Description
A quick, elegant side dish featuring pan-seared asparagus with a nutty butter, bright lemon zest, and fragrant garlic. It cooks in under 10 minutes and provides a perfect balance of char and tenderness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 to 2 pounds fresh asparagus spears
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
- Flaky sea salt (like Maldon)
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Optional: 2 tablespoons shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Wash the asparagus and pat it completely dry. Peel the tough outer skin from the bottom inch or two of the stalks. Trim off the dry, woody bottom ends (about 1-2 inches).
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the butter and olive oil, swirling to coat the pan. Let the butter melt and foam slightly without burning.
- Lay the asparagus spears in the pan in a single layer. Press down gently to ensure contact. Cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to allow browning.
- Turn the spears and cook for another 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender-crisp and charred in spots.
- Add the minced garlic to the pan and toss to coat. Cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Remove the pan from the heat immediately. Transfer asparagus to a serving platter.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the hot asparagus, then grate lemon zest directly on top.
- Sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss gently to distribute seasoning.
Notes
Ensure asparagus is completely dry before cooking to promote charring rather than steaming. Add garlic in the last 30 seconds to prevent burning. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with avocado oil. Do not freeze leftovers as texture will become mushy.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the batch
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 4
Keywords: asparagus, lemon garlic asparagus, charred asparagus, quick side dish, healthy vegetables, gluten-free, vegan option, spring recipes