Quick, simple, and so fresh—this garlic lemon asparagus recipe is the perfect side dish to brighten up any meal. Just a few ingredients bring major flavor to every crisp-tender bite.
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This garlic lemon asparagus is a light and zesty side dish that you’ll love for its simplicity and bold flavors. Fresh lemon juice and zest give a refreshing lift, while garlic adds a little punch to each tender-crisp stalk.
With a quick sauté in olive oil, this dish comes together fast, making it an ideal choice when you need something green and gorgeous on the table in no time. It’s the kind of easy, fresh, and flavor-packed side you’ll want to keep in rotation, especially in spring when asparagus is at its best.
I love it served as a side dish with any main but also for breakfast with some scrambled or fried eggs. It’s a nutritious, low-calorie, low-carb, gluten-free, high-fibre, and vegan-friendly side dish – ticks so many boxes!
👩🍳 For more easy side dishes, try my French-style green beans, garlic broccoli, country potatoes, stewed tomatoes, or maple carrots.
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need for this lemon garlic asparagus recipe. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
- Fresh, crisp asparagus stalks – they get perfect tender crunch when sautéed.
- Olive oil – for cooking but also to bring out the asparagus’s natural flavor. Swap olive oil with a mild butter for a richer, slightly creamier result, or sprinkle with a little Parmesan for an extra punch!
- Garlic – fresh garlic is essential here, adding that wonderful savory aroma and taste.
- Lemon (zest and juice) – these bring brightness and tang.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances the flavors and balances the lemon and garlic notes.
How To Make Garlic Lemon Asparagus
Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos for how to saute asparagus.
- Prep the asparagus by washing and trimming the ends. Pat dry.
- Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
- Add asparagus in a single layer, cover, and cook for 1 minute.
- Flip the asparagus, cover again, and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Sauté 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
- Finish with lemon juice, stir, and serve!
Watch The Video
Recipe Tips/Variations
- Cook asparagus to your desired tenderness. For a softer texture, or for extra thick stems, cook an extra minute or two.
- Use a microplane for the zest: It gives a fine, fluffy zest that integrates better.
- Variations: Add a sprinkle of Parmesan, a handful of toasted pine nuts or silvered almonds, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick.
What To Eat With Asparagus
Pair this bright, garlicky asparagus with just about any main! It’s perfect alongside grilled chicken, salmon, or even a big pasta dish. This is the classic Easter side dish and is great for adding some greens to your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu.
For a more balanced meal, serve with a grain like couscous or quinoa to soak up that lemony-garlic goodness.
Another good way to use it is to toss it through some pasta. I tossed it through some cooked fusilli pasta, smoked sausage, peas and Parmesan for a quick and easy lunch meal.
I also love asparagus for breakfast with scrambled or fried eggs. It’s a nutritious and easy addition to any meal!
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Ingredients
- 12 oz asparagus 350 grams, ends trimmed
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic finely diced
- Zest of ½ lemon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- A pinch of pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice about ½ lemon
Instructions
- Wash asparagus and trim tough ends. Pat dry with a towel.
- Heat 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the asparagus in a single layer. Cover with a lid and cook for 1 minute.
- After 1 minute, remove the lid, flip the asparagus, and cover again. Cook for another 1 minute.
- Remove the lid, add garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
- Finish with a drizzle of lemon juice. Stir and serve warm.
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