Thin shavings of fresh asparagus are tossed with olive oil, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese in this delicious, healthy salad that’s perfect for spring.
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some warmer weather, and this Raw Asparagus Salad is the perfect way to welcome spring.
This fresh, healthy salad was absolutely amazing! If you’re thinking raw asparagus sounds weird, trust me, when you make long, thin shaving with your vegetable peeler, it totally works!
Tossed with an easy olive oil and lemon vinaigrette, and some fresh parsley and shaved Parmesan cheese, it’s almost hard to believe something so simple could taste so good.
My husband loved it as much as I did, and the second time I made it, I doubled the recipe because we couldn’t get enough of it (the recipe below reflects the doubled amounts).
Admittedly, this salad isn’t super kid friendly. Although my kids did try it and conceded that it was much better than they thought it would be.
The trick to shaving your asparagus is to start with the thickest spears you can find. Thin spears will be way too hard to shave, so save that for some delicious roasted or grilled asparagus.
I’m a huge fan of asparagus, and this raw version is my new favorite way to enjoy this unique spring vegetable. This salad would be perfect for an Easter or Mother’s Day meal.
It’s just so fresh, and refreshing. And kind of fancy, if you ask me. Fancy, but not hard to make. Everyone is always impressed when I serve this beautiful salad.
I definitely recommend using shaved Parmesan in this recipe. The texture is the perfect accompaniment to the asparagus shavings. But grated or shredded Parmesan will work in a pinch.
This Raw Asparagus Salad is definitely my favorite new recipe this spring. I hope you love it as much as we did!
Be sure to save this Raw Asparagus Salad recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Tips for Choosing and Storing Asparagus
Appearance: Fresh asparagus stalks are firm, straight and smooth. Look for stalks that have a rich green color with a small amount of white at the bottom.
Asparagus stalks should be firm and straight, not limp. The asparagus tips should be tightly closed and compact–like a paintbrush–with purple highlights. Make sure the tips are not soft or mushy.
Size: It’s really not true that thinner asparagus is more tender and flavorful than thicker asparagus. As long as asparagus is cooked properly, any size or thickness should taste good.
Storing: The best way to keep asparagus fresh is to trim about a half-inch from the ends of the asparagus, then stand the stalks upright in a jar or glass with about an inch of cold water in the bottom. Cover with a plastic bag and keep in the refrigerator for three to four days.
The goal is to keep the stems moist without getting the rest of the asparagus wet. Do not wash asparagus before storing.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Raw Asparagus Salad
- Produce: asparagus, shallots, parsley
- Lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
Raw Asparagus Salad
Ingredients
- 1 small shallot minced
- 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 bunches thick asparagus spears
- 4-5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Equipment
- Parmesan Cheese Grater
- Olive Oil Dispenser
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combined shallots and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Cut the tough ends from the asparagus. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the asparagus into long, thin strips.
- Add the olive oil to the shallots and lemon juice, whisking well to combine. Add the asparagus and toss to combine.
- Top with shaved Parmesan and fresh parsley and serve immediately.
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Nutrition
Never miss a Let’s Dish Recipe:
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
If you love this recipe, you might also like:
More Delicious Salad Recipes
Copycat Panera Greek Salad
If you love Panera's Greek salad, then you're going to love this copycat version. So delicious, and so easy to make at home!
Broccoli Bowtie Pasta Salad
Farfalle pasta is tossed in a sweet and tangy mayonnaise dressing with broccoli, grapes, bacon and chopped pecans in this unique and tasty salad.
Snap Pea Poppy Seed Salad
Fresh sugar snap peas are tossed with a sweet and tangy poppy seed dressing for the perfect Spring salad!
Italian Bean Salad
A healthy, protein packed salad featuring two kinds of beans, pepperoni, cheese, artichoke hearts, peppers and an Italian vinaigrette.
Creamy Cucumber Dill Salad
Sliced cucumbers and red onion in a creamy buttermilk dill dressing. The perfect salad for summer!
Greek Pasta Salad
Rotini pasta is combined with tomatoes, peppers, olive, feta and pepperoni, then tossed in an olive oil and vinegar dressing in this easy-to-make pasta salad recipe.
Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from Coley Cooks
