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    Home » Collections

    How to Cook Asparagus + easy recipes

    Published: Mar 2, 2023 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    If you are looking to find inspiration to cook with asparagus and level up your asparagus cooking skills, you've come to the right place.

    Get the basics, tips, and tricks, and inspiration to cook asparagus in 10 different ways. These delightful asparagus recipes are easy to make, healthy, quick, and vibrant.

    how to cook asparagus including side dishes and main meals

    We've selected our best asparagus recipes that will give you ideas for your next side dish and dinner, including risotto, air fryer, pasta, steaming technique, and many more.

    Browse through this list, and take your pick: these green and vibrant recipes will satiate and nourish you, and add bold flavor to your day.

    Our best asparagus recipes

    1

    Baked Asparagus

    Our first recipe on this asparagus list is crunchy baked asparagus. Whether you want to enjoy this for brunch, lunch, or dinner, oven-baked asparagus is a great healthy side dish to any meal.

    2

    Sautéed Asparagus

    A great basic recipe for stir-fry, frittata, salads, and risotto. It's also perfect as a vegetable side dish served with vinaigrette or pesto.

    3

    Asparagus Soup

    Creamy, light, and bright, this easy asparagus soup is great as an appetizer, side dish, and spring-friendly meal. Serve it with crostini, focaccia, or bruschetta and a sprinkle of gremolata for a restaurant-worthy meal.

    4

    Boiled Asparagus

    A basic and easy recipe but loaded with flavor. We boiled them whole in a large pan with water and a little salt for best looking and best tasting boiled asparagus ever. Pair with olive oil or mustard dressing for a glossy finish.

    5

    Asparagus Pasta

    Velvety creamy asparagus sauce and sauteed asparagus tips marry in this bright and scrumptious asparagus pasta. It takes just 20 minutes to cook, and it's great as a special weeknight dinner for spring and summer.

    6

    Grilled Asparagus

    Get ready for BBQ and grill season with these grilled asparagus! Smokey, tender-crisp, bright-green, grilled asparagus is one of the best ways to enjoy this flavorful vegetable.

    7

    Steamed Asparagus

    With this recipe, the asparagus turn out incredibly tender and buttery, and they keep all their flavor thanks to the gentle steaming.

    8

    Air Fryer Asparagus

    This air fryer asparagus is slightly crispy on the outside while soft and juicy inside. Plus, they are ready in just 10 minutes.

    9

    Asparagus Risotto

    This vegetarian (and with vegan suggestions) risotto recipe is a creamy and authentic Italian way to cook with asparagus. Asparagus risotto is indulgent, fresh, and satisfying dinner.

    10

    Asparagus Frittata (Vegan)

    Our recipe is easy, and in less than 30 minutes, you can make this delicious dish and serve it as a starter, side dish, or as a quick and healthy lunch or dinner.

    11

    Tofu Soup

    Forget about Asian takeaway, and make this easy 20-min soup instead. Add healthy protein such as tofu and infuse with chili oil for an authentic and pungent flavor.

    12

    Vegan Pasta Salad

    Picnic-friendly and great for meal prep, this vegan pasta salad is a vibrant and nourishing lunch idea.

    How to Clean and Cook Asparagus

    When in season, from late February through June, we eat fresh asparagus in all kinds of ways. There are numerous simple and easy ways of preparing them.

    These recipes are fresh, healthy, crisp, and packed with flavor. You can serve them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner; anytime you want to make your meals a little special.

    Here's the best way to prep and clean your asparagus before cooking them.

    • Trim asparagus: Rinse asparagus under running water, then trim the woodier end of the stalks. You can do that by snapping it with your hands, one by one, or by cutting them with a knife on a cutting board. We prefer this way as it's much faster.
    trimmed woody ends of asparagus
    • Peel the woody ends: If asparagus spears are thick, woody, and not so fresh, peel a couple of inches of the stalk. Use a vegetable peeler. This will make the asparagus cook more evenly, and they'll be less chewy and more tender.
    peeling the stalk of the asparagus with a vegetable peeler

    Once the basic cleaning and trimming are done, we can start cooking the asparagus.

    How to select asparagus

    When you look for asparagus, make sure the leaves on the tips of the asparagus are tightly closed and the entire tip is straight and firm.

    The spear of your asparagus should be bright green and firm with a small amount of white by the stems. If the spears are wrinkled and soft, the asparagus are not fresh and might be bitter.

    Stems should be unblemished and round in shape and not flattened. TIP: even if the asparagus stems are usually not eatable, you can use them for a vegetable broth for risotto and soups.

    How to store asparagus

    Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can eat them cold, at room temperature, or reheat them in the microwave. We do not recommend freezing these asparagus recipes.

    How to serve asparagus

    Asparagus (sauteed, grilled, boiled, steamed) is a vibrant side dish that pairs perfectly with most sauces and main dishes. Take your pick here:

    • Drizzle with a creamy dressing: choose between refreshing and vibrant condiments and dressings, such as our 5-minute basil, zucchini, or parsley pesto, mustard dressing, and easy salad dressings.
    • Use in salads: asparagus is also great in fresh salads and grain bowls. Try adding them to a vegan pasta salad, to this tofu salad, or to our chickpea salad.
    • zucchini pesto
      Zucchini Pesto
    • chickpea salad
      Chickpea Salad
    • Honey mustard dressing and spoon
      Honey Mustard Dressing
    • Tofu Salad with dressing
      Tofu Salad
    • Add to soups and stews: add asparagus to a chunky soup, such as this vegetable soup, lentil vegetable soup, or one of these easy soup ideas.
    • Serve with pasta: and pair your favorite asparagus recipes with an easy pasta recipe.
    • Serve with a protein-rich dinner: such as one of these chickpea recipes or tofu recipes.
    Asparagus pasta with lemon and fork
    Sauteed asparagus and asparagus cream with bowtie pasta.

    Tips

    Blanching: If you want a bright color for your asparagus, you can blanch them before e.g. sauteeing them. To blanch asparagus, cook them in salted boiling water for about 1 minute, then drain, and rinse under cold water for 20 seconds. Pat them dry with a kitchen cloth and sauté.

    White wine: deglazing the pan with white wine adds acidity to the dish, which makes the asparagus flavor pop in your mouth. Deglazing simply means adding cold liquid to a hot pan. Use a dry white wine to deglaze the asparagus.

    Crushed garlic: We've always found minced garlic to be quite annoying with asparagus. It tends to burn, turning brown and bitter, and it covers the asparagus flavor. Try adding crushed garlic instead. You'll get plenty of garlic aroma, but more subtle.

    For many more side dishes ideas, check out our sides category page.

    how to cook asparagus including side dishes and main meals

    How to Cook Asparagus

    Author: Nico
    Looking to find ideas for how to cook asparagus? We've got you covered with these side dishes and main meals, including air fryer recipes, risotto, soups, and cooking tips.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 300 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • Check each individual asparagus recipe for ingredients required.
    • Cook your favorite asparagus recipe

    Instructions
     

    • How to store: Keep these meals stored in the refrigerator, ideally in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
    • How to reheat: Warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave. Before serving garnish with fresh herbs.

    Video Recipe

    Asparagus Risotto is a comforting Italian dish

    Notes

    Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can eat them cold, at room temperature, or reheat them in the microwave. We do not recommend freezing steamed asparagus.
    NOTE: Asparagus has anti-inflammatory properties and may aid digestion and lower blood pressure.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    How to Cook Asparagus
    Amount Per Serving (200 g)
    Calories 300
    % Daily Value*
    Carbohydrates 40g13%
    Protein 12g24%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

    If you liked these asparagus recipes, you might also enjoy:

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      Vegan Summer Recipes (Dinners & Desserts)
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      30 Easy Italian Recipes
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      45 Easy Vegetarian Dinner Recipes
    • 45 best salad recipes including green beans
      45 Best Salad Recipes
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