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    Home » Side-Dish and Vegetables » Sauteed Asparagus: the Best Recipe!

    Sauteed Asparagus: the Best Recipe!

    March 22, 2020 , Updated May 14, 2022 Maria 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Sauteed asparagus garnished with lemon zest on a white serving dish.

    No blanching is necessary for this quick and easy Sauteed Asparagus recipe. This Italian side dish is ready in just 15 minutes. The addition of garlic and lemon juice creates the best asparagus recipe.

    A white platter with lemon and garlic asparagus.

    Do you ever wonder why the simplest foods always seem to taste so good?

    The secret is to use fresh, high-quality ingredients.

    Mediterranean cooking exemplifies this concept.

    Sauteeing broccolini or zucchini with garlic and high-quality olive oil, results in an amazing burst of flavor.

    This stovetop asparagus recipe uses the same method. 

    You won’t believe how easy it is to make this simple, classic Italian side dish.

    Sauteed Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe

    Mise en place

    Prep the asparagus: Grab the bottom and the middle part of each stalk and try to bend it. It should break naturally. It might not be as fresh as you think if it doesn’t. You need about 1 pound for this recipe or about 15 spears.

    Rinse under cold running water and set aside. 

    Prep the garlic: Crush about 3-4 garlic cloves with the side of your knife. Remove the papery skins and cut off the tips. Give them a coarse chop and set them aside. Feel free to adjust this amount based on your personal preference. 

    How to saute asparagus

    Place a large skillet over medium heat.

    Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil.

    Add asparagus and saute for about 3-5 minutes. The size of the asparagus will determine the total time.

    Taste for doneness. It should be crisp-tender.

    Sauteed asparagus with chopped garlic in a pan.

    Add chopped garlic cloves and cook for about 1-2 minutes.

    Season with salt and pepper, taste and adjust accordingly.

    Add lemon juice and saute for another 30 seconds or so.

    Remove from heat.

    Add lemon zest and toss to combine.

    If desired, garnish with grated cheese and serve.

    Sauteed Lemon Garlic Asparagus Recipe

    Tips

    • Adjust the total cooking time to the size of your asparagus
    • When sauteeing your asparagus, as soon as you notice that the color of your asparagus has become an even deeper green, they are probably done. Taste for doneness and then remove them from their pan.
    • Adding the garlic towards the end of the cooking time prevents it from burning. 

    Nutrition 

    Asparagus is a nutrient powerhouse with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber! [source]

    Whether you steam, boil, stir-fry, roast, or even barbecue, their versatility allows them to be used in countless ways in so many recipes. 

    How to buy asparagus

    • Look for compact and tight asparagus tips that are closed.
    • Examine the stalks. They should be firm and not flexible or limp. There should also be no wrinkles or shriveling. 
    • Depending on the variety, look for a bright rich color (green, purple or white). The presence of yellow indicates the asparagus might now be as fresh as you think.
    • Take a look at the bottom of the stalk, it should not be dry or shriveled.

    How to store asparagus

    If you are not using it right away:

    • remove any elastic bands or ties wrapped around the base or the head of the stalks
    • trim the bottoms (about ½-inch)
    • wrap your stalks in damp paper towels and place them loosely in a plastic bag OR place them upright in a jar with 1 inch of water and refrigerate
    • do NOT wash before refrigerating
    • use within two days of purchase to ensure maximal freshness

    Simple asparagus recipes we love

    • Creamy Asparagus Pasta 
    • Asparagus Risotto 
    • Orzo Risotto 
    • Asparagus Ricotta Tart

    An overhead shot of asparagus tips garnished with lemon zest.

    Recipe origins

    With all of the rituals associated with spring, my upbringing also had its’ share.

    I can still remember all the excitement associated with Easter!

    The day would begin by attending Easter Mass…my grandmother would spearhead this activity…she would round up her grandchildren and we would walk to church.

    Easter also meant I would finally be allowed to wear my brand new “spring” dress and coat. This was a springtime tradition initiated by my mom for my sister and me. Regardless of the weather, we would always wear our new spring outfits.

    Easter Day also meant we would finally be allowed to have all the fantastic baked goods my mom and grandmother had prepared for the entire week.

    Still to this day, my all-time favorite is my mom’s Rice Ricotta Easter Pie and of course, my nonna’s Sweet Ricotta Easter Pie.

    This sauteed lemon garlic asparagus would often be served at lunch as one of the contorno (side dish) served alongside Rack of Lamb and Oven Roasted Potatoes. 

    And where there is food, people will gather!

    And so it was that family and friends would come over to celebrate Easter and I was ready because I had my pretty little dress.

    THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

    Ciao for now,

    Maria 

    ★★★★★ If you have made this sauteed garlic asparagus recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

    An overhead shot of sauteed asparagus garnished with lemon zest.

    Sauteed Asparagus -the Best Recipe

    No blanching necessary for this quick and easy Sauteed Asparagus recipe. The addition of garlic and lemon juice creates the best asparagus recipe.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Save RecipeSaved! Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 124kcal
    Author: Maria Vannelli RD
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound asparagus fresh, 15 spears, bottom trimmed and rinsed
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
    • 3-4 garlic cloves chopped
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • Juice and zest of ½ lemon freshly squeezed
    • 1 tablespoon Romano or Parmesan cheese grated, optional

    Instructions

    • Place a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Add the olive oil.
    • Add asparagus and saute for about 3-5 minutes. The total time depends on the size of the asparagus.
    • Taste for doneness. Should be crisp-tender.
    • Add chopped garlic cloves and continue to cook for about 1-2 minutes.
    • Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust accordingly.
    • Add lemon juice and saute for another 30 seconds or so.
    • Remove from heat.
    • Add lemon zest and toss to combine.
    • If desired, garnish with grated cheese and serve.
    Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

    Notes

    • adjust the total cooking time to the size of your asparagus
    • do not allow the garlic to burn
    Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2.5mg
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    This post was originally published on March 27, 2016, and republished on March 22, 2020, with updated content and photos. Thanks for sharing!

     

     

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    Filed Under: Side-Dish and Vegetables

    About Maria

    Maria Vannelli is a registered dietitian who lives in a suburb just outside Montreal, Canada. She's the founder of the food blog She Loves Biscotti. Maria hopes to inspire you and bring you and your loved ones closer together at meal times enabling you to create some memorable moments.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily

      January 22, 2021 at 11:04 am

      5 stars
      So simple yet so delicious! This was such a crowd pleaser at our Christmas dinner and the perfect complement to the prime rib! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Maria

        January 23, 2021 at 2:08 pm

        Thanks so much for sharing Emily! So thrilled to read this.

        Reply
    2. Jamie

      May 01, 2020 at 7:21 am

      5 stars
      Try this with added slices of prosciutto crudo. Really delicious

      Reply
      • Maria

        May 02, 2020 at 5:29 pm

        Sounds delicious! Thanks, Jamie!

        Reply
    3. Louise Samson

      April 04, 2020 at 8:38 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent! As with all your recipes, with vegetables or otherwise.
      Asparagus remain a beautiful green and slightly crunchy. The Parmesan
      adds just the perfect touch…
      …but then, I knew that from just reading you.
      Thank you, Maria!

      Reply
      • Maria

        April 04, 2020 at 8:57 pm

        Thank you so much for your kind words Louise. I am thrilled to read this!

        Reply
    4. Felisha

      July 23, 2019 at 11:53 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Maria

        July 26, 2019 at 12:51 pm

        My pleasure Felisha! Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciate it!

        Reply
    5. Marietta

      May 20, 2019 at 9:32 am

      Hello Maria. I love reading your blog. You bring back so many good memories. I am now the “old” grandma but you take me back, like you, when grandma and I would walk to church and then come home to “feast”. My mom would always save me a piece of sausage while making the sauce. We ate “ronies” (macaroni/pasta) Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday….per our father. Amazing….I never was so thin….LOL! Wonderful memories and many of your recipes are very similar to ours. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Maria

        May 20, 2019 at 9:37 am

        Thank you so much Marietta for your kind words. They mean a lot to me ♥ We are so lucky to have had such a wonderful upbringing…
        I am also the “old” grandma… lol… it changes your perspective on life, doesn’t it?
        Appreciate you taking the time to write.

        Reply
    6. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices

      February 13, 2018 at 3:17 am

      5 stars
      Oh yes, asparagus! Can’t wait to see them in the Farmers Market! Your recipe is a simple beauty, that highlights the fresh seasonal produce wonderfully!

      Reply
      • Maria

        February 13, 2018 at 8:18 am

        Thanks so much Nicoletta! I also cannot wait to see asparagus in the Farmers Market… soon… very soon 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by ♥♥♥

        Reply
    7. Aimee Wimbush-Bourque

      February 12, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      Asparagus needs nothing more than this – kudos for a simple recipe that truly spotlights the ingredients. 🙂

      Reply
      • Maria

        February 12, 2018 at 12:09 pm

        Thanks Aimee, can’t wait for the local asparagus to appear on the markets! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

        Reply
    8. Allie | In This Kitchen

      April 09, 2016 at 5:07 pm

      This is how I love asparagus too. Lemon and garlic and a little cheese. It is so simple and perfect!

      Reply
      • Maria

        April 09, 2016 at 11:23 pm

        Absolutely! Thanks for dropping by Allie 🙂

        Reply
    9. Sonia and mom

      March 27, 2016 at 2:21 pm

      Hello Mary I make these so darn delicious thanks mary

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 27, 2016 at 6:44 pm

        Hi Sonia and mom! Isn’t asparagus just great!!! Appreciate the comment 🙂

        Reply
    10. Deb@glutenfreefarina

      March 27, 2016 at 11:04 am

      So perfect for spring! Fresh, simple and beautiful. Thanks Maria!

      Reply
      • Maria

        March 27, 2016 at 6:43 pm

        Thank-you Deb 🙂 Hope you had a great day!

        Reply

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    Maria from She loves biscotti

    Hi, I'm Maria! a dietitian and full-time content creator. Join me as I share traditional Italian recipes from my youth to modern twists on classics using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

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