Pan Fried Asparagus
Pan fried asparagus is a quick and tasty alternative to prepare asparagus without steaming or boiling. It may just become your favorite say to cook green and white asparagus!
If you are an asparagus fan, you’re going to love this recipe for pan fried asparagus.
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It’s easy to prepare and ready in minutes, with a lot more flavor than the steamed or boiled version.
Frying has a bad reputation for many people, but not for me. Especially when it comes to pan fried vegetables with good quality extra virgin olive oil, it’s actually good for you!
Did you know that on its own, asparagus is full of health benefits? However, when paired with extra virgin olive oil, with healthy fats, it can lower cholesterol and promotes a healthy heart!
You can also pan fry white asparagus which has an even milder and delicate flavor. It’s absolutely my favorite!
Try my German white asparagus soup recipe!
White asparagus adds a unique and delicious touch to any plate! Try my delicious rack of lamb recipe that can even be made in an air fryer.
Just be sure to stay away from corn, seed, and vegetable oils when you sauté or deep fry foods. Those are the reason that fried food is unhealthy. (Spot the pretty pink sauce below? It’s a delightful rhubarb applesauce!)
And speaking of which, there’s another myth that olive oil isn’t good for frying or deep frying (like these pizza donuts), it’s completely untrue. If you don’t believe me, do your own research on a trustworthy site.
How to Pan Fry Asparagus
Fried asparagus couldn’t be easier! You just need a frying or sauté pan with a lid, asparagus and good quality olive oil. Follow the step by step directions below for perfect results every time.
Pan Fried Asparagus
(Fried Asparagus)
recipe by Lidia Conte serves 4
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- asparagus (green or white)
- extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt
Equipment: 11″ frying pan or even a 10″ sauté pan with lid (any pan which will accommodate the length of the spears.)
Directions for Pan Fried Asparagus
Wash the asparagus well.
If using green asparagus, starting at the lowest part of the stem, start bending until it snaps.
This will remove the hard, inedible part of the asparagus.
If using white. trim the end and peel the entire stem, excluding the tip using a vegetable peeler.
Pour the olive oil into the frying pan. Put the burner on to medium high, and wait for the oil to heat up before adding the vegetables.
Add all of the asparagus to the pan and sauté for about 2 minutes.
Cover with a lid and set a timer for 8 minutes if you have thin spears like these (thicker spears will need more time to cook, and vice versa.)
Allow to cook, occasionally opening the lid to turn the asparagus spears.
Sprinkle with sea salt a minute or so before the pan fried asparagus is ready, and turn the spears to make sure they are salted evenly. At the 8 minute mark (or sooner with very tender asparagus) check the thickest part of the stem to make sure it’s cooked to your desired tenderness, and be sure not to over cook them.
Remove the pan from the heat, and serve the fried asparagus right away if possible.
Place the pan fried asparagus onto a plate alongside your main course.
Pan fried pork is a lovely pairing with pan fried asparagus, as well as pork schnitzel.
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An asparagus fry pan side dish is always a winner!
Pan Fried Asparagus
Special Equipment
- 1 11" frying pan or 11" sauté pan
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 lb asparagus green or white
- ⅛ tsp sea salt more or less to taste
Instructions
- Pour the olive oil into the frying pan. Put the burner on to medium high, and wait for the oil to heat up before adding the vegetables.
- Add all of the asparagus to the pan and sauté for about 2 minutes. Cover with a lid and set a timer for 8 minutes (if you have thin spears like these--thicker spears will need more time to cook, and vice versa.)
- Allow to cook, occasionally opening the lid to turn the asparagus spears.
- Sprinkle with sea salt a minute or so before the asparagus is ready, and turn the spears to make sure they are salted evenly.
- At the 8 minute mark (or sooner with very tender asparagus) check the thickest part of the stem to make sure it's cooked to your desired tenderness, and be sure not to over cook them.
- Remove the pan from the heat, and serve immediately, if possible.
Nutrition
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I did this one and it came out wonderful.
What a great alternative! I was a little nervous because I don’t really fry anything! Love this recipe!
A delicious way to have asparagus, much more flavour than steaming. Enjoyed it with chicken this evening, but it goes so well with a variety of meats. Just need some dessert and a delicious cup of coffee made in the Moka coffee pot.
Absolutely!
ooohh!! that recipe is perfection! easy and delicious 😋. hope to win the Moka Coffee Pot too! thank you!
Best of luck!
I’ve always steamed asparagus. Who knew how much more flavor it could have when pan-fried in olive oil?! The texture, too, was amazing alongside my meat entree. Thank you, Christina, for a recipe which is now a family spring favorite.
Thank you, too, for entering us in the contest for a Moka Coffee Pot. Still, so many of us would have gotten back to you anyway to thank you for this quick & delicious asparagus recipe.
Happy to hear it! Good luck Suzi!
I don’t normally fry foods. But this was a simple and tasty recipe that doesn’t use much oil. I grow asparagus in my garden and this is perfect timing. The only thing i added was a sprinkle of grated cheese before serving. Fantastic!
Now i’m going to try my hand at the Earl Gray cookies and a cup of coffee from my Moka Coffee Pot 😉
So glad, good luck!
This is the only way I make asparagus these days. It’s super easy and delicious. Works great with green beans, broccoli and other vegetables. We’re going to Italy for a month this October and I’m currently recovering from surgery. Talk about motivation to get up and moving! (That, and a cup of coffee made in the Moka coffee pot!) can’t wait to finally visit the country that’s been on my bucket list for years!