When you make asparagus side dishes, most recipes suggest you roast the asparagus. This method is super tasty and versatile, but let’s be honest, we don’t always want to heat up the oven and go through all the work. That’s where your favorite skillet or frying pan comes in! You can get that same fresh asparagus flavor (it’s one of our favorite early summer veggies) in a fraction of the time.
How to Make Asparagus in a Pan
To make asparagus in a pan, you can follow the basic protocol in this five-star asparagus salad recipe using about a pound of fresh asparagus.
- Start by washing and trimming your asparagus. Be sure to break off the woody ends either by hand using this technique or just slicing them off with a knife. If you want bite-sized pieces, now is the time to chop. If you want whole stalks, your prep work is done.
- Then add the asparagus to a skillet with a half cup of water and salt and bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook the asparagus for one to three minutes—this depends on the size of your asparagus and how tender you like it. And no need to turn or flip the asparagus with this recipe—just let it steam and it’s done.
How do you know when asparagus is done? Asparagus is done when it’s still slightly crisp but tender inside. It should still retain its bright green hue. If you’re unsure, pull a spear out of the pan after a minute and give it a test with a fork (or just take a bite!).
When it’s cooked to your liking, you can remove from the pan with tongs and serve.
How to Add Extra Flavor to Your Asparagus
Plain asparagus can be good to add into your favorite salad or stir into other side dishes, but if you’re serving it solo, it’s easy to bump up the flavor.
- Lemon: After cooking, you can zest a bit of lemon over the top of your asparagus. It gives it a really bright, fresh flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: Adding cheese to anything seems to make it better. Sprinkle some shaved parm over the top and add some cracked black pepper for a simple side.
- Fresh herbs: If you have fresh herbs readily available, use them! Some fresh tarragon, dill or basil would all go great with asparagus.
- Vinaigrette: Vinaigrettes also make a great topping for asparagus. You can serve up asparagus with a homemade vinaigrette hot or cold. If you go cold, just call it a salad!
- Flavored olive oil: If you have a favorite infused olive oil, like garlic or citrus, drizzle a bit over the top. It’ll add lots of flavor.
- Any combination of the above: There’s no reason you can’t add fresh herbs and parmesan or lemon zest and a good olive oil. Experiment and you’ll find your favorite signature side.
Try These Asparagus Recipes Next
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Fontina Asparagus Tart
This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It's a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised…your guests will be vying for the last tasty slice. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake
I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Egg & Asparagus Breakfast Croquettes
Trying to come up with something new for breakfast on the run, I thought this was an interesting way to combine the whole meal. If you want to get fancy, these are great with Hollandaise on top and sprinkled with paprika.—Barb Miller, Oakdale, Minnesota
Cheesy Cream of Asparagus Soup
Kids may not want to try a vegetable soup, but once they spoon up a mouthful of this cheesy variety, the flavor will keep them coming back for more. —Muriel Lerdal, Humboldt, Iowa
Asparagus Ham Strata
You can easily prepare this the night before for a luncheon, or in the morning for dinner. I serve it year-round for large groups, like my card and garden clubs, and make it for picnics and other occasions. When I do, someone just about always requests the recipe! —Ethel Pressel, New Oxford, Pennsylvania
Asparagus Ham Dinner
I've been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it's a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska
Asparagus Beef Teriyaki
This simple, savory creation is made in the time it takes to steam a pot of rice. About 20 minutes and—boom!—you’re dishing dinner. —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa
Chicken & Vegetable Wild Rice Soup
This go-to weeknight recipe is one I tweaked over and over till it was just right. It has morphed from a labor-intensive wintry bowl to a steamy, comforting, slow-cooked favorite for our family. —Courtney Riggin, Hatchechubbee, Alabama
Turkey Club Roulades
Weeknights turn elegant when these short-prep roulades with familiar ingredients are on the menu. Not a fan of turkey? Substitute lightly pounded chicken breasts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Baked Asparagus Dip
Since I'm from Wisconsin, I thought it was only logical to put together a vegetable and a cheese—two of the foods my state produces in abundance. This cheesy asparagus dip fits the bill. —Sandra Baratka, Phillips, Wisconsin
Asparagus, Bacon & Herbed Cheese Pizza
A zesty pizza that’s especially nice with spring asparagus but lovely all year round when you add mozzarella and bacon. — Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan
Crab and Asparagus Soup
I get rave reviews from family and friends whenever I make this soup, but the biggest compliment was when my son called to ask for the recipe so he could make it for his roommates. —Patti Bogetti, Magnolia, Delaware
Baked Monterey Chicken with Roasted Veggies
Everyone asks me for this baked monterey chicken. Roasting the veggies brings out their sweetness. They're delicious with fettuccine, rice or mashed potatoes. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Ham and Asparagus Casserole
With hard-cooked eggs and asparagus, this family-favorite casserole is perfect for all occasions. But it's especially nice for springtime brunches. —Donetta Brunner, Savanna, Illinois
Asparagus Beef Lo Mein
This springtime beef lo mein recipe is as easy as it gets. Ramen noodles make it extra fun. —Dottie Wanat, Modesto, California
Asparagus Pastry Puffs
When the first asparagus of the season appears, we serve it rolled inside puff pastry with a yummy cheese filling. Our guests always compliment these lovely treats. —Cindy Jamieson, Tonawanda, New York
Pesto Shrimp Pasta
A dash of red pepper puts zip in this lively main dish from Gloria Jones Grenga of Newnan, Georgia.
Chicken, Asparagus & Corn Chowder
Chicken and asparagus make a light, comforting soup that’s easy to do with common ingredients. If we have rotisserie chicken, it goes into this soup. —Jennifer Vo, Irvine, California
Asparagus with Horseradish Dip
This is a great hot weather party dip. Serve asparagus on a decorative platter with lemon wedges on the side for garnish. A great flavor variation is to use chopped garlic in place of the horseradish. —Mildred Lynn Caruso, Brighton, Tennessee
Pork Noodle Soup
My daughter created this soup when she needed to use up some leftover pork. You can use more water for a thinner soup or less water for a noodle dish. It’s good with mushroom flavored ramen noodles, too. —Eleanor Niska, Twin Falls, Idaho
Twisted Eggs Benedict Salad
Salad for breakfast? Absolutely. You can prep everything except the dressing and chill it overnight. In the morning, dress the salad and poach the eggs. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Sesame Beef & Asparagus Salad
Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies—especially when it comes to experimenting with fresh ingredients like these. This meaty salad is wonderful at the start of asparagus season. —Tamara Steeb, Issaquah, Washington
Garden Risotto
With asparagus, spinach and peas, this simple side adds spectacular flavor and tons of health benefits from green veggies. Add some Parmesan cheese, and you've got one delectable dish! —Kendra Doss, Kansas City, Missouri
Springtime Penne
With ham, asparagus, onion and pasta in a creamy sauce, this stovetop supper is tasty enough for even your pickiest guests. It's great with penne, but you can also try it with mostaccioli or another type of pasta.
Hazelnut Asparagus Soup
My heart is happy when bundles of tender local asparagus start to appear at my grocery store in spring. No one would ever guess this restaurant-quality vegetarian soup can be prepared in less than 30 minutes. —Cindy Beberman, Orland Park, Illinois
Fresh Thai Asparagus, Kale and Garlicky Mushrooms
Hit the local farmers market and stock up! This quick, simple side dish is a perfect complement to any meal. The fish sauce gives it a wonderful depth of flavor without much effort. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Asparagus Bruschetta
For a light bite, Elaine Sweet created these pretty appetizers. “I really like asparagus, so I’m always trying it in different things,” says the Dallas, Texas reader. "This is a delicious twist on traditional bruschetta."
Mushroom Asparagus Quiche
Loads of asparagus pieces add color and flavor to this hearty, creamy quiche. And its easy crescent roll crust means you'll have dinner ready in a snap! —Sharon A. Fujita, Fontana, California
Asparagus Cream Cheese Omelet
When asparagus is in season, it makes an appearance at almost all of my meals. It tastes fantastic in this cheese omelette, and it looks pretty, too. —Jane Cain, Junction City, Ohio
Bacon and Asparagus Frittata
My frittata makes a marvelous light meal. especially during the summer. When I prepare the frittata for guests, I also serve rice and bread to make a hearty meal—quick and easy, but it always wins compliments! —Gwen Clemon, Soldier, Iowa
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Lisa Kaminski