Sauteed Asparagus | And 7 Creative Ways To Season!

Seasoned to perfection with the right amount of crunch...we’re making perfectly sauteed asparagus. Along with 7 ways to add some love and sparkle to this dish!

This is a great side if you are looking for another meal prep idea or to include inside the meal prep for weight loss.

There are only so many times one can eat plain steamed asparagus.

And when I say “one,” I mean Dustin.

As for me, I’ll never get tired of it. You know how there’s that one side or that one recipe that always sounds great for dinner? 

Well, steamed asparagus is usually the one that comes to mind for me as a healthy side dish, easy to prepare. So much so that Dustin has come to despise it.

Rightfully so…probably.

Call it unimaginative and bland. (Dustin certainly has.) I call it yummy.

So, Dustin instituted a new rule: If we were going to follow a high protein, high vegetable, low carb diet, we need to liven up the asparagus. Please, oh please.

Enter this delicious little side dish recipe for Sautéed Asparagus — which was Dustin’s idea. Simple, easy, and so very tasty.

Try it out — I bet you’ll love it!

You'll also learn seven fun ways to season and switch it up a bit.

What Are The Benefits Of Asparagus? 

Most of the time, healthy staple dishes come with a side of this. If it’s not broccoli, green beans, or cauliflower — then yes, my friends — it’s usually asparagus. But is it as healthy as we think? 

Let me break down its amazingly generous dose of benefits: 

• It contains so many nutrients but is low in calories (Half a cup only has 20 calories!)
• Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties
• It helps lower blood pressure.
• High in vitamins A, C, E, and K, calcium, potassium and fiber
• Helps lower blood sugar levels 
• May help protect against certain cancers
• Helps with brain health and anti-aging

As you can see, those lovely asparagus spears don’t disappoint. I like to pair extra tasty asparagus with air fryer salmon or any healthy seafood dish, really. And with chicken, beef or pasta. Get the idea? Asparagus is versatile and just so yummy. Now let’s get cooking!

Should You Soak Asparagus Before Cooking? 

You can soak asparagus in cold water to remove any excess sand and dirt. A few mins should help.

However, it’s not necessary. Thoroughly rinsing it in cold running water should do the trick! Make sure to shake off the tips and properly pat them dry to get any grime out. 

After that, you’re ready to trim off the ends. Remember to only prep asparagus right before cooking! Otherwise, it will wilt and get all soft if done too far in advance. 

How Do You Know When Asparagus Is Done Cooking? 

Here’s how to tell when to stop cooking and start serving these yummy greens:

• It still has a vivid or bright green color to it (not light green).
• It has some tenderness to it but with some crunch (when you lift it, it shouldn’t be drooping or soggy).
• When cut through the stalk, it's not mushy.
• If bent with your hands, there’s still a slight snap to it.
• It has a more nutty taste (compared to the bitter taste of raw asparagus).

They should ultimately look like they’re happy to be there on your plate!

How Do You Keep Asparagus From Getting Stringy? 

Most of the fiber in this veggie is found from the crown downwards. So you’ll want to discard the bottom-most part of the asparagus stalks where it’s the toughest and the hardest. 

Which part is it exactly? It’s where the white part turns to green. 

Simply bend each spear and it should naturally snap off close to the bottom. Discard the woody ends at the bottom part and you’re all good! You can also slice them off with a knife if you want to be more precise. 

How Can I Season My Sauteed Asparagus? 

There are many ways to liven up this amazing veggie. Here are 7 ways to spruce it up: 

1. Add some garlic and shallots. 

A classic but goodie. This is an extremely tasty and simple way of adding a pop of flavor to your sauteed asparagus. I’ve got the recipe down below! It’s a no-fail 20 min recipe.

2. Add a splash of lemon.

Adding lemon is like adding a dash of sunshine to every dish. You can’t go wrong by sprinkling some lemon juice to finish off this sautéed goodness. You can also try this when roasting asparagus. 

3. Try sprinkling homemade salt seasoning.

I made my own healthy version of a mixed salt seasoning you can try! Simple but flavorful with paprika, onion, garlic powder, and sugar (alongside your usual black pepper and kosher salt). 

4. Blend in some fresh herbs (Parsley, dill, chives, etc.)

Fresh herbs always have a way of adding some fancy to a dish! Sprinkle a mix of parsley and dill or chives on it before serving. 

5. Add some Italian seasoning

There’s a reason this mix goes well with almost anything y’all. It elevates every dish you add it to! Dried oregano, thyme, basil, sage, and rosemary...bet you can already smell it.

6. Top it off with cheese

I love (just LOVE) the combination of Parmesan cheese and asparagus. After sautéing, sprinkle on some of this flavor-packed grated goodness. Feta cheese is a tasty addition too. If your eating regimen is dairy-free or vegan, topping your asparagus with nutritious yeast gives the cheesy flavor alternative.

7. Sprinkle it with pine nuts, almonds or breadcrumbs.

Pine nuts and thinly sliced almonds are great! They add a nice, luxurious crunch to these green spears. So are breadcrumbs. Mix and match these options with a lemon-pepper-garlic and olive oil combo.

I hope these options inspire you to try them with your next meal! How can you ever get bored with asparagus anymore? (Right, Dustin?) Not gonna happen.

How To Store? 

It’s best to cook asparagus the same day it’s bought. If that’s not possible, store them as you would freshly cut flowers! 

Just trim the bottom (not as if you’re prepping them for cooking yet). Just trim a small part — enough so it can soak in water as flowers would. Place them in a jar with around an inch of water then cover them loosely with a plastic bag. They should last up to 4 days. 

After you've cooked your asparagus (I like to saute asparagus in a large skillet) it will do well in an airtight container in the fridge. For about 3-5 days. Reheat in a pan or in the microwave for 30 seconds. Don't overdo it when reheating.

More Healthy Veggie Recipes

Now that you’ve read this post, I bet you’d like to know more about other beneficial foods that make a delicious side dish at mealtime year-round. Check this out for more veggie recipes:

• 24+ Vegetable Side Dishes to Spruce up Dinner!
• Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Au Gratin
• Healthy Green Bean Casserole
• 30+ Easy Side Dishes for Weeknight Dinners

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