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Dutch Oven Asparagus and Peas

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Dutch Oven Asparagus and Peas is made with simple, spring fresh ingredients that yields bright bold flavors with every bite.

The often maligned vegetables, asparagus and peas, come together in perfect harmony with leeks, bacon, fresh garden herbs, and a splash of brightening citrus. After all, what grows together goes together and this recipe is no exception.

Branded image of the recipe in a red enameled cast iron dutch oven.

This post has been updated from its original publishing date of May 2, 2017 with new content, photography, and recipe card.

Why this recipe works

Cooking doesn’t always have to be complex in order to have big flavor. Oftentimes, it’s the simplest of ingredients in their season that are the best.

Modern food preservation methods have really perfected certain things like frozen peas. But nothing beats fresh, in-season asparagus.

While I truly advocate seasonally fresh asparagus, I tend to draw the line at having to shell fresh peas.

Plus when I do grow them in my garden, they rarely make it from the vine to the kitchen. We tend to eat them while picking other items. Oops! Frozen peas are my go-to almost every time when cooking.

Recipe ingredients

Recipe ingredients: fresh parsley, lemon, fresh asparagus, salt, pepper, bacon, fresh leeks, fresh chives, fresh tarragon, frozen peas, and salted butter.
  • Asparagus — remove the woody stems by feeling for the natural bend in the stalk and snap it off. Cut the remaining stalk into 2-inch pieces.
  • Peas — We use frozen sweet peas. You can use fresh shelled sweet peas as well. Canned will work too, but we’re not a big fan of their muted, mushy flavor.
  • Bacon — Cut one pound of bacon into small pieces. Fry in the Dutch oven until crispy. Drain the rendering, reserving a small amount in the Dutch oven.
  • Leeks — Leeks are finishing their ‘fresh’ season as asparagus and peas start theirs. This makes for a robust combination. Leeks are DIRTY. Then need to be thoroughly cleaned before cooking. Slice them then rinse under cool water removing all the debris.
  • Herbs and Seasonings — fresh tarragon, chives, and parsley along with salt and pepper. Finely chop the fresh herbs and set aside. To keep them from drying out, place a damp paper towel over the bowl and place them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • Butter — Butter, much like bacon, just makes everything better.
  • Lemon — Freshly squeezed lemon brightens and emboldens the flavor of each individual ingredient bringing the entire dish together.
The completed dish of peas, asparagus, bacon, leeks, garden herbs, and lemon in a red enameled Dutch oven.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1 — Bring a large pot of water to boil. Wash the asparagus. Firmly hold the woody bottom part of the stem and gently bend the stalk slowly moving up towards the tip. You will feel where it naturally wants to snap. Snap there. Discard the woody stems and cut the remaining stalk in 2-inch pieces.

Step 2 — Cut the leek in half, then slice both halves. Place the pieces in a sieve and rinse under cool water until all the dirt and debris is gone.

Step 3 — After chopping the bacon into the desired pieces, fry on medium-high heat in the Dutch oven.

Step 4 — Add the leeks to the cooking bacon. If the bacon is not rendering enough fat (it happens), you may want to add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil to keep things from sticking.

Step 5 — Once the pot of water comes to a boil, generously salt the water and wait for it to return to a boil. Once the water has resumed boiling, add the asparagus. Blanch for one minute and then add the peas. Boil for an additional minute then drain and rinse under cold water.

Step 6 — Drain off all the excess renderings (if there is any) but you can leave a bit for flavor. Add the butter and melt.

Step 7 — Stir the blanched asparagus and peas into the bacon and leeks.

Step 8 — Add the fresh tarragon, chives, and parsley. Stir well making sure they are dispersed throughout the whole dish.

Step 9 — Sprinkle in the salt and pepper, stirring well. Squeeze the fresh lemon over the dish and stir. Toss in the fresh lemon as an added flourish. Serve and enjoy this Dutch Oven Asparagus and Peas.

Plated Asparagus and Peas garnished with a slice of lemon on a white plate.

Additions, substitutions, and variations

  • Add halved and sliced Brussels sprouts when adding the leeks.
  • Add sliced mushrooms to the bacon and leeks.
  • Use diced onion instead of leeks.
  • Use diced ham instead bacon.
  • Sprinkle red pepper flakes before adding the lemon for a slight kick.
  • Use diced green onions instead of chives.

Recipe FAQs

Can I used dried herbs instead of fresh?

Yes, you can. You’ll only need about a 1/3 of the fresh amount. Except for the chives.

Will this dish taste good using frozen asparagus?

If you like frozen asparagus, then this dish will taste delicious using frozen asparagus.

I don’t like tarragon, what else can I use?

You can use fresh basil, fresh mint, dried or fresh dill, fresh or dried oregano, or dried marjoram. Simply pick which you one you like and go with it. But don’t use them all. That’d be overkill.

Do I have to boil the asparagus first, can’t I just sauté it?

Absolutely. You’ll need to add more butter to keep it sautéing and then add the peas about 2-3 minutes before the asparagus is done. Adding more butter if needed.

Finished dish of Dutch Oven Asparagus and Peas with bacon, leeks, fresh herbs, and lemon.

What to serve with Dutch Oven Asparagus and Peas

Bacon, peas, leeks, asparagus, fresh herbs, and fresh lemon in a Dutch oven.
Print Recipe
5 from 27 votes

Dutch Oven Asparagus and Peas

Dutch Oven Asparagus and Peas is made with simple, spring fresh ingredients that yields bright bold flavors with every bite.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Asparagus and Peas
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 316kcal

Equipment

  • 5 quart enameled Dutch oven or larger

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs asparagus trimmed and sliced
  • 3 cups frozen sweet peas
  • 1 lb bacon chopped
  • 1 leek halved and sliced
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • ½ tbsp tarragon fresh, chopped
  • 1 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
  • 1 tbsp chives fresh, chopped
  • 1 ½ tsp salt +/- to taste
  • ½ tsp pepper +/- to taste
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Bring a large saucepan of water to boil over high heat; salt generously
  • Prep all the ingredients
  • Heat the Dutch oven over medium high heat and cook the bacon for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the leeks to the bacon and cook until bacon is done, another 2-3 minutes.
  • Blanch the asparagus for 1 minute then add the peas boiling for an additional 1 minutes; drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Add the butter to the bacon and leeks, once melted, add the blanched asparagus and peas.
  • Stir in the tarragon, parsley, and chives.
  • Season with the salt and pepper then squeeze in the fresh lemon juice. Serve and enjoy.

Video

Notes

Pro-Tip:
Add a pinch of sugar to the boiling water before blanching the asparagus and peas to help retain their bright green hue!

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 825mg | Potassium: 522mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1567IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 4mg

Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Did you try this recipe?Leave me a comment and rating below or Tag @DutchOvenDaddy on Instagram to show us your photos!

Other delicious side dishes

32 replies
    • Ned Adams
      Ned Adams says:

      Thank you so much! I can’t wait to see how it turns out for you! Tag me on social media if you remember to snap a pic when you are making it? 🙂 Happy cooking!

      Reply
  1. Anjali
    Anjali says:

    5 stars
    This was the perfect side dish for our family’s dinner tonight! We served it alongside a simple pasta and some garlic bread and it tasted great!

    Reply
  2. Ieva
    Ieva says:

    5 stars
    Another winning recipe from you! We all enjoyed it so much as a side dish to baked chicken breasts. The bacon added that delicious salty smoky seasoning, but for us, the tarragon was the star of the show! 10 out of 10!

    Reply
  3. Lily
    Lily says:

    5 stars
    Just like you said, butter and bacon make everything taste better! This is THE WAY to make asparagus and green peas so flavorful, and the added herbs and leek balance out the dish well. Great recipe!

    Reply
  4. Dana
    Dana says:

    5 stars
    SO good. I love me some green veggie sides, but I have a habit of sticking to my tried and trues and I know my family would like to see some variety every once in a while lol. Boy were they pleased with this! SO tasty, and so easy!

    Reply
  5. Tayler
    Tayler says:

    5 stars
    I made these asparagus and peas with dinner last night and they were great! Definitely my new go to recipe for a veggie side dish!

    Reply
  6. Ana F.
    Ana F. says:

    5 stars
    This recipe for Asparagus and Peas turned out amazing! I served it with some grilled chicken and it was a hit. Can’t wait to make it again!

    Reply
  7. Beth
    Beth says:

    5 stars
    This is one of the best asparagus recipes I’ve ever made. I love the combination of the veggies and spices, and of course, everything is better with bacon!

    Reply
  8. Elisa
    Elisa says:

    5 stars
    Love this Dutch Oven Asparagus and Peas recipe, we love asparagus, so will make it soon for dinner, looks delicious and so easy to make. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

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