Tired of boring, steamed vegetables? Elevate your side dish game with this incredibly simple yet decadent Creamy Garlic Asparagus, made effortlessly in the Instant Pot! In just 20 minutes, you can transform fresh asparagus into a tender-crisp delight, bathed in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce. It’s the perfect elegant accompaniment for chicken, steak, or fish, and it’s so easy you’ll want to make it every week.
Ingredients
• (Total Time: 20 MIN| Serves: 4)
• 2 lbs / 907g asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup / 240ml heavy cream
• 5 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 small onion, peeled and quartered
• 2 tbsp / 28g butter
• 1 tbsp / 15ml olive oil
• 1 tbsp / 15ml apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp / 15ml fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Spices
• 1 tsp / 5g salt
• ½ tsp / 2g black pepper, ground
• ½ tsp / 1g dried thyme, ground
• ¼ tsp / 0.5g dried oregano, ground
Instructions
1. First, prepare your vegetables. Rinse the asparagus, trim off the tough, woody ends, and cut the spears into bite-sized, 1 to 2-inch pieces.
2. In a food processor or blender, combine the heavy cream, peeled garlic cloves, quartered onion, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, parsley, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Set this garlic sauce aside.
3. Set your Instant Pot to the ‘Sauté’ function. Once it’s hot, add the butter and let it melt completely. Add the prepared asparagus pieces to the pot.
4. Sauté the asparagus for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until it becomes bright green and slightly tender.
5. Pour the prepared garlic cream sauce over the asparagus in the pot. Stir everything together well to ensure the asparagus is evenly coated.
6. Continue to cook on the ‘Sauté’ setting for another 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Once done, turn off the Instant Pot.
7. Carefully transfer the creamy garlic asparagus to a serving bowl. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving
• Calories: 245
• Total Fats: 20.7g
• Net Carbs: 7.5g
• Protein: 6.2g
• Fiber: 5.4g
Pro Tips
• For the best texture, be careful not to overcook the asparagus. It should be tender but still have a slight crispness to it.
• Finish the dish with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the rich, creamy flavors.
• If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like, you can create a slurry with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 2 teaspoons of cold water. Stir it in during the last minute of cooking on ‘Sauté’ mode.
• For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce when blending.
FAQ
Q: How long do you cook asparagus in the Instant Pot for this recipe
A: This recipe uses the ‘Sauté’ function, not pressure cooking. You will sauté the asparagus for 3-4 minutes until bright green, then simmer it in the cream sauce for another 5 minutes until tender-crisp.
Q: How do I keep my asparagus from getting mushy
A: To ensure a perfect tender-crisp texture, be careful not to overcook the asparagus. Stick to the recommended cooking times and serve immediately after the sauce has thickened.
Q: Can I make this creamy asparagus recipe keto friendly
A: Yes, this recipe is a great low-carb option. With only 7.5g of net carbs per serving, it can easily fit into a keto or low-carb diet as a delicious side dish.
Q: What can I serve with creamy garlic asparagus
A: This versatile and elegant side dish pairs perfectly with a variety of main courses, including chicken, steak, or fish.
