Sautéed Asparagus

Quick and easy Sautéed Asparagus is a simple, savory side dish that goes well with almost any main dish. Seasoned simply with freshly ground pepper and seasoning salt, this spring vegetable is transformed into a tender and crisp dish that’s perfect for quick dinners, cookouts, and dinner parties. Healthy, flavorful, and delicious!

You can make this easy sautéed asparagus in just 15 minutes or less! It’s a low-maintenance side that relies on very few ingredients to deliver big taste. Keep this recipe on hand for busy weeknights and use it whenever you need something tasty and fast! It’s also a perfect stress-free side dish for fancy dinners such as Easter dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Sautéed Asparagus

• A quick and easy side dish. This vegan side dish is so quick and easy to make. You simply up a little oil, sauté the asparagus for a few minutes minutes with a generous sprinkle of seasoning salt and pepper and you are done. That's it!
• Only 4 ingredients. There’s nothing difficult about this sautéed asparagus recipe, and that includes the ingredients list. You only need four ingredients, and the list is flexible with room for substitutions for those times when you’re running low on groceries. It is amazing how much flavour these veggies produce. Sometimes, the healthiest side dishes are the tastiest!
• An incredibly versatile side dish. This simple and delicious sautéed asparagus can be served with just about anything, from pastas to roasts and beyond. Call on this recipe anytime you need something fast, easy, and delicious to pair well with an entree.
• It's customizable. This quick and easy sautéed asparagus can be customized to suit your preferences, whether you like your asparagus soft and melt-in-your-mouth tender or on the crispier side and crunchy, it’s easy to tailor this veggie side to your tastes!
• Makes dinner interesting. I love making sides because let's be honest, dinner would be so boring without them. I try to have 2-3 sides to keep my main dish company: salad, rice (we eat it with almost every meal!) and some type of vegetables. This quick and easy sautéed asparagus is one of my favorites — and it will be yours too.

Ingredient Notes

To make this quick and easy Sauteed Asparagus, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• olive oil - you can also use avocado oil or vegetable oil to sauté the asparagus. If you aren't sticking to a vegan diet, you can also sauté it in butter for extra flavor.
• asparagus - look for firm and bright green asparagus with tight tips. Avoid asparagus that is slimy or discolored.
• seasoning salt - if you don’t have seasoning salt on hand, use a combination of onion powder, garlic powder, salt, paprika, and cayenne powder. You can easily make a homemade blend or use your favorite brand. Or just substitute with regular salt if that is all you have on hand.
• black pepper - freshly ground pepper is great, but you can use pepper that comes pre-ground just as well.

You will also need measuring spoons and a skillet.

How to Make the Best Sautéed Asparagus

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and generously sprinkle with seasoning salt and pepper.
2. Sauté for 5-12 minutes, tossing occasionally. If you prefer crisp and crunchy asparagus, cook for only 5 minutes. For softer and more tender asparagus, cook for about 10-12 minutes.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Allow the asparagus to cool completely before transferring leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

How to Reheat

Reheat in the microwave on high for 20-30 seconds or reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat until heated through.

How to Freeze

You can freeze this sautéed asparagus for up to three months — just place the cooled asparagus in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, remove as much air as possible, and freeze. Reheat straight from frozen on the stovetop over medium heat or in a 350F preheated oven until heated through and crisp.

More Asparagus Recipes

• How to Cook Asparagus
• Lemon Parmesan Asparagus
• Cheesy Roasted Asparagus
• Lemon Asparagus Soup with Parmesan
• Chopped Asparagus Salad
• Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus and Melon
• Pesto Asparagus

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