A vibrant, fresh, and flavor-packed salad that brings together crisp asparagus, juicy tomatoes, and salty feta with a tangy, garlicky balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect as a light meal, side dish, or appetizer.
🍽️ Serves: 2–3
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5–7 minutes
🌿 Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 lb (about 1 bunch) asparagus, tough ends trimmed
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled 🧀
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional; soak in cold water for 5 min to mellow)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill, chopped (optional, for garnish)
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- ½ clove garlic, minced (or ¼ tsp garlic powder) 🧄
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Blanch the Asparagus
- Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
- Add trimmed asparagus and blanch for 2–4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Immediately transfer to an ice bath (a bowl of ice water) to halt cooking and preserve color.
- Once cooled, drain and chop into 1–2 inch pieces.
2. Make the Vinaigrette
- In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (if using), garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk until fully emulsified or shake vigorously if using a jar.
3. Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine asparagus, tomatoes, feta, and red onion (if using).
- Drizzle with the balsamic vinaigrette. Toss gently until evenly coated.
4. Serve
- Garnish with chopped parsley or dill, if desired.
- Serve immediately. Pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, salmon, or crusty bread.
💡 Tips & Variations
- Add crunch: Toss in some toasted pine nuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds.
- Make it a meal: Add sliced grilled chicken, chickpeas, or quinoa.
- Flavor twist: Try goat cheese instead of feta, or a lemon vinaigrette for a brighter profile.
- Make ahead: Blanch asparagus and prep vinaigrette up to a day in advance—combine just before serving.
