Lemon Butter Asparagus

Learn how to cook asparagus the best way with this quick and easy lemon butter asparagus in a skillet! Fresh spring flavor with a tangy citrus finish, ready fast.

Did you know there’s a world record for eating asparagus?

The record was set in 2014: Joey Chestnut ate 12lbs, 8.75oz of deep-fried asparagus in 10 minutes.

YIKES!

The Crumbs house hasn’t eaten nearly THAT much asparagus, but we also aren’t deep-frying this green goodness. Maybe if there’s a category for lemon butter asparagus, we’d have a fighting chance?!!

Do you think five pounds in three weeks is competitive?

That’s how much we love asparagus around here…and as long as this awesome green vegetable keeps appearing at our farmers’ markets and local stores, that number will only go up!

Today I’m sharing how to cook asparagus my favorite way.

This simple asparagus recipe is so easy that I never actually plan to make it. Instead, it’s the official go-to dish whenever the meal has “fresh seasonal vegetable” written beside it on my meal plan, which is pretty often.

When you visit your local farmers market, pick up some green (or white) stalks and you’ll be cooking asparagus all spring long!

BEST WAY TO MAKE ASPARAGUS

Besides the fact that this delicious recipe takes the guesswork out of what to make as a side dish for dinner, it’s also the best way to make asparagus because it’s:

• Quick. It’s ready in five minutes (seriously!)
• Easy. Requires minimal preparation and ingredients.
• Versatile. It goes with just about any meal imaginable.
• Naturally gluten-free. I always like having allergy-friendly options! (You can always use olive oil for a dairy-free version as well)
• Celebrates the flavors of spring! I love finding more and more fresh produce available as everything starts growing in spring!

INGREDIENTS FOR LEMON BUTTER ASPARAGUS RECIPE

With only a few simple on-hand ingredients, you’ll have the perfect veggie side dish for any meal!

• Butter. You can always use extra virgin olive oil instead, but we think asparagus tastes best with butter (by the way, did you know how great butter is?) (A quick spurt of cooking spray works too if you’re watching your macros!)
• Asparagus Spears. You don’t even have to chop any veggies! Just wash and trim the tough ends and you’re good to go! Personally, I prefer thick asparagus instead of thin asparagus when I’m selecting an asparagus bunch from the grocery store.
• Lemon Juice. I prefer freshly squeezed lemon, but bottled lemon juice will work here too if that’s what you have.
• Salt and Black Pepper. Simple seasonings let the fresh flavors of spring shine.

Fresh minced garlic would be a yummy addition, but it’s not necessary. If you like, you can also add a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese with the lemon juice for a tangy finish. YUM!

Psst! You can never go wrong with a pinch of finishing salt to top any savory recipe! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!)

HOW DO YOU TRIM GREEN ASPARAGUS?

Some people swear by the bend and snap method for prepping asparagus. You literally bend the woody ends and snap it, which should naturally happen right where it starts to become tender.

However, if you’re like me and you don’t like to waste food (especially this green goodness), the good old-fashioned cutting board and knife will do the trick. Just line up the spears and cut them where the stalks start to become woody and thick.

Add the ends to your scrap bag for Homemade Chicken Stock (here’s a full list of kitchen scraps you can use) OR if you’re feeling creative, make cream of asparagus soup (use the method here)!

HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS IN A SKILLET

This is such a quick and easy recipe that you might want to make it with every meal! Here’s how to cook asparagus in a skillet.

Step 1. In a pan large enough to hold most of the asparagus in a single layer (I recommend this 12” cast iron skillet or a non-stick pan), melt the butter over medium heat, spreading it around the bottom of the pan to coat.

Step 2. Place the asparagus in the pan and cover it. Cook for approximately five minutes, stirring or shaking the pan every couple of minutes to cook evenly. Asparagus is done when it is fork tender and bright green.

Step 3. Squeeze a fresh lemon over the asparagus OR drizzle over 1 Tablespoon of bottled lemon juice. Taste and add more lemon juice if desired.

Step 4. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Pan-fried asparagus is best right after cooking. However, you can store leftover asparagus tips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer to help crisp them back up (you can microwave them, but you may end up with a softer texture).

SERVE WITH ASPARAGUS RECIPES

Asparagus recipes make a perfect veggie side for almost any meal. Try this lemon butter asparagus with any of these for a complete dinner:

• Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken and Brown Rice
• Blackened Salmon and Instant Pot Lemon Rice
• BBQ Chicken Sandwiches and Crispy Potato Wedges
• Honey Baked Ham and Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
• And you can’t beat it with steak, salad, and baked potatoes!

ASPARAGUS SIMPLE RECIPE PERFECT FOR A BALANCED PLATE

Asparagus is a great option to help fill out your plate, especially when you’re tracking your macros, because we know we want plenty of produce, and asparagus is a vegetable that’s low in carbohydrates and high in vitamin K and fiber. That means you can add it to many meals without having to adjust much to make it fit!

When building your plate, aim for these general guidelines:

• Dedicate about ¼ of your plate to lean protein (think chicken, fish, or tofu)
• Another ¼ of your plate can contain carbohydrates, preferably whole and unprocessed carbs (brown rice, sweet potatoes, or starchy vegetables like carrots, corn, and peas fit here)
• And ½ of your plate should be non-starchy vegetables and fruits (think broccoli or berries). This is where the asparagus fits!
• Incorporate healthy fats in moderation (like olive oil or avocado) and you have a balanced plate!

HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS FAQS

MORE QUICK AND SIMPLE SIDES

Did you enjoy how easy this asparagus recipe was? Try one of these other quick and simple sides with dinner!

• Easy Pan Roasted Broccoli
• Easy Healthy Green Bean Casserole
• Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables
• Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
• Oven Roasted Potatoes