Subtle sweet and bitter taste combined with an earthy and grassy flavor, asparagus has distinguishable taste that goes well with certain foods. Whether baked or simply drizzled with a lemon juice and olive oil, asparagus is often used is similar methods as green beans.
Asparagus is one of the delicious dishes that has gained popularity by far and can be served as blanched, boiled, deep-fried, grilled, pan roasted, simmered, steamed, and stir-fried. However, when paired with sauces and other ingredients, asparagus needs the right pairing to taste good.
What to eat with asparagus? Generally available during a short window in the spring season, asparagus pairs well with capers, ham, parmesan cheese, prosciutto, eggs, hollandaise sauce, black pepper, olive oil, and garlic.
In addition, it taste excellent with dairy including cheese, sour cream or heavy cream and unsalted butter to create brown butter sauce.
A classic way to serve asparagus is with eggs, truffles, bacon or ham, and seafood such as prawns, crab, and scallops.
Many people like the vegetable for its sweet, delightful flavor and the crisp texture it delivers. And by the way, its green color changes from season to season and some varieties are either white or purple.
Because of its fantastic taste, it can go well with nearly everything. Here is a compiled list of foods to serve with asparagus, so be assured you will find a combination that perfectly fits your taste and dish.
What goes well with asparagus?
The savory taste of asparagus complements the various herbs, spices, and meats. When it comes to meat, richer cuts have been traditionally served with asparagus because it can make the meat more tender and the natural saltiness can help maintain moisture.
Depending on the recipe, asparagus can be served using various cooking techniques. Here are ingredients that commonly taste good with asparagus:
- Nuts: almonds, pistachios
- Cheese: fontina, goat, muenster, parmesan, pecorino, ricotta, romano
- Dairy: brown butter, unsalted butter, sour cream, yogurt
- Seafood: anchovies, capers, crab, lobster, oysters, salmon, shrimp
- Seeds: caraway seeds, sesame seeds
- Legumes: fava beans
- Condiments: mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, soy sauce
- Oil: hazelnut, peanut, sesame, truffle, olive
- Fruits: lemon, lime, orange, tomatoes
- Wine: Marsala wine, dry white, Muscat
- Stocks: chicken, vegetable
- Vinaigrette: mustard, sherry
- Vinegar: champagne, red wine, sherry, white wine
- Herbs: basil, bay leaf, chervil, chives, thyme, parsley, sage, tarragon
- Spices: cayenne, black and white pepper, saffron
What meat to eat with asparagus?
In general, asparagus does not pair well with a single kind of meat. When served properly, it helps to enhance the flavor of itself naturally.
In fact, adding meat and seasoning helps the taste improve significantly.
Be aware that the type of asparagus affect the selection of meat. The Boston ferns do have stronger flavor, therefore serve with more robust and bold meat.
This tender stalks of asparagus complement with lighter meat profiles that are not as strong or boldly flavored.
- Prosciutto: When ham or bacon is not available, prosciutto is a perfect alternative to wrap around each stalk for a wonderful appetizer.
- Eggs: Dishes with fried, poached, or scrambled eggs create filling breakfast meals. It is nutritious and delicious to get your day started.
- Ham: Cured ham, especially smoked or Serrano ham works well with asparagus to cook or wrap around.
- Bacon: Wrap asparagus stalks with bacon, drizzle olive oil, and add chives to enjoy.
- Chicken: Chicken with vinegar, basil, and parsley make a complete experience. Serve with a potato side dish and roasted asparagus, viola!
- Lamb: Asparagus and lamb chops make an incredible roast for family dinner. Otherwise, slice lamb cubes, and add minced shallots and asparagus. Top with white wine and chervil for a delicious final touch.
- Beef: Ground beef is savory and fresh; it can honestly match with asparagus is a hearty steak is not the top priority.
- Turkey: Turkey and asparagus are perfect accompaniments. It has savory flavor that works pretty well with asparagus. Serve alongside fresh fruits for a complete experience.
What vegetable goes well with asparagus?
Thanks to its laid-back taste, asparagus works well with almost all vegetables. Classic pairings include root vegetables and mushrooms, but there are others to consider along the way.
- artichokes
- beets
- carrots
- leeks
- onions, especially spring, pearl, cippollini onion
- mushrooms, especially cremini, morels, shiitakes
- peas
- potatoes
- scallions
- spinach
- turnips
What sauce goes with asparagus
Hollandaise sauce with asparagus, especially with roasted asparagus. The combination make a perfectly delicious snack, which is light and exciting to the palate.
Other sauces to enjoy with asparagus dishes include:
- béchamel
- brown butter
- mornay
- cheese sauce
- dijon mustard sauce
- lemon butter
What flavor goes well with asparagus?
Asparagus is one of the most delicious, so it needs to be savored for a fantastic eating experience. Asparagus is extremely tasty with flavors such as garlic and fresh herbs.
Here are classic flavor combination that goes well with asparagus:
- asparagus + capers + ham + shrimp
- asparagus + cayenne + lime
- asparagus + chervil + chives + garlic + morel mushrooms + shallots
- asparagus + crab + morel mushrooms + ramps
- asparagus + mushrooms + garlic + shallots + lemon zest + cream + chives
- asparagus + garlic + ginger + sesame
- asparagus + goat cheese + mascarpone + thyme
- asparagus + lemon + olive oil + black pepper
- asparagus + parmesan cheese + pancetta + vinaigrette
- asparagus + parmesan cheese + eggs
- asparagus + prosciutto + goat cheese + chervil

Eat with Asparagus: Conclusion
There are plenty of options for dishes that can go well with asparagus because it’s pretty versatile. Choose your favorite ingredient combinations and add a new dimension to the meal with asparagus.
For most people, asparagus is considered a delicacy because it is typically expensive in comparison to other veggies. Others enjoy its delectable flavors and find the taste to be incredible.
Serve prepared asparagus with capers, ham, parmesan cheese, prosciutto, eggs, hollandaise sauce, olive oil, and garlic.
Asparagus dishes benefit from dairy such as heavy cream, sour cream, and mild cheeses.
Pair with eggs, wrap the stalks in bacon or ham, or serve alongside seafood to enjoy the maximum flavor.
When asparagus is paired with the right dish, the combination is insanely sweet. The pairings shared in this guide will give you a fantastic starting point to explore from.