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Sweet Sauteed Asparagus is the best way to prepare this gorgeous springtime veggie. The low-calorie side dish is sautéed, slightly sweet, and healthy!
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This Sweet Sauteed Asparagus recipe is by far my favorite way to prepare asparagus. With only three simple ingredients, it’s so easy to make and everyone will be asking for more! I have mentioned several times throughout this site that any recipe coming from my Aunt Lana is a winner. This is one of them! I LOVE the sweetness and tenderness to this asparagus and it always turns out perfect. You don’t get soggy, overdone asparagus doing it this way. This healthy, easy side dish complements chicken, steak, salmon, seafood, and pork and pairs perfectly with rice, potatoes, and other vegetables. You can serve it over and over again. Your family will love it!
Ingredients in Sweet Sautéed Asparagus
This delicious side dish can be prepared in just a few minutes and always looks beautiful on your dinner table. Serve it alongside carrots, broccoli, cauliflower or green salad.
- Fresh Asparagus – asparagus season starts in February and goes through June, so that is the best time to buy it and cook it!
- Butter – you can also use olive oil for sauteing.
- Sugar – this is the “secret” to the perfect sautéed asparagus recipe.
- Optional Toppings – lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, garlic salt, pine nuts, kosher salt, black pepper, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, parsley, chives, Italian seasoning or other fresh herbs.
Health Benefits of Asparagus
Asparagus is one of those mild vegetables that even the pickiest of eaters usually like. And thank goodness, because this green veggie is so good for you! While it’s low in calories, it’s a terrific source of all kinds of nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin K, along with fiber, other minerals and folate. It’s proven to help promote weight loss, improve digestion, and lower blood pressure. Plus it’s delicious!
Tips for Perfectly Prepared Sautéed Asparagus
- There are many ways to prepare asparagus, including oven roasting, which is so yummy! Try our Oven Roasted Asparagus recipe. You can also boil or steam it on the stove or toss larger spears on the outdoor grill.
- Cooking Asparagus – I love to saute asparagus with the pan method because it cooks up vibrant and green. Stovetop asparagus has a hint of buttery, sweet flavor that can’t be beat!
- Trim Asparagus – Make sure your asparagus stalks are cut the right way. I like to snap one of the spears where it naturally bends, then line up the rest of the bunch and trim the woody ends off near where the first one snapped. That way you have perfectly even asparagus spears, beautiful and ready to serve.
- Sautee in butter and a little bit of sugar (that’s the secret!) for about five minutes or until they’re slightly browned. You don’t want to overcook or they’ll be soggy and flimsy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, if necessary, and serve immediately.
- This is one of those dishes you want to prepare right before serving, so the veggies don’t get cold. If you do need to reheat, you can pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but with this recipe I find that you don’t have to. The asparagus comes out so tender and delicious. You can give it a quick rinse in cold water before cooking, if you like.
Asparagus becomes bitter when it is overcooked. Avoid this by cooking the asparagus until it is just slightly browned.
Cut off the stalk where the color inside changes from white to green. If you bend the stalk, it should automatically break at the right spot.
The age of the asparagus stalks plays a huge role in the flavor. Fresh from the ground, asparagus is juicier and tastes much sweeter. Over time, the stalks will lose their sweetness will be less flavorful.
Read More: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love
More Asparagus Recipes
Asparagus pairs so nicely with many dishes! And it’s such a versatile veggie, that you can flavor it (and cook it) all sorts of ways. Try these favorite recipes:
How to Sauté Asparagus
Sweet Sautéed Asparagus
Video
Equipment
- Skillet
Instructions
- Rinse and snap off the bottoms of each asparagus stalk.
- Melt butter in a large skillet and add asparagus.
- Sprinkle sugar over top of the asparagus.
- Sauté over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes or to your preferred doneness.
- Serve immediately while asparagus is bright, hot, and crisp.
Notes
- Make sure your asparagus stalks are cut the right way. I like to snap one of the spears where it naturally bends, then line up the rest of the bunch and chop the woody ends off near where the first one snapped. That way you have perfectly even asparagus spears, beautiful and ready to serve.
- Sautee in butter and a little bit of sugar (that’s the secret!) for about five minutes or until they’re slightly browned. You don’t want to overcook or they’ll be soggy and flimsy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, if necessary, and serve immediately.
- This is one of those dishes you want to prepare right before serving, so the veggies don’t get cold.
Nutrition Information
Delicious. We only used 1 tsp of sugar, but it was still super yum. Steve said it was his favorite thing we made today. Thanks!
Have you tried using different types of sugar? Thanks
We haven’t! What kind of sugar are you wanting to use?
Thank you! My kids have always hated asparagus until now. Although they still don’t love asparagus, they didn’t mind this recipe. I was hesitant to add all the sugar but I’m glad I didn’t skimp. This recipe is a keeper!
I’ve used this recipe several times and it’s always a hit. I like to add the juice from one lemon- just gives it a little somethin
That looks delicious! I always need more ideas for asparagus. If you haven t you should try roasting it, it s so yummy ?? Love the flavorings in yours though!
This is a really great way to prepare asparagus. Roasting is also delicious!
The sweetness is such an unexpected flavor for asparagus! Let me tell you, it’s amazing! Delish!
I wasn’t sure about this recipe – I love my roasted asparagus! BUT oh my gosh, I am so glad that I gave it a try! I followed the recipe exactly, and it turned out SO good! I am not sure I will ever be able to eat it another way again!
I omit the sugar, start to saute mushrooms in olive oil and butter, when the mushrooms are steaming I add sliced onions, last I add the asparagus. Italian seasoning to taste.
I was honestly skeptical about this recipe because I prefer roasted, savory asparagus… But my kids HATE it that way. I have made this twice now and they both (1 and 4 years old) eat it up! My husband was also skeptical while it was cooking, but he loves it too!
Erica! I can’t believe this! I was searching for a great asparagus recipe on Pinterest, read: I have no clue how to make asparagus and I am am in charge of it for Easter dinner, and I found your picture. When I clicked on it to get more information I found out it is from YOU! I can’t believe this! Such a small world!!
You look great! I hope you are doing amazing! I will be sure to keep following you here 🙂 Thanks for the asparagus help! I am making it tonight.
Crissa Pollmann Robertson
Crissa!!!! Oh my gosh! I am emailing you right now 🙂
When I was making this my hubby kept saying, “You know most people just boil those right?” and “Have you ever done this before? Maybe you should have just steamed them.” BUT! They turned out awesome! He loved them. I even had a couple of people say, “What is one these? I love how you cooked them.” SUCCESS! Thanks for making me look like I know what I am doing 🙂
Sauteed Sweet Asparagus from Favorite Family Recipes