Description
A simple and delicious recipe for sautéed asparagus, featuring fresh asparagus spears cooked with garlic and olive oil, finished with a touch of lemon juice and optional Parmesan cheese for added flavor. Perfect as a healthy side dish that’s quick to prepare and packed with nutrients.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Optional Ingredients
- Grated Parmesan cheese, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Asparagus: Rinse the asparagus under cold water to clean them. Snap off the tough ends by bending each stalk until it naturally breaks, then discard those ends and set the trimmed asparagus aside.
- Heat Olive Oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the hot oil and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned to avoid bitterness.
- Cook Asparagus: Add the trimmed asparagus to the skillet. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to coat the asparagus evenly in the garlic-infused olive oil.
- Sauté until Tender-Crisp: Cook the asparagus for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs or a spatula, until the stalks turn bright green and are tender but still have a slight crunch.
- Add Lemon Juice: Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice over the asparagus. Toss gently to combine and distribute the brightness of the lemon.
- Serve: Serve the sautéed asparagus warm. Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor, if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh asparagus for the best flavor and texture.
- The cooking time can be adjusted slightly depending on the thickness of the asparagus stalks.
- For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To add a bit of spice, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the garlic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 4 oz asparagus with olive oil and seasonings)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: sautéed asparagus, asparagus recipe, garlic asparagus, healthy side dish, quick vegetable recipe
