My Asparagus and Pea Salad with Mint and Radishes is a lovely, bright spring salad that is quick to make and filling too! Save this recipe so you can make this fresh, delicious salad whenever you’re craving it!
Spring is coming to a close here in Michigan. Even though there is a small chance we still might get a freeze at the end of May, there’s no doubt warmer weather is on it’s way. We are knee deep in spring projects and planting on the farm so if I’ve been slow over here, that is the main reason why. Projects never seem to move as fast as I want them to, or run as smoothly.
Because we’ve been so busy, I’ve been slacking on lunches and dinners. I’ve really been going the easy route and making salads or grilling. And as temperatures are starting to warm up, I’m gobbling up the fresh spring produce before it’s technically out of season. My Asparagus and Pea Salad with mint and radishes and garlic lemon dijon dressing has been a hit over here. It uses some of spring’s showiest veggies like, well, asparagus and peas, and radishes and baby butter lettuce. I’ve had it for lunch on repeat since it’s so quick to whip together.
Making my Asparagus and Pea Salad
Even though my Asparagus and Pea Salad is technically a spring recipe, it’s easy enough to make year-round. The vegetables are almost always available in the grocery store and it only has a handful of ingredients. The base of the salad is butter lettuce or baby gem lettuce. Then fresh asparagus gets layered on top along with peas, Snow Peas s and radishes.
It’s all toped off my a delicious and tangy Garlic Lemon Dijon Dressing that you can make right in a mason jar. I grate the garlic so it blends in well with red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard and lemon juice.
Lastly, I add on mint to this salad which gives it a truly amazing flavor to finish it off. It’s so bright and cheery with the other savory ingredients. I know you will enjoy it!
Changes and substitutions
When I made this Asparagus and Pea Salad, I forgot to add cheese for the photos! But the second I started eating it, I added on some freshly parmesan cheese. You should 100 percent add your favorite cheese. Parmesan works well but so would feta, gorgonzola or some lovely goat cheese too. I think you could even do blue cheese if that’s your favorite.
If there’s an ingredient that’s not your favorite in this salad, try substituting it. Don’t like asparagus? Try broccoli. Or green beans. Don’t love peas? Top it with Cannelloni Beans instead (Oh! This sounds so good!). Radishes not your thing? Try thin sliced red peppers to keep the nutrients and beautiful colors.
Also, if you truly don’t like mint, try adding basil instead!
Lastly, if you want to make the dressing a little less tangy and a little sweeter, you can add one tablespoon of honey.
Tips for making my Asparagus and Pea Salad
- I used a mandolin for slicing my radishes for the Asparagus and Pea Salad and would recommend it. It helps to get those nice, thin slices. The one I have is no longer available but this one looks wonderful {HERE}. Just make sure to use the attachment that it comes with to protect your fingers. I didn’t use that the first time I took this out and guess what happened?
- Please remember to cut off the woody ends for the asparagus. This is a must for good asparagus!
- Keep in mind the changes and substitutions above if you want to swap things out.
- Please use the highest quality extra virgin olive oil you can find for the dressing. It is important since it is the base of the dressing.
- Use sea salt and fresh cracked ground pepper as opposed to table salt and table pepper.
- You can make the dressing for this Asparagus and Pea Salad in a mason jar and store it that way too. I use these regular mouth mason Jars {HERE} and use these reusable regular mouth lids {HERE}.
- This salad can be served immediately when the veggies are done, or everything can be served and chilled cold.
Storing and making ahead
If you want to make this salad ahead of time I suggest cooking the veggies and then letting them cool separately. You can also chop the lettuce and radishes ahead of time too. Don’t put everything together until you intend to serve it. Especially don’t top it with the dressing until right before serving.
If you plan to save this, it can keep for up to two days in the refrigerator in an air tight container. However, if you plan to do this, serve the dressing on individual plates versus pouring it over the whole salad.
Looking for more salad recipes?
If you’re also a fan of salads and want more salad recipes, try these ones!
- White Bean Salad {HERE}
- Roasted Asparagus Salad {HERE}
- Italian Chopped Salad {HERE}
- Rotini Pasta Salad {HERE}
- Shrimp Salad with Old Bay {HERE}
- Peach Panzanella Salad {HERE}
- Chopped Thai Chicken Salad {HERE}
Thank you so much for visiting today, friends! I hope that you love this Asparagus and Pea Salad with mint and radishes. You can find the full printable recipe below and I hope you come back again. Happy eating.
Asparagus and Pea Salad with mint and radishes
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 mason jar
Ingredients
Ingredients for the dressing
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 4 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp. red wine vinaigrette
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 2 twists fresh cracked black pepper
Ingredients for the Asparagus and Pea Salad
- 2 bunches of asparagus, woody ends removed and chopped
- 16 snow peas
- 1 head buttered lettuce or 3 heads of baby butter lettuce/baby gem lettuce Chopped or quartered
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 6 large radishes, washed and sliced thin
- 1 cup mint leaves
- Optional: 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, goat cheese or feta
- Additional sea salt and pepper to taste.
I haven’t ever had a salad like this. I am sure I’d love it!
This salad sounds so delicious, I love the flavors in this recipe.
This looks like a great recipe. I have never had a salad like this before. I’ll have to try it soon.
This looks so good. It would be even better with fresh picked asparagus from the garden. My grandma used to grow asparagus and pick it for dinner.
this looks so colorful and such a unique combination of ingredients in a salad that I am tempted to make it soon
I love how you combine the fresh flavors of asparagus and peas with the tanginess of the dressing. It’s a perfect side dish or even a light meal on its own. I can’t wait to give it a try and enjoy a taste of the season.
This salad has all the ingredients and veggies that I love! I am making it for my family!
Oh this looks great for summer! I could see my family eating this with a glass of fresh lemonade. I would’ve never thought of this.
This looks like a delicious and refreshing salad, I’d love to give it a try, the radishes probably make a great addition to it too!
That asparagus and pea salad looks so healthy and delicious. I will have to try it soon!
My family are going to love this for sure it looks really good! Thanks for sharing this recipe
Your asparagus and pea salad with mint and radishes is a delightful and refreshing combination of flavors and textures. The mint adds a lovely touch of freshness, while the radishes give a satisfying crunch. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!
This is a stunningly beautiful salad and I so have to make this for my mom this weekend! She will go wild over it and thank you for sharing as I am pinning it next!