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Home » Sides » Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus

Published: Jan 19, 2021 Michelle Boulé

Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus

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pinterest image for brown butter asparagus

Asparagus has become one of my favorite vegetables in recent years. These tender green stalks are versatile and can be used with pastas, roasted on sheet pans or blanched and served with large amounts of hollandaise sauce. This recipe for Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus is one of my favorites. Easy, delicious and quick to whip up as a side for dinner!

Fresh asparagus is cooked in a savory brown butter sauce and topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese for the ultimate side dish!

Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus being lifted with a fork.
Jump to:
  • What is Asparagus?
  • How to make browned butter
  • How to trim asparagus
  • Why does asparagus make your pee smell?
  • What to serve with asparagus
  • Ingredients Needed
  • Equipment Needed
  • Storage Tips
  • Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus
  • About Michelle

What is Asparagus?

Asparagus are a type of green vegetable that is common in the springtime, though international growers make it so that this veggie is available all year long. Because of the limited harvesting time, asparagus is usually a bit pricier than other vegetables. Asparagus is actually the tender shoot of a perennial plant that when fully grown, is fernlike.

Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus in a silver skillet.

How to make browned butter

Browning butter is among the simplest ways to elevate a dish, make a banging sauce, and add a distinct nutty flavor. Making browned butter for Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus is simple, although it's a method that does require you to watch the pan the entire time otherwise you could risk burning the butter and ruining the batch. The line between perfect golden browned butter and burnt browned butter is slim.

To make, heat a skillet on medium heat and place butter in the skillet. The butter will melt and then begin to separate. Do not stir the butter as you want the milk solids to sink and brown. The butter will bubble and become frothy as the water cooked out of it. You'll begin to see the bottom of the pan turning golden brown. At this point remove the pan from heat, scrape up all of the browned bits and pour off the browned butter into either a container or into your dish.

a detail shot of Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus.

How to trim asparagus

Because asparagus is a shoot of a plant, it is tender when young but hardens as it grows. The root end of asparagus is denser and more fibrous. Because of this, it is trimmed before cooking. To trim asparagus you can either trim off the bottom half inch of each stalk with a knife or snap the stalk. Because there is a difference in hardness, the stalk will snap where it would need to be trimmed.

raw asparagus lined up in a row.

Why does asparagus make your pee smell?

Yes this is a gross thing to think about, but aren't we all thinking it? Asparagus does make urine smell and that's due to an acid naturally found in asparagus. Unfortunately there's no way of cooking this acid out of the vegetable. So the smell comes as a side effect to eating an awesome veggie.

Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus in a silver skillet with a fork.

What to serve with asparagus

I love serving asparagus with beef (though it can be served with any protein). Some of my favorite recipes include Flank Steak with Pan Gravy, Steak Diane, and New York Strip with Red Wine Sauce.

Ingredients Needed

  • 4 Tbsp Butter
  • ½ Pound Fresh Asparagus 
  • 3 Cloves Garlic 
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese 

Equipment Needed

  • Large Skillet
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Chef's Knife
  • Cutting Board

Storage Tips

Fridge: Place asparagus in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the microwave until heated through.

Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus

Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus

Michelle Boulé
It's asparagus season and there's no time like the present to make Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus as the side dish for you next dinner!
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 140 kcal

Equipment

Skillet
Frying Pan
Chef's Knife
Wooden Spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Tbsp Butter
  • ½ Pound Fresh Asparagus Trimmed
  • 3 Cloves Garlic Minced
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese Shredded

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large skillet on medium heat. Add butter and let melt. Continue to cook butter until it begins to brown and remove from heat. Add asparagus and garlic and toss to coat. return to a low heat.
  • Cook asparagus for 5 minutes, stirring on occasion, until bright green and cooked through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with parmesan cheese, serve and enjoy!

Notes

Does this recipe seem familiar? It first appeared on my other blog The Brooklyn Cook

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 4gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 202mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 827IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Brown Butter Parmesan Asparagus

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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About Michelle

Hello! I'm Michelle Boulé. I'm a photography nerd, cat mom and all around foodie. Join me in making some of my favorite comfort foods!

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Comments

  1. Beth says

    March 23, 2021 at 10:04 am

    5 stars
    Yummy! This looks so delicious and tasty! My family and I are going to love this especially my picky eater! So excited!

    Reply
  2. Michelle says

    March 23, 2021 at 10:25 am

    5 stars
    Such a simple yet flavourful way to prepare asparagus! I'm sold! (It's the only time I've ever seen my boys eat asparagus... so hallelujah!)

    Reply
  3. Ana F. says

    March 23, 2021 at 10:30 am

    5 stars
    I LOVE asparagus and this recipe is so easy to make! The brown butter ads a deeper flavor and it's amazing. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  4. Mahy says

    March 23, 2021 at 10:56 am

    5 stars
    I am feeling very much like you are - asparagus is a must these days on my table, and I can't wait to try your recipe!

    Reply
  5. Michelle says

    March 23, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    5 stars
    Simple, easy, and delicious! Love this for easy weeknight meals.

    Reply

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About page profile picture

Hello! I'm Michelle Boulé. I'm a photography nerd, cat mom and all around foodie. Join me in making some of my favorite comfort foods!

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