What Meat to Serve with Asparagus: 12 Best Meaty Sides

Asparagus is one of my favorite spring vegetables. I love its delicate flavor, sweet and crisp texture, and the way its beautiful green color changes from one season to the next.

Because of its delicious taste and versatility, it goes well with almost any kind of meat.

In fact, asparagus doesn’t go well with just one type of meat. So I’ve put together a list of the best meats to serve with asparagus.

I’m sure you’ll find something that fits your taste buds and your meal.

So, get out your chef’s hat and start cooking up some of these delicious meaty side dishes for your next asparagus meal!

But first…

Read Also: Asparagus Wine Pairing: The 10 Best Wines for Asparagus

Why Consider Serving Meat with Asparagus?

Asparagus may become popular just for the health benefits.

However, it’s a tasty food that can be used in many other dishes as well.

Many people enjoy consuming asparagus as a side dish, either cooked or raw.

However, the main issue with serving asparagus as a side dish is that it’s quite boring.

While other vegetables can be enjoyed as a side dish, asparagus has very few dishes it can complement.

Therefore, it’s necessary to pair asparagus with other foods.

One great way to do this is by serving it with meats like a steak, fried chicken, or salmon.

Not only does this pair well with asparagus, but it also adds an enhancement to the flavors of the asparagus itself.

For example, adding bacon or seasoning to the dish will boost the taste significantly.

This isn’t only great for asparagus, but for any vegetable that can be paired with meat.

In addition, asparagus goes well when paired with meats because they are already cooked and prepared and therefore, don’t need to be cooked separately.

For this reason, it would be wise to pair asparagus with meat dishes.

However, it should be noted that asparagus is a fragile vegetable, so be careful when adding it the main dish, especially if it’s a large one.

That way, the asparagus will not become too mushy and lose its flavor.

If asparagus needs to be prepared separately from the main dish, consider cutting it up into thinner pieces so that it is easier to prepare and more likely to retain more of its flavor.

How to Choose What Meat to Serve with Asparagus

Asparagus is an excellent side dish with meat or fish, but it also works well as a starter with something rich and fatty like steak or grilled salmon.

Here are a few ways to choose what meat to serve with asparagus:

1. Consider The Type of Meat

When choosing what meat to serve with your asparagus, consider what types of meats you enjoy eating. Steak, chicken, pork, and fish are all good options as well. Think about what type of meat you tend to have more of on hand, and what kind of flavor you want to provide as well.

2. Consider The Type of Asparagus

The type of asparagus that you are serving is also going to matter. Boston ferns have a stronger flavor, so they may be better paired with a more robust dish. Tender types go well with a meat that is less robust, or a meat that has a lighter flavor.

3. Consider The Season

When it comes to the season, the types of meats that you are going to be serving with your asparagus are going to matter as well. The more consistent your meats are going to be, the easier it will be for you to coordinate your dish.

4. Choose Meat That’s Lean

While you may think that lean meat doesn’t taste as good, it’s quite the opposite. Lean meat is actually rich and delicious. Try choosing lean meat such as chicken breast, lean pork, turkey, or even lean steak to go with your asparagus.

5. Think About Key Seasonings

When you pair asparagus with certain spices, you can make your asparagus stand out even more. For example, you can season with a bit of basil and oregano for an Italian-inspired dish. You can also season your asparagus with a bit of garlic and ginger for a Chinese-inspired dish.

What Meat to Serve with Asparagus: 12 Best Meaty Sides

You can never have too many good meaty sides. If you’re like me, you’ll want to make the same ones over and over again. And with asparagus season coming up, I thought I would start making some of my favorite meaty sides with it.

Here are 12 suggestions for a meaty side dish to accompany the asparagus:

1. Steak

Asparagus is a great choice for meat because it stands up really well to rich ingredients. Steak is a great choice of meat because it stands up really well to rich ingredients. Try serving your asparagus with grilled steak, and you’ll achieve something really special.

Not only does the steak offer a delicious, rich flavour, but the combination of lighter, boiled asparagus and the rich, meaty steak really complement each other well.

2. Spicy Italian Sausage

Spicy Italian sausages are another classic choice to serve alongside asparagus. They complement it really well by being both sweet and savoury, and they’re also really filling, which is perfect for when you’re tucking into a big bowl of pasta.

Serve them straight from the oven, as they taste the best when they’re piping hot.

3. Ground Beef

Ground beef is a great meat to go with asparagus. It’s fresh, savoury and meaty, so it really complements the vegetable.

You can serve it in a simple frying pan or on a sizzling plate, in the oven or on a BBQ, so it’s very versatile. It’s also really easy to cook, so it’s a great meal to serve when you’re short on time.

4. Pan-Fried Pork Cutlets

Pork cutlets are a great alternative to chicken cutlets. They’re nice and crispy on the outside, but soft and juicy on the inside, and go with almost anything.

They’re a great side for asparagus – they’re meaty enough to stand up to the asparagus, but light enough not to overwhelm it. You can buy your cutlets from a supermarket, but if you’re really keen, you can buy them from a butcher and make your own.

They’re also cheap to make, so it’s worth investing a bit of time and effort to make your own. Top with a bit of grated cheese and some parsley, or simply serve with some melted butter.

5. Beef Stir-Fry

Beef stir-fry is an easy and quick meal, and it works really well with asparagus. Try serving it alongside some plain rice or noodles for an easy, nutritious meal.

The asparagus offers a bit of bite and contrast to the smoothness of the beef. Any cut of beef will do here, but sirloin tips are particularly good.

6. Lamb Curry

Asparagus is a very seasonal vegetable, so it can be hard to get hold of particularly during the colder months. However, when you do manage to get your hands on it, it can be served in so many different ways!

See Also: What Vegetables Go with Lamb Curry? 15 Best Vegetables

Lamb curry is one of my all-time favourite ways to eat asparagus, as it offers a bit of meatiness that’s lovely with the asparagus’ delicate flavour. You can use any ground lamb you like here, but a spice-infused curry works best with the asparagus’ light flavour.

7. Turkey and Rice Pilaf

Turkey and rice pilaf is a great accompaniment to asparagus. Turkey is savoury and works well with the asparagus, and the pilaf provides a touch of sweetness. This meal is obviously a bit richer than other options, so it’s a good idea if you serve it with some fresh fruit on the side.

8. Venison

Denser, richer cuts of meat, such as venison and beef, are traditionally served with asparagus. If you opt for the latter, you’ll need to soak the beef in salted water for about half an hour before you cook it. This tenderises the meat, and the salt also helps it to retain its moisture.

9. Fried Chicken

Fried chicken is a great accompaniment to asparagus, as it’s a little fatty and salty which makes it a nice counterpoint to the vegetable’s more earthy taste. If you’re wondering how to serve your fried chicken, start with a small amount of sauce before adding more bit by bit.

10. Crispy Fish Sticks

If you have some leftover asparagus and are trying to use it up in the next day or so, don’t feel that you have to fry it and serve it with a side salad. Instead, why not fry up some fish sticks? It’s tastier, and you can make these with wholemeal breadcrumbs to make them even tastier.

11. Pork Chops

Asparagus is a delicate vegetable, so it’s important to serve it with something more substantial. Pork chops are a good choice here because fatty meat works really well with delicate flavours like asparagus.

Serve the pork chops alongside some lightly buttered curly kale. It works really well with the asparagus, and it’s actually also really good for you, with loads of vitamin C!

12. Baked Red Snapper

Baked red snapper is a great partner for asparagus. The sweetness of the asparagus contrasts well with the saltiness of the fish, and the sharpness of the spring onions complements the sweetness of the asparagus.

You can swap red snapper with any other type of white fish if you want, though.

Conclusion

Asparagus is a healthy, low carb, and low calorie green vegetable that can be enjoyed any time of the year. It is the perfect side to pair with your favorite meat. There are a few options when it comes to the meat. For example, if you enjoy pork, then you’d pair asparagus with a ham. If you want to try something different, then try a beef tenderloin.

Other options include lamb, chicken, or fish. Whichever meat you choose, make sure you serve it with a fresh asparagus side. Make sure that whatever side dish you choose is a healthy option. That way, you can enjoy your meat with a side of vegetables.