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
My kids love this 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 only need a pan in this recipe, and let lemon and garlic make their magic. 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
To infuse fresh asparagus with flavor, you’ll need butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Plus, lemon zest and juice to give this asparagus a bright, citric taste. I like to add red pepper flakes for a little heat, but it’s optional.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Asparagus on the Stove
Here are the steps, but don’t forget to check the video in the recipe card:
- Prep the aromatic base.
Melt the butter in a pan, add the garlic, and stir for about 30 seconds to cook the garlic. - Cook the asparagus.
Add the asparagus and seasonings to the pan. Add the water and simmer covered for 10 to 12 minutes, opening up to stir occasionally. - Add lemon.
Once the asparagus are ready, grate about a teaspoon of lemon zest over the asparagus, and squeeze half a lemon over the top, stir, and turn off the heat.
Laura’s Tips for Cooking Asparagus
You’ll know asparagus is fresh when it has 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.
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.
Yes! If you are 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.
What to Serve it With
My delicious 20-minute creamy garlic chicken, this baked salmon with potatoes, this simple lemon garlic salmon, 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.
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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.