This Goat Cheese Asparagus Spring Salad is everything we want when the weather starts to warm up. Crisp-tender asparagus, creamy goat cheese, sweet cherry tomatoes, and crunchy walnuts all come together with a simple maple Dijon vinaigrette. It’s fresh, colorful, and ready in just 20 minutes.
You’ll love how balanced this salad is. The asparagus adds substance, the goat cheese brings richness, and the vinaigrette ties it all together with a light tangy sweetness. It works beautifully as a light main dish for four or a bright side salad for six.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t overcook the asparagus. Blanch just until bright green and tender-crisp, then move it straight to ice water. This keeps the texture snappy and the color vibrant.
- Toast the walnuts. A quick toast in a dry skillet for 3 to 4 minutes deepens their flavor and adds extra crunch. Let them cool before adding to the salad.
- Dress right before serving. Toss the salad with the vinaigrette just before serving so the greens stay fresh and don’t wilt.
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Goat Cheese Asparagus Spring Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 pound fresh asparagus trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 cups mixed salad greens (such as arugula, spinach, or baby greens)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup goat cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook for 3-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Immediately transfer the asparagus to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. After a few minutes, drain and pat dry.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup until well combined.
- In a large bowl, combine the blanched asparagus, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss gently to coat the ingredients, add salt and pepper. Top with crumbled goat cheese and toasted nuts if desired.
Nutrition
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.