Quick & Zesty Tarragon Asparagus Salad Recipe for Spring Magic

Crisp spring asparagus takes center stage in this delightful tarragon asparagus salad that dances with bright, herbaceous flavors.

Green spears snap with freshness, promising a vibrant culinary experience.

Delicate tarragon leaves weave through tender vegetables, creating an elegant harmony of taste.

Sunshine-kissed ingredients mingle in a light, refreshing composition that celebrates seasonal produce.

Perfectly balanced and simple, this recipe brings restaurant-quality elegance to your home kitchen.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, you’ll want to savor every delectable bite.

Grab your fork and let the adventure begin!

Tarragon Asparagus Salad to Refresh Your Table

• Elevate Spring Dining: Transform ordinary asparagus into a gourmet side dish that celebrates seasonal freshness with minimal effort.
• Master Quick Technique: Learn professional blanching method that preserves vibrant green color and crisp texture of asparagus in just minutes.
• Customize with Ease: Swap cheeses or nuts to match personal taste preferences, making this versatile salad adaptable for different palates and dietary needs.
• Impress Without Stress: Create restaurant-quality appetizer or side dish that looks sophisticated but requires simple ingredients and basic cooking skills.

Ingredients for Tarragon Asparagus Salad

• Asparagus: Fresh green spears that provide the main body and crisp texture of the salad.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps blend flavors and coat the asparagus.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy element that adds freshness to the salad.
• Dijon Mustard: Sharp condiment that helps emulsify the dressing and adds depth.
• Tarragon: Delicate herb that brings a subtle anise-like flavor to the dish.

• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the salad.
• Parmesan Cheese, Goat Cheese: Optional creamy and tangy cheese toppings that add richness.
• Toasted Nuts: Optional crunchy element that provides textural contrast to the soft asparagus.

How to Toss Tarragon Asparagus Salad

Step 1: Boil Water and Prepare Cooking Station

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Set the pot on high heat and bring to a rolling boil.

Prepare a large bowl with ice water nearby for quickly cooling the asparagus.

Step 2: Blanch Asparagus

Carefully drop the asparagus into the boiling water.

Cook for 2-3 minutes until the vegetable turns a vibrant, bright green and becomes slightly tender. Using tongs, quickly transfer the asparagus to the ice water bath to halt the cooking process and preserve its crisp texture.

Once cooled, drain thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.

Step 3: Whip Up Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• Dijon mustard
• Finely chopped fresh tarragon
• Salt
• Cracked black pepper

Vigorously whisk the ingredients until they form a smooth, well-integrated dressing with a bright, tangy flavor.

Step 4: Create Flavor-Packed Salad

• Shaved Parmesan cheese
• Toasted chopped nuts (optional)

Step 5: Present and Savor

Transfer the dressed asparagus to a serving platter.

The salad can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, allowing the herbs and dressing to develop a rich, complex flavor profile.

Tips for Fresh Tarragon Asparagus Salad

• Blanch asparagus briefly to maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture without overcooking.
• Use an ice water bath immediately after boiling to halt the cooking process and lock in the asparagus's fresh flavor and nutrients.
• Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of tangy lemon, sharp Dijon, and aromatic tarragon.
• Swap Parmesan with goat cheese for a creamier, tangier profile or use a dairy-free alternative for vegan preferences.
• Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature to enhance the delicate herb and vegetable flavors.

Variations to Try with Tarragon Salad

• Spring Garden Salad: Replace tarragon with fresh chives and add tender green peas for a vibrant, seasonal vegetable medley.
• Mediterranean Asparagus Blend: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and swap tarragon for fresh oregano to create a Greek-inspired version.
• Protein-Packed Power Salad: Add grilled chicken or poached salmon, sprinkle with toasted almonds, and use a lighter white wine vinegar instead of lemon juice.
• Roasted Veggie Remix: Grill asparagus instead of blanching, add roasted red peppers, and use a smoky paprika-infused dressing for depth of flavor.

Best Pairings for Tarragon Asparagus Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc perfectly complements the herbal tarragon and bright lemon notes, enhancing the asparagus's delicate flavor with its zesty acidity.
• Serve Alongside Grilled Salmon: The rich, buttery texture of salmon creates a balanced contrast to the light, tangy asparagus salad, making a harmonious protein-packed meal.
• Complement with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Toasted sourdough provides a delightful crunchy texture that matches the nutty elements and absorbs the vibrant dressing wonderfully.
• Match with Soft Goat Cheese: The creamy, tangy goat cheese echoes the tarragon's herbal qualities and adds a luxurious layer of complexity to the fresh asparagus salad.

Storage Suggestions for Tarragon Salad

Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent asparagus from getting soggy and maintain crisp texture.

Not recommended due to high water content in asparagus, which can become mushy and lose flavor when thawed.

Warm briefly in microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds, or let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to restore optimal taste.

Before serving leftovers, drizzle extra fresh dressing and sprinkle additional Parmesan or nuts to revive flavors and add crunch.

FAQs

• Why blanch asparagus before making the salad?

Blanching quickly cooks the asparagus, making it tender and bright green while preserving its crisp texture and vibrant color. It also helps remove any raw, bitter taste and prepares the vegetable for the dressing.

• Can I use dried tarragon instead of fresh?

Yes, but use less dried tarragon as it’s more concentrated. Replace 1 tablespoon of fresh tarragon with 1 teaspoon of dried tarragon to maintain the right flavor balance.

• What type of nuts work best in this salad?

Sliced almonds, toasted pine nuts, or chopped walnuts complement the asparagus and add a nice crunch. Choose nuts that are lightly toasted to enhance their flavor and texture.

Tarragon Asparagus Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 13 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Refreshing French-inspired Tarragon Asparagus Salad brings crisp spring vegetables together with a delicate herbal dressing. Elegant yet simple, this dish offers light, tangy flavors perfect for your summer gathering.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (1 lb) fresh asparagus
• 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
• 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan or crumbled goat cheese

Dressing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Garnish and Optional Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup toasted almonds or pine nuts

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Instructions

1. Prepare water bath by filling a large pot with salted water and heating to rolling boil at 212°F.
2. Submerge asparagus into boiling water, cooking for precisely 2-3 minutes until achieving a vibrant emerald hue and reaching crisp-tender texture.
3. Swiftly transfer asparagus into ice water bath, halting cooking process and preserving bright color and delicate crispness.
4. Thoroughly drain asparagus using colander, allowing excess water to completely evaporate.
5. Create emulsified dressing by whisking olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, finely chopped tarragon, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper until smoothly integrated.
6. Gently coat blanched asparagus with prepared dressing, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
7. Elegantly garnish salad with delicate shavings of Parmesan cheese or creamy goat cheese.
8. Optional: Sprinkle toasted nuts for added textural contrast and nutty complexity.
9. Present salad chilled or at ambient temperature to maximize flavor profile and aromatic essence of tarragon.

Notes

• Perfectly blanch asparagus by ensuring water is heavily salted, creating a flavorful initial seasoning for the vegetable.
• Stop cooking process immediately with ice bath to maintain crisp texture and vibrant green color, preventing mushy asparagus.
• Toast nuts briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add delightful crunch to the salad’s overall texture.
• Adjust dressing consistency by adding more olive oil or lemon juice to suit personal taste preferences, creating a balanced vinaigrette.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 176 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg