Spring Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

Our spring salad with buttermilk dressing is going to become a staple salad recipe in your house! Made with crisp lettuce, shaved asparagus, radishes, hard-boiled eggs, and creamy avocado slices, and drizzled with a homemade buttermilk dill dressing, this recipe is different enough to keep things interesting, but uses common ingredients that everyone already enjoys.

I think preparing beautiful, healthy meals are a wonderful way to love your family. When your food looks beautiful, it seems to taste even better! Try this Blacked Chicken Salad with Avocado, this gorgeous Chicken Caprese Salad, or these Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps for meals your family will Ooo and Aahh over!

What You’ll Love About this Spring Salad Recipe

Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this easy-to-make salad:

• It’s bursting with fresh flavors: Spring lettuce, asparagus, radishes, and goat cheese blend together to capture all the fresh flavors of spring.
• Tangy dressing: The creamy buttermilk dill dressing adds a tangy twist with an earthy undertone that adds creaminess to the salad.
• It’s quick and easy to make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, anyone can make this, even those new to the kitchen. You’ll have a stunning salad that’s ready in no time!

What does dill taste like?

One interesting ingredient in this recipe is dill. Dill is an herb with a unique and refreshing flavor profile. It adds a noticeable aromatic quality to the buttermilk dressing, giving it a vibrant flavor. If you don’t have fresh dill on hand, you can substitute it with dried dill. However, keep in mind that dried herbs are more potent, so use about 1/3 of the amount called for in the recipe.

Ingredients

For the Spring Salad

• Spring lettuce mix
• Asparagus
• Radishes
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Goat cheese

For the Buttermilk Dill Dressing

• Sour cream
• Buttermilk
• Lemon zest and juice
• Fresh dill 
• Garlic powder
• Hot sauce (like Louisiana Hot Sauce)
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Ingredient Substitutions

• Buttermilk – Substitute with whole milk or yogurt mixed with a little lemon juice or white vinegar
• Sour cream – You can use plain Greek yogurt instead if you want
• Goat cheese – Feta cheese or blue cheese make good substitutes if goat cheese is too pungent for you
• Asparagus – Replace with thinly sliced cucumber or blanched green beans
• Radishes – Sliced red onions or cherry tomatoes can work in place of radishes
• Add Squash – Add an easy cubed Sautéed Butternut Squash to the salad for additional nutrition and a pop of color

How to Make

STEP ONE: Blend the dressing. In a small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, buttermilk, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a bowl. Whisk together until smooth. Stir in the chopped fresh dill, garlic powder, and hot sauce. Add salt and pepper to your liking. Set aside until ready to use.

STEP TWO: Make the salad: Arrange the lettuce leaves on a platter or large plate. Arrange the rest of the ingredients on top of the lettuce. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

STEP THREE: Serve. Drizzle with the buttermilk dill dressing just before serving.

For a quick and simple way to boil eggs, check out this easy guide for cooking in the microwave: How To Boil Eggs In Microwave.

Tips and Recipe Notes

• For the best texture, shave the asparagus into thin strips using a vegetable peeler (how-to below).
• Give this salad a good seasoning of salt and pepper.
• Drizzle the buttermilk dill dressing just before serving, or serve it on the side. This helps to keep the salad from getting soggy.
• Customize the salad by adding other spring vegetables like snap peas, thinly sliced carrots, or your favorite veggies. Thinly sliced red and orange bell peppers look lovely next to the bright green and yellow flavors in the salad.

How to Shave Asparagus into Ribbons

The easiest way to shave asparagus into ribbons is to use a vegetable peeler. First, trim off the woody ends of each spear. Then, holding the spear by the cut end with one hand, use a vegetable peeler to slice away from your hand with steady pressure.

Recipe Variations:

For a Mediterranean twist: Add Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese to the salad for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor.

Add protein: Top the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal.

For a nutty crunch: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or almonds over the salad for added crunch and a mild nutty flavor.

How to Store Leftovers

In the fridge: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. For the best results, store the salad and the dressing separately.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes, you can make parts of this recipe ahead of time. The dressing can be prepared and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also boil the eggs and shave the asparagus a day in advance. When ready to serve, just assemble the salad with the fresh ingredients and drizzle the dressing over the top.

Can I make this salad gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always double-check your ingredient labels to make sure they’re gluten-free certified.

FAQs

Looking for more salad recipes? Give these a try:

• Blackened Chicken Salad with Avocado
• Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
• Grilled Blackened Chicken Salad

If you make this recipe or any of my others, we would love to hear your thoughts. You can find us on Facebook and Pinterest!

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