Cold Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes is a healthy spring recipe that takes about 15 minutes to make. Drizzle a homemade vinaigrette over fresh vegetables for the perfect side dish on a hot day.
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Why this Cold Asparagus Salad Recipe is a Keeper
Asparagus is delicious, especially with fresh tomatoes and other vegetables. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this recipe for a simple asparagus and tomato salad:
- 15 Minute Meal: Have this asparagus salad with dressing ready in about 15 minutes.
- Easy Ingredients: All the ingredients to make this salad with tender asparagus and homemade salad dressing can be found in your kitchen or local grocery store.
- Adaptable: Add any vegetables, toppings, or dressings you’d like to this easy salad recipe.
If you’re looking for more asparagus recipes, try these: Prosciutto Asparagus, Tuscan Roasted Asparagus, and Asparagus Lemon Pasta.
Does Thinner or Thicker Asparagus Taste Better?
This great recipe for spring salad needs a bunch of asparagus stalks. While some people think thinner asparagus spears taste better, thick and thin asparagus spears actually have a very similar taste. Rather than judging by thickness, it’s better to choose fresh asparagus. Look for green asparagus with a tightly closed top and a juicy stalk instead of a dry one. You can eat asparagus raw, but in this recipe, you’ll have to cook asparagus and blanch it.
Ingredient Notes for Delicious Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes
If you love asparagus, you’ll want to give this recipe a try. This delicious summer salad includes fresh tomatoes and blanched asparagus and is topped with a homemade vinaigrette dressing. Here are some simple ingredients to make this easy side dish recipe:
- Asparagus: This recipe featuring fresh vegetables and dressing is a great way to enjoy asparagus. To make this chilled salad, you’ll have to plunge the asparagus into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
- Tomatoes: Vine-ripened tomatoes work best for this salad recipe.
- Basil: Cut fresh basil leaves into fine ribbons. You can use a knife or an herb shredder.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Spring Asparagus Salad Variations and Substitutions
- Parmesan Asparagus: Instead of gorgonzola, you can use crumbled feta cheese, pecorino, goat cheese, or grated parmesan cheese to make this recipe.
- Herbs: You can add different fresh herbs to this cold salad, such as oregano or thyme.
- Vinegar: Instead of balsamic vinegar, you can make the vinaigrette with white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.
Asparagus Recipe Pro Tip
Cut the asparagus instead of snapping the stalks. You will save more of the vegetable and will keep them uniform in size.
How to Make Cold Asparagus Salad and Tomatoes Side Dish Recipe
These are the basic steps to make asparagus and tomato salad. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Cook and Blanch the Asparagus
Remove the woody ends from the asparagus and cut the stalks into thirds. Then, bring a small pot of water to a boil and add the asparagus. Cook the asparagus for 1 minute, or until crisp-tender. Drain from the hot water and immediately place into an ice bath for 30 seconds to stop the cooking process. Once the asparagus is done cooking, remove from the water and transfer the asparagus to a paper towel to drain.
2. Cut the Tomatoes
Cut tomatoes into bite size pieces, removing the seeds and pulp. Place into a large bowl. Add asparagus, minced shallots, and basil, and stir to combine.
3. Make the Dressing
Combine the dressing ingredients – olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey – in a small bowl, and whisk together until combined. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss the salad to coat evenly. Top the salad with crumbled gorgonzola cheese.
Asparagus Salad Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips for Making Chilled Asparagus Salad
- Lemon Vinaigrette: You can use a store-bought vinaigrette instead of this recipe or make any dressing recipe that you’d prefer. It’s also possible to add a little fresh lemon juice to the vinaigrette.
- Seasonings: Season the salad with garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, salt and pepper, or whatever you’d like. If you add lemon juice, you can add lemon zest to the salad for even brighter lemon flavor.
What to Serve with Asparagus and Tomato Salad
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Cold Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes
Ingredients
- ¾ pound Asparagus
- 4 Large Tomatoes
- ¼ cup Fresh Basil, cut into ribbons
- ¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 clove Garlic, grated
- ½ teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning Blend
Instructions
- Remove the woody ends from the asparagus and cut the stalks into thirds. Bring a small pot of water to a boil, add the asparagus and cook for 1 minute or until crisp-tender.
- Drain from the hot water and immediately place into a bowl of ice and water for 30 seconds.
- Remove from the water and place on a paper towel to drain.
- Cut tomatoes into bite size pieces, removing the seeds and pulp.
- Place into a large bowl. Add asparagus and basil. Stir to combine.
- In a small small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Whisk together until combined.
- Drizzle salad with vinaigrette and toss to coat evenly.
Expert Tips
- Lemon Vinaigrette: You can use a store bought vinaigrette instead of this recipe, or make any dressing recipe that you’d prefer. It’s also possible to add a little fresh lemon juice to the vinaigrette.
- Seasonings: Season the salad with garlic powder, onion powder, dried herbs, salt and pepper, or whatever you’d like. If you add the lemon juice, you can add lemon zest to the salad for even more bright lemon flavor.
This looks so yummy! I’m a big fan of asparagus and fresh tomatoes and pretty much everything else in this dish!
I hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I got some asparagus at the farmers market last week and was looking for something new to do with it. This recipe caught my eye and I made it for dinner that night. It was great! Everyone loved it. Thanks for a great new asparagus recipe to add to my collection. Definitely a keeper!
I’m not usually a big fan of asparagus, but this actually sounds really tasty!