This Roasted Asparagus and Broccoli Salad can be served up as a starter salad to dinner, a side dish to just about any protein, a light lunch on it's own or add grilled chicken to make it a protein-rich entrée.
This roasted vegetable salad is easily assembled and topped with an easy lemon dressing. If the lemon dressing sounds familiar that is because it's the same dressing I use with my Crispy Chicken Cutlet over Arugula.
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A lot of broccoli salad recipes I see floating around have a heavy creamy dressing or sauce. I'm not a huge fan of that.
I prefer these dark green veggies to get a light zing from a simple lemon and dried herb dressing.
Yes, you can use a store made dressing or vinaigrette in a pinch, no judgement. But this lemon dressing is so easy and balances the roasted veggies just perfectly, so give it a try if you can.
Benefits of roasting vegetables
Roasting vegetable gives a good texture; they get perfectly tender-crisp.
The caramelization created by roasting adds a depth of flavor you just can't get with other cooking methods.
According to a few articles I read, roasting vegetables does not effect the fiber in vegetables, so you'll still get all that good for you fiber!
Ingredients needed for roasted vegetable side dish
- broccoli
- asparagus
- baby arugula blend
- red onion
- olive oil, salt and pepper
- lemon dressing (lemon, oregano, garlic, sugar, salt, pepper and olive oil)
Steps to make asparagus and broccoli salad
Step One: Roast The Vegetables
Because broccoli takes a little bit longer to roast than the other ingredients, you'll start off roasting on the broccoli.
Toss in a little olive oil and roast.
Halfway through the roasting time, you'll add the onion and asparagus to the party.
Do not add the onion at the start of roasting or it will burn and turn bitter. You've been warned.
Step Two: Cooling
You must let the roasted vegetables cool a bit.
If the broccoli and asparagus are added to the arugula while still hot, ,the arugula will wilt.
While sometimes, I'm all about a wilted arugula dish, this recipe is a bright crisp salad (side dish) and wilting just doesn't have a place here.
Step Three: Prepare the dressing
It doesn't get much easier than this. To make the dressing, simply whisk all the ingredients together.
As always, taste your dressing and adjust for salt and pepper as needed.
Step Four: Assembly
Place arugula salad in a serving bowl.
Arrange the roasted vegetable mixture over the arugula.
Drizzle with the prepared dressing.
To make the roasted salad even prettier, garnish with some lemon slices.
Substitutions and Additions
- green beans
- baby spinach
- baby kale
- store-bought dressing
- top with grilled chicken
Printable Recipe Card
Roasted Asparagus and Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
- 2 Cup broccoli florets
- 1 pound asparagus trimmed
- 1 large red onion sliced
- 6 ounce Baby Arugula bagged salad mix
- Lemon Garlic Dressing
- Salt and pepper
Dressing
- ÂĽ Cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 whole lemon juice and zest
- 1 Tablespoon fresh oregano minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Toss broccoli with 1 T olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper. Spread out on a large non stick baking sheet. Roast 7 minutes. While broccoli is roasting, toss the asparagus and onion with the remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- After the broccoli has roasted 7 minutes, add asparagus and onion to the baking sheet and roast another 8-10 minutes.
- Allow vegetables to cool. Meanwhile, prepare your lemon garlic dressing.
- Arrange arugula blend on a large platter, place cooled vegetables over arugula. Drizzle the dressing over the top of the vegetables.
Dressing
- Whisk together all ingredients.
Patty Haxton Anderson says
Well this does make you yearn for spring! It's so bright and colorful.
Susie Gall says
Delish - I love roasted veges and with the addition of your Lemon Garlic Dressing, I know this salad would be phenomenal.
nazima says
Not only healthy, but this looks super delicious!
Libby with Lemony Thyme says
I love spring salads and yours is just gorgeous. Roasted broccoli is genius.
Nicole Neverman says
This salad sounds really delicious! What a beautiful combination 🙂
Stephanie L Stuart says
Now THIS is a power salad! You could run an army off this! Awesome salad!
linda spiker says
Love this! Wish it didn't have that little bit of sugar so I could pin to my Whole 30 board!
Michelle De La Cerda says
This side would go with either Prime Rib or Crown Roast of Pork, but my vote is Prime Rib.
Himani Sawhney says
I love the colors of this salad. Will try!
Jennifer says
This look so beautiful and colorful! I love how you have so many green super foods in this dish! Very healthy
foodyschmoody says
Thanks, I really enjoyed the way it looked too (and tasted!)
Healing Tomato says
I am always looking for healthy salad recipes. I, for one, cannot get enough of broccoli and asparagus. This makes me drool.
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I'm ready for bright vibrant side dishes too, this is so pretty and sounds like a delicious combination!
Manju | Cooking Curries says
love all the vegetables in this salad! what a wonderful combo!