and it's so tasty and delicious! This is a wonderful recipe for using asparagus!
Chef Dennis says
What a perfect springtime salad, everyone in my house loved it!
Linda says
I'm excited about asparagus season and this asparagus salad will be on the menu. Love the combination and vibrant color in this salad
Jacqueline Debono says
Here in Veneto, Italy, we eat tons of asparagus when they are in season. They sell them everywhere, even on the roadside! This salad looks and sounds divine. Am pinning for later so I can make this recipe next weekend!
Jen Sim says
Asparagus is one of my favourite vegetables so I can't wait to try this recipe. It looks delicious and simple! Thanks for sharing
Marta says
I have always been a fan of grilled asparagus. Making a fresh salad is a great idea. I will add it to my grocery list to try this weekend.
Robin says
I enjoy eating a variety of salads during the warmer months, so I am pleased to find a scrumptious, new one to add to my repertoire.
Amy Liu Dong says
We love asparagus so much. This salad recipe is so delicious, easy, and healthy. I really like it.
Stine Mari says
This asparagus salad is perfectly balanced! Love the green asparagus with salty feta cheese and lemony dressing.
Irene says
I love asparagus and this salad sounds nice for summer.
Deb B. says
Admittedly, I'm not as used to cooking/preparing asparagus. This salad looks SO delicious and healthy! I'm definitely going to give this a try1 Yum!!!
Tisha says
I love asparagus. This salad looks incredible and a great side dish or even light lunch!
Leslie says
I have been craving recipes like this with FRESH ingredients! This is such a great recipe for spring!
Marina says
This is a recipe I never made, so I will definetely try it this Summer because it looks tasty and fresh x
Deborah Brooks says
I have been eating a ton of asparagus lately! it's the perfect time of year for it. Can't wai t to try this version
Amber Myers says
This looks like a fabulous salad. I like asparagus, so I am sure I will be a fan!
Chelsea Pearl says
Love how fresh and simple this recipe is. Reminds me I need to pick up some at the grocery store this weekend!
Joanna @Makingmine says
Confession: I NEVER use asparagus. I like it - I just never buy it! Now I want to make this salad asap 🙂
JulieWunder says
It's so easy to make! My hubby loves it so I buy it quite a bit.
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
I wish I liked asparagus because this looks great! I can normally manage a bite or two of it, but not enough to justify buying any.
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes says
Love how simple this recipe is. I'll have to try veganize it but that should be super simple. Maybe I'll do that next week and link back to you. Looks delicious!
JulieWunder says
Yeah! Let me know what you come up with!
Thanks for stopping by!
Lean Lena says
LOVE asparagus and this recipe! Thanks for the tips with the ice bath - probably common knowledge, but new to me 🙂
Thanks for linking up with Tasty Tuesday, Julie 🙂 Hope to see you again next week.
JulieWunder says
I just figured it out a few years ago 🙂 Thank you for the link-up!
Yuliya says
Ooh! I love asparagus! This recipe looks so yummy - pinned!
JulieWunder says
Thank you so much Yuliya!
Annmarie says
Asparagus is one of my fav things to eat! Love the flavor combo of honey and mustard too...this looks delicious!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Annmarie! I think you will really like it!
jill conyers says
I'm looking forward to the holidays and everything that goes with them! Asparagus is a staple in our house. I'm definitely trying this recipe.
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
I love asparagus! This look so scrumptious. Pinned.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Susanna!
Blane Sherer says
Sounds good. I'll try it.
Yes, I am getting excited about Thanksgiving.
I travel for Thanksgiving celebrations on the weekend( drive ).
I will work on the actual Thanksgiving day like a normal Thursday.
JulieWunder says
aw bummer! This is first year I have known I was going to get off the holidays!
Jenny says
Oh, this sounds SO good to me right now! I need a balance of those ridiculously delicious heavy foods and my beloved veggies. And you've nailed the asparagus/lemon combo that's so refreshing! I'm totally making this...and how amazing would a drippy egg be on top??!
JulieWunder says
That would be so delicious! Great idea.