Summertime is around the corner, which means it’s time for fresh and easy sides to go with all that deliciousness coming off the grill. Why not add some veggies and fruit to the grill too? This Grilled Pineapple Asparagus Salad is the perfect summertime dish for the season. Served atop watercress and frisee with a simple lemon-white wine vinaigrette, topped with avocado and grilled asparagus, red onion and zucchini along with grilled pineapple, then topped with a sprinkle of goat cheese. It’s effortlessly delicious!
You may recognize this salad it was pictured and served with my blackened salmon recipe. I also used the indoor searing grill that I’m giving away in that post for this recipe too. Speaking of which, the giveaway is still open too, you should enter!
I love cooking in the summertime, I try to make dishes and meals that are not only light and colorful, but also easy to put together. One thing I’m not interested in during this time of year is spending hours over the stove. There’s just so much more to do during the summer that I like to keep the food simple and fun. That’s why I knew this salad was the perfect side for all of my grilled meats, or even as a light lunch on its own!
I chose some of my favorite summertime veggies like asparagus, zucchini and red onions and thought they’d pair well with some fresh pineapple. A quick soak of the veggies with some olive oil, salt and pepper and a light spray of coconut oil and a sprinkle of sugar for the pineapple and they are ready to grill. You can add these to your outdoor grill, or if you have an indoor searing grill these can be grilled up in a flash. I prefer to use a coconut oil spray like the one I also used on these roasted sweet potatoes, beets and carrots. It’s easier than melting coconut oil and brushing it on, and honestly the pineapple is sweet and juicy enough, it just needs a tiny bit.
Once the veggies and fruit are oiled and seasoned, heat your grill to 375-400 degrees and cook them on each side for about 5 minutes until you see those delicious grill marks.
If your grill is large enough you can place them all on it together, but I did these in batches which was still relatively quick. The ingredients for this salad make enough for 2 large personal sized salads, with some vinaigrette dressing to spare for more summer meals.
Remove the stems from the watercress and frisee, then toss it in just a bit of the dressing. Top with avocado slices, then the asparagus, zucchini and pineapples. Take the onions and cut them in quarters, adding the little grilled strips to the salad, then top with the goat cheese.
Yum! This salad is so refreshing, the mild flavors blend together with the sweetness of the pineapple, the creaminess of the goat cheese and the slightly tart taste from the vinaigrette. Pairs so well with many grilled meats, or you could even add some grilled chicken or steak to the salad to really take it to the next level!
- coconut oil
- sugar
- 6 pineapple slices
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt + pepper
- 8 asparagus spears
- ¼ medium zucchini, sliced thin
- 2 thin slices red onion
- 1 cup watercress
- 1 cup frisee
- ½ medium avocado, peeled, seed removed and sliced
- 2 teaspoons goat cheese
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2-3 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¾ teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon dry basil
- salt and pepper
- Preheat the grill, preferable to about 375 - 400 degrees.
- Coat the pineapple slices with a thin layer of coconut oil, preferably a coconut spray. Sprinkle with just a bit of sugar.
- Add the asparagus, zucchini, and red onion to a dish and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and turn a few times until all veggies are covered.
- Add the veggies and fruit to the grill, cooking each side for about 3-5 minutes until you can see grill marks. Flip and cook the other side for about the same amount of time.
- As the veggies are cooking, put together the vinaigrette and toss the watercress and frisee in it.
- Add the lettuce leave to the bowl with the avocado slices. Include the pineapple and asparagus.
- Cut the onions into quarters and separate them, adding them to the salad. Sprinkle with goat cheese and serve.
What are some of your favorite grilled veggies or fruits?
Also, if you love this recipe don’t forget to PIN it to your favorite board on Pinterest!
(Just hover over the picture below and click “Pin it”)
[…] vegetables and it was the perfect light meal for summertime eating. (You can get the recipe for the Grilled Pineapple Asparagus Salad HERE.) I didn’t turn the grill up to full heat for searing because this is fish, but I liked that […]