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A silver skillet of fresh sauteed asparagus coated in oil and seasoned with salt and herbs.

Perfectly Sautéed Garlic Lemon Asparagus

This quick and easy sautéed asparagus recipe yields perfectly tender-crisp spears infused with fragrant garlic and a bright squeeze of lemon, making it an ideal healthy side dish for any meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 70
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus woody ends trimmed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper freshly ground, or to taste
  • 1 tsp lemon juice freshly squeezed, optional

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • Tongs
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife

Method
 

Prepare Asparagus
  1. Wash the asparagus spears thoroughly. Snap off the woody ends by holding each spear at both ends and bending until it naturally breaks, or use a knife to trim about 1-2 inches from the bottom of all spears. If spears are very thick, you can halve them lengthwise for quicker cooking.
Sauté Asparagus
  1. Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
  2. Add the prepared asparagus to the hot skillet in a single layer if possible. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally with tongs, until the asparagus starts to turn bright green and is slightly tender-crisp.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Continue to sauté for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant and the asparagus reaches your desired tenderness. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Finish and Serve
  1. Remove the skillet from the heat. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice, if using. Toss gently to combine. Serve immediately as a delicious and healthy side dish.

Notes

For an extra kick, sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes during the last minute of cooking. A garnish of grated Parmesan cheese or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds can also add wonderful flavor. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.