When spring rolls around, there’s nothing better than spears of fresh asparagus to accompany a weekend brunch or weeknight dinner. And with dozens of asparagus recipes that call for different cooking methods, it’s worth learning how to cook asparagus using various techniques.
From oven and stovetop methods to grilling to Instant Pot cooking, this guide will help you master multiple ways to cook asparagus.
How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven
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Whether you’re roasting or broiling, cooking asparagus in the oven is one of the most popular methods.
How to Roast Asparagus
This roasted asparagus recipe serves 12 people. To make it, preheat the oven to 400°F and arrange the asparagus on a baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes until crisp-tender.
How to Broil Asparagus
This Balsamic Broiled Asparagus recipe is quick to make and serves four people. To start, coat the asparagus in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Then arrange it in a single layer on a baking sheet and place it about 4 inches under the broiler. Broil for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender.
How to Cook Asparagus on the Stove
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From blanching and boiling to sauteeing and steaming, there are many ways to cook asparagus on the stove.
How to Blanch Asparagus
To blanch asparagus, briefly boil it before transferring it to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. You’ll want to blanch asparagus before freezing it or pickling it. (Here’s how to make pickled asparagus.) Some recipes, like this asparagus with horseradish dip, call for blanching as the main cooking method.
How to Boil Asparagus
To make boiled asparagus, start by bringing a saucepan of water to a boil. Next, add the asparagus and boil for 8 minutes or until it’s tender. Drain in a colander and do not rinse.
Editor’s tip: Be careful not to overcook the asparagus when you’re boiling it—otherwise it’ll turn into a mushy mess!
How to Saute Asparagus
This sauteed asparagus with mushrooms recipe only takes 15 minutes to make and serves four people. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus (and mushrooms, if you’d like) and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes or until tender.
How to Steam Asparagus
You can steam asparagus in a frying pan or skillet, like in this garlic Parmesan asparagus recipe. Simply fill a large skillet with about 1/2 inch of water and bring it to a boil. Add the asparagus, and cover and cook it for 3 to 5 minutes until it reaches your ideal tenderness. Then drain, season and serve!
Other Ways to Cook Asparagus
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Between grilling, air-frying and cooking in an Instant Pot, some of the best ways to cook asparagus use appliances other than your oven and stove.
How to Grill Asparagus
This grilled asparagus recipe takes 20 minutes to make and serves four. Slathered with barbecue sauce, it’s the perfect side for a summer cookout.
Start by boiling the asparagus in a large skillet for 4 to 6 minutes. Then grill the spears uncovered over medium heat for 2 minutes, turning them once. Slather on barbecue sauce and grill for 2 additional minutes.
For another grilled asparagus recipe, try bacon-wrapped asparagus.
How to Air-Fry Asparagus
To make our air-fryer asparagus recipe, preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Coat the asparagus in a mixture of mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on a greased tray in the air-fryer basket and cook for about 4 to 6 minutes or until lightly browned.
Editor’s tip: Cooking asparagus in an air fryer is very similar to roasting or broiling it. If you’re looking for something more deep-fried, try our fried asparagus recipe.
How to Cook Asparagus in an Instant Pot
Cooking asparagus in an Instant Pot is a way of steaming it. Arrange the asparagus on the steaming rack of your Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Close and seal the lid, and set the time to zero minutes on high pressure. By the time the pressure builds, your asparagus will be perfectly steamed.
Tips for Cooking Asparagus
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These asparagus tips come from our culinary experts in the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.
How to Choose Asparagus
April and May are peak months for picking up asparagus at the grocery store or farmers market. Look for firm, straight spears with closed tips and crisp stalks. You’re likely accustomed to green asparagus, but look for white asparagus, too!
How to Prepare Asparagus
Rinse the stalks well in cold water. Snap off the ends as far down as they will easily break when you gently bend them, or cut off the tough white portion. If you’re working with large stalks, use a vegetable peeler to gently peel the tough area of the stalk from the end to just below the tip. If the tips are large, scrape off some scales with a knife.
For more tips, follow our step-by-step guide to how to prepare asparagus.
How to Store Asparagus
It’s best to use asparagus within a few days of purchasing it. To store it for a bit longer, place bundled stalks upright in a cup filled with 1 inch of water (like flowers in a vase) and refrigerate. Or, wrap the cut ends in moist paper towels, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
How to Freeze Asparagus
Stock up on asparagus in the spring, when it’s plentiful and inexpensive. Then, freeze it to use throughout the fall and winter. To freeze asparagus, blanch it first. Next, let it cool and store it covered with water in containers in the freezer. Once you thaw it, it’ll taste fresh-picked.
Recipes to Add Asparagus To
The methods listed above are great when it comes to cooking asparagus on its own for a side dish. But there are more ways to use asparagus—you can also incorporate it into dishes like salads, pastas and stir-fries. We love this Fontina asparagus tart, radish asparagus salad and feta asparagus frittata. For something creamy, try these asparagus soup recipes!
More Asparagus Recipes to Love
Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake
I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Go to Recipe
Sausage Pasta with Cajun Cream SauceI needed to use up some ingredients in my refrigerator, so I threw together this dish with a cajun cream sauce. It's delicious and everyone loves it. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Dilled Chicken and AsparagusIf a delicious chicken and rice entrée is what you're craving, look no further than this mild herb-flavored rice dish with tender asparagus. —Mary Ann Marino, West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rosemary Salmon and VeggiesMy husband and I eat a lot of salmon. One night, while in a rush to get dinner on the table, I created this rosemary salmon meal. It's a keeper! You can also include sliced zucchini, small cauliflower florets or fresh green beans. —Elizabeth Bramkamp, Gig Harbor, Washington
Creamy Asparagus ChowderAlthough this soup is best when made with fresh asparagus, you can use frozen or canned. I like to blanch and freeze asparagus in portions just right for this recipe so I can make our favorite chowder all year. —Shirley Beachum, Shelby, Michigan
Savory Waffles with Asparagus, Gruyere and OnionI took one of our family’s favorite puff pastry recipes, which uses a similar mix of ingredients, and translated it to savory waffles. It’s a change of pace from sweeter fare. Served with a ham steak and fried eggs, it makes a fabulous meal. Feel free to add maple syrup or a spicy glaze. —Leslie Ponce, Miami, Florida
Veggie Nicoise SaladMore and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish...and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois
Creamy Pasta PrimaveraWhen I think of springtime, asparagus comes to mind. This pasta dish is a wonderful blend of tender, crisp, colorful vegetables and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Roasted Asparagus RisottoThis recipe's wow factor makes it perfect for special occasions. To save time, the asparagus and prosciutto can be roasting while the rice cooks on the stovetop. They'll be ready to stir into the risotto by the time the rice is done. —Deonna Mazur, Buffalo, New York
Green Salad with Shrimp and Wine VinaigretteThis veggie and seafood salad is light and versatile—you can use whatever vegetables you prefer. —Cecilia Flowers, Nashville, North Carolina
Portobello and Chickpea Sheet-Pan SupperThis is a fantastic meatless dinner or an amazing side dish. It works well with a variety of sheet-pan-roasted vegetables. We enjoy using zucchini or squash in the summer, and you can also change up the herbs in the dressing. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Asparagus Turkey Stir-FryWhen people try this dish, they ask for the recipe, just as I did when I first tasted it when visiting a friend's home. Tossed in a delicious lemon sauce, this simple skillet dish is sure to satisfy on the busiest of nights. It's a great way to use leftover turkey. —May Evans, Corinth, Kentucky
Shrimp Pasta PrimaveraThey say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. So when I invite that special guy to dinner, I like to prepare something equally wonderful. This well-seasoned pasta dish has lots of flavor, and it won't hurt your budget! —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
Farmers Market PastaWhen we moved into our house, little did we know that we had a wild asparagus patch. For decades, that little patch has given us plenty of asparagus. This recipe can be used almost any time of year, with almost any assortment of vegetables the season has to offer. By cooking without butter or oil, you can cut fat and calories, but the flavors are still there. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan
Asparagus ‘n’ Shrimp with Angel HairWe’ve all heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so when I plan a romantic dinner, this shrimp asparagus pasta with angel hair is one dish I like to serve. It’s easy on the budget and turns out perfectly for two. —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland
Artichoke & Lemon PastaWhile sailing in the Mediterranean, we tasted a lemony artichoke pasta. I developed my own version of it that our guests love. Try it with shrimp and kalamata olives. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Turkey Club RouladesWeeknights turn elegant when these short-prep roulades with familiar ingredients are on the menu. Not a fan of turkey? Substitute lightly pounded chicken breasts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Baked Monterey Chicken with Roasted VeggiesEveryone asks me for this baked monterey chicken. Roasting the veggies brings out their sweetness. They're delicious with fettuccine, rice or mashed potatoes. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Asparagus Beef Lo MeinThis springtime beef lo mein recipe is as easy as it gets. Ramen noodles make it extra fun. —Dottie Wanat, Modesto, California
Lemony Vegetables and PastaMy refreshing pasta dish comes together in 30 minutes. Its simplicity and flavor combinations are typical of authentic Italian cuisine. Buon appetito! —Erin Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah
Chicken Veggie SkilletI invented this chicken and veggie dish to use up extra mushrooms and asparagus. My husband suggested I write it down because it's a keeper. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
Asparagus, Bacon & Herbed Cheese PizzaA zesty pizza that’s especially nice with spring asparagus but lovely all year round when you add mozzarella and bacon. — Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan
Asparagus Tofu Stir-FryWith its flavorful ginger sauce and fresh vegetables, this tasty dish is a favorite. I get rave reviews every time I serve it, and it doesn’t bother my husband’s food allergies. Check out our guide if you’re
new to tofu. —Phyllis Smith, Chimacum, Washington
Asparagus Ham DinnerI've been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it's a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska
Stir-Fried Scallops and AsparagusServed over quick-cooking ramen noodles, this stir-fry is perfect for busy families on hurried weeknights. Not only do we love the taste, but it comes together in about half an hour. —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio
Tortellini with Asparagus & LemonThis is a terrific warm-weather dish, loaded with fresh flavors. I make mine meatless, but some sliced grilled chicken on top would be awesome, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Baked Cod Piccata with AsparagusIt takes longer for the oven to preheat than it does to prepare this delicious, good-for-you dish. While it’s baking, I throw together a quick salad. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
Turkey Asparagus Stir-FryTwenty minutes is all you'll need to make this quick stir-fry. Lean turkey, asparagus and mushrooms make it super nutritious, too. —Darlene Kennedy, Galion, Ohio
Chicken Sausage & Gnocchi SkilletI had a bunch of fresh veggies and combined them with sausage, gnocchi and goat cheese when I needed a quick dinner. Mix and match your own ingredients for unique results. —Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan
Ham It Up PrimaveraI adapted this recipe from a cookbook my husband and I received when we
got married. We love all the veggies, especially the fresh asparagus.—Angelia Holland, Plano, Texas
Grilled Pineapple Pork & VegetablesCelebrate spring with a tasty grilled dinner. The pork takes just an hour to marinate, so you'll enjoy a little hands-free time with this carefree meal. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Bow Ties with Sausage & AsparagusWe love asparagus, so I look for ways to go green. This pasta dish comes together fast on hectic nights and makes wonderful leftovers. —Carol Suto, Liverpool, New York
Roasted Vegetable FrittataThe wonderful thing about frittatas is that I can make them with whatever I have available in my garden and in the pantry. This version uses spring produce to its fullest. Roasting really intensifies the natural sweetness of the asparagus and onion, and the earthiness of the potatoes. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Mediterranean Shrimp 'n' PastaSun-dried tomatoes and curry take center stage in this dish that's loaded with tender shrimp and pasta. —Shirley Kunde, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Pasta with AsparagusMany terrific recipes change hands at my ladies' bridge group's monthly get-togethers. That's where I discovered this zippy, tempting dish. The garlic, asparagus, Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes create an irresistible taste combination. —Jean Fisher, Redlands, California
