How to Cook Asparagus and Green Beans Together for a Delicious Veggie Side Dish

Sauteed green beans and asparagus is the perfect side dish for any meal. It’s flavored with simple ingredients like an aromatic scallion butter that makes the veggies taste so delicious.

You can enjoy both in the best way possible by cooking them together in this recipe for sautéed green beans and asparagus.

This is the first time I have used my scallion butter recipe. It’s a tasty way to add flavor to this green beans recipes.

Here is a quick look at the ingredients. It is to understand why these specific ingredients were chosen. To get the full recipe, go to the recipe card below.

Fresh green beans – Green beans, among other nutrients, is a very rich source of silicon. Silicon is vital for bones strength and it helps lower risk of osteoporosis. Source: Livestrong and MSU. When buying it at grocery stores, buy those with a vibrant green color.

Asparagus – Fresh asparagus is a powerhouse of nutrition. It has lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health, glutathione, quercetin, sulphur, and so much more. Source: Food Revolution Network and Cleveland Clinic. When purchasing them, look for the bright green color of the tips.

Italian parsley – Fresh parsley is a nutrient dense herbs. It helps the respiratory system, has cancer-fighting ingredients and beneficial for diabetes. Source: WellandGood and The Arizona Republic. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs.

Grass-fed butter is a great source of many nutrients, including Vitamin K2, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. Cows graze the land and eat natural foods like grass and not grains or artificial ingredients. Source: Bulletproof and Everyday Health.

Handy Tip: Green beans and string beans are the same thing. They are also known as green snap beans.

Equipment tip: Be sure to use a wide, large skillet wide skillet or pan. Put the veggies in a single layer and they will cook evenly.

Asparagus and green beans are two of the most popular spring vegetables, known for their crisp texture and bright, fresh flavor When cooked together, these veggie pair wonderfully and make for a quick, easy, and healthy side dish recipe.

In this article, I’ll explain step-by-step how to cook asparagus and green beans together to create a tasty vegetable medley in under 15 minutes. Whether you are looking for a new way to use up veggies from your garden or just want an effortless side to complement your main, this veggie combo is sure to satisfy.

Benefits of Cooking Asparagus and Green Beans

There are many advantages to cooking asparagus and green beans together. Here are a few of the key benefits:

Complimentary flavors – The earthy, delicate taste of asparagus balances nicely with the crisp, vibrant green bean flavor.
Nutrient powerhouses – Both asparagus and green beans are low in calories and packed with essential vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, and K, folate, iron, and fiber. Eating them together gives you a double dose of nutrients.
Versatile – This veggie duo makes the perfect accompaniment to all kinds of main dishes from roasted chicken or fish to pasta or tacos. It can also be served as a light lunch or even cold as a salad.
Fast cooking time – Asparagus and green beans cook quickly, especially when steamed, stir-fried or roasted together. You can have this veggie side on the table in 10-15 minutes.
Easy prep – Save time prepping by simply trimming the ends of the asparagus and snapping the stem ends off the green beans. No further chopping required!

Step-By-Step Instructions for Cooking Asparagus and Green Beans

Cooking asparagus and green beans together is so easy. Follow these simple steps:

Ingredients

1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed
1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1⁄4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
Squeeze of lemon juice (optional)

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Add the green beans and toss to coat in the oil. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the asparagus and continue cooking for 3-4 more minutes, until the asparagus turns bright green and is tender-crisp.
Remove from heat and season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

That’s it! For perfect doneness, I recommend cooking the green beans for a couple minutes before adding the asparagus since asparagus cooks more quickly. You can also add other veggies like bell peppers or snap peas.

Cooking Tips for Perfect Asparagus and Green Beans

For maximum flavor, use fresh, in-season asparagus and green beans. The thinner the asparagus spears the quicker they will cook.
To ensure even cooking, try to select green beans and asparagus of similar thickness. Cut the asparagus spears in half or thirds if much thicker than beans.
Undercooking is better than overcooking to maintain the crunch Cook 2-4 minutes only until veggies reach desired tenderness.
Toss the veggies while cooking to heat evenly. Use tongs to avoid piercing the asparagus tips.
Season at the end to prevent over-salting. A spritz of lemon brightens up the flavors.
Roast them in the oven at 400°F for 10-15 minutes instead of pan-frying for deeper flavor.

Serving Suggestions and Recipe Variations

The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving up this dynamic veggie duo! Here are some tasty ways to enjoy asparagus and green beans:

Season with fresh herbs like parsley, basil, thyme or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Toss with a lemony vinaigrette while still warm for a bright flavor.
Turn into a main dish salad on a bed of mixed greens, chickpeas and feta cheese.
Sauté some diced garlic and shallots for the pan before adding veggies.
Top with toasted almonds or sesame seeds for crunch.
Make it a sheet pan meal with salmon or chicken.
Grill the vegetable combo to bring out sweet, smoky flavors.
Substitute haricots verts, sugar snap peas or Brussels sprouts for the green beans.

As you can see, cooking up asparagus and green beans together makes for a quick, healthy side that is brimming with flavor. The next time you are looking for a new way to prepare in-season spring produce, give this tasty veggie pairing a try. Adjust cooking times and add ingredients to suit your tastes. In no time, you’ll have a beautiful vegetable side to complement any meal!

how to cook asparagus and green beans together

❓ Answering common questions

French beans are longer and tend to be more expensive. They are also thinner than green beans. Green beans are less expensive than French beans.

Yes, you can use white asparagus too. They taste great and have plenty of nutrition. You can use a mix of white and green asparagus in this recipe. It makes for an eye popping Thanksgiving side dish.

– Red onion – Black pepper – Lemon juice – Coconut aminos or soy sauce. – Bell peppers – Fresh thyme – Fermented garlic – use (Affiliate Link) a garlic press to mince it.

‍ Substitution tip: If you find white asparagus, use them in this recipe. You can use just white or mix white and green asparagus. It will make for an interesting Thanksgiving side dish.

how to cook asparagus and green beans together

Try these green beans recipes

Always happy to share my favorite green beans because I’ve loved them for a long time. I made this green bean salad with quinoa last week. It tastes great and is full of complete proteins.

Grilled green beans with mushrooms in a tahini sauce with a hint of lemon is my all-time favorite dish. It has a lovely crunch that is simply delicious. It’s a recipe that is always on my Thanksgiving table.

Green beans and potatoes make a great combo. I like serving it on busy weeknights. If you like rice like I do, green beans in fried rice is a great way to feed your family.

What’s your favorite way to serving them?

Parmesan Asparagus and Green Beans

FAQ

What are 2 appropriate methods of cooking asparagus?

Asparagus is amazingly versatile: it can be steamed, simmered, roasted, battered, grilled, sautéed or wok-fried. Thinly sliced, it’s even wonderful raw in a salad. The cooked spears can sport a variety of guises, from simple salt and pepper seasoning with butter or olive oil, to more complex sauces like beurre blanc.

Should asparagus be soaked before cooking?

Fine grit can lurk in asparagus tips. To get rid of it, fill a bowl with cold water and soak the asparagus for a few minutes, then rinse off. That should rid the stems of any unpleasant sandiness.

When not to cook green beans?

Fresh green beans in good condition will feel firm and should snap apart when bent. Older green beans that feel limp and have started to develop a slimy texture are no longer safe to eat. If you see any fuzzy mold on them, they are definitely too bad to eat.

Do you cut green beans before or after boiling?

Some green beans come with their stem ends already sliced off – they’ll look like they have a flat, cut end. But if the stem ends are still on, snap them off before cooking. For a neater look, line up the ends of the green beans and slice them off on a bias. There’s no need to trim the tender shoot on the other end.