Stovetop Asparagus With Balsamic Vinegar Glaze

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Healthy Balsamic Asparagus is a quick pan seared vegetable that has a sweet balsamic glaze. Eat it as a side, serve with pasta or on a salad!

Cooked asparagus with balsamic vinegar on it in a white dish. — Stovetop Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar

If you like asparagus you HAVE to try Balsamic Asparagus! The balsamic vinegar added at the end reduces to create a sweet, mouth-watering glaze over the asparagus.

This side dish comes together very quickly and it tastes so delicious just like this Sautéed Zucchini and Yellow Squash Recipe.

If you are looking for another vegan side dish try Aladdin's Hummus. It is made with lemon and tastes so fresh and creamy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Balsamic vinegar is pretty acidic by itself, but add some heat and it thickens and sweetens as it reduces. It adds so much flavor!
This is such a simple recipe with normal pantry items.
It is a super fast side dish! It sautés in just a few minutes.

Recipe Ingredients

You'll need the following ingredients to make Stovetop Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar.

Picture of fresh asparagus, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper on a countertop with the text of each item. — Ingredients for Sautéed Balsamic Asparagus

Asparagus: You can find asparagus that is both thin and thick. We prefer the medium thickness, but any size will work in this recipe.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: We use the Kirkland brand from Costco.

Balsamic Vinegar: A good quality balsamic vinegar will make a difference in this recipe. It will be less bitter and more falvorful.

Salt and Pepper

How to Make It

Stovetop Balsamic Asparagus is so easy to make. The full recipe with ingredient measurements is below!

Snap the asparagus bottoms off. Sauté the asparagus in a little olive oil and add a little salt and pepper.

First image of hands bending an asparagus stalk, second a pan with olive oil in it, third fresh asparagus in the pan and fourth salt and pepper sprinkled on the asparagus.

Then, right before the asparagus finishes cooking, add the balsamic vinegar and within 1-2 minutes you have a sweet balsamic glaze coating each piece of asparagus.

First image is sautéed asparagus in a pan, second drizzling balsamic vinegar on the asparagus, third balsamic vinegar reducing in the pan with the asparagus.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Asparagus can be found in many thicknesses. This will vary your cook time.
The asparagus will cook more evenly if they all are in one layer touching the pan. Depending on the size of your pan you may need to cook them in batches.
Hold the bottom and middle of the asparagus stalk and bend until it snaps. That is where the tender part begins. You can compost the bottoms.

Storage and Reheating

Storage: You can store the cooked asparagus in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: You can reheat it in the microwave. However, the longer it reheats, the softer it gets.

Additions and Substitutions

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: You can substitute regular olive oil. If using vegetable or canola oil, you will lose just a bit of that olive oil flavor.
Balsamic Vinegar: You can substitute a balsamic glaze. You do not need to wait for it to reduce. Fully cook the asparagus and then add the glaze and serve right away.

Variations

There are so many ways to cook and serve stovetop asparagus.

Spicy - sauté the asparagus, skip the balsamic and add chili pepper flakes while cooking to introduce some heat!
More Veggies - add some fresh mushrooms or cherry tomatoes to the asparagus as it sautes and then continue on with the balsamic vinegar. It is so good!
Cheese - skip the balsamic and instead add a little parmesan cheese at the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to cook asparagus on the stovetop?

Asparagus can be easily sautéed in a little olive oil or butter with salt and pepper. It only takes a few minutes to make the asparagus tender.

What happens when you cook balsamic vinegar?

When heated, balsamic vinegar will begin to reduce. It will result in a more concentrated flavor that is sweeter and less acidic.

Sautéed asparagus in a balsamic vinegar reduction on a white plate with a white kitchen towel underneath. — Sautéed Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

What to Serve with Balsamic Asparagus

Fall off the bone Baby Back Ribs are perfect for this asparagus side dish.
Smoked Prime Rib is covered in garlic butter and smoked until it is juicy and tender.

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