Summer is here and we’re going bonkers for my Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes and Basil, making it just about every week!
Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes and Basil
This easy Asparagus Basil Salad is not only healthy, it’s an incredibly tasty keto side dish.
I love my asparagus salad cold, but if that’s not your thing keep reading for an awesome roasted asparagus recipe.
Summer Salad Easy
My Asparagus Salad Recipe is extra tasty during summer when vegetables are in peak season.
I found this recipe in Sunset Magazine. Actually, I didn’t find it, our family friend Mrs. Rose introduced me to it when we had dinner at her house some time ago.
She was so amazing about all of our special diets (my son and I have Celiac Disease), but more on that in a bit.
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Summer Salad Healthy
We had a fantastic gathering, and I have been making this easy summer salad ever since.
There’s nothing better than a summer salad that’s easy, the bonus here is that the ingredients make this summer salad healthy too.
Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes and Basil
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces, trim off fibrous ends
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 ripe avocado, cut into cubes
- 1 cup sliced basil leaves
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Steam asparagus for 5-7 minutes until fork tender
- Place asparagus, tomatoes, avocado, and basil in a large bowl
- Stir in olive oil, lemon juice, and mustard
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Serve
Equipment
Tomato Salad Basil
I love tomato salad with basil, this pairing is such a classic!
My Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes and Basil takes things a step further, adding asparagus to the equation, as well as avocado.
Avocado Salad Recipes
Salad recipes that have blood sugar-stabilizing fat in them are a godsend to those of us on the Keto Diet.
Whether the avocado is in the dressing, or a main ingredient like the Kale Avocado Salad in Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry this “fruit” makes everything a little richer and healthier.
Keto Side Dish
This easy keto side dish is also great for those on a Gluten-Free Diet.
It’s perfect for just about all diets, a total win-win because of its flavors –the basil and tomatoes make this salad pop, and it’s something that everyone can enjoy.
Salad for a BBQ
This asparagus salad is summer in a bowl and also a wonderful salad for a BBQ or potluck.
Summer Side Dishes
One note, if you have a nightshade allergy, Asparagus Salad with Basil and Tomatoes is almost every bit as delicious if you leave out the tomatoes and still makes an amazing summer side dish.
And remember, my third book, Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry, is 100% nightshade-free!
Asparagus Salad Leftovers for Breakfast
Recently, I made a huge batch of Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes and Basil for breakfast with Hard Boiled Eggs.
Wondering how to make hard boiled egg? Yes, a healthy breakfast is easy when you pair veggies with a simple protein.
Asparagus Roasted
This recipe calls for steamed asparagus, but I’ve been making asparagus roasted, for as long as I can remember.
The Pantry Boys have also loved baked asparagus since they were little ones. If you’re looking for an asparagus easy recipe, my Roasted Asparagus in the oven is for you!
Is Asparagus Good for You?
Wondering, is asparagus good for you? Yes, asparagus is a great source of nutrients!
In fact, it is a superfood full of healthy pre-biotic fiber. Asparagus is also:
- Low Calorie
- Supports Bone Health
- Promotes Urinary Health
Why Asparagus Pee Smell?
One of the things that makes asparagus good for you is the sulfuric compounds it contains. The sulfur in asparagus is also what makes our urine smell funky.
Sulfer is an important compound that is beneficial to our bodies because it helps protect our DNA and is involved in cellular repair and rejuvenation.
Does Everyone’s Asparagus Pee Smell? Yes!
Does everyone’s pee smell after asparagus? The answer is yes. Not everyone can smell the sulfuric odor that urine takes on after eating asparagus, but, fun fact, everyone’s pee has that smell.
Summer Salad Recipes
If you enjoyed my asparagus salad recipe you will love my other summer salad recipes below.
Easy Fruit Salad
The king of summer salad recipes, my Fruit Salad lights up any table and is a dish the whole family will enjoy.
Serving for dessert? Pro-tip: add a scoop of my Whipped Cream homemade recipe.
Spicy Coleslaw
The most perfect of summer side dishes, especially for a BBQ, my Spicy Coleslaw that’s homemade hits the spot.
Spiked with ginger and lime, this coleslaw with Asian flavors is a refreshing summer delight.
If you are looking for inspiration for the rest of your meal, check out my Summer BBQ Recipes.
Cucumber Salad in Vinegar
Bubby’s Cucumber Salad is beloved in our home. It’s a great salad that’s healthy, that I learned to make from one of my grandmothers,
It couldn’t be easier to throw together, or more refreshing on summer days, but it’s so good we have this cucumber salad in vinegar all year round!
Socializing with Diet Restrictions?
So, on to something I mentioned earlier here, handling diet restrictions when socializing. As everyone here knows and has likely experienced firsthand, this can be a challenge.
When family and friends don’t understand, accommodate, or respect diet restrictions things can get a bit dicey.
In our case, at the social event mentioned above, we were truly blessed as Mrs. Rose made tons of healthy gluten-free food for us!
Maintaining Diet Restrictions
I believe it really is up to us to maintain our boundaries and not eat food that makes us feel awful, just to spare someone else’s feelings.
How Do You Honor Your Diet Restrictions?
When forced to choose, I would rather hurt someone’s feelings than hurt my body. Has anybody else been in a situation like that? If so, what did you do? Leave a comment and let me know!
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared this Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes and Basil recipe in 2010.
Amanda says
Oh gosh, I had that with my mother-in-law not that long ago. The family was going to her place for lunch, so I kindly asked if she could tell me what she was preparing so that I could make my own safe version. Three days of emails and phoning later, we finally convinced her to just let me bring my own food. THREE DAYS! It was really tiring going back and forth. With her saying things like, “Just tell me how. Tell me what margarine I can use.” and me responding with, “It’s a lot more complicated than that. Especially when you’re cooking food for other people right next to mine. And no, I can’t use ANY margarine.”
“What about oils?”
“No, please… I’ll feel a lot better if I just make my own.”
“It’s no trouble for me.”
“NO!!! I’m really not concerned about you going to extra trouble. I’m doing this for my own PEACE OF MIND!”
… and as much as I eventually won, I can see that argument happening the very next time we’re invited over there again.
Elana says
Amanda, I know, sometimes it’s a bit complicated for people to understand :-)
Ann Harris says
As a diabetic for more than 25 years, yes, I’ve confronted the issue of hurting feelings or hurting me countless times. It took a few years to choose me. Admittedly it is more accepted for a diabetic to “watch” their diet* I have a couple of food allergies so I’ve had occasion to notice people seem to be somewhat less forgiving of the fact that I can’t eat tomatoes, unless they themselves have one or more food allergies. Happily, the trend seems to be toward asking those invited to a food event what their dietary preferences are during the menu planning process. The last big potluck I was only too delighted to attend had labels on each dish, some listing all the ingredients, others saying “vegan” or “contains meat” or something of the kind. At least you could get a clue before eating.
BTW, the salad looks fabulous, perhaps pickled baby beets in place of those yummy looking tomatoes?
*The term “watch your diet” means watching other people eat what you can’t have.
Elana says
Thanks Ann!
Kara says
Amongst friends, family, and strangers, I have no problem being honest with them with regards to my eating plan (love that phrase!). But I generally eat whatever my boss cooks, suffering the consequences later. Fortunately, he only has us over for dinner once or twice a year. ;)
I hate Hate HATE it when I turn down food (apologetically, of course) and the topic of conversation turns to what food I can and cannot eat and how tough it must be. “You can’t eat BREAD?!?! How do you LIVE?!?”
UGH. Sorry, mini-rant.
Liat says
LOL. I always get the same reaction. It’s very uncomfortable, especially when there are a lot of people around or when you don’t know the people so well. I basically cannot eat anywhere besides home without compromising my diet (’cause I don’t eat wheat, eggs, dairy, red meat, soy etc etc.) and whenever I stick to my guns my diet becomes the topic of conversation.
So you’re not alone in this… if it’s of any comfort…
Katie says
Love, love, love asparagus! Just got my last bunch of the season in my organic delivery box… will have to try this out!
Thanks Elana!
Elana says
Thanks Katie!
Brandon May says
I remember hating asparagus when my mom made it for us–however, those vegetables came from a can. Freshly cooked asparagus is delicious. So, do not use canned asparagus if you want a good dish–at least that is what I have experienced for myself. Plus, BPA isn’t very appetizing.
Every holiday get-together, my family’s friends come over with their heavily refined, sugary laden, gluten containing desserts and foods. I feel pretty bad for not having any because I know they made it for everyone (actually they usually don’t make it from scratch, like I do for my desserts); but, I put my health first and I always maintain it over anyone else’s thoughts, comments or personal feelings.
It shouldn’t be like this in everyday life all the time, obviously, because you would have a large array of negative people in the population. But when it comes to your boundaries and the health there of, you gotta respect that.
Ooh, I just noticed avocado. I love that fruit! So, I know I will love this salad. So nice.
Elana says
Thanks Brandon!
Alta says
This looks awesome!
Elana says
Thanks Alta!
Steven R. Gundry, MD says
Elana, enjoying your website, book and recipes. If you like Mark Sisson’s book, you will love my book, Dr Gundry’s Diet Evolution: Turn Off the Genes that are Killing You. It goes into the evolutionary reasons why much of what we currently eat, especially grains, are an evolutionally disaster that just plays into an ancient genetic program that makes us seek out these foods.
All the best,
Dr. G
Elana says
Thanks Dr. Gundry! I am a big fan of your work :-)
Nicole says
That looks totally amazing, Elana!
Elana says
Thanks Nicole!
Nana4 April says
Elana, you posted “However, IMHO, it really is up to us to maintain our boundaries and not eat food that makes us feel awful, just to spare someone else’s feelings. I would rather hurt their feelings than hurt my body; has anybody else been in a situation like that?”
YES! I am now in the faze of telling people NO! I have been using some of your recipes as my GG was GF, so figured I better start getting use to some of it as it might turn out that way for me too. I am a diabetic so have to be careful of what I eat. Anyway… Someone wanted me to taste a pie she made, said “Oh a bite wont really hurt you” My BG shot to 198. She then said “Well that’s not bad so and so was in the 250-300+ all the time.” Well for me 198 was awfully bad. And all I took was 1 little bite. So I have learned to say “Here want some arsenic, just a little bite wont hurt will it?” lol It gets the point across.
Elana says
Nana4, thanks for your great comment!
Suzanne says
Hi, I love you site!
Not only being G-free I have a son that can not have nuts. :-( My question to you would be, if I cannot use almond flour what flour would you suggest in place of for the cherry blueberry crumble or any other recipes using it.
Thank you for any reply,
Suzanne
Elana says
Suzanne, thanks for your comment! I haven’t tried that so not sure. Here’s a link to my Nut-Free Recipes page for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/diets/nut-free/
Enjoy!
Elana