Sesame Free Asparagus and Avocado Salad

Total time25 min

Prep time15 min

Cook time5 min

4.7

(18)

This vibrant salad is a celebration of fresh, bright flavors — crisp blanched asparagus, creamy avocado chunks, peppery radishes, and a shower of cilantro and mint that makes every bite feel alive. The dressing is where things get really interesting: a quick whisk of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, fresh ginger, honey, and a touch of turmeric creates something golden, tangy, and just a little warming. Many store-bought dressings and Asian-inspired salads lean heavily on tahini or sesame oil, but this one delivers just as much depth and complexity without a drop of either. The ice-bath trick for the asparagus keeps it brilliantly green and perfectly snappy, so the texture holds up beautifully against the soft avocado. A final squeeze of lemon juice right before serving ties everything together with a clean, citrusy lift. It's the kind of salad that looks impressive enough for a dinner party but comes together with minimal fuss — no special equipment, no hard-to-find ingredients, just good produce handled well.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the salad

1 lb asparagus, woody ends snapped off, cut into 2-inch pieces
2 ripe avocados, pitted, peeled, and cut into ¾-inch chunks
4 radishes, thinly sliced
2 scallions, thinly sliced (green tops only)
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn

For the dressing

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
1 tsp honey
¼ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp salt

For serving

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus pieces and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until bright green and just tender when pierced with a knife but still with a slight snap. Drain through a colander and immediately transfer to a large bowl of ice water for 2 minutes to stop the cooking, then drain well and pat dry.
2
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, grated ginger, honey, turmeric, and salt until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.

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