How to Cook Asparagus (Our 7 Best Methods)

Find out how you can cook delicious fresh asparagus in six unique ways! These methods include roasting, steaming, boiling, sautéing, pan-roasting, and broiling. Each cooking method produces savory green spears that burst with amazing flavors. Best of all, this fiber-filled veggie fully cooks in only minutes, making it the perfect healthy side dish. 

Fresh raw asparagus spears have a crisp texture and unique sweetness. By cooking these greens, you can unlock a new world of flavor. And the thing about asparagus is that they don’t need a lot of seasoning to come out amazing, just a bit of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

Asparagus can also be grilled, sautéed, or boiled. To grill asparagus, brush it with oil and grill it over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes on each side. To sauté asparagus, heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook the asparagus for 5-7 minutes, or until it is tender. To boil asparagus, bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the asparagus, and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until it is bright green and tender.

How to Cook Appetizing Asparagus

You can prepare asparagus in the oven, on a stovetop, or even on the grill for those outdoor chefs. The char you get from a grill delivers a smoky flavor that’s second to none. And as for steaming, this method keeps your asparagus spear looking plump and vibrant green. Each technique offers unique flavors and textures, depending on what you are in the mood for and which happens to be the most convenient. You can also add seasonings such as parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, melted butter, and much more.

You can also grill asparagus too! A Joyfully Mad Kitchen has a wonderful grilled asparagus recipe.

Boiling Asparagus

• Pour your salted water into a large pot.
• Once the water begins to boil, add your asparagus to the pot.
• Boil between 1-3 minutes until the asparagus has a bright green color and tender texture.
• Shock your asparagus in a pot of ice water to pause them from cooking further if you’re not eating them straight away.

Steaming Asparagus

• Put your asparagus into the steamer basket, then cover.
• Steam on high heat. After the steam forms, continue cooking for 2-4 minutes until the asparagus turns bright green and tender.
• Shock in a bath of ice water to halt the cooking process if you’re not eating them immediately.

Roasting Asparagus

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Coat your asparagus in olive oil, then sprinkle some salt and pepper.
• Roast for around 10 minutes. Shake the pan at the 5-minute mark.
• Your roasted asparagus tips should appear browned and texture nice and tender.

Sautéing Asparagus

• Cut your asparagus into 2-inch length pieces.
• Set them in a pan on the stovetop with butter or olive oil, then set the temperature to high heat.
• Sauté your asparagus lightly for 3-5 minutes until they brown and become tender.
• Season them with a bit of salt and pepper.
• You can use the same method if cooking in a wok for stir-fry recipes.

Broiling Asparagus

• Turn on the broil setting in your oven.
• Coat your asparagus using oil, pepper, and salt, then transfer them to a cookie sheet tray.
• Cook asparagus about 6 inches from the oven’s top heating element.
• Broil for 8-10 minutes until your asparagus turns slightly brown with a tender texture.

Pan-Roasted Asparagus

• Set a large pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add butter and olive oil.
• Add your asparagus and coat them in the butter and oil.
• Cover and allow them to roast for 3 minutes until the asparagus turn bright green but still has a crisp texture (not soft).
• Remove the cover and set the heat to high.
• Season your asparagus with pepper and salt.
• Sear the sticks for 3-5 minutes, moving them around with tongs until they brown.

How to Pick the Best Asparagus

When shopping for asparagus, it is ideal to purchase them from a local farmers market or produce stand. This will ensure the freshest product, as well as the most sustainable and organic options. If purchasing from a grocery store, look for organic or sustainably-grown asparagus.

Avoid any asparagus that has yellowing or wilting tips, as this indicates it is no longer fresh. If possible, it is best to purchase asparagus with the roots still attached, as this is a strong indication of freshness. It is also ideal to buy asparagus of equal size and thickness for even cooking. Lastly, look for thick asparagus with thicker stalks, as they are more tender stalks with the best flavor and texture.

How to Store Asparagus

Storing asparagus is both easy and important to ensure that it stays fresh and flavorful. Fresh, uncooked asparagus should be kept in the refrigerator as soon as possible. Wrap the ends of the asparagus in a damp paper towel and store it in a plastic bag or container. It should keep for up to four days.

Cooked asparagus can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you want to store it for longer, it can be frozen for up to a year. To freeze asparagus, place it in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about two hours. Once it is frozen, transfer it to a sealed container or a freezer bag. When you are ready to use the asparagus, thaw it in the refrigerator or cook it directly from frozen.

Preparing Asparagus

The lower portion of the asparagus stalk should be cut off, as it is not suitable for eating. Find the natural breaking point by grasping the middle and bottom of the spear and breaking it in two. This will serve as a guide for trimming the other spears.

Utilizing a vegetable peeler to shave off the outer skin can help reduce any waste and should also be washed before cooking. For best results, use a towel if cooking with dry-heat methods, such as roasting or sauteing, to avoid steaming instead of browning. This will ensure that the asparagus is flavorful and delicious.

Asparagus’ Nutritional Value

Nutrition facts from the USDA National Nutrient Database say 1 cup or 134 grams of green asparagus contains:

• Protein: 3.88 grams
• Calories: 27 grams
• Fat: 0.12 grams
• Fiber: 2.1 grams
• Sugar: 1.88 grams

The Many Health Benefits of Eating Asparagus

You might be shocked to learn that Asparagus officinalis is a perennial flowering plant. Not only are the tips edible, but the entire stem is tender and rich in micronutrients such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, B vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E.

The Different Ways of Adding Asparagus to Dishes

• Drizzle your steamed asparagus with some homemade hollandaise sauce.
• Dice your asparagus into rings and use it in quiche, a breakfast casserole, or frittata.
• One great oven-roasted asparagus recipe involves wrapping your asparagus in bacon, then letting them roast!
• Toss your asparagus with pesto sauce and pasta.
• You can also cook roasted asparagus in your air fryer.
• You can also grill asparagus easily, and the smokey flavor of grilled asparagus is second to none. Avoid using thin asparagus for grilling.
• Dip your asparagus in seasoned breading and bake or deep-fry it for mind-blowing asparagus fries.
• Stuff your asparagus inside chicken breasts with some mozzarella for a delicious one-pan baked asparagus meal.

Is It Possible to Rehydrate Asparagus Once It’s Gone Limp?

Absolutely! The fridge can dry out your asparagus, and since it has so much natural moisture, it’s best to store them in the fridge for maximum freshness. If your spears are beginning to get a little limp, but they are not mushy or too old, you can rehydrate them.

First, trim off the tough ends, then place the spears in about 1 inch of water. Using plastic wrap, cover up the tips and refrigerate overnight. The next day your spears should return to a healthy texture.

How to Cook Appetizing Asparagus