Juggling a busy life with staying in ketosis? This spicy asparagus and sausage is one of my favorite go-to keto recipes, whether it’s a busy week night or a weekend feast. It works equally well as a main dish or a hearty side. A savory mix of creamy and crunchy, it’s sure to find its way into your regular rotation.
My mom made a variation of this recipe when I was growing up, from a Minnesota heritage cookbook, and I’ve improved on it with bacon grease. This is usually a dinner meal for me, which means I have a greasy pan left over from breakfast or lunch. Why, dear reader, would you throw away such keto goodness? I like to just heat up the greasy pan and throw in the onions with a big pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Once they start to soften (about five minutes) you’re ready to add your sausage, breaking it into pieces if needed. Throw in more salt and pepper along with a few dashes of red pepper flakes, being sure to balance the flavor if you’re using spicy sausage.
While the onions and sausage are cooking, prep your asparagus. At my supermarket it tends to come in one pound bunches and I usually cook about half if I’m eating alone, more with friends! Look for thin bright green spears and cook as soon as possible after purchase. My favorite tip – learned watching Food Network – is to hold one tip of each spear in each hand and gently bend. It should naturally snap in half where it starts getting tough and woody. Throw out the bottom part (usually about half) and keep the top part for your dinner. Prep this while the onions and sausage are sauteing.
Around the ten minute mark your sausage should be mostly browned and your onions should be starting to caramelize a bit. Throw in your asparagus spears along with more salt and pepper to taste then stir to coat with the bacon grease. Continue to cook until the asparagus in tender, but still bright green, about ten more minutes.
I find this is about the same amount of time it takes me to broil a ribeye. Coincidence?!
When the asparagus is tender, plate your concoction, top with a generous handful of full-fat feta, and kick up your feet. You deserve some delicious me time, gorgeous!
Total Time: 20 Minutes
Servings: One
Ingredients:
- 2-3 tbsps bacon grease
- 1/2 of a small onion, about 1/4 cup thinly sliced
- 1/2 pound fresh asparagus
- 2-3 sausage patties or about 1/4 pound ground sausage (hot if you like!)
- Several generous pinches of salt, about 1/4 – 1/2 tsp
- Ground black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- Handful of full fat feta cheese
Regular readers know I don’t count macros, calories, or anything but my toenail growth, but if you are curious pop the ingredients into your favorite app and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the low carb results.
Leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out and if you did anything differently!
Sturdy Woman 