Pork Free Lemon Marinated Asparagus with Fresh Basil
Bright, tangy, and impossibly fresh, this asparagus dish is the kind of side that makes a simple weeknight dinner feel like something special. Fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and a touch of raw honey come together in a quick marinade that soaks into the hot spears and transforms them into something genuinely craveable. The asparagus gets pan-seared in olive oil until it's golden in spots and tender all the way through, then it rests in that citrusy marinade for just long enough to absorb every bit of flavor. Torn fresh basil scattered over the top adds a fragrant, herby finish that ties the whole dish together beautifully. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of pork and pork-derived products, so there's no label-reading required — just clean, whole-food cooking from start to finish. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, fish, or a grain bowl and watch it disappear fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 lb fresh asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the marinade
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ¼ tsp sea salt
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn or thinly sliced
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, 1 tbsp olive oil, raw honey, and 1/4 tsp sea salt until the honey is fully dissolved. Set the marinade aside.
- 2
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the asparagus in a single layer, season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and cook, turning with tongs every 2 minutes, until the spears are bright green, tender, and lightly golden in spots, about 6–8 minutes total.
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