Sauteed Asparagus

Asparagus

I love asparagus, especially the ones with tender stems.

Asparagus is a sustainable vegetable mostly grown and harvested in the United States, in the state of Michigan and Washington.

Asparagus is easy to prepare and cook. All you have to do is to trim off the bottom part of the stems.

There is no need to peel the hard skin and leaves on the stems.

Sauteed Asparagus Recipe

What is the best way to cook asparagus?

I love healthy sauteed asparagus in a skillet on stove top. This simple recipe calls for only a few ingredients:

• Asparagus
• Butter
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper

Cooking asparagus takes only 8 minutes from start to finish.

How Do You Saute Asparagus?

First, heat up a skillet and saute the fresh asparagus.

Next, add some butter and lots of minced garlic.

Cook the asparagus just as soon as they are slightly wilted. Season with salt, ground black pepper and lemon juice.

Green Asparagus Vs. White Asparagus

Do you know that green asparagus and white asparagus are from the same plant? Yes!

Asparagus is planted about 10 inches below the soil surface.

Asparagus spears are white until they poke out from the soil and the sun photosynthesis process turns them into green color.

Hence, white asparagus are harvested by farmers from the ground right before the asparagus sprouts to the surface.

Due to the labor intensive process, white asparagus is generally more expensive.

Cook’s Tips

Asparagus is in season now. This is one of the best sauteed asparagus recipes and here are my tips:

• Always choose young asparagus. You can tell the difference between young vs. old asparagus from the diameter and width of the stalk. If the stalk are thicker, they are old asparagus. They are not ideal for sauteing, because the stalk are fibrous, tough and woody.
• Buy organic asparagus if you can as organic asparagus are always younger and more tender.
• Trim 1-2 inches off the bottom of the stalks before cooking.
• For young asparagus, you don’t have to peel off the skin. If you have big and fat asparagus, you might want to use a peeler to peel off the skin on the stalk to reveal the white, tender part of the stalks.

Toppings for Sauteed Asparagus

You can add a variety of toppings to jazz up this recipe. For examples:

• Shaved Parmesan cheese such as Parmesan asparagus recipe.
• Bacon
• Panko or breadcrumbs
• Lemon

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use White Asparagus for This Recipe?

Yes, you sure can.

As mentioned above, white asparagus and green asparagus are harvested off the same plant, they are the same vegetable. I prefer white asparagus because they are more tender compared to green asparagus.

Is Asparagus Healthy?

Asparagus is one of the healthiest vegetables with well-balanced nutrition.

You can learn all about it Michigan Asparagus Board.

Asparagus is especially healthy for pregnant women as it’s the leading supplier of folic acid.

It is also packed full of nutrients, such as the following:

• Low in calories, about 4 calories per spear.
• Contains no fat or cholesterol.
• Low in sodium.
• A good source of potassium and fiber.
• Loaded with vitamin B6.

How Many Calories per Serving?

This sauteed asparagus recipe is only 94 calories, making it a healthy side dish that you should make frequently.

What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?

Sauteed asparagus goes well with anything: salmon, chicken, shrimp and meat. If you like roasting in the oven, try this roasted asparagus recipe.

For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

Garlic Chive Butter Grilled Steak

Baked Salmon

Cajun Chicken

Skillet Garlic Butter Steak

How to Make Sauteed Asparagus?

Please refer to the recipe card below for detailed step-by-step method on how to make cook asparagus in a skillet, on stove top.

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Sauteed Asparagus (The Best Recipe)

Servings 4 servings

Prep Time 3 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 8 minutes

Garlic Butter Sauteed Asparagus - easy and healthy asparagus recipe that takes only 10 mins from prep to dinner table. Quick, fresh, and delicious!

Calories 94 kcal

Author Bee | Rasa Malaysia

Ingredients

• 10 oz. young asparagus
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• salt to taste
• 3 dashes ground black pepper
• lemon juice optional

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Directions

1. 1
   Cut the bottom part of the asparagus stems, about 1-2 inches.
2. 2
   Heat up a skillet on medium heat and add the melted butter. Saute the garlic until slightly browned before adding the asparagus. Toss with a spatula to combine well with the garlic.
3. 3
   Add salt and ground black pepper. Add a squirt or two lemon juice, if using. Once the asparagus becomes tender and just cooked, remove from heat and serve immediately. DO NOT overcook the asparagus.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Sauteed Asparagus (The Best Recipe)

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 94 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 20mg7%

Sodium 209mg9%

Carbohydrates 5g2%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 3g6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: American Recipes

Cuisine: Healthy

Keyword: sauteed asparagus