Szechuan Asparagus

Transform your weeknight dinners with the bold, fiery flavors of Szechuan Asparagus—a vibrant stir-fry that brings the heat and a satisfying crunch to your plate. This quick and easy recipe features tender-crisp asparagus stir-fried in a fragrant mix of Szechuan peppercorns, dry red chilies, garlic, and ginger, creating a symphony of smoky, spicy, and savory notes. Finished with a velvety sauce of soy sauce, hoisin, and rice vinegar, and garnished with fresh scallions, this dish is an irresistible fusion of spice and umami. Perfect as a standalone meal over steamed rice or as a zesty side dish, this 20-minute recipe is a must-try for fans of bold Asian flavors!

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound asparagus
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns
• 3 pieces dry red chilies, broken into pieces
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 stalks scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

Step 1

Wash the asparagus, trim the woody ends, and cut into 2-inch pieces.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, water, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Add the Szechuan peppercorns and dry red chilies to the hot oil, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic and ginger, quickly stir-frying for another 30 seconds.

Step 6

Toss in the asparagus and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until it begins to tenderize but remains crisp.

Step 7

Give the prepared sauce another stir and pour it into the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the asparagus.

Step 8

Drizzle with sesame oil and toss to combine.

Step 9

Garnish with scallions and serve hot as a side dish or enjoy over steamed rice as a light meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(644.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	573.9

Total Fat 42.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 23.2g
Cholesterol 0.5mg	0%
Sodium 1429.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 45.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.1g	0%
Total Sugars 21.2g
Protein 15.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 178.0mg	0%
Iron 11.9mg	0%
Potassium 1316.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.8%

Protein: 10.1%

Carbs: 29.1%