What to Serve with Asparagus: 12 Delicious Meaty Sides

One of my favorite spring veggies is asparagus. I like its delicate taste, sweet and crisp texture, and the gorgeous green color that varies from season to season.

It complements practically any kind of meat due to its wonderful flavor and adaptability.

Indeed, asparagus does not pair nicely with just one sort of meat. So I’ve compiled a list of the greatest meats to pair with asparagus.

I’m certain you’ll discover something to suit your palate and your lunch.

So put on your chef’s hat and go to work on some of these delectable meaty side dishes for your next asparagus feast!

But first

Also see: Asparagus Wine Pairing: The Top 10 Wines for Asparagus

Why Consider Serving Meat with Asparagus?

Asparagus might become popular only for its health advantages.

However, it is a good cuisine that may be utilized in a variety of different recipes.

Asparagus is a popular side dish for many people, whether cooked or raw.

The primary disadvantage of serving asparagus as a side dish is that it is extremely uninteresting.

While other vegetables may be served as a side dish, asparagus complements just a few recipes.

As a result, asparagus must be paired with other dishes.

Serving it with meats like steak, fried chicken, or salmon is a terrific way to accomplish this.

This not only pairs nicely with asparagus, but it also enhances the tastes of the asparagus itself.

For example, adding bacon or salt to a meal can considerably improve its flavor.

This works well not just with asparagus, but with any vegetable that may be coupled with meat.

Furthermore, asparagus pairs nicely with meats since it is already cooked and prepped and hence does not need to be cooked separately.

As a result, pairing asparagus with meat dishes is a good idea.

However, asparagus is a delicate vegetable, so use caution when adding it to a major meal, particularly if it is huge.

As a result, the asparagus will not get too mushy and lose its taste.

If asparagus must be served separately from the main course, try chopping it into smaller pieces to make it simpler to prepare and to preserve more taste.

How to Choose What Meat to Serve with Asparagus

Asparagus pairs nicely with meat or fish as a side dish, but it also works well as a beginning with something rich and fatty like steak or grilled salmon.

Here are a few options for meat to pair with asparagus:

1. Consider The Type of Meat

Consider what sorts of meat you love eating when deciding what to serve with your asparagus. Steak, chicken, pig, and fish are other excellent choices. Consider what sort of meat you typically have on hand, as well as the taste you want to impart.

2. Consider The Type of Asparagus

The sort of asparagus you serve will also be important. Because Boston ferns have a deeper taste, they may be better suited with a heartier cuisine. Tender meats pair nicely with meats that are less strong or have a milder taste.

3. Consider The Season

When it comes to the season, the sorts of foods you serve with your asparagus will be important as well. The more consistent your meats are, the simpler it will be to coordinate your meal.

4. Choose Meat That’s Lean

While you may believe that lean meat does not taste as tasty, the reverse is true. Lean meat is very rich and tasty. To pair with your asparagus, try lean meats like chicken breast, lean pork, turkey, or even lean steak.

5. Think About Key Seasonings

When you combine asparagus with particular spices, you may make it stand out even more. For an Italian-inspired meal, for example, season with basil and oregano. To make a Chinese-inspired dinner, season your asparagus with garlic and ginger.

What Meat to Serve with Asparagus: 12 Best Meaty Sides

There are never enough nice meaty sides. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to create the same ones again and over. And, because asparagus season is approaching, I thought I’d start creating some of my favorite meaty sides with it.

Here are 12 ideas for a meaty side dish to go with the asparagus:

1. Steak

Because it holds up nicely to rich flavors, asparagus is an excellent option for meat. Steak is an excellent choice of meat since it holds up well to rich seasonings. Serve your asparagus with grilled steak to create something really unique.

Not only does the steak have a fantastic, deep flavor, but the lighter, cooked asparagus and the thick, meaty steak work nicely together.

2. Spicy Italian Sausage

Spicy Italian sausages are another traditional accompaniment to asparagus. They compliment it beautifully since they are both sweet and savory, and they are also quite filling, which is ideal when you’re diving into a huge bowl of pasta.

Serve them right from the oven since they taste best when they’re hot.

3. Ground Beef

Ground beef is an excellent meal to pair with asparagus. It’s fresh, savory, and meaty, and it works well with the veggie.

It may be served in a basic frying pan or on a sizzling plate, in the oven or on a grill, making it quite adaptable. It’s also quite simple to prepare, making it an excellent choice for a quick supper.

4. Pan-Fried Pork Cutlets

Pork cutlets are an excellent substitute for chicken cutlets. They’re crispy on the surface yet soft and juicy on the inside, and they go well with nearly everything.

They’re a terrific side for asparagus since they’re meaty enough to stand up to it but light enough not to overpower it. You can purchase cutlets from a supermarket, but if you’re really ambitious, you can get them from a butcher and create your own.

They’re also inexpensive to build, so it’s worth your time and effort to make your own. Serve with shredded cheese and parsley on top, or simply with melted butter.

5. Beef Stir-Fry

Beef stir-fry is a fast and simple dinner that pairs nicely with asparagus. Serve it over simple rice or noodles for a quick and healthful supper.

The asparagus adds a touch of sharpness to the smoothness of the meat. Any cut of beef will do, although sirloin tips are very tasty.

6. Lamb Curry

Because asparagus is a seasonal produce, it may be difficult to find, especially during the winter months. When you do manage to get your hands on it, though, it may be served in a variety of ways!

Also, what vegetables go well with lamb curry? The Top 15 Vegetables

Lamb curry is one of my favorite ways to eat asparagus because it adds a meatiness that complements the delicate flavor of the asparagus. You may use whatever ground lamb you like here, but a spice-infused curry complements the delicate asparagus flavor best.

7. Turkey and Rice Pilaf

Asparagus pairs well with turkey and rice pilaf. The turkey is savory and pairs beautifully with the asparagus, while the pilaf adds a hint of sweetness. This dinner is certainly more filling than other alternatives, so serve it with some fresh fruit on the side.

8. Venison

Traditionally, richer cuts of meat, such as venison and cattle, are eaten with asparagus. If you choose the latter, marinate the beef in salted water for approximately 30 minutes before cooking. This tenderizes the meat, and the salt aids in moisture retention.

9. Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is an excellent companion to asparagus since it is somewhat greasy and salty, providing a good contrast to the vegetable’s earthy flavor. If you’re unsure how to serve your fried chicken, start with a tiny quantity of sauce and gradually add more.

10. Crispy Fish Sticks

If you have leftover asparagus and want to use it up within the next day or two, don’t feel obligated to cook it and serve it with a side salad. Instead, how about some fish sticks? It’s tastier, and you can make it even better by using wholemeal breadcrumbs.

11. Pork Chops

Because asparagus is a delicate vegetable, it should be served alongside something more solid. Pork chops are an excellent option since rich meat pairs nicely with delicate flavors like asparagus.

Serve the pork chops over gently buttered curly kale. It goes well with asparagus and is also quite healthy for you, since it contains a lot of vitamin C!

12. Baked Red Snapper

Asparagus pairs well with baked red fish. The sweetness of the asparagus contrasts beautifully with the saltiness of the fish, and the spring onions’ sharpness enhances the delicacy of the asparagus.

You may, however, substitute any other white fish for the red snapper.

Conclusion

Asparagus is a low-carb, low-calorie green vegetable that may be eaten at any time of year. It’s the ideal accompaniment to your favorite meat. When it comes to the meat, you have a few alternatives. For example, if you like pork, you may combine asparagus with ham. Try a beef tenderloin if you want to try something new.

Lamb, chicken, and fish are other alternatives. Whatever meat you pick, serve it with fresh asparagus on the side. Make certain that the side food you chose is healthful. You may then serve your meat with a side of veggies.