Sautéed Asparagus

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer at The Kitchn
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer, with more than 10 years of professional experience. As an expert meal planner and avid home cook who loves grocery shopping and helping people figure out what to cook for dinner, I'm a natural fit as The Kitchn’s Dinner Therapist. Since graduating from The University of Scranton and The French Culinary Institute, I've authored three cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen. My kitchen superpower is turning a random assortment of ingredients into easy, delicious dinners that even my young son will eat.
Follow
published Mar 31, 2022
Be the first to leave a review!
asparagus in a silver skillet
Credit: Kelli Foster

This super simple side hits the table in under 10 minutes.

Serves4

Prep2 minutes

Cook3 minutes to 8 minutes

Jump to Recipe
Jump to Recipe
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
asparagus in a silver skillet
Credit: Kelli Foster

If you’re looking for a super-simple asparagus side dish that’s easy to partner with just about anything, you really can’t beat sautéed asparagus. Though there are plenty of other delicious ways to prepare this vibrant veggie (asparagus in the oven, on the grill, even steamed in the microwave), sautéing really brings out the flavor of asparagus.

Tossed in a hot skillet with a bit of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, then finished with a pat of butter and chopped garlic, this go-to side hits the table in under 10 minutes.

Do I Need to Blanch Asparagus Before Sautéeing?

Nope! There is no need to blanch the asparagus first. You’ll cook it from start to finish in a skillet.

How Do You Know When Sautéed Asparagus Is Done?

You can expect sautéed asparagus to be ready in about 3 to 4 minutes if you have thin spears, or about 6 to 7 minutes for thick spears. There are also a few visual cues to look for that serve as good indicators for doneness.

  • Vibrant green color
  • Crisp-tender texture
  • Light browning around the edges
Credit: Kelli Foster

How to Serve Sautéed Asparagus

The  great news is that sautéed asparagus goes with just about anything and everything. Here are some of our favorite main dishes to serve it with.

Comments

Sautéed Asparagus Recipe

This super simple side hits the table in under 10 minutes.

Prep time 2 minutes

Cook time 3 minutes to 8 minutes

Serves 4

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 2 cloves

    garlic

  • 1 bunch

    asparagus (about 1 pound)

  • 1 tablespoon

    olive oil

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Mince 2 garlic cloves. Trim the ends from 1 bunch asparagus.

  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the asparagus, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vibrant green and just crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes for thin spears, or 5 to 7 minutes for thick spears. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Filed in:
Side Dish
Vegetables
vegan
Gluten-Free
vegetarian
easter