Spring Asparagus Salad with Shaved Parmesan

Spring Asparagus Salad with Shaved Parmesan is made with a handful of simple ingredients and overflows with flavor. Quick to assemble, this salad is both satisfying and delicious.

This Spring Asparagus Salad is a fresh, crisp side dish made with thin asparagus, nutty Parmesan cheese, tangy pickled onions, and a bright lime vinaigrette. 

It comes together in minutes and is perfect for spring meals, Easter brunch or an easy weeknight dinner. If you're looking for a simple asparagus salad that’s light, flavorful, and very special, this recipe is it!

Peeling asparagus isn't required, but if the spears are especially thick and/or woody, peeling them will greatly improve the eating experience.

How to Prepare Asparagus for a Salad

1. Trim the stems of the asparagus if they are thick and/or especially woody.
2. Then use a vegetable peeler to gently peel the spears.
3. Steam the asparagus just until it's tender.
4. Then "shock" it in ice water. This simply means submerging the asparagus in ice water as soon as it's done cooking. This helps it keep its bright green color and stops the cooking process.
5. Once the asparagus is cool, drain and dry it.
6. Cut it into smaller pieces, and it's ready for a salad.

* PRO TIP * "Shocking" green vegetables after they're steamed or boiled does two important things: it stops the cooking process, and helps maintain the bright green color. It's ideal to do this if the vegetables will be used in a salad. 

How to Make the Salad

- Once the asparagus has been prepped, toss it with the greens, onions and cheese. Set aside.

- To make the dressing, combine the lime juice with the mustard, honey and ,salt. Gradually whisk in the olive oil and season to taste with pepper and more salt if necessary. (You can also add all of the ingredients to a small jar and shake.)

- Drizzle the salad with the dressing and serve.

Recipe Tips

• As I said above, it's not a must, but I usually peel the asparagus. With thicker spears, the outer layer can be tough. When the spears are skinny, you don't need to worry about this. And you can save the scraps, which look like pretty ribbons, for this awesome asparagus garnish.
• If you're making this Parmesan asparagus salad at the last minute, you can use thinly sliced red onion or shallots. I love pickled red onions, but you'll have a tasty salad either way.
• My favorite way to make salad dressing is in a jar. Simply add all of the ingredients, put the lid on, and shake.

Variations

• Make it vegan. Feel free to omit the Parmesan cheese and add marinated artichokes or hearts of palm instead.
• Add a protein. Add a protein, like shredded chicken or canned tuna, and it'll be substantial enough to serve as an entrée.
• Use lemon juice instead of lime juice in the dressing if you prefer it.

More Delicious Asparagus Recipes

I hope this asparagus salad is a hit at your house!

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