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Asparagus Stir Fry with Garlic and Chilli

Asparagus stir fry with soy sauce, chilli and garlic is a quick and easy side dish that is great with Western and Chinese-influenced dishes.

When I say quick, you can rustle up this side in right around 10 minutes, making it a great stress-free and healthy addition to a meal.

Stir fried asparagus with soy sauce, garlic and chilli.

Quick Garlic and Chilli Asparagus Side Dish

Like many people, I tend to consider stir fries as a main course or part of a multi-course meal.

But they are also a super quick and easy way to cook ingredients and knock up a quick side dish.

Just like my broccoli stir fry, this little number has a slight Asian leaning and it tastes incredible.

It would be just at home as a side for a perfect roast chicken as it would with a Chinese pork belly.

The great thing about cooking like this is the speed and the relative absence of liquid.

That means that the nutrients and flavour and not leeching into any cooking water and that means tastier food!

I would recommend a mild chilli for this recipe so as not to obliterate the gentle flavour of the asparagus.

Overhead asparagus stir fry with soy sauce garlic and chilli.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use a wok?

No this works just as well in a medium to large frying pan or skillet.

Can I use white asparagus?

Yes, absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully with white asparagus, however, I prefer to cook it for 1-2 minutes longer.

I usually add a splash (2 tablespoons) of water at the end of the cooking process, add a lid and remove the pan from the heat for 2 minutes. Then return it to the heat and quickly fry again to cook off the excess water.

Why have you specified light soy sauce?

Soy sauce comes in many varieties but one of the key defining types is light and dark soy. Dark soy does not work very well in this recipe at all, which is why I have specified a specific type.

Can I cook this in advance?

I would not because I think that the asparagus needs to keep its texture when eaten and reheating will remove that.

Close-up asparagus stir fry with soy sauce garlic and chilli.

Serving Suggestions

As I have mentioned above this stir fry is a wonderfully versatile side dish.

I have mentioned meaty dishes that it works with but it would be the perfect accompaniment to fish.

Whether that be my Asian-influenced cod en papillote, baked tuna steak or a piece of perfectly pan seared salmon.

It would also work really well alongside seitan or tofu for the vegans and vegetarians out there.

In fact, given the affinity that asparagus has with orange, it would be a real winner with this air fryer tofu with orange.

Quick and easy Asparagus stir fry with soy sauce, garlic and fresh chilli.

Equipment Used

I only name-check brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

  • Stovetop.
  • Wok.
  • Kitchen knife.
  • Chopping board.
  • Measuring spoons.
  • Stirring and serving spoons.
Quick and easy Asparagus stir fry with soy sauce, garlic and fresh chilli.
Yield: 2 Servings

Quick and Easy Asparagus Stir Fry Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

When you think of asparagus a stir fry might not be your first thought. However, it is a gloriously simple and quick way to cook one of springs finest ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 400g (14-18 Medium Thick Spears) Asparagus
  • 1 Medium Hot Red Chilli Pepper
  • 1 Clove Garlic
  • 2 Tbsp Light Soy Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Water
  • 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil

Instructions

  1. Snap the woody bases off the asparagus.
  2. Cut the remaining stalks of asparagus into 4-5cm (1¾-2") lengths.
  3. Slice the garlic as finely as you can.
  4. Slice the chilli pepper on an angle removing the seeds if you wish.
  5. Heat a wok over a high heat, when it's hot add the cooking oil.
  6. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for 30 seconds.
  7. Throw in the asparagus and stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
  8. Add the soy sauce and water and stir fry for a final 30 seconds.
  9. Remove from the heat and drizzle with the sesame oil before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 181Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 575mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 6g

Calorific details are provided by a third-party application and are to be used as indicative figures only.

Did you make this recipe?

If you made this recipe, I'd love to see what you did and what I can do better, share a picture with me on Instagram and tag me @krumplibrian and tell me how it went!

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