Stir Fry Lamb with Asparagus is an easy and delicious dish you can make it any night! Marinated sliced lamb stir fried with asparagus, ginger, garlic and green onions!
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What lamb to use for stir fry?
Now I do a life hack when I cook this dish and buy pre-sliced lamb from the hot pot section of my local Asian supermarket. However, if you are buying lamb and slicing it yourself, that is just fine too!
Here are some recommended cuts of lamb for stir frying:
Rump
The rump is an individual muscle cut from the hind leg of the lamb. It's very tender and has a lot of flavor with a layer of fat too. This is a great cut for stir fries!
Tenderloin
Similar to beef tenderloin, lamb tenderloin is very tender and and also has a velvety texture. This cut is great for stir fries also!
Leg
The leg of lambs has is also a tender cut, and has a strong flavor. It's great sliced or cubed - and also makes a great cut of lamb for stir fries.
By the way - if you like lamb and mutton - here's some other delicious recipes for you to try!
How much lamb should I buy per person?
About ⅓ of a pound of boneless lamb is a good amount per person. Technically one serving is 3 oz per person, but I haven't met anyone that ate 3 oz and thought that was enough (unless there were other dishes involved).
How to Stir Fry Lamb with Asparagus (Step by Step)
First, gather and prepare your ingredients:
- For the lamb & marinade
- 1 lb lamb, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- For the stir fry
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 stalk green onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Salt, to taste
Combine lamb and soy sauce, sesame oil and cornstarch in a large bowl or zip lock bag. If you are about to cook it, let it marinade at the very least 15-30 minutes. If you are making this ahead, cover and refrigerate, and then remove from fridge 30 minutes before cooking.
In a large nonstick cooking pan, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add sliced ginger, garlic and lamb, and stir fry everything until lamb is mostly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
If pan is too dry, add another 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Then, add asparagus to pan and stir fry for about 1-2 mins or until the asparagus is bright green.
Return lamb to the pan, add green onions, season with salt as desired, and then stir fry for another 30 seconds, or until asparagus and lamb are cooked thoroughly.
Remove from heat and serve!
Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as asparagus loses its crisp texture after thawing.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop (best): Heat a pan over medium heat with a small splash of oil. Stir fry until warmed through.
- Microwave: Reheat in 30-45 second intervals, stirring in between. Cover loosely to prevent splatter.
FAQ
Can I use a different vegetable instead of asparagus?
Yes! Green beans, snap peas, peppers or broccoli are all great substitutes that pair well with the marinated lamb.
Do I need to marinate the lamb?
Marinating helps tenderize the meat and adds extra flavor. If you're in a hurry, even 15 minutes makes a difference so I highly recommend it! Sometimes I just let it marinate while I prepare the other ingredients.
Can I make this dish spicy?
Definitely! Add sliced fresh chilies, dried red peppers, or a spoonful of chili paste (like doubanjiang) when you cook the garlic and ginger.
What oil is best for stir frying lamb?
A neutral high-heat oil such as avocado, canola, peanut, or grapeseed oil works well. Sesame oil should only be used in the marinade or as a finishing touch since it burns easily.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes - you can slice and marinate the lamb a day in advance, and prep the asparagus and aromatics. Cook everything fresh when you're ready to eat for the best flavor and texture.
Stir Fry Lamb with Asparagus
Stir Fry Lamb with Asparagus is an easy and delicious dish you can make it any night! Marinated sliced lamb stir fried with asparagus, ginger, garlic and green onions!
Ingredients
For the lamb & marinade
- 1 lb lamb, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
For the stir fry
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 stalk green onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Combine lamb with soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Mix well and let marinate 15–30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before cooking.
- Heat 1 tablespoon cooking oil in a large nonstick pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add ginger, garlic, and lamb. Stir fry until the lamb is mostly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add 1–2 tablespoon cooking oil to the same pan if dry. Add asparagus and stir fry for 1–2 minutes, until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Return lamb to the pan. Add green onions and season with salt as desired. Stir fry for another 30 seconds until everything is cooked through.
- Remove from heat and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- Pre-sliced lamb from the hot pot section of Asian supermarkets works perfectly.
- Green beans, snap peas, peppers or broccoli can be used instead of asparagus.
- Add sliced chilies or chili paste if you want to make it spicy.
- Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3–4 days. Reheat on the stovetop for best texture.
Recommended Products
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Eleulife Wok Pan with Lid, 13 Inch Carbon Steel Wok with Spatula, Nonstick Woks and Stir-fry Pans, No Chemical Coated Flat Bottom Chinese Wok for Induction, Electric, Gas Stove, All Stoves -
Hiware 10-Pairs Fiberglass Chopsticks - Reusable Chopsticks Dishwasher Safe, 9 ½ Inches - Black
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Wan Ja Shan Organic Aged Soy Sauce, 33.8fl.oz
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 445Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 464mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 31g
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 and Easy Lamb Recipes
- Bold, spicy, and fragrant, this cumin lamb stir fry brings the heat with tender lamb slices tossed in chili, garlic, and toasted cumin. It's a quick, flavor-packed dish inspired by Northwestern Chinese street food.
- Or try it as cumin lamb chops! Juicy lamb chops coated in a smoky cumin spice mix, then grilled or pan-seared to perfection. These chops are bold, savory, and made for serious flavor lovers.
- Move over pepper steak, try this Lamb Stir Fry with Peppers instead! Marinated sliced lamb stir fried with ginger, scallions and green peppers! What's not to love?
- For those of you that acquired the bitter melon taste... try this Bitter Melon Lamb Stir Fry! Who would've thought something bitter could be yummy?
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