When you learn how to pan fry asparagus, it'll quickly become of your favorite healthy veggie sides. Pan frying asparagus is the best way to sear and flavor the outside while cooking the inside to perfection! Plus, because you can do this right on your stovetop in under 30-minutes, it's quick, easy, and oh so tasty! I mean, isn't everything with a WHOLE LOTTA YUM with a little butter, garlic, and parmesan?! 😉
Why Pan Fry Asparagus?
With Spring right around the corner, I am totally ready to change out our menu. While some foods are great year-round, others are more seasonal. And whenever I get to thinking about Spring cooking I immediately start to think about fresh asparagus!
As with many vegetables, asparagus tends to get a bad wrap though. People fear the long stalks with their woody flavor and honestly, I feel kind of bad for the poor produce. Asparagus, when prepared and cooked properly, is a wonderful variation from more common veggies and, in my opinion, pairs so well with pork. In fact, I love to serve asparagus alongside our Easter ham.
And while many veggies, including asparagus, do perfectly well roasted in the oven, by bringing this dish to the stovetop you can actually cook it faster. Personally, I prefer sauteing asparagus on the stovetop because I can keep a better eye on the progress, adjust the seasoning in a pinch, and stop the cooking the exact moment my veggies hit that delicate crux between under-cooked and too crisp and overcooked and limp.
With a pan, a few simple ingredients, and some fresh asparagus stalks, you can create a side that is perfect for your family and memorable for your guests. Never again will you think of boiling or microwaving this often overlooked vegetable again.
Asparagus is a super healthy vegetable that should be included in everyone's diet. One you learn how to pan fry asparagaus by sauteing it on the stove, you can easily include it in your keto, low-carb, gluten-free, vegetarian, Whole30, and even paleo eating plans.
Not sure what to do with your pan-fried asparagus? Serve it alongside these pan-fried chicken tenders or these juicy air fryer pork chops.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- With a total cook-time of just 15 minutes, pan fried asparagus is a quick side dish you can whip up in no time!
- Using simple, fresh ingredients you can enjoy the tastes of Spring and include a side dish that is sure to please.
- Garlic, butter, and oil combine to cook and flavor your asparagus in a way that is pleasing to your palate.
- Impress your guests with a fancy-looking side dish, that is simple to create!
If you're looking for more quick and easy vegetable sides then you'll want to try our roasted broccoli with garlic, roasted Brussel sprouts, cheesy green beans, or parmesan roasted potatoes with herbs.
On Keto? Grab our FREE keto foods list here OR Snag our Keto Binder HERE
Ingredient Notes
The key to perfectly pan frying asparagus is to start with asparagus that is ripe and fresh. As with all fresh produce, you are going to want to give it a good washing and trim the bottoms of the stalks before you begin. Unsure how to trim your asparagus? Keep scrolling!
- asparagus - washed and trimmed
- olive oil
- butter
- salt
- pepper
- garlic - minced
Variations
- Paleo - If you are looking to pan fry asparagus, but are following a paleo eating plan, simply use ghee instead of butter and omit the parmesan cheese.
Step By Step Instructions
Once you learn how to pan fry asparagus, you'll never go back to preparing it any other way!
Prep Ingredients
Mince the garlic.
Trim asparagus.
***NOTE & Trimming Instructions: Fresh asparagus comes with a woody, hard stem that needs to be trimmed off before cooking. You can easily do this by snapping the woody end off with your fingers. This takes the guesswork out of where the woody stuff ends and the tasty, edible part begins.
Don't be surprised of 2-3 inches of the stalks comes off. This is normal. Keep this in mind though when shopping for your asparagus. 😉
Of course, if you prefer a more finished look, you can use your favorite knife and trim the ends that way. Simply bend the asparagus first to get an idea of where to cut, or cut after snapping by hand.
Pan Fry
In a large skillet on medium-high heat, preheat the olive oil and then add the butter.
Be sure to add the olive oil before the butter because olive oil has a higher smoking point than butter and keeps the butter from burning.
Once the butter is melted, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until your kitchen becomes nice and fragrant.
Add the asparagus spears to the pan, and sprinkle them with the salt and pepper.
Spread the asparagus into a single layer, as much as possible for even cooking. If you have more asparagus than will fit in a single pan work in batches rather than over-crowding.
Turn the asparagus every couple of minutes to ensure even cooking and browning.
It will take 6-10 minutes to pan fry asparagus depending on thickness of the stalks. We used thin asparagus and it took 6 minutes to cook.
Finish off your asparagus by garnishing with lemon wedges or a sprinkle of parmesan, if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Be sure to prep your garlic and asparagus before you heat up your pan - this recipe cooks up quickly!
- Thinner stalks of asparagus will pan fry easier and faster than thicker stalks will.
- Be sure to add the oil to the pan before the butter to prevent your butter from burning.
- If you want your parmesan cheese to melt, add it to the pan during the last 30-seconds of cooking.
Common Questions
Once you learn how to pan fry asparagus, you are going to want to serve it with every dinner you make! Some of our favorite dishes to serve asparagus with include air fried turkey breast, baked pork chops, and low-carb chicken cordon bleu.
You can store any left-over pan fried asparagus you may have in the fridge in a sealed container. For best results, eat within 1-2 days.
Yes, you can pan fry frozen asparagus. Frozen asparagus is often partially cooked and thinner is size, which makes it a quick and easy way to pan cook asparagus from frozen. Buying frozen asparagus is great because it’s already been washed and trimmed.
Due to the increased moisture content in of frozen asparagus, it could take a couple of extra minutes to cook and might not get as brown.
Quick Vegetable Sides You'll Love
Looking for more vegetable recipes?
- Oven Roasted Broccoli with Garlic and Herbs
- Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Cheesy Green Beans
- Parmesan Potatoes with Herbs
Come connect with us on Instagram! Be sure to tag us (wholelotta.yum) when you make a recipe. You can also find us on Facebook, and Pinterest.
Recipe
Pan Fried Asparagus
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz asparagus ½ lb, washed and trimmed
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- Optional garnish-
Instructions
- In a large skillet on medium high heat heat, add the olive oil and then the butter.
- Once the butter is melted, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the asparagus spears to the pan, and sprinkle them with the salt and pepper.
- Spread the asparagus into a single layer, as much as possible. as much as possible for even cooking.
- Turn the asparagus every couple of minutes to ensure even cooking and browning.
- It will take 6-10 minutes to pan fry asparagus depending on thickness of the stalks. We used thin asparagus and it took 6 minutes to cook.
Notes
Nutrition
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