Fresh asparagus, smoky bacon, and garlic come together in this simple skillet side dish that delivers plenty of flavor with very little fuss.

The asparagus cooks quickly in the rendered bacon fat, picking up a savory, smoky flavor while staying bright green and tender-crisp.

This is an easy side dish for weeknight dinners, holiday meals, or anytime fresh asparagus is in season and you want to let its flavor shine.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple ingredients: Fresh asparagus, smoked bacon, and garlic do most of the work.

Quick cooking: Everything comes together in one skillet in just a few minutes.

Plenty of flavor: Smoky bacon and fresh garlic give the asparagus a rich, savory finish.

Easy side dish: Serve it alongside chicken, beef, pork, fish, or eggs.

Great for fresh asparagus: The quick sauté keeps the asparagus bright, tender, and full of texture.

Ever Had Asparagus for Breakfast?

Asparagus doesn’t have to stay on the dinner table. Its fresh flavor works beautifully with eggs, too.

Try our Instant Pot Asparagus & Brussels Sprouts Frittata⁠ for an easy breakfast or brunch that combines asparagus with Brussels sprouts and eggs.

Choosing the Best Asparagus

For this recipe, look for fresh asparagus with firm stalks, tightly closed tips, and a bright green color. Avoid bunches that look limp, shriveled, or dried out around the cut ends.

Thin to medium asparagus stalks work especially well for this quick skillet recipe because they cook quickly and evenly.

Try to choose a bunch with stalks that are roughly the same thickness so they finish cooking at about the same time.

Thicker asparagus can be just as flavorful and tender, but it usually needs a little extra preparation.

Trim or snap off the tough woody ends. If the lower portion of the stalk feels particularly fibrous, lightly peel the outside with a vegetable peeler.

You can also cut thicker stalks into slightly smaller pieces so they cook evenly with the bacon and garlic.

Cooking With Asparagus: How to Choose, Prep, Store, and Cook It⁠

For more tips on buying, preparing, and cooking asparagus, see our Cooking With Asparagus: How to Choose, Prep, Store, and Cook It⁠ guide.

Sautéed Asparagus Garlic & Smoked Bacon

Fresh asparagus is quickly sautéed with smoky bacon and garlic for a simple side dish with plenty of savory flavor. The bacon renders as it cooks, coating the asparagus while the garlic adds an aromatic finish.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: About 10 minutes

Cook Time: About 10 minutes

Total Time: About 20 minutes

Course: Side dish

Ingredients

8 garlic gloves, remove paper, trim ends and make 3-4 horizontal slices to each clove

4 ounces chopped smoked bacon (about 5-6 strips, also depends in thickness of bacon)

1 pound asparagus, preferably thin spicks, ends trimmed

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

1/2 teaspoon black sesame seeds, for garnishing, optional

Himalayan salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium-low stirring occasionally, until golden-browned, but not crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Leave bacon fat in skillet.

Next add asparagus to skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until asparagus is crunchy tender, about 10 minutes.

Cook’s Note

As your cooking the asparagus you will want to watch it carefully so it cooks up tender but not overly soft.

Once the asparagus color turns to a deep green that is an indicator it is cooked through and you can remove from the heat.

Remove asparagus from skillet and set aside with bacon.

Add prepared garlic to skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 4-5 minutes.

Next, add bacon and asparagus back to skillet. Add 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce and stir well to combine. Optional to sprinkle black sesame seeds.

How to Serve

Serve Asparagus with Garlic and Smoked Bacon hot from the skillet.

For a simple main dish, pair it with Toasted Sourdough Garlic Cheese Bread and a fresh salad. The smoky bacon makes the asparagus hearty enough to turn into a light meal.

You can also serve it as a side dish with roasted or grilled chicken, pork chops, steak, salmon, or turkey.

For breakfast or brunch, pair it with eggs or serve it alongside a frittata.

Because the bacon already adds plenty of savory flavor, the asparagus doesn’t need much else. A little freshly ground black pepper is usually enough at the table.

Storing Leftovers

Allow leftover asparagus and bacon to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.

Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions, but avoid overheating them or the asparagus may become too soft.

For the best texture, this dish is especially good when served freshly cooked.

Another asparagus side dish to try is our Roasted Cheesy Asparagus. It pairs well with just about any protein, including chicken, pork, beef, or fish.

Roasted Cheesy Asparagus

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use thick asparagus stalks?

Yes. Thick asparagus works well, but trim away the woody ends first. If the lower stalks seem tough or fibrous, lightly peel them with a vegetable peeler. Cut them into evenly sized pieces and allow a little additional cooking time if needed.

Do I need to peel asparagus?

Thin asparagus usually doesn’t need peeling. With thicker stalks, peeling the tougher lower portion can give the cooked asparagus a more tender texture.

Can I prepare the asparagus ahead of time?

Yes. Wash, trim, and cut the asparagus earlier in the day and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to cook. For the best results, wait to cook the asparagus and bacon until shortly before serving.

Can I use a different type of bacon?

Yes. Hickory-smoked, applewood-smoked, or another good-quality smoked bacon can be used. Each will give the finished asparagus a slightly different smoky flavor.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

The basic ingredients—asparagus, garlic, and bacon—can make this a gluten-free side dish. If you need the recipe to be strictly gluten-free, check the bacon package for any added flavorings or ingredients and choose a product labeled gluten-free.

Looking for something else to cook? Visit the Recipe Index to explore more recipes by ingredient, meal and cooking style.

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Sautéed Asparagus Garlic & Smoked Bacon