Easy Sautéed Asparagus

This easy sautéed asparagus comes together in a flash. Tender-crisp asparagus is delicious on its own brightened up with a touch of lemon or jazzed up with a crispy topping, fresh herbs or crumbled cheese with the variations below.

Easy Sautéed Asparagus
Photo: Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Styling / Emily Nabors Hall / Julia Bayless
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
15 mins
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus, salt and pepper; cook, stirring often, just until the asparagus is tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook, undisturbed, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Sprinkle with desired toppings (see Variations, below).

Variations:

1. Top with 2 Tbsp. each toasted whole-wheat panko and grated Parmesan cheese.

2. Top with 2 Tbsp. each toasted whole-wheat panko and chopped fresh herbs (chives, parsley, dill and/or oregano).

3. Top with 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese.

4. Add 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper with garlic; drizzle with 1 tsp. toasted sesame oil and sprinkle with 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds before serving.

5. Top with 1/4 cup toasted chopped almonds or pecans.

6. Replace grated lemon zest and juice with grated orange zest and juice.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

88 Calories
7g Fat
5g Carbs
3g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 88
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 3g 6%
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Vitamin A 859IU 17%
Sodium 148mg 6%
Potassium 237mg 5%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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