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Home Meal Type How To
5
/5
10 minutes

How to Cook Asparagus

Dairy Free Dairy-Free Gluten Free Gluten Free Low Carb Low Carb Nut Free Nut Free Vegan Vegan
Jump to Recipe
By: Denise Bustard3 Comments
Posted: 6/28/22 Updated: 6/28/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

How to cook asparagus - showing you five easy ways to enjoy this refreshing and vibrant veggie! Plus how to store asparagus for meal prep, and recipe ideas that you can use asparagus in!

Just like broccoli and zucchini noodles - asparagus is an easy and nutrient-dense veggie that is so simple to prepare!

collage image showing how to cook asparagus 5 different ways
Jump to... show
1 Equipment + Tools
2 How to prepare asparagus before cooking
3 Baked asparagus
4 Stove top asparagus
5 Grilled asparagus
6 How to enjoy asparagus raw
7 Storage + meal prep
8 Asparagus Recipes
9 How to Cook Asparagus

Fresh asparagus during the spring and early summer is absolutely DELICIOUS and so easy to cook. Now only that, it's a healthy low carb vegetable that is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (1).

Best of all, it's the perfect veggie to cook up when you need something last minute. You can have asparagus cooked and on your table in under 10 minutes - faster and simpler than mixing up a whole salad!

Equipment + Tools

For the recipes in this post, we 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

preparing asparagus by snapping ends off

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.

  1. Wash or rinse asparagus under cold water and shake off excess.
  2. Snap off tough stem, usually the bottom 2 or so inches. You can also use a knife.

collage image showing how to cook asparagus in the oven (before and after)

Baked asparagus

It is SO easy to cook asparagus in the oven and it takes very little time! To cook asparagus in the oven, we use high heat, either 425°F or a broiler, and it only takes 3-5 minutes.

Here's how to cook asparagus in the oven

  1. Heat broiler
  2. Toss asparagus in olive oil, arrange on a baking pan and season with salt & pepper
  3. Broil for 3 or so minutes 4-6 inches under the broiler. Keep an eye on it because it can overcook quickly!

overhead view cooking asparagus in pan

Stove top asparagus

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.

composite image showing how to boil asparagus on the stovetop

Here's how to cook asparagus on the stove:

  1. Sautéed asparagus:
    • melt butter in a nonstick pan over medium heat
    • add the asparagus, cooking for 3-5 minutes, turning over with tongs halfway
  2. Blanched asparagus:
    • bring a pot of water to boil
    • add asparagus to the pot, and cook for 2 minutes
    • remove asparagus from the water and run under cool water (or plunge into a bowl of ice water)
    • 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!


collage image showing how to cook asparagus on the grill (before & after)

Grilled asparagus

When the weather warms up, we like to grill asparagus outside on the 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 we own and love!) to prevent your asparagus from falling between the grates.

image showing how to cook asparagus before and after

How to cook asparagus on the grill:

  1. Heat grill over medium-high heat
  2. Toss asparagus in olive oil and season with salt & pepper
  3. Grill in a vegetable grilling basket for 3 minutes (indoor or outdoor grill), or until asparagus is bright green and cooked through

raw peeled asparagus in a bowl

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!

  1. enjoy your raw asparagus in this white wine vinaigrette or this balsamic vinaigrette
  2. add some fresh strawberries, spinach, sliced almonds, and feta cheese!

showing how to store asparagus for meal prep in a herb saver

Storage + 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:

  1. Don't - leave it in a bag in the produce drawer; the tips will get soggy quickly!
  2. Do - store it in the fridge in a loosely covered jar or herb keeper filled with 1-2 inches of water
  3. 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.
  4. Do - cook it and store in the freezer- again, you will want to undercook it as it will soften as it thaws. We recommend a very quick blanche (60 seconds) for freezing.
  5. Don't - freeze it raw- asparagus must be steamed or blanched before freezing
holding plate of asparagus with parmesan cheese

Asparagus Recipes

  • Lemon parmesan air fryer asparagus
  • 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

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

overhead shot of asparagus on cutting board with labels of different ways to cook it

How to Cook Asparagus

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Print Rate
How to cook asparagus - showing you five easy ways to enjoy this refreshing and vibrant veggie! Plus how to store asparagus for meal prep, and recipe ideas that you can use asparagus in!
4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch asparagus rinsed and tough ends removed
  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • salt & pepper

Instructions 

Broiled Asparagus

  • Prepare - Heat oven broiler. Toss asparagus in olive oil and arrange on a baking dish. Season with salt & pepper.
  • Broil - 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.

Sautéed Asparagus

  • Sautée - 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

  • Boil - Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the asparagus, and simmer for 2 minutes. 
  • Remove - 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

  • Prepare - 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

  • Slice - Use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to make thin slices of asparagus.
  • Serve - Serve in a salad with a tangy vinaigrette. Goes well with spinach, feta and almonds.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.25bunch, Calories: 47kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 7mg, Sodium: 27mg, Potassium: 227mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 940IU, Vitamin C: 6.3mg, Calcium: 27mg, Iron: 2.4mg
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

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Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

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Recipe Rating




  1. Helen Stevenson says

    Posted on 2/2/20 at Posted on 2/2/20

    Thanks for the many ways to cook asparagus.

    Reply
  2. Cindy J. says

    Posted on 3/14/19 at Posted on 3/14/19

    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!

    Reply
    • Denise says

      Posted on 3/18/19 at Posted on 3/18/19

      Lemon and asparagus are so great together! Thanks, Cindy!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Denise

Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too! Read more ...

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