How to Cook Asparagus (Easy Meals)

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 memorable.

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 them 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.

How to select asparagus

When you look for asparagus, ensure the leaves on the tips 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 is not fresh and might be bitter.

Stems should be unblemished and round and not flattened. TIP: Even if the asparagus stems are usually not edible, you can use them for vegetable broth 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 refreshing and vibrant condiments and sauces, such as our 5-minute basil, zucchini, parsley pesto, mustard dressing, and easy salad dressings.
• Use in salads: asparagus is also great in fresh salads and grain bowls. Add them to a vegan pasta salad, to this tofu salad, or our chickpea salad.

Sauces

Yogurt Tahini Sauce

Sauces

Honey Mustard Dressing

Sauces

Vegan Ranch Dressing

Sauces

Vegan Mayo

• 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: 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.

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 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 a little tricky with asparagus. It tends to burn, turning brown and bitter, and covers the asparagus flavor.

Try adding crushed garlic instead. You’ll get plenty of garlic aroma but a more subtle flavor.