What is the best way to cook and eat asparagus?

Blanching, roasting, and grilling are my three go-to cooking methods, but you can also sauté asparagus for a frittata or pasta or poach whole spears for a quick dinner side dish. I even like it simmered into soup. Alternatively, don't cook it at all!

How long does asparagus take to cook at 350 degrees?

Roasting asparagus in the oven at 350°F (175°C) is a straightforward and delicious way to prepare this vegetable. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the asparagus spears, but generally, you can roast asparagus at 350°F for approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

Why is my oven roasted asparagus soggy?

Ingredients for Roasted Asparagus Asparagus: Choose fresh asparagus over canned and frozen. The latter tend to have a lot of water retention, which will make your baked asparagus soggy.

What is the most popular way asparagus is eaten?

Asparagus develops a rich flavor when roasted, making this one of the most popular ways to eat the vegetable.

Should you soak asparagus in water before cooking?

You do not want sandy stalks in your salad, so rinse asparagus well in cold water. You may even want to soak the stalks in a few changes of fresh water, agitating them a bit in each to get rid of any stubborn stuck-on bits. When you're ready to cook, skip the bend-and-snap, which can lead to wasted asparagus.

Why isn't my asparagus crispy?

Why Isn't My Asparagus Crispy? Whether you Air Fry, steam, broil, or roast asparagus — if the spears come out soggy and limp it means they're overcooked. I usually categorize asparagus spears into thin, medium, and thick categories.

Why is my asparagus tough after cooking?

Lignin is not softened by heat, so it remains fibrous and tough after cooking. To eliminate lignin, snap (don't cut) the end of each spear just before cooking. It will break right at the point where the stalk becomes tender. Do this just before cooking so you leave no time for asparagus to accumulate yet more lignin.

Do you cook the whole stalk of asparagus?

The best way to judge where to cut off the stalk is by tasting it. Cut off the very end, taste, and if it is fibrous, cut off a little more and try again. When you find the point where it becomes tender, cut the bunch and save the ends to make asparagus stalk soup.

How do you not over cook asparagus?

Another way to prevent overcooking is to shock the asparagus in an ice bath. Once you remove asparagus from the heat, pour the veggies into a bowl of ice-cold water. The cold water will stop the cooking process as well as bring out the vegetable's naturally bright color and maintain its crisp texture.

When can you no longer eat asparagus?

The tips tend to go soft first, followed by a shriveling of the stems. The stalks will go from bright green and firm to dull-colored and limp when it's starting to reach its expiration date. By the time the tips turn black, you'll notice they're completely mushy and probably smell a little funky, too.

Do you wash asparagus before baking?

One thing you definitely don't want to do is wash asparagus before storing it—the added moisture will cause the spears to get slimy. When you're ready to cook, just give them a quick rinse under cool running water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel, as Pradhan recommends.

What's the healthiest way to eat asparagus?

Boil, griddle or roast fresh, tender asparagus and eat on its own with some low-fat dairy-free yogurt, or sprinkle with low-fat dressing, balsamic vinegar or soy sauce. Slice – raw or cooked – asparagus stalks and add to stir-fries, risottos, soups, sauces, tarts and quiches.

What is the best way to cook asparagus without losing nutrients?

Cut the asparagus into pieces of two inches, approximately, and sauté them for four to six minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper. All these alternatives are quick and delicious. You should keep in mind, however, that steaming is usually the cooking process that preserves more nutrients of a vegetable.

Basic Roasted Asparagus Recipe (2024)

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This quick and easy recipe for oven-roastedasparagusis the perfect spring side dish. This basic recipe can be seasoned many different ways—add lemon juice, garlic, or shaved Parmesan for variations.

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Asparagus is a super easy side dish that goes well with almost anything, like chicken, steak, salmon,baked ham, and pork. It’s great for a quick weeknight dinner or any holiday side dish. I live in a very divided house when it comes to asparagus. Half of us love it, and the other half… not so much! But I still make this roasted asparagus and toss the leftovers in my salads, with eggs, or just heat it up for lunch. Roasting asparagus is a delicious and simple way to prepare this nutritious vegetable. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:

Why You’ll Love This Roasted Asparagus Recipe

Easy: It doesn’t get much easier than this asparagus recipe. Just prep and season the asparagus and throw them in the oven.
No Chopping Required: You only have to snap the tough ends off the spears.
Quick: Since asparagus are so thin, they only need about 10 minutes to roast, which is much faster than many other veggies.
Nutritious: These healthy roasted asparagus are packed with vitamins A, C, and K and iron. They’re also a great source of protein and fiber.

What You’ll Need

To make this basic recipe you will need a bunch of asparagus, olive oil or olive oil spray, kosher salt and fresh black pepper.

(See full recipe below in the recipe card.)

How to Roast Asparagus

Roasted asparagus is versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes, making it a perfect side for weeknight dinners or special occasions. This simple method will give you tender-crisp asparagus:

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F. This temperature is ideal for roasting asparagus.
Prepare the Asparagus: Rinse the asparagus under cold water to clean then dry. Trim off the tough woody ends of the asparagus spears. This can be about 1-2 inches from the bottom, or you can find the natural breaking point by gently bending the spear until it snaps.
Season the Asparagus: Place the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet. Spray with oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Arrange for Roasting: Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure there’s a little space between the spears so they roast properly rather than steam.
Roast: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Roast for about 12-15 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender and lightly browned. Thinner spears will cook faster, so adjust the time accordingly.
Serve: Once done, you can optionally squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the asparagus for a fresh zing or top with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a savory finish. See more ideas below.

Roasted Asparagus Ideas and Variations

Lemon: After the asparagus stalks are roasted, squeeze some fresh lemon juice or zest a lemon on top.
Cheese: Top the veggies with 1 ounce of shaved parmesan or crumbled feta cheese.
Melted Cheese: Sprinkle the asparagus with mozzarella or Swiss cheese in the last minute of cooking and let it melt for cheesy asparagus.
Garlic: Add a minced garlic clove to the spears before roasting.
Seasoning: Switch up the flavor by using lemon pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, or garlic powder.
Vinegar: Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of chives, parsley or basil at the end adds freshness and flavor.

What to Serve with Roasted Asparagus

This roast asparagus recipe is versatile and would be great with any protein and starchy side dish. Below is a list of ideas.

Poultry: Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets, Grilled Chicken Breast
Seafood: Pesto Salmon, Air Fryer Shrimp
Pork: Air Fryer Pork Chops, Baked Honey-Mustard Ham
Meat: Air Fryer Steak,Roast Beef
Sides: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Corn on the Cob, Baked Potato

Leftovers

Store asparagus in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat in the microwave 1 to 2 minutes.

What is the best way to cook asparagus?

I find roasting asparagus in a 400F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness, will give you perfect asparagus every time.

How long does it take for asparagus to cook at 350F?

To roast asparagus at 350F, it will take 12 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness.

Why you shouldn’t cut the ends off asparagus?

There’s nothing wrong with cutting off the woody ends, but you can also easily snap them off instead.

Asparagus: A Superfood for Digestive Health, Immunity, and Beyond

Asparagus is indeed a superfood, making it a must-have in any diet aiming for nutritional completeness and disease prevention. This vegetable is not just delicious but also offers significant health benefits in every serving.

It’s packed with fiber for digestive health, folate for DNA synthesis, and vitamins A, C, and E for immune support, skin health, and vision. It’s rich in antioxidants and the amino acid asparagine, promoting a healthy heart and reducing disease risk.

More Asparagus Recipes You May Enjoy:

Parmesan Asparagus Fries
Chicken and Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Roasted Asparagus with Dijon Vinaigrette

Roasted Asparagus Recipe

5 from 10 votes

Cals:26

Protein:2.5

Carbs:5

This quick and easy recipe for oven-roastedasparagusis the perfect spring side dish. This basic recipe can be seasoned many different ways—add lemon juice, garlic, or shaved parmesan for variations.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Equipment

sheet pan

Ingredients

▢ 1 bunch fresh asparagus, about 18 ounces
▢ olive oil spray
▢ kosher salt, to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
▢ fresh black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (205°C). This temperature is ideal for roasting asparagus, allowing it to become tender and slightly caramelized.
Prepare the Asparagus: Rinse the asparagus under cold water to clean. Dry the spears with a kitchen towel. Trim off the tough bottom ends of the asparagus spears. This can be about 1-2 inches from the bottom, or you can find the natural breaking point by gently bending the spear until it snaps.
Season the Asparagus: Place the asparagus on a baking sheet or sheet pan. Drizzle or spray with olive oil then sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste.
Arrange for Roasting: Spread the asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure there's a little space between the spears so they roast properly rather than steam.
Roast: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Roast for about 10-15 minutes, or until the asparagus is crisp tender and lightly browned. Thinner spears will cook faster, so adjust the time accordingly.

Optional

Once done, you can optionally squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the asparagus for a fresh zing or top with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for a savory finish. Serve immediately.

Last Step:

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Video

Notes

Variations

Lemon: After the asparagus are roasted, squeeze some fresh lemon juice or zest a lemon on top.
Cheese: Top the veggies with 1 ounce of shaved parmesan or crumbled feta cheese.
Melted Cheese: Sprinkle the asparagus with mozzarella or Swiss cheese in the last minute of cooking and let it melt for cheesy asparagus.
Garlic: Add a minced garlic clove to the spears before roasting.
Seasoning: Switch up the flavor by using lemon pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, or garlic powder.
Vinegar: Drizzle with balsamic or red wine vinegar.

Nutrition

Serving: 4 ounces, Calories: 26 kcal, Carbohydrates: 5 g, Protein: 2.5 g, Sodium: 2 mg, Fiber: 2.5 g, Sugar: 2 g

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