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    Home » Tutorials » Cooking Tutorials

    Published: Oct 1, 2018 · Modified: Oct 1, 2023 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    How to Cook Asparagus on the Stove

    Jump to Recipe

    Properly cooking veggies like asparagus can seem intimidating, but when you prepare these bright green stalks simply and in a healthy manner, you really can't go wrong. Asparagus has elegant texture and taste and doesn't require fancy bells and whistles to enhance it.

    All you need is a large pan for boiling and then sautéing the asparagus in olive oil, and you'll create the ultimate fresh and nutritional side dish.

    This method of how to cook asparagus on the stove is quick and delivers satisfying results.

    Seasoned, cooked asparagus on a plate.

    Table of Contents

    • Step #1. Prepare the Ingredients
    • Step #2. Cut the Asparagus Tips
    • Step #3. Peel off the Hard Parts
    • Step #4. Bring Water to a Boil
    • Step #5. Boil the Asparagus
    • Step #6. Remove Asparagus
    • Step #7. Fry Some Garlic
    • Step #8. Return Asparagus to Pan
    • Step #9. Season the Asparagus
    • Step #10. Serve
    • Health Benefits
    • Storage & Reheating
    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Step #1. Prepare the Ingredients

    Fresh green asparagus on a wooden rack.

    Prepare all of the ingredients before starting to cook:

    • 8-10 asparagus stems
    • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • Freshly ground sea salt & pepper

    Step #2. Cut the Asparagus Tips

    Asparagus stems getting gut off with knife on cutting board.

    Cut the asparagus tips (leaving just the greenest parts).

    Step #3. Peel off the Hard Parts

    Asparagus stems getting peeled on wooden cutting board.

    Using a potato peeler, remove any hard parts so the stems are very soft to the touch.

    Step #4. Bring Water to a Boil

    Adding asparagus stems to pan with boiling water.

    Bring water to a boil, add a pinch of salt and add the asparagus.

    Step #5. Boil the Asparagus

    Asparagus cooking in frying pan.

    Boil the asparagus for about 5 to 10 minutes (depending on the thickness), or until they are bright and tender.

    Step #6. Remove Asparagus

    Cooked asparagus in a pan with tongs.

    Remove the asparagus from the water and reserve.

    Step #7. Fry Some Garlic

    Garlic and olive oil in a frying pan.

    Remove the water from the frying pan. Turn the heat down to medium and add the olive oil. Once the olive oil heats, add the garlic cloves and cook them until they are brown.

    Step #8. Return Asparagus to Pan

    Asparagus in frying pan with metal tongs.

    Return the cooked asparagus to the pan and mix them thoroughly with the olive oil and garlic.

    Step #9. Season the Asparagus

    Asparagus on plate with flake salt.

    Sprinkle with some sea salt and pepper.

    Step #10. Serve

    Seasoned, cooked asparagus on a plate.

    Your asparagus is ready to be served! It is best served immediately but leftovers can be refrigerated.

    Health Benefits

    The long, green stalks are packed with excellent nutrition including protein, iron, calcium, fiber, folate and Vitamins A, B6, C, E and K. This fresh veggie is all about good health. In addition, eating asparagus offers another bonus; it's a natural diuretic. The versatile veggie helps reduce common belly bloat by flushing out excess fluid and salt from the body.

    Lastly, cooking up a pan of yummy asparagus can put you in a better frame of mind. That's right; the veggie is filled to the brim with tryptophan. The amino acid can elevate one's mood.

    Storage & Reheating

    If you cover the cooked asparagus properly in an air-tight container it should last up to 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Reheat it in the pan or in the microwave.

    Uncooked asparagus can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It's time to throw them away when the ends become dark/mushy. If you want the asparagus to stay fresher longer, trim the ends and stand them up in a jar or container with an inch of water so that the ends stay moist. Alternatively, you could wrap the trimmed ends in moist paper towel inside of a zip-top bag.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why does asparagus make your pee smell?

    Not everyone will notice a smell in their urine after eating asparagus, but if you do, it's because the asparagus breaks down into byproducts containing sulfur. When you pee, the byproducts immediately evaporate and give off an odor.

    Why does asparagus make your pee green?

    Asparagus can give your urine a slightly greenish tinge and this is thought to be due to the pigments not being damaged in the digestive process, possibly because of lower acidity in the stomach.

    Now that you have a simple, nutritious recipe for asparagus pan-sautéed in olive oil, is this a hearty side dish you're tempted to try? Let me know in the comments!

    📋Recipe

    Seasoned, cooked asparagus on a plate.

    How to Cook Asparagus on the Stove

    Joss Dyckson
    All you need is a large pan for boiling and then sautéing the asparagus in olive oil, and you'll create the ultimate fresh and nutritional side dish.
    5 from 2 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 147 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8-10 asparagus stems
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 garlic cloves - chopped
    • freshly ground sea salt & pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the asparagus tips (leaving just the greenest parts).
      Asparagus stems getting gut off with knife on cutting board.
    • Using a potato peeler, remove any hard parts so the stems are very soft to the touch.
      Asparagus stems getting peeled on wooden cutting board.
    • Bring water to a boil, add a pinch of salt and add the asparagus.
      Adding asparagus stems to pan with boiling water.
    • Boil the asparagus for about 5 to 10 minutes (depending on the thickness), or until they are bright and tender.
      Asparagus cooking in frying pan.
    • Remove the asparagus from the water and reserve.
      Cooked asparagus in a pan with tongs.
    • Remove the water from the skillet. Turn the heat down to medium and add the olive oil. Once the olive oil heats, add the garlic cloves and cook them until they are brown.
      Garlic and olive oil in a frying pan.
    • Return the cooked asparagus to the pan and mix them thoroughly with the olive oil and garlic.
      Asparagus in frying pan with metal tongs.
    • Sprinkle with some sea salt and pepper.
      Asparagus on plate with flake salt.
    • Serve
      Seasoned, cooked asparagus on a plate.

    Equipment

    • Skillet

    Notes

    • If you cover the cooked asparagus properly it should last up to 3 to 5 days in the fridge.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 485IUVitamin C: 4.5mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1.4mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

    Keyword green asparagus
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      Recipe Rating




    1. yasyn says

      February 28, 2022 at 9:29 pm

      thanks

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        March 01, 2022 at 10:14 am

        You're very welcome.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Joss!

    I am the creator and editor of In the Kitch. I am inviting you on this food journey with me to learn, grow and bring out that inner chef in you. I hope to inspire you to get creative in your own kitchen!

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