Asparagus and Beech Mushroom Stir Fry

This Asparagus and Beech Mushroom Stir Fry is a quick and easy vegetable side dish made with crisp-tender asparagus and delicate beech mushrooms.

Jump to:

• What Are Beech Mushrooms?
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Variations
• How to Make Asparagus and Beech Mushroom Stir Fry
• Cooking Tips
• What to Serve with It
• How to Store Leftovers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Asparagus and Beech Mushroom Stir Fry
• More Delicious Asparagus Recipes
• Pin for later!

I used chopped bacon this time, which adds a smoky, savory flavor to the dish. You can also make it with garlic instead, or use both bacon and garlic for even more flavor.

Everything cooks in one skillet or wok and comes together in about 20 minutes. Serve it with rice, noodles, chicken, steak, seafood, tofu, or as part of a larger Asian-style meal.

What Are Beech Mushrooms?

Beech mushrooms are small mushrooms that grow in clusters and have long, slender stems with petite caps. They are also commonly called shimeji mushrooms.

You may find white or brown beech mushrooms at Asian grocery stores and some larger supermarkets. White beech mushrooms have a mild flavor, while brown beech mushrooms tend to taste slightly earthier.

Beech mushrooms should be cooked before eating. Once cooked, they become tender while retaining a pleasantly firm texture.

To prepare them, cut off the tough connected base of the cluster, then gently separate the individual mushrooms with your hands.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This asparagus and beech mushroom stir fry is:

• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Made in one pan
• Easy to prepare with only a few ingredients
• Delicious with bacon, garlic, or both
• A simple way to serve more vegetables
• Easy to pair with rice, noodles, or your favorite protein

Ingredients

Asparagus

Trim off the woody ends and cut the asparagus into pieces about 1½ to 2 inches long.

Medium or thin asparagus works especially well because it cooks quickly. Thick asparagus may need an extra minute or two.

Beech mushrooms

This recipe uses white beech mushrooms, but brown beech mushrooms work just as well.

Trim off the connected base and separate the mushrooms before cooking.

Bacon, optional

I used chopped bacon in this version. It adds smoky, salty flavor and provides some of the cooking fat for the vegetables.

Garlic, optional

You can use garlic instead of bacon or add it along with the bacon.

If making the recipe without bacon, use a tablespoon of neutral cooking oil and two to three cloves of minced garlic.

Soy sauce, optional

A small amount of soy sauce adds extra savory flavor, but you can also season the stir fry with salt instead.

Since bacon and soy sauce are both salty, taste the finished dish before adding any additional salt.

Sesame oil, optional

A little toasted sesame oil added at the end gives the stir fry extra aroma.

Variations

With bacon

Cook chopped bacon first, then stir fry the asparagus and mushrooms in about one tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat.

With garlic

Skip the bacon and heat one tablespoon of neutral cooking oil. Add two to three cloves of minced garlic before adding the vegetables.

With bacon and garlic

Cook the bacon first, leave about one tablespoon of fat in the pan, then add one or two cloves of minced garlic before adding the asparagus.

How to Make Asparagus and Beech Mushroom Stir Fry

1. Prepare the ingredients

Trim the woody ends from the asparagus and cut the stalks into 1½- to 2-inch pieces.

Cut the connected base from the beech mushroom cluster and separate the individual mushrooms.

Chop the bacon and mince the garlic, if using.

2. Cook the bacon or heat the oil

If using bacon, heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and beginning to crisp.

If the bacon releases a lot of grease, carefully remove some, leaving about one tablespoon in the pan.

If you are not using bacon, heat one tablespoon of neutral cooking oil instead.

3. Add the garlic, if using

Add the minced garlic and stir fry for about 20 to 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Be careful not to let the garlic burn.

4. Cook the asparagus

Add the asparagus and stir fry for about 3 to 4 minutes, until it turns bright green and begins to soften.

5. Add the beech mushrooms

Add the separated beech mushrooms.

Continue stir frying for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the mushrooms are cooked and the asparagus is crisp-tender.

If the skillet becomes too dry, add one or two tablespoons of water.

6. Season and serve

Add the soy sauce, if using, and toss everything together.

Remove the skillet from the heat and drizzle with toasted sesame oil, if using.

Taste and add black pepper or salt only if needed. Serve immediately.

Cooking Tips

Do not overcook the asparagus

The asparagus should remain bright green and crisp-tender. Overcooked asparagus can become soft and dull in color.

Separate the mushrooms

Cut off the connected base and pull the mushroom cluster apart before cooking so the mushrooms cook evenly.

Watch the garlic carefully

Garlic cooks quickly in a hot skillet. Add the asparagus as soon as the garlic becomes fragrant.

Adjust the seasoning

Bacon and soy sauce are already salty, so taste the stir fry before adding salt.

What to Serve with It

This stir fry goes well with:

• Steamed rice
• Fried rice
• Noodles
• Chicken
• Steak
• Salmon
• Shrimp
• Tofu

How to Store Leftovers

Allow the stir fry to cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave. The asparagus may become slightly softer after reheating.

Freezing is not recommended because the vegetables may become watery after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this without bacon?

Yes. Use one tablespoon of neutral cooking oil and two to three cloves of minced garlic instead.

Can I use both bacon and garlic?

Yes. Cook the bacon first, then add one or two cloves of minced garlic before adding the asparagus.

What are beech mushrooms also called?

Beech mushrooms are also commonly called shimeji mushrooms. You may also see them labeled as white shimeji, brown shimeji, bunapi shimeji, or buna shimeji.

Can I use another type of mushroom?

Yes. Shiitake, oyster, cremini, button, or king oyster mushrooms can all work. Slice larger mushrooms into bite-sized pieces before cooking.

Can I add oyster sauce?

Yes. Add one to two teaspoons with the soy sauce for a richer flavor. Reduce the soy sauce slightly so the dish does not become too salty.

More Delicious Asparagus Recipes

• Pan Fried Asparagus - A simple skillet asparagus recipe seasoned with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
• Chinese Stir Fry Asparagus with Garlic - Crisp-tender asparagus stir fried with fresh garlic and ready in about 15 minutes.
• Lion's Mane Mushroom and Asparagus Stir Fry - A light and flavorful vegetable stir fry featuring tender lion's mane mushrooms and asparagus.
• King Oyster Mushroom Stir Fry with Asparagus - A quick mushroom and asparagus side dish with a deliciously meaty texture.

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