Marinated Asparagus and Bean Detox Salad

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This simple 4-ingredient Marinated Asparagus and Bean Detox Salad is lovely to eat and healthy for the body! Over the last few years, I’ve been learning about why asparagus and beans are both so good for promoting detox. While many recipes can claim detox qualities, in this one, I’ll share why these two foods really do help the body to expel waste.

On top of that, I love this salad — the taste and textures. It’s a great staple alongside dinner, and leftovers are lovely for lunch or snacks.

Marinated Asparagus and Bean Detox Salad is perfect for most real food diets, including Ancestral, VAD, Gluten-free and Vegan.

Ingredients in Marinated Asparagus and Bean Detox Salad

• fresh asparagus
• bean of choice, I use kidney beans (or cannellini beans) — canned or home-cooked: whichever you prefer. (Choose your beans based on blood type for best digestion here.)
• olive oil
• fresh lemon juice, or white balsamic vinegar for a gourmet variation — Lemon juice is better for detox (and VAD), but if you just want it to taste great while still being healthy, white balsamic vinegar has a really delicious nuanced flavor that’s very subtly sweet.
• sea salt — Use this healthiest sea salt recipe, if you want mineral rich salt that’s lead-free. (Or here‘s a great finishing salt.)

How to make Marinated Asparagus and Bean Detox Salad

1. Steam or blanch asparagus to desired tenderness.
2. Pour through colander, and submerge in ice water, to stop cooking and cool. Pour cooled asparagus onto clean kitchen towel to absorb any extra water from ice bath.
3. Add asparagus to salad bowl with: beans, olive oil, lemon juice and sea salt. Stir to mix well.
4. Serve, or chill until you’re ready to serve.

Optionally, add in fresh or dried dill weed.

Make Ahead Note: Marinated Asparagus and Bean Detox Salad keeps well (very fresh) in the fridge (covered) for two days, so it’s fine to make it well before serving (batch cook), if it’s helpful.

Why are asparagus and beans good for detox

Why is asparagus healthy

Here are the ways that asparagus promotes detoxification:

• It’s rich in fiber, which promotes bowel movements. Going poop is the body’s most important means of getting rid of toxins.
• If you can smell asparagus in your pee after eating it, then asparagus is extra healthy for you: The smell is a sign that your body has a gene that, with asparagus consumption, allows the breakdown of sulfur-containing compounds. Methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide are three smelly compounds in asparagus pee, of five overall sulfuric compounds. In one very comprehensive study it was found that 43% of the population produce asparagus urine, and interestingly, a different portion of the population, with some overlap, can smell it, but not everyone. If you can smell it, and you produce it, eating asparagus is an excellent way to detox sulfur. Learn why sulfur is bad for you here.

Why are beans healthy

• Beans provide excellent fiber, so they help to “take out the trash”, so to speak. Fiber binds with bile (which holds toxins) and ushers waste from our bodies really effectively.
• Beans are an excellent source of Vitamin B1, or thiamine. Many people are deficient in this vitamin that plays multiple key roles, including its role in digestion. When we support digestion, we are supporting the body’s main network for detoxing. (Learn more about Vitamin B1 here.)

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Marinated Asparagus and Bean Salad

This simple 4-ingredient Marinated Asparagus and Bean Detox Salad is lovely to eat and healthy for the body! Over the last few years, I've been learning about why asparagus and beans are both so good for promoting detox. While many recipes can claim detox qualities, in this one, I'll share why these two foods really do help the body expel waste.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: asparagus, bean, detox, gluten-free, salad, vegan, vitamin a detox

Servings: 5 servings

Calories: 41kcal

Author: Megan

Cost: $5

Equipment

• salad bowl

Ingredients

• 1 bunch asparagus chopped into 2" lengths, ends cut off and discarded
• 1-¾ cups beans of choice, cooked; I use kidney beans (rinsed) -- 1 can equivalent (I like Eden brand, or Trader Joe's organic for the best cost.)
• 1-½ Tablespoons olive oil
• 1-½ Tablespoons lemon juice fresh, or sub white balsamic vinegar if preferred for a gourmet variation
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon sea salt or more to taste, if beans were unsalted
• Optional: 2 Tablespoons fresh dill weed, cut into short sections or ¼ teaspoon dried dill

Instructions

• Steam or blanch asparagus to desired tenderness.
• Pour through colander, and submerge in ice water, to stop cooking and cool. Pour cooled asparagus onto clean kitchen towel to absorb any extra water from ice bath.
• Add asparagus to salad bowl with: beans, olive oil, lemon juice and sea salt. Stir to mix well.
• Serve, or chill until you're ready to serve.
  
• Optionally, add in fresh or dried dill weed.

Notes

Make Ahead Note

Marinated Asparagus and Bean Detox Salad keeps well (very fresh) in the fridge for two days, so it's fine to make it well before serving (batch cook), if it's helpful.

Nutrition

Calories: 41kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 183mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

You can Pin Marinated Asparagus and Bean Detox Salad here:

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