Cold Asparagus and Feta Salad with Lemon Dressing

Name: Cold Asparagus and Feta Salad with Lemon Dressing
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 pound asparagus ((450g)); 3 ounces feta cheese ((85g)); juice and zest of 1 lemon; 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil; pinch garlic powder; pinch salt; pinch black pepper; ¼ teaspoon sugar

Easy to make, this fresh and tasty cold asparagus and feta salad is perfect for Spring time lunches and dinners. Perfect in it's simplicity, the lemon dressing creates the most vibrant salad side dish.

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Asparagus and feta tossed in a lemon dressing served in a dish with a spoon.

Last Updated on March 30, 2023 by Betty Davies

This spring salad recipe is full of fresh, bright and zingy flavors, and perfect for the warmer weather. This cold asparagus and feta salad is tossed in a simple lemon dressing for a healthy and delicious salad side dish that’s ready to enjoy in less than 10 minutes.

Asparagus, feta and lemon salad served in a bowl with a spoon.

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As soon as fresh asparagus starts to appear in the stores, I can not resist, and I’m always looking for new and tasty recipes to it in.

This cold asparagus salad recipe is so simple and easy to make, and the natural flavors shine through. The feta cheese adds a creamy texture and salty flavor and the lemon dressing is perfectly zesty and tangy. Each bite is Spring on a plate!

Fresh asparagus spears are quickly blanched before being tossed with the crumbled feta and lemon dressing, it’s ready to enjoy in a matter of minutes.

Be sure to check out my Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus and Shaved Asparagus Salad too!

Why you will love this recipe!

Simple: Sometimes simple is the way to go! This easy recipe lets the ingredients speak for themselves, and novices will be able to master this salad side dish.
Healthy: Asparagus is a great low calories vegetable that is full of nutrients, including folate, fiber and vitamins A, C and K. Low in fat, sodium and carbs, this is a great recipe to include in a well balanced diet.
Dietary info: This cold asparagus salad is gluten-free, vegetarian, low carb and keto friendly.

Cold asparagus salad served in a red dish.

Ingredients

Asparagus: I like to use thinner asparagus spears in the recipe. They quickly blanched to make them nice and tender and keep their vibrant green color.
Feta Cheese: This creamy and salty Greek cheese adds great flavor and texture to the salad.
Lemon: We use both the zest and juice of a lemon for a really vibrant flavor.
Oil: A little extra virgin olive oil adds a nice richness and gives the dressing a round flavor.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
Sugar: A little sugar balances out the sharpness of the fresh lemon. Maple syrup or honey can also be used.

How to make asparagus and feta salad

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

Blanche the asparagus (photo 1).
Mix together the ingredients for the lemon dressing (photo 2).
Toss together the cooked asparagus, feta and lemon dressing and serve (photo 3).

Three step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.

Recipe Variations

This simple cold asparagus salad is delicious as it is, but it’s easy to make your own!

Add other veggies: Sliced radishes, halved cherry tomatoes or fresh green peas all make wonderful additions!
Use a different cheese: Goats cheese works great in place of the feta.
Make it vegan: Skip the cheese altogether.
For extra crunch: Add nuts or seeds.
Use a different dressing: any light dressing will work great with this salad, try it with my Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette or Chili Lime Dressing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use canned asparagus?

I highly recommend that you use fresh asparagus for this recipe, the texture and taste really will make a difference. In a pinch, you can use canned, but be sure to drain and dry it before using it, there’s no need to blanch it.

Can you eat raw asparagus?

Raw asparagus is totally edible, but I prefer to quickly blanch it in boiling water first for this recipe. Asparagus stems can be a little woody and tough to eat raw, so this helps to make them nice and tender, as well as keeping their vibrant green color.

How do you store asparagus?

Asparagus can start to wilt quite quickly when you pick it up from the store. To prolong it’s life and stop it from wilting, stand the bunch in a short wide glass, with a little water in the bottom and keep it stored in the fridge. This will help to keep it firm fo a few extra days.

Asparagus salad garnished with lemon slices.

Serving Suggestions

This cold asparagus and feta salad is a great side dish to serve with light and flavorful chicken and fish main dishes, though it’s not a bad side for a great grilled steak either! Try it with some of these favorites:

Make Ahead and Storage

This salad is best served the same day you make it, as the cut asparagus can start start to brown a little, though the lemon dressing will help to slow this process down. Once made, keep it covered and refrigerated.

Recipe Notes and Tips

I like to make this salad with thin asparagus spears. They are nice and tender and easy to eat. You can use thicker spears, but you may want to cut them into slightly smaller pieces.
Use fresh lemon juice, rather than bottled, for the best flavor and more vitamins!
Don’t skip the iced water bath once the asparagus is boiled. This will stop the cooking process so that the spears don’t overcook, and it will also keep them a nice vibrant green color.

Lemon slices on top of an asparagus feta salad.

Easy to make, this fresh and tasty cold asparagus and feta salad is perfect for Spring time lunches and dinners. Perfect in it’s simplicity, the lemon dressing creates the most vibrant salad side dish.

More Salad Recipes

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