This easy sesame asparagus side dish is just 6 ingredients and comes together in 15 minutes! It's got great umami flavor, pretty colors and a fun sprinkling of sesame seeds to finish it.
Today I'm bringing you a super easy side dish for spring, when asparagus is in season.
This sesame asparagus is just 6 ingredients and it's ready in 15 minutes! It's colorful, delicious and has tons of umami flavor.
And you know I love eating up ALL the asparagus when it's fresh and in season in the springtime.
I've brought you my steamed lemon butter asparagus, fun and crunchy asparagus almandine, and asparagus with peas and basil is one of my very favorites.
This one changes up the flavors with a bit of Asian flavor from the soy sauce and sesame oil. And you know I've got some ideas on ways you can change it up or customize it a bit.
You might also like this quick bok choy with ginger and garlic for another easy side dish recipe. Or try these fun asparagus rolls as either a side dish or appetizer.
OK, let's get cooking!
Recipe Notes:
I love adding the red bell pepper for some sweetness and color, but I've made it before without for an even simpler side dish, so you could certainly skip it if you prefer.
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your asparagus. If you have super thin stalks, they will cook faster so be sure to slice your red pepper strips very thin too and have them halfway cooked before you add the asparagus.
I use a fork to test the doneness of my asparagus stalks and to control how crisp-tender or well-cooked we want them.
If you love garlic, you could add an extra clove for this dish.
If you love spicy food, you can sprinkle the red pepper and asparagus with a bit of red pepper flakes as they are cooking.
This sesame asparagus makes a quick and easy side dish to go with my 15-minute honey-garlic chicken. Or you could serve this with an Asian-style roasted salmon or some sort of hoisin or teriyaki chicken or pork.
I hope you give it a try and I hope you have a lovely weekend!
XO,
Kathryn
Easy Sesame Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Sesame seeds, for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat.
- Add bell pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add asparagus and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir then cover, reduce heat to medium low and cook until the vegetables are just tender, about 6-8 minutes, depending on how thick your asparagus is. (See notes.)
- Add garlic and soy sauce and cook for an additional minute.
- Stir in sesame oil then serve, sprinkling with sesame seeds.
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