BBQ Grilled Asparagus Salad with a maple syrup marinade combines smoky grilled asparagus with the sweetness from the maple syrup, and is then topped with dried cranberries, creamy feta and roasted pepitas. This asparagus and feta salad is perfect as a side dish to a roast chicken or roast turkey, or even something lighter to accompany a BBQ barramundi or salmon side with mango salsa.
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Why you'll love this recipe
Unique flavour combination. The smoky grilled asparagus pairs beautifully with tangy feta and sweet cranberries for a delicious balance of flavours. For a sweet-salty version, try bacon wrapped asparagus.
Perfect for all occasions. Whether it's a BBQ, holiday gathering, or weeknight dinner, this asparagus feta salad with cranberries brings a festive and fresh touch.
Quick and easy prep. With just a few ingredients and minimal cooking, this cranberry feta salad is simple to whip up anytime.
Ingredients
Asparagus. Fresh asparagus brings a slightly earthy, crisp flavor to the BBQ grilled asparagus salad, which pairs perfectly with the other ingredients; green beans can work as an alternative.
Maple syrup. This adds a touch of natural sweetness that balances the tanginess of the feta and the tartness of the cranberries; honey is a good substitute.
Pepitas. These pumpkin seeds add a satisfying crunch and a boost of healthy fats to the cranberry feta salad. I recommend giving them a quick toast to bring more crunch and flavour.
Feta. Creamy feta adds a tangy, salty flavor that complements the sweetness of the cranberries and maple syrup; goat cheese or a dairy-free feta can be used instead.
Dried cranberries. These add a sweet-tart flavor and chewy texture, enhancing the overall depth of the asparagus feta salad and really bring out the Christmassy vibes.
Please check the recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantity. See below for substitutions and variations.
How to make asparagus feta salad
- Prepare the asparagus
Preheat your BBQ or grill to medium-high heat. Trim the tough ends off the asparagus, then drizzle with half of the maple syrup.
- Grill the asparagus
Place the asparagus directly on the grill and cook for about 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally until they are tender and have light grill marks. Remove from the heat and let cool.
- Toast the pepitas
In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the pepitas for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they start to turn golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Assemble the salad
In a large salad bowl, combine the grilled asparagus pieces, feta, dried cranberries, and toasted pepitas.
- Add the maple syrup
Drizzle the remainder of the maple syrup over the salad and gently toss everything together until the ingredients are well mixed and coated.
- Serve
Enjoy your BBQ grilled asparagus salad as a fresh side dish to a roast pork or a bbq butterflied peri peri chicken. Perhaps serve it with my small batch focaccia to soak up the extra maple syrup marinade from the asparagus salad.
Top Tip
Don't Overcook the Asparagus: For perfectly tender asparagus, grill it just until you see light grill marks and it’s slightly tender. Overcooking can make it mushy, so keep a close eye on it!
Meal prep and leftovers
You can grill the asparagus and toast the pepitas in advance, then store them separately and combine when you're ready to eat. This will keep the pepitas super crunchy, but if you don't mind them losing some of their texture, you can store all the asparagus feta salad ingredients together for up to 4 days.
You can eat this asparagus salad directly from the fridge, but if you want to heat up the asparagus on the BBQ or grill, you can. Serve as a side dish, or add it to some leftover turkey like my turkey, brie and cranberry salad for a festive twist.
If you want more meal prep information, check out my Meal Prep for Beginners post and my Meal Prep Basics E-Book.
Other salad recipes
I hope you enjoy this as much as I do - Love & Pasta, Lauren x
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Recipe
BBQ Grilled Asparagus Salad (with Feta, Cranberries, Pepitas)
Ingredients
- 500 g (approx. 3 bunches) asparagus ends removed
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) maple syrup
- 70 g (½ cup) pepitas
- 75 g (½ cup) feta
- 60 g (½ cup) dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat the BBQ or grill to medium-high. Trim the asparagus ends and drizzle with half of the maple syrup.
- Place asparagus on the grill, cooking for 3-5 minutes while turning occasionally until tender with light grill marks. Remove and let cool.
- In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the pepitas for 2-3 minutes, stirring until golden and fragrant. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the grilled asparagus, feta, cranberries, and toasted pepitas.
- Drizzle the remaining maple syrup over the salad and toss gently until everything is well-coated.
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