How to Cook Asparagus + easy recipes

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.

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.

• 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.

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.