How to Make Asparagus Salad: Simple Asparagus Salad Recipe

Asparagus is the main ingredient in an asparagus salad; however, the salad can include any combination of leafy greens, veggies, pasta, grains, and other ingredients. To make an asparagus salad a main dish, you can add chicken, shrimp, or grilled steak alongside the spring vegetable. For a side dish, keep things simple with just vegetables, cheese, and a crunchy element, like pine nuts or pistachios.

Asparagus is low in cholesterol, gluten-free, and low in carbohydrates. Raw, fresh asparagus can be tough and fibrous—especially the stalk ends—so you should cook the vegetable to tenderize it before adding it to a salad. Quickly blanching the asparagus will soften them, although grilling the asparagus will give the spears a deeper flavor.

While you can usually customize asparagus salad recipes by adding or subtracting ingredients to your preferences, here are general steps for making an asparagus salad:

1. 1. Blanch the asparagus. Boil water in a large pot and add the asparagus. Cook the asparagus until it’s tender, about four minutes. Then remove the asparagus from the boiling water and immediately submerge them in a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process—called shocking the asparagus. When the asparagus becomes cool to the touch, drain the cold water.
2. 2. Remove the woody ends. The end of the asparagus stalk is tough and woody, so remove each end by cutting off the lowest inch or by holding a spear at each end and snapping off the bottom.
3. 3. Prepare the spears. Cut the asparagus spears into two-inch pieces or shave them into ribbons, depending on your preference and the specifications of the particular recipe you might be following.
4. 4. Make a dressing. A lemony vinaigrette is a classic dressing for an asparagus salad. Prepare one by combining fresh lemon juice, olive oil, dijon mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper in a jar or small mixing bowl. The ingredients might appear to separate if they sit for a while, so mix them well just before you use the vinaigrette.

Asparagus can serve as the main ingredient or even the sole ingredient in a salad, or you can add asparagus to other types of salads. Here are three such dishes that can benefit from the addition of asparagus spears:

1. 1. Asparagus grain salad: Make a base of ancient grains, like farro or quinoa, then add asparagus, red onion, feta cheese, and other vegetables. Toss it all with a light balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Top everything with nuts or seeds for a satisfying crunch.
2. 2. Asparagus leafy greens salad: Start with greens like arugula, kale, spinach, or romaine lettuce, then add asparagus, cherry tomatoes, fresh radishes, and shaved parmesan cheese. Several dressings will work with this salad, and you can top the dish with a protein like chicken, shrimp, or even crispy chickpeas.
3. 3. Asparagus pasta salad: Add cooked, cut asparagus to a traditional pasta salad since the texture of asparagus holds up well even when you mix it with the mayonnaise-based dressing called for in many pasta salad recipes. The vegetable spears also pair well with cured meats, cheese, and other spring veggies. Make an asparagus pasta salad the day before you plan to serve it so the flavors can further develop overnight.