Citrus-Glazed Asparagus Salad with Pea Shoots
A vibrant spring salad featuring tender asparagus coated in a bright lemon-honey glaze, topped with peppery pea shoots and creamy feta for a refreshing, nutrient-packed meal. This american-inspired salads ready in about 25 minutes pairs ounces, trimmed asparagus, tablespoons olive oil, fresh lemon juice into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces, trimmed asparagus
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup, fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups mixed spring greens
- 1/2 cup pea shoots
- 1/4 cup, crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces asparagus, trimmed, and cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender. Immediately transfer to ice water to stop cooking, then drain thoroughly.
- Step 2: Whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups mixed spring greens and the drained asparagus. Drizzle with the citrus dressing and toss gently until evenly coated. Top with 1/2 cup pea shoots, 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, and 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds just before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Glazed Asparagus Salad with Pea Shoots take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Citrus-Glazed Asparagus Salad with Pea Shoots?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ounces, trimmed asparagus from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Glazed Asparagus Salad with Pea Shoots?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Citrus-Glazed Asparagus Salad with Pea Shoots for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Citrus-Glazed Asparagus Salad with Pea Shoots?
American salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to salads dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
