Today, I'm delighted to share with you an easy and delicious recipe: Sautéed Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar.
This dish is all about simplicity, with the natural flavors of fresh asparagus enhanced by the delightful tang of balsamic vinegar.
In just a few easy steps, you can create a side dish that will elevate any meal and delight your taste buds.
And no one needs to know how easy it was!
Why You'll Love Sauteed Asparagus Recipe
If you love fresh asparagus like I do, then this recipe is a must try! Here are a few reasons why:
- Quick and Easy: With minimal ingredients and straightforward instructions, this side dish is perfect for busy days when you want to create something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
- So Simple: A handful of ingredients and less than 10 minutes are all that's needed to made this flavorful side.
- Healthy: You get to enjoy the amazing health benefits of asparagus without a ton of effort!
Ingredients For Sautéed Asparagus
- Asparagus
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Butter
- Salt + pepper
How to Make Balsamic Sauteed Asparagus
- To start, wash and prep the asparagus. To do so, snap off the ends in order to avoid having chewy and unpleasant pieces in the dish.
💭Top tip: When selecting asparagus, choose firm and bright green spears with closed tips for the freshest taste.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet on medium heat. When hot, add the asparagus. Use a tongs to toss and sauté the asparagus, coating it evenly with oil and ensuring all stalks are getting cooked. Season with a little salt and pepper, to taste.
- After about 5 minutes, check the stalks to see how close they are to "done" - i.e. fork tender. When they are close, drizzle the asparagus with balsamic vinegar and add a pat of butter.
💭Top tip: The cooking time needed depends entirely on the thickness of the asparagus. Very thick stalks will need to sauté about 10 minutes, whereas thin stalks may need only 4-5 minutes. Pay close attention to the appearance of the asparagus as you are tossing.
- Toss a few more minutes to distribute the balsamic vinegar and melt the butter. The vinegar will start to thicken and caramelize; turn off the heat and remove the asparagus from the pan. It's ready to serve right away.
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Asparagus Sauteed Tips and Tricks
- Choose bright, firm stalks with closed tips. When the tips start to soften and break apart, the asparagus may be beyond the “fresh” stage.
- Trim the woody ends of each stalk. I like to snap each end off by hand, rather than trying to guess. It sometimes feels like you’re throwing away more of the stem that you anticipated, but keep in mind that this would have been an unenjoyable mouthful of asparagus.
- Preheat your pan and oil to help the asparagus sear and get that perfect bit of color.
- Cook to your preference by adjusting the cooking time. Some people prefer their asparagus with a bit of crunch, while others like it softer. You do you!
Sauteed Asparagus Recipe Variations
- Add garlic to the cooking oil for a delicious infusion of garlic flavor!
- Instead of the balsamic vinegar, try a squeeze of lemon for a bright and citrusy taste.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes will add a touch of heat.
- Try adding bacon – either with or without the balsamic. Because bacon makes everything better!
What to Serve With Sautéed Asparagus
So many possibilities to pair with this asparagus. Here are a few ideas:
- Balsamic Rosemary Chicken - since you've got the bottle of balsamic out already, this would be a great continuation of the taste!
- Air Fried Chicken Thighs - While the air fryer is cooking the chicken, you can quickly saute the asparagus and produce a delicious meal in no time!
- Baked Pineapple Salmon - with both salmon and asparagus on your plate, you'll have a heaping helping of healthy for the day!
Recipe FAQs
To trim the tough ends, hold each asparagus spear at both ends and bend it until it naturally snaps. Discard the woody end and keep the tender portion.
It's best to serve this asparagus immediately for the freshest taste. You can save a little time by preparing the ingredients in advance and then quickly sautéing them just before serving.
Absolutely! A shallot can be a nice addition (like in my pan-fried asparagus) but feel free to experiment with other veggies. Adding bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or even thinly sliced carrots would create a colorful and nutritious medley.
Of course! Just eliminate the butter and you'll still have a delicious side of asparagus with wonderful balsamic flavor.
📖 Recipe
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Balsamic Asparagus Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
- Salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash asparagus and snap off the ends.1 pound asparagus
- Heat a non stick pan on medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the asparagus. Season with a little salt and pepper, to taste.1 pound asparagus, 1 tablespoon olive oil, Salt + pepper to taste
- Sauté for about 5 to 10 minutes. Thin stalks will only need 5, thicker stalks will need more.
- When asparagus is almost done (fork tender), drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and add the butter. Toss the asparagus to coat. Toss for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken and sweeten the vinegar.1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon butter
- Remove from pan and serve right away.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Angela P
I've been trying to incorporate more vegetables into my meals, so I was eager to try this Sautéed Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar recipe. I love the simplicity of this dish - it uses just a few ingredients that create something delicious!
Sula
Yes and what a healthy veggie it is!
Tiffany
I never thought to pair asparagus with balsamic vinegar, but wow does this recipe taste amazing! Thanks for the new easy dinner side.
Sula
Yes, once you try it you find yourself turning to it again and again! Enjoy!
Sherry Ronning
In under 10 minutes, this made a great side dish recipe for dinner tonight! Thank you for a great recipe!
Sula
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the kind review 🙂