Easy Shaved Asparagus Salad Recipe with Pecorino Romano
This easy shaved asparagus salad is so simple to prepare! Raw shaved asparagus and salty pecorino Romano cheese tossed with a simple lemon vinaigrette and finished with a sprinkle of Italian flat leaf parsley. So simple, so delicious and perfect for spring!
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Shaved asparagus salad is so simple to prepare! This spring salad includes raw shaved asparagus and salty pecorino Romano cheese tossed with a simple lemon vinaigrette and finished with a sprinkle of Italian flat leaf parsley.
It's a beautiful Italian- style salad perfect for asparagus season!
In my humble opinion, this salad is one of the tastiest ways to enjoy one of spring's finest offerings. Shaved into paper thin strips, fresh, raw asparagus is surprisingly crisp, tender and sweet.
Combined with bright lemon juice and sharp, salty pecorino, it awakens the palate with something interesting and unconventional, yet still familiar. This is simple, seasonal food at it's best.
There are many different ways to make an asparagus salad, but this cold asparagus salad is made with uncooked asparagus.
Though this roasted asparagus salad recipe with fried artichoke, pickled celery and parmesan cheese is also fantastic, the simple salad dressing and 10 minutes of prep time make this raw salad easy to enjoy on a busy weeknight.
Serve this delicious asparagus salad alongside Chicken Milanese in lieu of the tomato arugula salad for a simple and delicious Italian dinner. Or with this Pasta alla Carbonara Recipe for a wonderful spring meal.
For more spring recipes, try my fava beans with prosciutto and cream, celery root remoulade, or grilled English peas.
Why This Recipe Works
- Made with 6 simple ingredients that perfectly highlight the flavor of the asparagus.
- Pairs well with just about any main course.
- Shaving the asparagus spears tones down the flavor of the asparagus just enough to convert even asparagus doubters into lovers of this delicious springtime salad.
Shallot - Mince as finely as you can. It will be a part of the lemon juice, olive oil shallot dressing. I highly recommend a shallot, but if you must substitute, a red onion will work.
Fresh asparagus - You can find fresh asparagus in the grocery store from late March through June. Look for asparagus with thick spears. They are sweeter, more tender, less stringy and will make shaving easier.
Pecorino Romano - Buy a block and shave in chunks in this salad. Use Locatelli or another high quality brand.
*Find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below!
Helpful Equipment
How to make shaved asparagus salad
- Place the minced shallot and lemon juice in a medium to large bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, and let marinate while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- Cut the tough ends off the asparagus, then use a vegetable peeler over a cutting board to shave long, thin strips. Slowly stream the olive oil into the bowl with the shallot and lemon juice as you whisk to emulsify. Add the strips of asparagus to the bowl, then use clean hands to gently toss.
- Plate the asparagus on a serving platter or split into 4 individual dishes. Use the peeler to shave big shards of pecorino over the top. Scatter the parsley leaves around, if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Pro Tip: Eat this tasty salad fresh. Leftovers don't hold up well when stored.
Tips for Success
- Choose asparagus with thick stems for this recipe. The thicker stems have a more mellow, sweeter flavor, and the pencil thin spears are nearly impossible to shave.
- I recommend storing asparagus in a tall glass of cold water, like cut flowers. They will last longer.
- Parmesan can be substituted for the pecorino, but I prefer the sharpness and saltiness of the latter.
Serving Suggestions
This easy asparagus salad can be paired with any main dish for a complete meal. Here are a few recipes to pair with this delicious side dish.
Pair it with this Dijon Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb. With fresh lemon zest, mint, parsley and rosemary mixed with breadcrumbs and a delicious coating of Dijon mustard, this rack of lamb is an impressive restaurant quality lamb dinner.
Serve alongside a delicious plate of pasta topped with Italian Meatballs.
Make this summer salad as an appetizer and serve along with these Greek Tomato Fritters. With lots of fresh ingredients and delicious feta cheese, these fritters will also be a hit.
The fresh taste of this asparagus salad is great with this Beef Braciole. With tender beef rolled up with breadcrumbs, pine nuts, raisins, and cheese, then simmered all day in a rich red wine tomato sauce, the fresh taste of the salad is a perfect match.
FAQs
The easiest way to shave asparagus is to lay an asparagus spear on a cutting board and cut off the tough end. While holding the thin side of the spear, use a vegetable peeler to shave into long strips, rotating the spear after each shave, until you can't shave any further.
Pecorino Romano is not the same as parmesan cheese. Pecorino is made from sheep's milk in Italy, and has a bit more salty and tang flavors than parmesan. Parmesan can be used for pecorino only in a pinch, and additional salt may be needed.
Asparagus is in season starting in spring, through early summer - usually from March to June depending on location.
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Shaved Asparagus Salad Recipe with Pecorino Romano
Ingredients
- 1 small shallot minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- freshly cracked pepper to taste
- 1 bunch thick speared asparagus
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 oz wedge pecorino Romano
- ¼ cup flat leaf parsley leaves optional
Instructions
- Place the minced shallot and lemon juice in a medium sized bowl. Season with salt and pepper, and let marinate while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- Cut the tough ends off the asparagus, then use a vegetable peeler to shave long, thin strips. Slowly stream the olive oil into the bowl with the shallot and lemon juice as you whisk to emulsify. Add the strips of asparagus to the bow, then use clean hands to gently toss.
- Plate the asparagus on a serving platter or split into 4 individual dishes. Use the peeler to shave big shards of pecorino over the top. Scatter the parsley leaves around, if desired. Serve immediately. Leftovers do not hold up well.
Notes
- Choose asparagus with thick stems for this recipe. The thicker stems have a more mellow, sweeter flavor, and the pencil thin spears are nearly impossible to shave.
- I recommend storing asparagus in a tall glass of water, like cut flowers. They will last longer.
- Parmesan can be substituted for the pecorino, but I prefer the sharpness and saltiness of the latter.
- Eat this tasty salad fresh. Leftovers don't hold up well when stored.
Going to have tomorrow with Easter dinner. GOD bless you and your family.
Hope you enjoyed it and had a wonderful Easter!
What a beautiful salad! I love shaved asparagus, it's so pretty. 🙂
Thank you!! It's so great raw, light, sweet, crisp and refreshing!
Best to you two, C and C...I love your recipes..xo
Thanks lo!
YUM! I am all about simple, fresh flavors like this. And yay for markets! I am in Florida and ours is about to shut down for season because it is SO hot...wah.
Oh, what a bummer! Things are just kicking off up here. I guess thats why "snowbirds" exist!
I LOVE asparagus and I LOVE Percorino Romano! Not so sure about raw shallots but they can always be sauteed in a little olive oil.. right? Oh... and that asparagus trick at the end? I think you just made up a new party game! hehehe!
I can not wait to try this. Looks refreshing.
Hope you do - so simple and satisfying!
Don't fear the raw shallots! After they sit in the lemon juice for a bit they really mellow out- it's almost like pickling them. They also leech their flavor into the dressing - don't skip it! You can saute them, but will change the flavor of the salad, as it will sweeten them up quite a bit. Plus, then you're just dirtying more pans and making life more complicated!
Loooooove pecorino! And asparagus! Totally making this over the summer.
you need to! it's too simple and too good not to 🙂