Whether asparagus is new to you or it’s an old favorite, try this skillet recipe and let’s get folks talking!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro at preparing asparagus or this is your first time attempting it, this recipe will soon become a regular in your rotation. What used to be a dish that you could only find in a high-end restaurant on a menu next to gourmet Lyonnaise potatoes, creamed spinach, and roasted woodland mushrooms, can now be an easy addition to any weeknight dinner. While there are a handful of ways to prepare asparagus; roasted, grilled, steamed, even fried, this skillet recipe is great for any level of experience and is an especially great way to dip your toe in the water if you are brand new to the kitchen.
Asparagus is great because it is packed with vitamins and nutrients, it has a bright green color that makes it a beautiful addition to any dish, and is also quite versatile allowing it to be dressed up or dressed down to match the vibe of your meal. It is delicious prepared simply with the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in this recipe but can easily be diversified with the addition of any of the following: lemon, Parmesan, toasted almonds, pine nuts, or toasted breadcrumbs just for starters.
Secrets to the Perfect Asparagus…
Asparagus can be particular, like pasta, but don’t let this intimidate you. When cooked well it will be just right, not too mushy and not too firm. The first and most important step to getting skillet asparagus cooked just right is to prep your asparagus before you cook it. Try these steps:
- Asparagus has a woody stem at the bottom of the stalk that needs to be trimmed, similar to celery. You can either snap the end off or cut it off.
- You want to make sure the asparagus pieces are as uniform in size as possible and that they fit in your skillet in a single layer so they will cook evenly.
- Don’t crowd the skillet. If you have a large skillet, feel free to keep the asparagus whole. If you have a smaller skillet, consider cooking in two separate batches.
How to Make Ahead and Store
Though a quick dish to whip up, you can prep the asparagus ahead of time by blanching it. Simply add your trimmed asparagus to boiling water for 2 minutes and then remove the asparagus and dunk it in ice water to immediately stop the cooking process. This will make your asparagus perfectly ready for the hot skillet and oil later. Plus it will knock a minute or two off of your cooking time.
Once cooked you can store the skillet asparagus in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 – 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
Once cooked, add a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan to the asparagus right before you serve it. If you like a little spice, add some crushed red pepper flakes, too.
You could serve skillet asparagus as a phenomenal partner to a perfectly cooked Flank Steak, a Smothered Pork Chop, some Baked Salmon, or your favorite Chicken Dinner. You can also add it to a hot or cold pasta dish or top it with fried goat cheese and serve it as a main dish! You might consider doubling the recipe, you’d be surprised how easy it is to snack on this delicious dish once it’s prepared before it even makes it to the table!
Skillet Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh asparagus ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the asparagus and trim off the tough ends, usually about the bottom inch of the stalks.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
- Place the asparagus in the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the asparagus for about 3-4 minutes on one side until it starts to become golden and then flip.
- Continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side until the asparagus is tender but still crisp.
- Remove from heat and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately.
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