How to cook asparagus- showing you five ways to enjoy everyone’s favorite spring vegetable! Plus how to store asparagus for meal prep, and recipe ideas to use it in.
If there’s one thing I look forward to in the spring, it’s asparagus! Not only is asparagus super easy to cook, but it’s tasty and so healthy for you.
Why should you give asparagus a try? It’s a low carb and low calorie vegetable that is packed full of healthy vitamins (including A, C and K), minerals (folate & potassium among others), and antioxidants. Read more about it here!
But besides the health benefits, asparagus is just so…easy! It’s the perfect veggie when you need something last minute. You can have asparagus cooked and on your table in under 10 minutes!
Today we’re talking all about how to cook asparagus.
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Asparagus Equipment & Tools
For the recipes in this post, I recommend the following tools
- good quality Chef’s Knife
- sturdy sheet pans
- non stick skillet
- good quality pot (mine is similar to this one)
- non stick pan
- a vegetable grilling basket
- this herb keeper or a jar for storage
or a jar for storage
How to prepare asparagus before cooking
The important thing to know about asparagus is that is has a tough lower stem that should be removed before serving. You can either chop the bottom 2 inches off the stem, or simply snap them as pictured above.
- Wash or rinse asparagus under cold water and shake off excess.
- Snap off tough stem, usually the bottom 2 or so inches. You can also use a knife.
How to cook asparagus in the oven
It is SO easy to cook asparagus in the oven and it takes very little time! To cook asparagus in the oven, I use a high heat, either 425°F or a broiler, and it only takes 3-5 minutes.
Here’s how to cook asparagus in the oven
- Heat broiler
- Toss asparagus in olive oil, arrange on a baking pan and season with salt & pepper
- Broil for 3 or so minutes 4-6 inches under the broiler. Keep an eye on it because it can overcook quickly!
How to cook asparagus on the stove
There are a few ways you can cook asparagus on the stove: sauteed or blanched! Either is good, but I’d probably go for sauteed because it has just a little extra flavor.
Here’s how to cook asparagus on the stove:
- Sauteed asparagus:
a) melt butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat
b) add the asparagus, cooking for 3-5 minutes, turning over with tongs halfway
- Blanched asparagus:
a) bring a pot of water to boil
b) add asparagus to the pot, and cook for 2 minutes
c) remove asparagus from the water and run under cool water (or plunge into a bowl of ice water)
d) season with salt & pepper and enjoy
Regardless of which method you use for cooking asparagus on the stove, it is quick and simple and goes well with many different main courses!
How to cook asparagus on the grill
When the weather warms up, I can’t wait to get outside and use my barbecue. But for these photos, I used my old George Foreman grill.
Either method works, but if you are using an outdoor grill, make sure you use a vegetable grilling basket (This is the one I own!) to prevent your asparagus from falling between the grates.
Here’s how to cook asparagus on the grill:
- Heat grill over medium-high heat
- Toss asparagus in olive oil and season with salt & pepper
- Grill in a vegetable grilling basket for 3 minutes (indoor or outdoor grill), or until asparagus is bright green and cooked through
How to enjoy asparagus raw
The fifth way to enjoy asparagus is just plain raw, tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. We will occasionally use a vegetable peeler to make thin slices, but I like this method better since you don’t waste any!
- enjoy your raw asparagus in this White Wine Vinaigrette or this Balsamic vinaigrette
- add some fresh strawberries, spinach, sliced almonds and feta cheese!
How to store asparagus for meal prep
Asparagus is a great ingredient to use in meal prep when you do it correctly! Here are the do’s and don’ts for storing asparagus for meal prep:
- Don’t- leave it in a bag in the produce drawer- the tips will get soggy quickly!
- Do- store it in the fridge in a loosely covered jar or herb keeper filled with 1-2 inches of water
- Do- cook it and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Err on the side of undercooked for meal prep recipes since when you re-heat it will cook again.
- Do- cook it and store in the freezer- again, you will want to undercook it as it will soften as it thaws. I recommend a very quick blanche (60 seconds) for freezing.
- Don’t- freeze it raw- asparagus must be steamed or blanched before freezing
Asparagus recipes
- Make Ahead Hoisin Ginger Steak & Asparagus
- One Pot White Bean Pasta
- Low Carb Breakfast Meal Prep Bowls
- Tofu Scramble
- Lemon Pepper Salmon Sheet Pan
- Spiralized Pasta with Egg & Asparagus
- Serve it with this Teriyaki Salmon Glaze
- Use of one of these 7 Seasoning Blends on it
How to Cook Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 bunch asparagus (rinsed and tough ends removed)
- 1 tablespoon butter (or olive oil)
- salt & pepper
Instructions
Broiled Asparagus
- Heat oven broiler.
- Toss asparagus in olive oil and arrange on a baking dish. Season with salt & pepper.
- Place 4-6 inches under the broiler and cook for 3 or so minutes. All broilers vary, so keep an eye on it! Asparagus is ready when bright green and tender.
Sauteed Asparagus
- Melt butter over medium heat in a non stick pan.
- Add the asparagus and cook for 3-5 minutes, turning with a set of tongs halfway through.
Blanched Asparagus
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Add the asparagus, and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Quickly remove the asparagus from the water, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Alternatively, you may place the asparagus in a bowl of ice water.
- Season with salt & pepper and enjoy.
Grilled Asparagus
- Heat grill to medium-high heat. If using an outdoor grill, be sure to use a vegetable grilling basket.
- Toss asparagus in olive oil and season with salt & pepper.
- Grill for 3 minutes, or until bright green and tender.
Raw Asparagus
- Use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to make thin slices of asparagus.
- Serve in a salad with a tangy vinaigrette. Goes well with spinach, feta and almonds.
Helen Stevenson
Thanks for the many ways to cook asparagus.
Cindy J.
I didn’t know you could eat asparagus raw! My favorite way to cook asparagus is the oven method. I can’t do dairy, so I dress the asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper (as you suggested.). When I have fresh lemons, I squeeze tbit of lemon juice over the asparagus right when they come out of the oven. Delicious! I appreciate the info for storing asparagus. Thanks!
Denise
Lemon and asparagus are so great together! Thanks, Cindy!