asparagus with tarragon vinaigrette

This recipe for Asparagus with Tarragon Vinaigrette is the perfect make-ahead Spring side dish that is ready in under 30 minutes. The asparagus is cooked and chilled and served with easy to make tarragon salad dressing.

I originally shared this recipe on April 13, 2011. I have updated the images and some of the text today.

“Can be made up to one day in advance.” These are magic words to a cook when he or she has company coming. I know when I entertain, I like to hook myself up the day before by prepping what I can. If I’m really organized, I like to plan the menu around dishes that won’t keep me in the kitchen instead of enjoying my guests.

For the most part, I can handle one or two hands-on recipes. But the rest have to be pretty much ready to go before people arrive. This Easter we have the whole crew coming over for an egg hunt and Brunch. That’s on top of my duties as the Easter Bunny. So that means I can handle exactly zero hands-on dishes on Easter morning.

For the main course I have ordered a maple sugar glazed ham from Harrington’s of Vermont. Not only does it have sweet maple flavor, but it is double cob smoked right here in my little (er) hamlet. They do a booming mail order business if you’re interested. I highly recommend it.

I wanted to have a springy selection of side dishes that would compliment the ham and be made the day before. So I decided tha I am going to make this asparagus with tarragon champagne vinaigrette and this creamy horseradish potato salad. Both the asparagus and the potato salad are served chilled and can be made the day before.

To make the asparagus ahead, just cook and cool the asparagus, cover it and store it in the fridge overnight. Note, the tarragon vinaigrette dressing can be made the day before too, but it needs to be held separately or it turns the asparagus a not-so-lovely shade of army green. Just drizzle it on before serving, sprinkle on a generous amount of black pepper and you’re good to go.

More Asparagus Recipes

• Fire up the grill and make Grilled Asparagus this spring. It is simple and can’t be beat!
• This Asparagus Pizza is a 30 minute springtime dinner that will spice up your pizza night!
• This basic Roasted Asparagus recipe is a jumping off point for so many flavor combos! Try it with Hollandaise or pesto!
• This Roasted Asparagus Salad with Goat Cheese or this Sesame Roasted Asparagus Salad are both worthy of your consideration this season!
• This Shaved Asparagus Salad with goat cheese and hazelnuts is an unexpected spring salad.
• This Asparagus Panzanella is a non-traditional bread salad, and topped with a poached egg makes a delicious spring brunch or supper.
• Add it to rice and chicken and you have a great one pot meal! Try my One Pot Chicken and Rice with Spring Veggies.
• My guide to asparagus contains a full list of recipes.
• Make sure to check out this collection of 35 healthy asparagus recipes too!

More Easter Brunch Recipes

To round out Easter Brunch here are some more recipe ideas that can be made ahead.

Healthy Maple Carrot Cake

Maple Black Pepper Candied Bacon

Apple Cheddar and Sausage Breakfast Strata

Spinach and Bacon Deviled Eggs

Ham and Broccoli Slow Cooker Brunch Bread Pudding

Greek Yogurt Raspberry Coconut Layer Cake

Easy Maple Greek Yogurt Dip

If you are gluten free, you don’t have to miss out on Carrot Cake. This Gluten-free Carrot Cake Recipe looks just about perfect!

Find asparagus cooking tips and more recipes in my guide to asparagus.

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