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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Veggies

    Holiday Pan Sauteed Asparagus

    Published: Nov 18, 2019 · Modified: May 11, 2023 by Ang Paris · 1 Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links·

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    Pan Sauteed Asparagus with fresh tart cranberries, toasted pine nuts, zested citrus and grated Parmesan cheese make a beautiful and scrumptious holiday side dish.
    Total Time 16 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe Add to Favorites Go to Collections
    Pan Sauteed Asparagus with crunchy pine nuts and tart cranberries are cooked in butter or olive oil and then topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an elegant holiday side dish. via @jugglingactmama

    Pan Sauteed Asparagus with crunchy pine nuts and tart cranberries are cooked in butter or olive oil and then topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an elegant holiday side dish.

    A white serving dish of pan seared asparagus with toasted pine nuts, fresh cranberries and Parmesan cheese
    - PIN FOR LATER -
    Jump to:
    • Pan Sauteed Asparagus
    • Frequently Asked Quesitons
    • Ingredients
    • How to Toast Pine Nuts
    • How to Pan Sauteed Asparagus
    • Variations for Pan Fried Asparagus
    • More Side Dish Recipes
    • Pan Sauteed Asparagus
    • Pan Sauteed Asparagus
    • More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
    • 💬 Comments

    When it comes to the holidays, there's nothing I enjoy more than the combination of cranberries and citrus, which is why I love this Pan Sauteed Asparagus recipe.

    Pan Sauteed Asparagus

    Of course, not everyone loves cranberries. I made this asparagus recipe for dinner last week to go with my favorite Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin, but it would also taste great with my Homemade Salisbury Steak recipe. My daughter picked out all the cranberries and put them on her Daddy's plate. Then she picked out all the pine nuts and put them on my plate.

    After that, she sat back and declared that she didn't like asparagus with or without those ingredients.

    Side dishes are like people - they all have their own personality and it's just about impossible to please everyone!

    tender asparagus in a colander
    Look for thin stalks of asparagus which will be more tender.

    Frequently Asked Quesitons

    Here are some questions that readers often ask about this sauteed asparagus recipe:

    How many stalks of asparagus is a serving?

    The USDA notes the serving size for asparagus as about 6 spears, or half a cup.

    How much asparagus do I need?

    One pound of asparagus is approximately 30 spears and will feed about 5 people.

    Do you peel asparagus?

    The larger the asparagus stalk, the more tough it will be. If the stalks are ½-inch in diameter or larger, I would recommend peeling them.

    What are the health benefits of asparagus?

    Loaded with fiber, folate, vitamins A, B, C and K, asparagus is sometimes recommended for those looking to lose weight, improve digestion or lower blood pressure.

    Do you need to toast pine nuts?

    I strongly recommend that you toast the pine nuts to bring out their full flavor. If you cannot find toasted pine nuts in your grocery store, you can toast them yourself.

    Asparagus is a well-balanced vegetable that supplies a wide array of nutrients. It is considered a good source of potassium, fiber, thiamin, and vitamin B6. It has very little sodium and is also a rich source of rutin, a compound that strengthens capillary walls.

    Source
    pan seared asparagus with orange zest, toasted nuts, and fresh cranberries in a skillet with a wooden spoon

    Ingredients

    Here's what you'll need to make pan seared asparagus with cranberries and pine nuts:

    • Asparagus - look for thin tender asparagus for the best flavor and texture.
    • Fresh Cranberries - you'll find these in the produce section of the grocery store in November and December.
    • Parmesan Cheese - adds just the right amount of salty nuttiness to your side dish.
    • Toasted Pine Nuts - with a mild and somewhat sweet flavor and buttery texture, these are fabulous with Parmesan cheese.
    • Clementine or Orange Zest - the citrus zest goes so well with both asparagus and cranberries and adds a subtle, but tasty flavor.
    • Additional ingredients - you will also need butter or olive oil, as well as salt and pepper to taste.

    How to Toast Pine Nuts

    1. Preheat the oven to 375-degrees F.
    2. Spread the pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
    3. Bake for 5-10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes until the pine nuts are golden brown.
    4. Transfer the toasted pine nuts to a bowl so that they do not continue to cook.

    Toasted pine nuts should be stored in an airtight container or resealable bag. They will keep for 3-6 months in the freezer.

    How to Pan Sauteed Asparagus

    1. Rinse and trim the ends of the asparagus.
    2. In a large skillet, heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat.
    3. Add the asparagus and cook for about 4 minutes, tossing frequently.
    4. After that, add the cranberries, toasted pine nuts, citrus zest, and fresh Parmesan.
    5. Season with salt and pepper.
    6. Cook for another 4-6 minutes, depending on how thick your asparagus is and how tender you like it.
    7. Serve hot with additional grated Parmesan cheese.

    Variations for Pan Fried Asparagus

    You can make this recipe without the cranberries and/or pine nuts if you're looking for a more simple side dish. Here are some other ways to make pan sauteed asparagus:

    • For an everyday side dish, use lemon zest and almonds instead of clementine and pine nuts.
    • Feta cheese on asparagus is especially yummy and can be substituted for the Parmesan cheese.
    A white serving dish of asparagus with toasted pine nuts, fresh cranberries and Parmesan cheese

    More Side Dish Recipes

    I love adding different colors, textures, and flavors to the dinner table, especially when I'm entertaining. Here are some tasty recipes you might also enjoy serving:

    • Make-Ahead Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar is one of our most popular recipes because not only are they delicious, but the recipe is super simple.
    • Create a quick salad and top it with our Pomegranate Vinaigrette or Lemon Vinaigrette (this is excellent on green beans, broccoli, and asparagus as well!
    • To really wow your guests, make your own Cranberry Orange Relish. This is a little different than traditional Cranberry Sauce, which is cooked.
    • You might also like this Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Cheese from my friend Kim at Made in a Day.
    Honey Glazed Baby Carrots with Tarragon
    Sweet baby carrots cooked until tender, glazed with honey and seasoned with salt and pepper and fresh tarragon are perfect for any meal!
    Get the Recipe >>>
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    You will love how easy these skillet green beans are to make using our incredibly flavorful Cowboy Butter with garlic and lemon. It is the best garlic green bean recipe ever!

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    Loaded Baked Potato Casserole Recipe
    Loaded with cheese and bacon, this baked potato casserole is totally amazing. You'll love that you can make it ahead of time for the holidays, too!
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    A white serving dish of asparagus with toasted pine nuts, fresh cranberries and garnished with Parmesan cheese
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    Pan Sauteed Asparagus

    This festive recipe is perfect for the holidays! You'll love the combination of cranberries, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese with asparagus.

    Pan Sauteed Asparagus

    Pan Sauteed Asparagus with fresh tart cranberries, toasted pine nuts, zested citrus and grated Parmesan cheese make a beautiful and scrumptious holiday side dish.
    Add to Your Recipe BoxGo to Collections
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Pan Seared Asparags
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 16 minutes minutes
    Servings: 5 servings
    Author: Ang Paris

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment

    • Cutting Board
    • Santoku Knife
    • Skillet
    • Wooden Spoon
    • Microplane
    • Box Grater

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
    • 1 lb fresh asparagus
    • 1 cup fresh cranberries
    • 1 clementine, zested
    • ⅓ cup toasted pine nuts
    • ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese
    • salt and pepper to taste
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Rinse and trim the ends of the asparagus.
    • In a large skillet, heat the butter or olive oil over medium heat.
    • Add the asparagus and cook for about 4 minutes, tossing frequently.
    • After that, add the cranberries, toasted pine nuts, citrus zest, and fresh Parmesan.
    • Season with salt and pepper.
    • Cook for another 4-6 minutes, depending on how thick your asparagus is and how tender you like it.
    • Serve hot with additional grated Parmesan cheese.

    Notes

    How many stalks of asparagus is a serving?

    The USDA notes the serving size for asparagus as about 6 spears, or half a cup.

    How much asparagus do I need?

    One pound of asparagus is approximately 30 spears and will feed about 5 people.

    Do you peel asparagus?

    The larger the asparagus stalk, the more tough it will be. If the stalks are ½-inch in diameter or larger, I would recommend peeling them.

    Do you need to toast pine nuts?

    I strongly recommend that you toast the pine nuts to bring out their full flavor. If you cannot find toasted pine nuts in your grocery store, you can toast them yourself.

    How to Toast Pine Nuts

    1. Preheat the oven to 375-degrees F.
    2. Spread the pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.
    3. Bake for 5-10 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes until the pine nuts are golden brown.
    4. Transfer the toasted pine nuts to a bowl so that they do not continue to cook.

    Toasted pine nuts should be stored in an airtight container or resealable bag. They will keep for 3-6 months in the freezer.

    Recipe Variations

    You can make this recipe without the cranberries and/or pine nuts if you're looking for a more simple side dish. Here are some other ways to make pan sauteed asparagus:
    • For an everyday side dish, use lemon zest and almonds instead of clementine and pine nuts.
    • Feta cheese on asparagus is especially yummy and can be substituted for the Parmesan cheese.
    Please note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

    For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.

    Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
    Tried this recipe? Pin It for Later!Mention @jugglingactmama or tag #jugglingactmama!

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    Comments

    1. Elizabeth Tarlow says

      November 22, 2019 at 1:42 pm

      This Sauteed Asparagus recipe sounds fabulous! I have a question about the cranberries, it seems like you used fresh cranberries, but was wondering how much? I don't see it listed in the "ingredients". Thanks for sharing your recipe!

      Reply

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