If you’re hungry for a delicious warm-weather salad with bright, fresh flavors, this Strawberry Asparagus Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is right up your alley. It’s quick to assemble and the perfect starter for any dish….add sliced chicken to make this delicious salad a full meal!
There are plenty of recipes out there for strawberry salad, and why not? Fresh, seasonal berries are fabulous on pancakes and yogurt, why not a green salad too?
This is one different because, besides being really simple with luscious, contrasting flavors and textures, its got some extras:
- Thin, perfect asparagus that’s barely cooked so it stays really crisp
- Crunchy sliced almonds
- Tangy, creamy, goat cheese
- A juicy, honey-spiked fresh lemon vinaigrette
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe
- Strawberries: The freshest looking, organic berries you can find
- Fresh Spinach: This leafy but sturdy green isn’t bitter at all, and so perfect in this salad
- Mache: This little green lettuce is special and sweet and sometimes referred to as “lambs ear.” If you can’t find it, just use butter lettuce instead
- Asparagus: As thin as you can find, organic if possible
- Shallot: Thin slices of this subtle and sweet (and my very favorite in the whole world) onion
- Goat Cheese: Tangy and creamy for a delicious contrast of textures
- Sliced Almonds: For a little extra crunch
- Fresh Lemon: Shake the juice together with olive oil, dijon mustard, a touch of mayo and seasonings to make a bright, flavorful vinaigrette (that’s good on everything but your cereal, btw).
Step by Step Instructions
- Remove the woody bottoms of the asparagus with a vegetable peeler or paring knife
- Cook the asparagus quickly in a saute pan with a little water, just enough to retain it’s bright green color and crispness
- Whisk together the fresh lemon vinaigrette
- Divide the greens, asparagus, sliced shallots, goat cheese, almonds and strawberries on each plate
- Drizzle with the vinaigrette and serve!
Tips and Variations for this Recipe:
- Yes, this salad can be made more substantial and totally amazing with a warm, thinly cut chicken breast on top. So would grilled salmon or even a sliced hard boiled egg.
- Swap out the sliced almonds for toasted pine nuts or walnuts or pecans! Honey roasted almonds are a nice switch too.
- This salad comes together quickly! Prep the ingredients in advance in separate containers, refrigerate, and plate when you’re ready
- I’ve served this salad many times on a big, white platter which looks stunning!
- Be sure to serve ALL salads with toasty, buttered bread. You can also serve this with a second salad, such as Blackberry Salad with Toasted Hazelnuts.
- Serve this salad with my Dark Cherry Smoothies or go a different direction as serve it in smaller portions with a dinner like Summer Pasta. So good!
More Recipes to Try:
Roasted Spring Vegetables with Vinaigrette
Strawberry Cheesecake in a Jar
Outrageous Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
If you’ve tried this Strawberry Asparagus Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette, or any recipe on Studio Delicious, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below
Strawberry Asparagus Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups Spinach, fresh, rinsed and dried, torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 1/2 cups Mache, lambs ear or butter lettuce, rinsed, dried and torn
- 1 pound Asparagus, washed and dried with bottom woody parts removed
- 2 tablespoons Shallot, sliced thin
- 4 tablespoons Goat Cheese, crumbled
- 4 tablespoons Sliced Almonds
- 2 cups Strawberries, organic if possible, sliced
- FOR THE LEMON VINAIGRETTE
- 6 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 tablespoons Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
- 3 teaspoons Honey
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- PREPARE ASPARAGUS
- Remove the woody bottoms of the asparagus with a paring knife or vegetable peeler. Place asparagus in a medium saucepan with just enough water to cover the bottom, along with a pinch of salt.Turn heat to medium high and bring to a light (not rolling) boil. Cook until the water is evaporated and the asparagus is bright green, about 4 minutes.
- Remove asparagus from pan and quickly place it a bowl of cold water with ice cubes to stop the cooking process and help retain the bright green color. Let the asparagus sit in cold water for about 5 minutes, then remove and pat them dry carefully on clean paper towels.
- PREPARE THE VINAIGRETTE
- Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk with a fork to completely combine. Alternatively, put all ingredients in a small canning jar with a lid, shaking it for several minutes until combined.
- PLATE THE SALADS
- Divide the greens onto four plates, then divide the spears of the asparagus onto each plate. Sprinkle a heaping teaspoon of shallot on each plate, and a tablespoon or so each of the crumbled goat cheese and sliced almonds. Divide the strawberries on each plate, then drizzle with a generous tablespoon of the vinaigrette, and more for serving if desired.
Notes
- Try honey roasted sliced almonds instead of plain, super delish!
- Use a bit more honey in the vinaigrette if you like it sweeter
- Remove the woody bottom part of each asparagus spear with a vegetable peeler
Nutrition
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
This recipe was originally published in May 2019, and updated May 2020
Your pictures are making me hungry! I absolutely love this salad & I love that it has asparagus!!
I love everything strawberry. It’s especially wonderful when I can have more ways to enjoy them that are not in the form of desserts! This was refreshing and hit the spot!
Lemon anything reminds me of my mom! This salad not only tasted good, but is beautiful too! Definitely packs a punch in flavor and presentation.
The flavors of this salad is perfect! Love how easy it is to assemble!
This salad has my mouth watering. I haven’t tried asparagus with strawberries before but it really does sound amazing. Saving this for next week. Thanks!
I love the Tangy dressing to this amazing salad combination. So colorful and healthy too.
Great! Thanks
This strawberry spinach salad is the perfect spring dish! I love the asparagus and goat cheese, they pair perfectly with the crunch from the almonds, and that beautiful lemon vinaigrette ties it all together! Delicious!
This looks like a great salad to try. Right now in Florida, we are having the perfect weather for salads. I will be putting this on my list.
There is nothing quite like making homemade salad dressing and this one looks incredible! Thanks for sharing all the great tips to make this!
Such a delicious salad. I have some asparagus in the fridge waiting to be used. Can’t wait to make it again.
Perfect! Thanks 🙂
This is such a fresh and seasonal salad. Lots of asparagus now and strawberries are just coming into season. Mache is one of my favorites too. What a lovely recipe!
Why thank you!
Looking forward to trying this as I’ve never had strawberries in a salad before.
You’re in a for a treat!
One of my go-to summer salads! It’s so refreshing and it’s always perfect for a potluck or picnic!
Great to hear!
This salad is so light, fresh and delicious! And that lemon vinaigrette really sends it over the top!
Thanks so much!
This is a beautiful and flavorful Salad. I can’t wait to taste it.
Thank you!!:)
This looks luscious! I love the combination of goat cheese and asparagus, it’s always a winner.
So true! Thanks!
I am typically not a fan of salad but this one is AMAZING! I love ALL of these ingredients and it is such a great balance of flavors and textures.
Good deal, thank you!
I love the combination of fresh flavors in this recipe! I have all the ingredients and will be making it for dinner this week!
Great, enjoy!
Such a unique combination of ingredients, and they go together SO well! What a great, light, fresh salad. Love this recipe so much.
Perfect for the spring, right? Thanks
This was so delicious!! I would have never thought to put these ingredients together, but WOW!! They all jived so well!! I am hooked!
Great! Thanks