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Pan-Fried Asparagus

A simple asparagus side dish with garlic, olive oil, and butter. See more

READY IN 25 mins

Pan-Fried Asparagus

Read Reviews (997)

"This garlic asparagus dish is a Northern Italian side dish. My family loves it! Even the kids!" — Kim

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Original recipe makes 4 servings Change Servings

1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed

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Directions

Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook garlic in butter for a minute, but do not brown. Add asparagus, and cook for 10 minutes, turning asparagus to ensure even cooking.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 5 mins
COOK 15 mins
READY IN 25 mins

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This is my recipe. They changed the amounts for the ingredients. Use at least a pound of asparagus for the amount of butter and oil in the recipe. Cut down the butter to one to two tablespoons if you're only using 1/2 lb. of asparagus. I also use this recipe with fresh green beans. Yum!

—KIMMY RAE

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Jul 31, 2008

Experienced cooks will know, without reading the submitter's review and clarification, that this recipe has some problems. For inexperienced cooks, it's no wonder they didn't care for this if they prepared it as the recipe is written, with it's excessive amounts of butter and olive oil, and the direction to saute the garlic over such high heat. If made correctly, you will simply drizzle a bit of olive oil in a pan, add a little butter, saute the asparagus until crisp tender, and add the garlic at the very end after lowering the heat. This is a simple,delicious and classic method of preparing many vegetables in addition to asparagus, worthy of five stars if prepared with the necessary modifications.

—naples34102

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1,407 Ratings

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May 09, 2003

Making this recipe was the first time ever tried asparagus. Now, I can't eat it any way but like this. I serve this with dinner at least twice a week. I don't use fresh garlic, I used jarred cushed or minced garlic (whatever is in the fridge). I use two teaspons (hey - I like garlic). If you do this, add the garlic in at the end of the cooking time as the garlic would burn if you added it in at the beginning as the recipe calls for you to do with fresh garlic cloves.

—A277387

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Oct 18, 2004

I have not eaten asparagus in years, but it was on sale today, so I bought a package and tried this recipe for dinner tonight. After reading the reviews, I made some of the changes that were suggested and it turned out so good that I wish I had made double the amount! First I melted just 2 Tbsp of butter, then added sliced mushrooms and cooked them for a few minutes before adding the asparagus so it wouldn't get overcooked because I like it crisp. Then I drizzled just a little olive oil over the vegetables. I substituted garlic salt for the coarse salt and garlic cloves because so many people said this was too salty and/or the garlic burned. I also used lemon pepper instead of regular black pepper and sprinkled a little lemon juice over the vegetables while they were cooking. After I took them out of the pan, I sprinkled fresh parmesan cheese over them. This was the best asparagus I have ever eaten!

—LUVMYCAT

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Mar 14, 2007

Snaps for Kim! We loved this recipe. Asparagus can be bitter if not prepared properly which could be why so many don't like it. This was so simple and the flavor was terrific. I didn't add the garlic until the last few minutes so it didn't burn and I used 2 Tbls. of butter with 1 Tbls. olive oil for 1 lb. of asparagus. When the color starts to just fade its done. Great recipe.

—Lsaz

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Feb 25, 2006

The only reason this gets 4 stars is because my boyfriend says this was just "ok". I absolutely loved it. (He doesn't care for asparagus.) A tip you can use with asparagus: don't just cut off the end. "Bend" the asparagus until it breaks naturally. Asparagus will break where it is most tender. That way you don't have to mess with the hard and chewy ends. You can also peel the asparagus but I think that's too much work.

—Diyeana

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Jul 23, 2003

When I saw the amount of butter/olive oil this dish called for I was really turned off, so I adjusted the recipe by using l tablespoon of olive oil and butter flavored cooking spray. It was really delicious.

—LINDA MCLEAN

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Jan 27, 2004

I've never cooked asparagus before, and only eaten it once before so I was not hopeful about it, but I have to say, this was simply delicious. We had Mahi mahi and brown rice with it, and I added some lemon juice to the leftover garlicky butter from the pan as a dipping sauce. Many happy groans of delight. One thing however, I didn't have fresh garlic, so I used garlic powder that first time. I've made it since with the fresh - but honestly there isn't That much difference between the two. Both great. (Powder is easier actually.)

—CATJENKINS

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Nutrition

Calories
188 kcal
9%

Carbohydrates
5.2 g
2%

Cholesterol
31 mg
10%

Fat
18.4 g
28%

Fiber
2.4 g
10%

Protein
2.8 g
6%

Sodium
525 mg
21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Pan-Fried Asparagus

Serving Size: 1/4 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 188
Calories from Fat: 166

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 18.4g 28 %
Saturated Fat 8.3g 41 %
Cholesterol 31mg 10 %
Sodium 525mg 21 %
Potassium 247mg 7 %
Total Carbohydrates 5.2g 2 %
Dietary Fiber 2.4g 10 %
Protein 2.8g 6 %
Sugars 2.1g
Vitamin A 24 %
Vitamin C 12 %
Calcium 4 %
Iron 78 %
** Thiamin 16 %
Niacin 13 %
Vitamin B6 8 %
Magnesium 9 %
Folate 33 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.