What Goes with Asparagus? (12 Tempting Side Dishes)

Other than salmon and steak, I often wonder what goes with asparagus.

But really, there are so many ways to use this veggie! From salads to soup, it’s surprisingly versatile.

Growing up a picky eater, I despised veggies… except for asparagus!

This springtime veggie is so delicious, healthy, and versatile that even the staunchest of veggie-haters (i.e. KIDS!) can learn to love it.

Boil it, roast it, braise it, you just can’t go wrong with these tasty green spears.

Even now that I’ve grown to love all kinds of veggies, asparagus is still my absolute favorite.

If you’re looking for the perfect dishes to pair with asparagus, then you’ve come to the right place!

These 12 tempting ideas will make your meal unforgettable.

Best Asparagus Food Pairings and Ideas

1. Air Fryer Salmon

Whether pan-fried, baked, or grilled, asparagus and salmon make an excellent pair.

My favorite way to enjoy this delicious combo is with simple roasted asparagus and a honey garlic glazed salmon.

And when you cook them in the Air Fryer, it’s easy and healthy!

Both are very easy to make, but this simple meal definitely packs a punch when it comes to flavor!

2. Garlic Herb Tuna Steak Marinade

Another fish that goes well with asparagus is tuna! This is my personal favorite seafood of all time.

A simple tuna steak works great, especially this garlic and herb recipe.

If you’re intimidated by tuna steaks, why not try a tuna patty instead?

I love the crispness of a good fish cake and the creamy and smooth texture of tuna on the inside.

Take a bite of crunchy asparagus, and you probably won’t be craving basic fish and chips for a while!

3. Seared Scallops

Okay, you got me. I love seafood, and scallops are no exception. The creamy, silky, milky flavors of this special seafood are so unique, yet versatile.

If I’m having them with my favorite asparagus, seared lemon butter scallops are the way to go! And don’t be intimidated if it’s your first time cooking them.

They only take five minutes to cook in the pan, and there’s very little chance of messing them up. 

4. Crab Cakes

Another seafood patty you can enjoy with your asparagus is crab cakes!

For the classic recipe of this well-loved dish, you’ll need a binder like eggs and mayonnaise, lemon, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, and crab meat!

There are several kinds of crab meat you can buy, but I especially love claw meat because it has a stronger flavor and is less expensive. Definitely give this a try!

5. King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Few things are as hearty and delicious as a homemade chicken casserole.

I love to make mine extra creamy and cheesy with chunks of chicken, potatoes, carrots, and leeks.

You don’t even have to serve your asparagus on the side. Just mix it right into that delicious creamy goodness!

This is comfort food that warms your heart!

6. Corned Beef Hash

The great thing about asparagus is that it goes well with mild or strong flavors. Aside from seafood and chicken, you can also have it with beef!

You’ll definitely enjoy some shredded corned beef with potatoes, onions, and garlic with a side of crunchy asparagus.

Bonus tip: Top it off with a fried egg for a big breakfast that’s sure to wake you up and get you ready for the day ahead.

7. Hollandaise Sauce

I’m a Hollandaise sauce superfan, and I would probably pour it over any dish. Asparagus is no exception.

Roasted asparagus with a little bit of hollandaise is an excellent little snack because it’s delicious without being too heavy or filling.

Best of all, it’s low calorie, so you don’t have to worry about having just a few more spears of asparagus. 

8. Outback Ranch Dressing

For a southern twist, try fried asparagus with Ranch! It’s not the healthiest option, but it’s worth the splurge.

To cook this, I like to make a classic beer batter to dip my asparagus in before deep frying. The extra crunch is so good!

Dip it in with some homemade Outback Ranch, and this simple snack will make you forget all about french fries.

9. Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

If you’ve never tried bacon (or prosciutto) wrapped asparagus, you’re missing out! These are so easy to make, and they’re delicious and addictive.

I love prosciutto because it adds a more complex flavor to the asparagus, but bacon is still super tasty!

10. Ham and Cheese Asparagus

Asparagus wrapped in ham and lined in a pan, sprinkled over with some mozzarella and parmesan cheese, plus some extra parsley? Yum!

Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes for a beautiful asparagus dish. This is pretty enough to serve when trying to impress the guests.

I absolutely love this dish!

11. Cream of Asparagus Soup

Move over mushroom soup because this creamy asparagus soup is about to steal the show!

If you’ve never made soup with asparagus, then try this ASAP! Making it is a breeze, and you can literally do no wrong.

The essential ingredients are onions, peas, heavy cream, and asparagus, but you can definitely add some extra herbs and spices like tarragon or thyme.

You can even serve some garlic parmesan crostinis on the side!

12. TikTok Feta Pasta

Last but definitely not least is pasta!

Asparagus will go with almost any sauce, but I love to add it to this viral TikTok pasta recipe.

It’s super creamy and salty, and I just love how the green asparagus brightens the whole dish up.

That said, it’s also great on the side of carbonara or scampi with extra shrimp!

Other kinds of pasta that you can enjoy with asparagus are mushroom risotto, cheesy ravioli, or some spinach and cream gnocchi.

If you want something extra quick and easy, you can’t go wrong with simple buttered noodles either!