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Savory Brown Butter Asparagus Recipe Easy Zesty Lemon Side Dish

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A quick and flavorful side dish featuring fresh asparagus sautéed in nutty browned butter with bright lemon zest and juice, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 medium lemon)
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Trim the asparagus by rinsing under cool water and snapping or cutting off the woody ends (about 1-2 inches). Pat dry thoroughly. (5 minutes)
  2. Zest 1 medium lemon using a microplane or fine grater, avoiding the bitter white pith. Cut the lemon in half and juice it to yield about 2 tablespoons. Set aside. (2 minutes)
  3. If using, peel and mince 1 garlic clove finely. (1 minute)
  4. Place 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently as it melts and foams. Continue cooking until the milk solids turn golden brown and you smell a nutty aroma, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning. (4-5 minutes)
  5. If using garlic, add it to the browned butter off the heat and stir for 30 seconds to infuse flavor. (30 seconds)
  6. Return the pan to medium-high heat and add the trimmed asparagus. Toss to coat evenly with the browned butter and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until asparagus is tender but still crisp. (5-7 minutes)
  7. Remove from heat. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and toss gently. Sprinkle lemon zest over the top. (1-2 minutes)
  8. Serve immediately, either on a serving dish or straight from the pan.

Notes

Use medium heat to brown butter to avoid bitterness. Stir constantly while browning. Pat asparagus dry to reduce splatter and improve browning. Do not overcrowd the pan to prevent steaming. For dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil and add toasted nuts for nuttiness. Leftovers keep up to 2 days refrigerated; reheat gently in skillet.

Nutrition

Keywords: asparagus, brown butter, lemon, easy side dish, quick recipe, zesty, savory, healthy, gluten-free, vegetarian

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/savory-brown-butter-asparagus-recipe-easy-zesty-lemon-side-dish/