Asparagus is a quick and easy side dish for any meal. Follow these simple steps on how to cook asparagus four ways– on the grill, oven, and stovetop.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Learn how to cook asparagus in four ways. The method I use depends on what I’m serving it with. You can grill picanha steak and asparagus together or prepare a sheet-pan meal and throw everything (including asparagus) on a rimmed baking sheet for a quick dinner idea.
How to Choose Fresh Asparagus
- Touch: Asparagus stalks should be firm and crisp.
- Appearance: Ensure the buds (tips of the spears) are tightly closed.
- Color: Whether you choose green, white, or purple asparagus, you want bright and vibrant colors for the best results.
- Shape: Asparagus comes in all shapes and sizes. Thin spears are better for stir-frying, boiling, and blanching, whereas thick spears are ideal for grilling, baking, and stir-frying.
How to Cook Asparagus
1. Grilled Asparagus:
Step 1: Preheat the grill by setting all the burners to high heat for about 10 minutes. Then, drizzle the asparagus with oil and season with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Transfer the asparagus to a grill basket and set it on the grates. Cook for 10 minutes, moving the asparagus on the basket to ensure even cooking.
2. Roasted Asparagus:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the asparagus onto a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Spray with cooking oil and season with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Bake for 8-10 minutes, moving the asparagus on the baking sheet halfway through.
3. How to Cook Asparagus on the Stovetop
Sautéed Asparagus:
Step 1: Trim the ends off the asparagus, then cut the spears into 2-inch pieces.
Step 2: Warm the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and butter, and saute for 3-5 minutes. Then, season with salt and black pepper.
Boiled:
Step 1: Add enough water to fill a saute pan about 1-2 inches. Then, add salt and arrange the asparagus spears into the pan. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the asparagus is bright green and tender.
Step 2: While the asparagus cooks, fill a mixing bowl with water and ice. Remove the asparagus from heat and transfer the spears to the ice water to halt the cooking process.
Step 3: Return the asparagus to the saute pan and toss with butter over medium heat for 1 minute.
Expert Tips
- How do you prepare asparagus? Start by washing the stalks thoroughly. Then, use a sharp knife to trim the ends since they are tough and inedible. Hold the bundle securely in the middle and cut 1-2 inches from the bottom.
Pair asparagus with one of these dinner recipes!
Serving Suggestions
There’s no denying it – asparagus tastes amazing but if you decide to shake things up, flavor the tasty side dish with one of these mix-ins or toppings.
- Hollandaise Sauce, Lemon Dill Aioli, Lemon Cream Sauce
- Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, Butter, Ghee
- Parmesan Cheese, Toasted Nuts, Prosciutto, Bacon
Storage
- Trim the ends of the fresh asparagus spears and store them upright in a water glass. Cover the tips with a silicon or plastic bag to prevent them from wilting.
How to Cook Asparagus
- 1 pound asparagus spears
- 1 tablespoon oil or avocado cooking spray
- 1-2 tablespoons butter
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Grilled Asparagus:
- Preheat the grill by setting all the burners to high heat for about 10 minutes. Then, drizzle the asparagus with oil and season with salt and black pepper.
- Transfer the asparagus to a grill basket and set it on the grates. Cook for 10 minutes, moving the asparagus on the basket to ensure even cooking.
Roasted Asparagus:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the asparagus onto a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Spray with cooking oil and season with salt and black pepper.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, moving the asparagus on the baking sheet halfway through.
Sautéed Asparagus:
- Trim the ends off the asparagus, then cut the spears into 2-inch pieces.
- Warm the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and butter, and saute for 3-5 minutes. Then, season with salt and black pepper.
Boiled Asparagus:
- Add enough water to fill a saute pan about 1-2 inches. Then, add salt and arrange the asparagus spears into the pan. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the asparagus is bright green and tender.
- While the asparagus cooks, fill a mixing bowl with water and ice. Remove the asparagus from heat and transfer the spears to the ice water to halt the cooking process.
- Return the asparagus to the saute pan and toss with butter over medium heat for 1 minute.
- Begin by washing the stalks thoroughly. Then, you’ll want to trim the ends since they are tough and inedible. Hold the bundle securely in the middle and cut 1-2 inches from the bottom.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
RJ
Monday 6th of June 2022
This is a surefire way to get the same fresh asparagus every time. I end up making these every time I grill.
Tressa Jamil
Tuesday 7th of June 2022
I am glad you liked the information for how to grill asparagus. Let us know when you try one of the other methods.