This blanched asparagus salad features tender asparagus spears combined with red onion and parsley in a light lemon feta dressing.
I’m channeling spring with this super simple asparagus and feta salad. It’s light, fresh and such a perfect side dish.
If you’ve been reading EBF for any amount of time I’m sure you’re well aware that I L-O-V-E salads. I haven’t done a full count, but I’m pretty sure that about 40% of my recipes are salad recipes. The other 60% is divided between oatmeal recipes and everything else. It’s probably a 40/20 split. 😉 I guess we’ll just add this asparagus salad to the list. It’s a good one because you only need 10 ingredients and less than 15 minutes to whip it up!
How to Blanch Asparagus for Salad
The technique we’re using to keep the asparagus looking bright and beautiful in this salad is called blanching. If you’re new to blanching asparagus (or veggies in general), no worries. The process is super simple:
Boil water in a large pot
While water comes to a boil prep a large bowl of water with ice (this is called an ice bath).
Add asparagus spears to boiling water and let cook for 1-2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove from the boiling water and transfer spears immediately into the ice bath.
Let the asparagus chill in the ice water for a few minutes then remove with the slotted spoon or tongs.
Transfer asparagus to a large plate lined with a clean kitchen towel to dry.
Lemon Feta Dressing
The dressing we’re using for this asparagus salad is a bright lemon feta dressing with a little dijon mustard, honey and olive oil. I’ve actually been making it on the regular for all types of salads, but it pairs ridiculously well with the asparagus, red onion, parsley mixture. You will love it!
If you make this asparagus salad or the lemon feta dressing be sure to leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how it turns out. Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other readers.
Tender blanched asparagus spears combined with red onion and parsley in a light lemon feta dressing.
Ingredients
2 lbs fresh asparagus spears, washed with ends trimmed
1 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup crumbled feta
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Lemon Feta Dressing
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Chop trimmed asparagus spears into thirds, on the diagonal.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. While water is coming to a boil, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with water and lots of ice.
Blanch asparagus: add spears to boiling water and let cook for 1-2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove from the boiling water and transfer spears immediately into the ice bath. Let the asparagus chill in the ice water for a few minutes then remove with the slotted spoon or tongs. Transfer asparagus to a large plate lined with a clean kitchen towel to dry.
In the meantime, prepare the rest of the salad by whisking together the dressing ingredients: lemon juice, dijon mustard, olive oil, feta, garlic, honey, pepper and sea salt.
Grab a large bowl and gently toss together blanched asparagus spears, red onion, parsley and dressing. Serve salad with 1/4 cup feta on top.
Category:Salad
Method:Blanch
Cuisine:American
Nutrition
Serving Size:1/4 of recipe
Calories:175
Sugar:6g
Fat:12g
Carbohydrates:13g
Fiber:5g
Protein:5g
Keywords: asparagus salad
Make a Meal by Pairing This Asparagus Salad With These Recipes:
This is a fantastic recipe! I served it with grilled salmon on a summer evening. We are following a keto diet, so I left out the honey and added a few drops of liquid stevia. Thanks so much for all the great healthy recipes.
I made this for my family for Easter and it was a huge hit. The dressing on here is incredible. Such a light and refreshing side dish! Perfect to go with salmon or other fish!
Absolutely delish!!! Next time I will sliver the red onion so they don’t get lost at the bottom of the salad and double the dressing because it was so good I drank half of it before I put it on the salad! I will definitely use the dressing on other veggies also!
I love the idea of adding red onion and feta dressing. Yum. Enjoy your trip to Portland. Suppose to be an amazing city. Definitely on my bucket list of place to visit.
Leave a Comment
This is a fantastic recipe! I served it with grilled salmon on a summer evening. We are following a keto diet, so I left out the honey and added a few drops of liquid stevia. Thanks so much for all the great healthy recipes.
★★★★★
Ahh yay!! So glad this recipe was a hit. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it, Susan. <3
So delicious!!! A fresh new take in the vegetable that my family has merely tolerated in the past. They LOVED this!!
This is deeelish! So very good. A new “go-to” recipe for asparagus.
I made this for my family for Easter and it was a huge hit. The dressing on here is incredible. Such a light and refreshing side dish! Perfect to go with salmon or other fish!
★★★★★
So glad this dish was a hit with your family, Anna. 🙂 I really appreciate you trying my recipe and coming back to leave a comment and star rating.
Absolutely delish!!! Next time I will sliver the red onion so they don’t get lost at the bottom of the salad and double the dressing because it was so good I drank half of it before I put it on the salad! I will definitely use the dressing on other veggies also!
★★★★★
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Loni! Thanks for giving it a try and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
This looks so good! Do you use this dressing for any other recipes?
Gorgeous! I love the feta dressing…that sounds so good!
I love this, I can’t ever get enough asparagus!
Helloooo Spring! This looks great! Have fun in Portland!
I can’t get enough asparagus this spring! This salad is beautiful and I love the feta dressing!
I love the idea of adding red onion and feta dressing. Yum. Enjoy your trip to Portland. Suppose to be an amazing city. Definitely on my bucket list of place to visit.