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4.6 from 201 votes

Sauteed Asparagus (The Best Recipe)

This garlic butter sauteed asparagus is quick, fresh, and full of flavor! Tender asparagus spears sauteed in garlic, butter, and a splash of lemon juice—ready in under 10 minutes to make your meals even healthier!

Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
8 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 94 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. (280g) young asparagus
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • salt to taste
  • 3 dashes ground black pepper
  • lemon juice optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the bottom part of the asparagus stems, about 1-2 inches (2.5cm-5cm). Heat up a skillet on medium heat and add the melted butter. Saute the garlic until slightly browned before adding the asparagus. Toss them with a spatula to combine well with the garlic.
  2. Add salt and ground black pepper. Add a squirt or two of lemon juice, if using. Once the asparagus becomes tender and just cooked, remove from heat and serve immediately. DO NOT overcook the asparagus.

Notes

  • I always go for young asparagus because they’re much more tender. I can easily tell the difference by looking at the diameter of the stalk. Thicker stalks usually mean they’re older, and those need to be peeled before cooking. Plus, they’re not great for sautéing because they tend to be more fibrous, tough, and woody.
  • Whenever possible, I try to buy organic asparagus—it’s typically younger and more tender.
  • Before cooking, I trim about 1–2 inches off the bottom to remove the tough, woody ends.
  • If the asparagus is young, I don’t bother peeling the skin, but if the stalks are thicker, I’ll use a peeler to remove the skin and get to the white, tender part.
  • I make sure not to cook the asparagus for too long, or it’ll get bitter and lose that beautiful green color.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g Calories 94kcal (5%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 20mg (7%) Sodium 209mg (9%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 94

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 94kcal 5%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 209mg 9%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.