Rice Free Basil-Pesto Asparagus Salad
Bright, herby, and impossibly fresh, this asparagus salad is the kind of dish that looks like it came from a restaurant but comes together in your own kitchen with minimal fuss. The star is a vibrant blender pesto made from fresh basil, parsley, garlic, and a generous hit of lemon juice and zest — no fillers, no grains, just clean, punchy flavor. Blanching the asparagus in salted water and then shocking it in an ice bath keeps the spears brilliantly green and perfectly tender-crisp, so every bite has great texture. Because the pesto is built entirely from herbs, olive oil, and citrus, there's nothing hidden to worry about — it's naturally free of grains and starches without any substitutions required. A final drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a little extra lemon zest on top make it feel genuinely elegant on the plate. Serve it at room temperature right away or chill it for up to an hour, which makes it a fantastic make-ahead option for gatherings or meal prep. Whether it's a weeknight side or a centerpiece at a dinner party, this salad delivers serious flavor with beautifully simple ingredients.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the salad
- 1 lb fresh asparagus, woody ends snapped off
- 1 tsp salt, divided
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- ¼ tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp salt
For serving
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon zest, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and stir in 3/4 tsp of the salt. Fill a large bowl with ice water and set it nearby.
- 2
Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook until bright green and just tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 2–3 minutes for medium spears. Drain through a colander and immediately transfer to the ice water. Let sit for 5 minutes until fully chilled, then drain and pat dry with a clean towel.
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