This Stir Fry Asparagus and Mushrooms is a quick and delicious Chinese vegetable side dish! Fresh asparagus and mushrooms are stir-fried with garlic until tender-crisp and flavorful. It's ready in about 12 minutes and goes great with rice, noodles, or your favorite main dish!
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I make a lot of vegetable stir fries at home, and this is one of those easy combinations that doesn't need a complicated sauce to taste good.
You can keep it simple with just garlic and salt, or add a splash of soy sauce for extra savory flavor. Sometimes I also add a little ham or bacon, but that's completely optional too!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: Ready in about 12 minutes, including prep time.
- Simple ingredients: Just asparagus, mushrooms, garlic, and a few pantry staples.
- Easy to customize: Add soy sauce, ham, or bacon for extra flavor, or keep it simple.
- Great side dish: Pairs well with rice, noodles, chicken, beef, or seafood.
About the Ingredients
Asparagus (蘆筍) - Fresh asparagus adds a slightly sweet flavor and a nice crunch. Trim off the woody ends and cut the stalks into bite-sized pieces. If your asparagus is especially thick, you may need to cook it a little longer.
Mushrooms (蘑菇) - I use regular button or cremini mushrooms for this recipe. Both have a savory, earthy flavor that goes really well with asparagus. Slice them into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Garlic (蒜頭) - Fresh minced garlic adds lots of flavor to this simple stir fry. Be careful not to burn it when cooking.
Cooking oil - I like using avocado oil for stir frying, but any neutral cooking oil works.
Optional Ingredients
Soy sauce - I recently made this stir fry with a splash of soy sauce, and it was delicious! It adds a little extra savory, umami flavor. Start with about 1 teaspoon and adjust to taste.
Ham or bacon - Adding a little chopped ham or bacon is another tasty option. It gives the dish a more savory, slightly smoky flavor. If using bacon, cook it until it begins to brown before adding the vegetables.
How to Stir Fry Asparagus and Mushrooms (Step by Step)
1. Prepare the vegetables
Trim off the tough, woody ends of the asparagus and cut into approximately 2-inch pieces.
Slice the mushrooms and mince the garlic.
Tip: Try to keep the asparagus pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
2. Cook the garlic
Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the minced garlic and stir fry for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it!
If you're adding ham or bacon, cook it first, then add the garlic. Bacon may need a few extra minutes to brown and render some fat.
3. Stir fry the mushrooms
Add the sliced mushrooms and stir fry for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The mushrooms will begin to soften and release some moisture.
Tip: Avoid overcrowding the pan. If you have too many mushrooms in a small skillet, they'll steam instead of stir frying.
4. Add the asparagus
Add the asparagus and stir fry for another 3-4 minutes, until it turns bright green and becomes tender-crisp.
I like my asparagus cooked through but still with a little crunch, so I avoid cooking it until it's completely soft.
If you're using especially thick asparagus, give it another minute or two as needed.
5. Season and serve
Season with salt to taste.
For extra savory flavor, you can also add a splash of soy sauce (about 1 teaspoon) and toss everything together for another 30 seconds.
If you're using soy sauce or ham/bacon, taste before adding extra salt since those ingredients already contain sodium.
Remove from heat and serve immediately!
Tips for the Best Asparagus and Mushroom Stir Fry
Don't overcook the asparagus. It should be bright green and tender-crisp, not soft and mushy. Keep an eye on it because thin asparagus cooks faster than thick stalks.
Give the mushrooms room to cook. Mushrooms release moisture as they heat up. Using a large skillet and avoiding overcrowding helps prevent them from becoming watery.
Keep the seasonings simple. Garlic and salt are enough to make this dish delicious, but a splash of soy sauce is a great option for extra flavor.
Adjust the salt if using ham or bacon. These ingredients add their own saltiness, so taste the dish before adding more seasoning.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftover asparagus and mushrooms in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Add a small splash of water if the pan seems dry.
Freezing: I don't recommend freezing this stir fry because the asparagus and mushrooms can become soft and watery after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of mushrooms?
Yes! Button and cremini mushrooms are great for this recipe, but you can also use shiitake or oyster mushrooms. Cooking times may vary depending on the type and size.
Do I need to blanch asparagus before stir frying?
No! Asparagus cooks quickly, so you can add it directly to the skillet. Stir frying helps it stay tender-crisp without needing an extra cooking step.
Can I make this without soy sauce?
Absolutely! The original version uses garlic and salt for seasoning. Soy sauce is just an optional addition if you want a little extra savory flavor.
Can I make this vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! Simply leave out the optional ham or bacon. The basic asparagus, mushroom, and garlic stir fry is naturally vegan.
What can I serve with asparagus and mushrooms?
This dish goes great with steamed rice or alongside chicken, beef, pork, or seafood. I especially like serving vegetable stir fries as part of a Chinese family-style meal with a couple of other dishes.
Stir Fry Asparagus and Mushrooms Recipe
This easy Stir Fry Asparagus and Mushrooms recipe combines fresh asparagus, savory mushrooms, and garlic for a delicious Chinese vegetable side dish! Ready in about 12 minutes, with optional soy sauce, ham, or bacon for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 8 oz asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 8 oz button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Salt, to taste
Optional:
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped ham or bacon
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables: Trim the tough ends from the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces. Slice the mushrooms and mince the garlic.
- Cook aromatics: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. If using ham or bacon, cook it first until lightly browned, then add the garlic.
- Cook mushrooms: Add mushrooms and stir fry for about 3 minutes, until they begin to soften.
- Add asparagus: Add asparagus and stir fry for another 3–4 minutes, until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Season: Add salt to taste. If using soy sauce, drizzle it in and toss everything together for about 30 seconds. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately!
Notes
- Asparagus: Cook until tender-crisp. Thicker stalks may need extra time.
- Soy sauce: Optional, but adds extra savory flavor. Reduce salt if using.
- Ham or bacon: Optional. Cook before adding the vegetables.
- Mushrooms: Avoid overcrowding the skillet so they don't become watery.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: ¼ of recipeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 58Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0.5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 15mgCarbohydrates: 5gNet Carbohydrates: 0gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 3g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
More Delicious Vegetable Stir Fry Recipes
Love easy vegetable stir fries? Here are a few more delicious recipes to try, featuring tender mushrooms, crisp asparagus, and flavorful Chinese-style vegetable combinations!
- Asparagus and Beech Mushroom Stir Fry - Crisp-tender asparagus and delicate beech mushrooms stir-fried with bacon, garlic, or both. An easy, savory side dish ready in about 20 minutes!
- King Oyster Mushrooms Stir Fry with Asparagus - Meaty king oyster mushrooms and crunchy asparagus stir-fried with garlic for a simple, flavorful vegetable side dish ready in 15 minutes.
- Napa Cabbage Stir Fry with Beech Mushrooms - Tender napa cabbage and beech mushrooms stir-fried with garlic for a comforting Chinese-style vegetable side dish.
- Shiitake Mushrooms Napa Cabbage Stir Fry - Tender napa cabbage and savory shiitake mushrooms stir-fried with garlic and dried shrimp for a flavorful, easy side dish.
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