Asparagus salad with lemon garlic dressing (recipe)

By The Health News Team | May 16, 2025

Asparagus salad with lemon, spinach and parmesan cheese

With the arrival of spring, asparagus is popping up as a seasonal staple at grocery stores and farmers markets. Tapping into seasonal veggies is a great way to not only diversify your diet, but also to ensure you’re getting the best possible produce at just the right time.

“When you’re looking for ingredients, reach for what’s currently in season in the area you live,” says Lily Padilla-Corona, a diabetes specialist educator at Sharp Rees-Stealy Otay Ranch. “Using seasonal vegetables and incorporating new recipes allows us to meet our health goals. A high-fiber and protein-rich side salad such as this is a good option for our those focused on managing diabetes and heart health.”

This asparagus salad packs a punch of vitamins and antioxidants while bringing on all the freshness of spring.

Asparagus Salad with Lemon-Garlic Dressing

Prep time:

15 minutes

Total time:

25 minutes

Servings:

4 (1/2 cup servings)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream
1 tablespoon low-fat buttermilk OR 1 tablespoon fat-free milk
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 medium garlic clove (minced)
24 medium asparagus spears (trimmed)
4 cups of mixed leafy greens
1/2 cup chopped almonds
Poppy seeds (optional)
Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Prepare the Dressing

In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream, buttermilk, lemon zest and garlic. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.

Cook and Slice the Asparagus

Fill a large saucepan or skillet with enough water to barely cover the asparagus. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the asparagus and cook for 5 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Drain in a colander. Rinse with cold water and drain well. If desired, cut on the diagonal into bite-size pieces. Transfer to a serving bowl and add the leafy greens.

Combine With Dressing and Serve

Add almonds and dressing, tossing gently to coat. Lightly sprinkle with the poppy seeds and serve immediately.

Nutrition facts per serving: Calories = 116; Fat = 7 grams; Sugar = 3 grams

Recipe adapted from the American Heart Association.

The Health News Team

Author

The Sharp Health News Team are content authors who write and produce stories about Sharp HealthCare and its hospitals, clinics, medical groups and health plan.