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Make this healthy side in one pan, and forget about plain steamed vegetables or wondering what to serve with your favorite protein. This lemon garlic asparagus is it!
The Best Lemon Asparagus in a Pan
Asparagus is one of those simple veggies you can prep with little work to get an epic side everyone loves! You only need a pan in this recipe, and let lemon and garlic make their magic.
My kids love these lemon garlic asparagus, and that’s a lot to say for a green vegetable! Best part is: busy moms have a terrific side dish with many health benefits that cooks fast!
You can pair it with my mouthwatering Lemon Garlic Chicken recipe or a simple baked salmon in foil for a complete meal that solves any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
This Lemon Garlic Asparagus recipe shows that simplicity can taste ridiculously well! Just a few basic staples, and you’ll have a healthy and delicious side you serve with your favorite protein. Check out the list:
- Fresh asparagus: ends trimmed.
- Butter: a delicious base to start cooking.
- Garlic: for aroma and flavor.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Red pepper flakes: optional for a little heat.
- Lemon: half lemon zest and juice is enough to give this asparagus a bright, citric flavor.
You’ll find the ingredient measurements in a printable recipe below.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Asparagus on the Stove
Heat a pan, grab the ingredients, and see these fresh asparagus turn quickly into a delicious side dish! So simple, so good! These are the easy 4 steps:
- Prep the aromatic base
Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, melt the butter. Add the garlic, and stir to cook the garlic for about 30 seconds. - Cook the asparagus
Add the asparagus to the pan, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to distribute. Add the water to the pan and cover it immediately. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, opening up the cover to stir occasionally. - Add lemon
Once the asparagus are ready, remove the lid, grate about a teaspoon of lemon zest over the asparagus, and squeeze half a lemon over the top, stir, and turn off the heat. - Serve & enjoy!
Serve lemon garlic asparagus with your favorite protein and a lemon wedge on the side for extra zest.
Are you going to turn on the oven to cook your favorite protein? Then check this Lemon Roasted Asparagus recipe for a perfect side you can bake at the same time!
First time making asparagus? Watch this video first.
Choosing Good Asparagus
You’ll know asparagus is fresh when they have a bright green color, is firm to the touch, and the ends are closed, not “flowering.”
While green asparagus is the most common and easy to find, you can also use white or purple varieties for this recipe.
Do You Need to Soak It First?
You don’t need to soak asparagus after buying them or before cooking. If you soak asparagus when you get home from the store, it will absorb the moisture and could go bad quicker.
If you plan on cooking the asparagus within a day or two from purchase, store it in the vegetable drawer and rinse it right before cooking, so it will remain fresh and won’t get mushy.
If longer, keep the asparagus as fresh flowers: trim the rough ends and place the bunch in a jar with an inch of water. Cover with a plastic bag and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
What to Serve it With
Asparagus goes great with all kinds of protein, so I’m sure you’ll want to make this recipe quite often. My delicious 20-minute Creamy Garlic Chicken, this simple Baked Salmon with Potatoes, and this recipe for lemon herb baked chicken pieces are all favorites to serve with asparagus when you need a complete meal that tastes like heaven!
Lemon Garlic Asparagus: the BEST you’ll have
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh asparagus, ends trimmed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup water
- ½ lemon, zest, and juice
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, melt the butter. Add the garlic, and stir to cook the garlic for about 30 seconds.
- Add the asparagus to the pan, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to distribute. Add the water to the pan and cover it immediately. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 7 to 10 minutes, opening up the cover to stir occasionally.
- Once the asparagus are ready, remove the lid, grate about a teaspoon of lemon zest over the asparagus, and squeeze half a lemon over the top, stir, and turn off the heat.
- Serve the asparagus with your favorite protein and a lemon wedge on the side for extra zest.
TAYLER ROSS says
I made this asparagus with dinner last night and it was delicious! And so easy to make too!
Justine says
We love asparagus! This was sooooo easy and sooooo delicious!
Charah says
I love this recipe,this makes me want to try this later today. Thanks for sharing this!
suja md says
Outstanding recipe thanks so much! tasted so much good!
Angela says
My absolute favorite way to make asparagus! Turns out perfect every time. So good!
Jenna says
I made these lemon garlic asparagus tonight for dinner, and they were a hit. The garlic ratio was perfect. I also left it the same size (more or less) as your photos and I loved every bite.