Looking for the perfect asparagus recipe to cook tonight? We’ve got you covered with our favorite ways to prepare this popular, nutritious, and delicious green veggie. Save this round-up of asparagus recipe ideas and refer back to it so you’ll always have many ways to incorporate asparagus into meals as a side dish or even part of the main attraction. These eight easy asparagus recipes range from sautéed to grilled to roasted to baked into a quiche. Enjoy this spring vegetable year-round, especially when peak asparagus season hits from late February to June.
The Best Asparagus Recipes for All Your Needs
Whether you need a simple side dish or a filling main course for weeknight dinners, we’ve got you covered with these eight asparagus recipes. They’re perfect for springtime but are so tasty you’ll likely find yourself making them all year long. We’ll teach you how to cook asparagus so that it’s tender, crispy, and never mushy. Go ahead and stock up on this healthful veggie at your local farmer’s market. You won’t regret it!
Ingredient Spotlight: Benefits of Asparagus
Asparagus is what we refer to as a very nutrient-dense food, meaning that it packs a lot of nutrition for every calorie. For instance, asparagus is:
- A good source of insoluble fiber
- An excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium
- Rich in folate which helps form DNA for healthy development and growth during pregnancy
How to Choose the Best Asparagus
Choosing the best asparagus is a key component when it comes to making the tastiest asparagus recipes. For the best results, some features to look out for include:
- Tightly closed tips
- Consistent coloring with vibrant green, purple, or white hues free from bruises or blemishes
- Uniform stalk size for even cooking. If you’re planning to sauté, steam, or grill your asparagus, opt for thin asparagus stalks. Alternatively, thicker spears work well for steaming, boiling, or baking
How to Store Asparagus
If you don’t plan to cook asparagus the same day you purchase or harvest it, then treat it like a bouquet of flowers.
To properly store asparagus, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Trim 1 inch off the bottoms and stand the stalks up in a glass or jar with a few inches of water. Store in your refrigerator for up to 4 days, replacing water as needed. Keep the glass near the front or door area of your refrigerator (which are the warmer areas of the refrigerator) so it remains cold, but not too cold.
- Step 2: Before cooking, rinse asparagus and trim off the bottom 1-2 inches.
8 Asparagus Recipes for Spring and Beyond
Enjoy these fresh recipes that show you a variety of options for how to cook and enjoy fresh asparagus.
Sautéed Asparagus With Goat Cheese And Almonds
A vibrant side dish the whole family will look forward to sinking their forks into, this asparagus recipe is sautéed until tender and topped with toasted almonds and a garlicky goat cheese sauce. Sweetened with a touch of honey and elevated with fresh lemon juice, it’s an explosion of tastes and texture that will have everyone around the table coming back for seconds and thirds.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian
Sheet Pan Honey Glazed Salmon with Asparagus
A lifesaver on busy weeknights, this sheet pan recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors. Cooked in less than 30 minutes it will get you in and out of the kitchen fast without sacrificing nutrients or taste.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Dairy Free
Creamy Lemon Asparagus Risotto
A restaurant-worthy take on cheesy parmesan asparagus and rice, this veggie-filled side dish is perfect for pairing with all your favorite main courses. Fancy enough for Easter brunch or a holiday dinner, it tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen but has a total time less than an hour, meaning you can enjoy it any day of the week.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Vegetarian
Crustless Asparagus, Leek, And Feta Quiche
A springtime staple, this egg dish has a prep time of just 15 minutes and is so scrumptious you won’t even miss the crust. Inspired by asparagus frittata recipes, it’s a better-for-you crowd-pleasing meal you can serve any time of the day.
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian
Roasted Asparagus, Parmesan Steak, And Potatoes Sheet Pan Dinner
Give your standard meat and potatoes dish an upgrade with the addition of baked asparagus spears and creamy potatoes topped with Parmesan cheese. Made on a single baking sheet with a cook time of 30 minutes, this well-rounded meal will be your new go-to dinner recipe.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free
Zucchini Pasta Carbonara with Shrimp And Asparagus
A lighter twist on a classic comfort food, this asparagus pasta is low in carbohydrates while still being extremely satisfying. Zucchini noodles are tossed with olive oil and paired with tender asparagus, protein-rich shrimp, and savory bacon. Topped with fresh herbs, salt, and a dash of black pepper, it will have you licking your plate to get every last taste.
Whole30 | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Squash with Bacon and Asparagus
This oven-roasted asparagus recipe is a staple in our weeknight lineup. Trim off the woody ends of the asparagus. Then, toss the veggies with soft spaghetti squash, bacon or pancetta, juicy chicken, and a non-dairy ‘alfredo’ sauce for a family-friendly meal that’s easy to prep ahead of time and reheat throughout the week.
Whole30 | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Grilled Asparagus
with Parmesan
Made from just five whole food ingredients, this grilled asparagus is a stunning side dish full of nutrients and flavor. Sprinkled with Parmesan cheese for garnish and ready in 20 minutes, there’s not much it doesn’t pair well with. From pasta recipes to weekend brunch, you can never go wrong with a side of in-season asparagus.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free | Vegetarian
How to Store Asparagus Recipes
To make meal prep easy, we provide specific storage instructions for each recipe in their dedicated post. However, in general, cooked asparagus spears can be cooled and transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or in the freezer for several months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some people like to season asparagus by soaking it in salty water before grilling it, but we don’t find this necessary.
The only part of an asparagus spear you might want to avoid eating is the woody end. Thick and fibrous, it can often be tough to chew and difficult to digest. The rest of the springtime veggie including the stalks and the tips will be tender and sweet.
Asparagus recipes pair well with a wide variety of dishes and can be enjoyed any time of the day. For instance, you can add it to breakfast recipes like egg bakes and eggs benedict drizzled with hollandaise. Or, pair it with your favorite greens for an asparagus salad, toss it with stir-fry recipes, or serve it alongside meat dishes like sheet pan chicken and veggies and beef tips.
Yes! To prepare air fried asparagus, preheat the air fryer to 375° F. Arrange the spears in a single layer in the basket. Then, mist them with a cooking oil, and sprinkle on your favorite seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. You can even add a sprinkle of Mozzarella or Parmesan cheese, and don’t forget a dash of fresh lemon juice! Air fry your asparagus for 7-9 minutes or until they’re slightly charred and tender, and enjoy!
When to Serve Asparagus Recipes
We’re particularly fond of asparagus recipes in the springtime, but they’re great all year long. For instance, you can enjoy grilled asparagus topped with lemon zest during the summer months. Then, cozy up with a bowl of asparagus soup when the weather gets a little chilly. From breakfast and brunch, to side dishes to pair with lunch, and veggie-filled dinner options, there’s something for everyone.
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