If you’re after a quick and easy vegetable side that is anything but boring, this recipe for sauteed asparagus with sesame, garlic and oyster sauce is a real winner. Perfect served alongside something like my slow-roasted salmon with clementines, it is so delicious, sticky and simple that you’re going to be finding excuses to make this side all season long.
A one-pan side, it’s also made entirely on the stovetop, which frees up your oven for other uses! And it comes together in under 10 minutes – and depending on how long it takes you to get out your ingredients and mix your sauce, there’s a chance you can make it in 5!
I know that I’m always looking for creative ways to serve fresh veggies, and this is an excellent option!
How to Sautee Asparagus with Oyster Sauce, Garlic & Sesame
The first step to this recipe is to make your sauce.
This is ridiculously simple and uses only a few ingredients – oyster sauce for salty umami, sesame oil for nuttiness, sesame seeds for texture, maple syrup for sweetness, chili flakes for a bit of heat and, of course, garlic or a pungent punch.
In a small bowl combine the oyster sauce, sesame oil, maple syrup chili flakes and sesame seeds. Use a rasp-style grater to grate in a clove of garlic and then mix everything until thoroughly combined.
And that’s it! Now set this aside for when you’re ready to add it to your asparagus.
Now, moving to the stovetop, add a bit of neutral oil (I tend to use sunflower oil, but you can use avocado oil, canola oil or vegetable oil – just make sure it’s neutral in flavour!) to a large skillet and set it over medium-high heat.
Once the oil is shimmering, add the asparagus (along with a pinch of salt) and, tossing occasionally, cook until it turns a vibrant green and begins to soften – only a minute or two.
At this stage, all you need to do is pour over your sauce and use tongs to toss to combine.
Cook for another couple of minutes, just until the asparagus softens further (but maintains a crisp bite) and the sauce thickens, becomes sticky and easily coats the asparagus spears.
After you get to this point, remove the asparagus from the pan and serve!
Sauteed Asparagus with Sesame, Garlic & Oyster Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- 1 clove garlic grated or finely minced
- 200 g (7 oz) asparagus trimmed
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, maple syrup, sesame seeds, chili flakes and garlic. Set aside.
- Add 1 tbsp of neutral oil to a large skillet and set over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the asparagus and a generous pinch of salt. Cook the asparagus, tossing occasionally, until the spears are bright green and beginning to soften, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour over the sauce and toss to coat the asparagus. Continue to cook, tossing constantly, until the sauce thickens, becomes sticky and clings to the asparagus, another 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is automatically generated and provided as guidance only. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
And that is all there is to this simple sauteed asparagus recipe. The oyster sauce, sesame, garlic and maple all marry together so well to make a slightly sweet, umami-rich sauce that is sure to quickly become a favourite way to prepare any vegetable!
Are you after a great way to sautee asparagus? Have any questions about this recipe? Let me know in the comments!
