How to Cook Asparagus 8 Different Ways

People tend to have their go-to method for cooking asparagus, and for most, that is steaming. No matter how you usually prepare it, try one of these methods and find a tasty new way to cook these delicious green stalks once known as the food of kings.

Whatever technique you choose, either trim the asparagus or peel the stalks before cooking!

  • 01 of 08

    Blanch (or Boil) Asparagus

    Freshly Cooked Asparagus
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    Blanching, or briefly submerging vegetables in boiling salted water, can be a wonderful way to cook asparagus, despite the unappetizing image of an overcooked, gray, boiled vegetable. By cooking asparagus quickly in truly boiling water and then fully chilling it in ice water, you can "set" the green color. It's the perfect way to cook asparagus if you will be serving it chilled.

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, drop asparagus in and cook until just tender, anywhere from 1 to 4 minutes depending on thickness. Drain and put asparagus in ice water until fully cool. Remove asparagus from ice water and pat dry.

  • 02 of 08

    Grill Asparagus

    Grilled asparagus

    The Spruce

     

    Grilling asparagus is a wonderful way to preserve its grassy flavor and add a bit of smoky edge in the process. Simple toss trimmed or peeled asparagus spears with a bit of vegetable oil and put them on a hot grill. Place them across the grates so that they don't fall into the grill. Cook, turning to brown evenly, until tender, about 10 minutes total. Sprinkle with salt and/or lemon juice and serve hot or at room temperature.

  • 03 of 08

    Microwave Asparagus

    Microwave asparagus recipe

    The Spruce

    Microwaving asparagus cooks it in a way similar to steaming. To microwave asparagus, simple set asparagus in a microwave-safe baking dish, add 2 tablespoons of water, cover, and microwave on high until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Let stand, still covered, another 3 minutes or so.

  • 04 of 08

    Pan-Roast Asparagus

    Pan roasted asparagus recipe

    ​The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

    Pan roasting is part steaming and part sauteeing and gives you the browned edges of grilled or roasted asparagus without the hassle of heating up a grill or oven. Heat a bit of cooking oil or butter in a large frying pan over high heat. Add asparagus, cover, and cook, shaking the pan now and again, until asparagus is browned and tender, about 10 minutes.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08

    Pickled Asparagus

    Asparagus refrigerator pickled recipe

    ​The Spruce Eats / Anfisa Strizh

    Asparagus makes delicious pickles, perfect alongside cured meats, in sandwiches, or as stirrers in Bloody Marys! This method uses brine and pickles the vegetables in the fridge.

  • 06 of 08

    Roast Asparagus

    baked asparagus
    Roasted Asparagus. Photo © Foodcollection RF/Getty Images

    To roast asparagus, turn on the oven, put asparagus in the oven, cook until brown and tender. It's that easy. Just add a bit of cooking oil to the asparagus to keep it from drying out in the oven. Sprinkle with salt and a squirt of lemon juice before serving, if you're so inclined.

  • 07 of 08

    Saute or Stir-Fry Asparagus

    Close-up of Cooking Asparagus in Pan on Stove at Home
    Anna Hoegner / EyeEm / Getty Images

    Cooking asparagus over high heat while stirring often leads to tender, bright green bites and brings out the nutty edge of asparagus's mainly grassy flavor. This method works best with asparagus that has first been cut into 1- to 2-inch lengths. 

    Heat a wok or large frying pan over high heat, add cooking oil and when it is hot enough to shimmer a bit toss in the asparagus. Cook, stirring pretty much constantly until asparagus is tender and browned on the edges, 3 to 5 minutes depending on the thickness of asparagus. If you want to include garlic, green onions, ginger, or other aromatics, add them right before adding the asparagus and let them sizzle for just a minute before tossing in the asparagus.

  • 08 of 08

    Steam Asparagus

    Asparagus With Lemon
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    Asparagus is usually steamed as whole stalks, but it can be steamed cut into bite-size pieces if you like. Whether you steam it whole or chopped, place asparagus in a steamer rack and set over boiling water. Cover and cook until asparagus is tender, 4 to 8 minutes depending on the thickness of the asparagus stalks.

    Steamed asparagus is frequently served with a bit of butter and salt. Traditionally it is napped with a bit of hollandaise sauce. A more decadent way to serve it is with a light vinaigrette and sieved or grated hard-cooked eggs.