Learning how to cut and store asparagus can help prolong the freshness of your asparagus for several days! Enjoy this hearty vegetable roasted, grilled, broiled, or baked. Keep reading to learn the secret to keeping asparagus crisp in the refrigerator.
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📋 What is Asparagus?
- Perennial flowering plant - Asparagus is closely related to artichokes, broccoli, rhubarb, sweet potatoes, spinach, and radicchio.
- Asparagus takes patience - Asparagus can take several years to start producing, but once it does, it can typically continue to grow and produce for several decades.
- Tastes similar to artichokes and/or green beans. It’s hearty and earthy, but tender once cooked.
⁉️ What You'll Need
- Sharp chef's knife - One of the most important tools in the kitchen. It may be counterintuitive, but using a small knife or a dull knife is going to make it more likely that you will cut yourself and have difficulty cutting your asparagus uniformly. A good chef's knife should glide through whatever you are cutting without resistance and feel comfortable in your hand.
- Cutting board - The larger the better! Using a small cutting board is going to make your workspace feel crowded and take you longer to prep.
🔪 How to Cut Asparagus
Thoroughly rinse the asparagus spears, then trim off the woody, tough ends of the asparagus, about 2 to 3 inches from the bottom.
Sometimes this part of this asparagus can easily be snapped off using your hands as well, but this method can also cause you to take off too much of the bottom of the asparagus spear. Using a knife to trim the ends will limit as much waste as possible.
Asparagus grows in sand, so the bottom portion of asparagus can be gritty and tough in texture if you don't cut off enough of the bottom.
Depending on the recipe you are using asparagus for, you may want to keep asparagus long (better for grilling and serving as a side). In this case, simply cut off the bottoms and cook the remaining part of the spears.
Or, chop it into smaller pieces (great for when you are using asparagus in a main dish like pasta). Cut off and discard the bottoms, then continue cutting the spears into smaller pieces.
❄️ How to Store
To store whole asparagus stalks: Trim the ends of the asparagus, then place the asparagus in a jar filled halfway with water (like flowers) and top with an unsealed plastic bag. Place in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To store cut asparagus: If you have already cut your asparagus and need to store it for a future dish, transfer the chopped asparagus into an air tight container or jar filled with enough water to cover the asparagus. This is going to keep the asparagus from getting tough and chewy. Any asparagus that has been chopped should be used within 24 hours for best results.
🍽 How Do You Cook Asparagus?
Asparagus is fantastic because it is so versatile.
Try cooking it using the methods listed in one of these recipes:
- Roasted Asparagus and Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Tahini Sauce
- Asparagus and Chicken Stir Fry
- Grilled Asparagus
- Lemon Asparagus Pasta
- Creamy Asparagus and Rice Casserole
- Grilled Asparagus Salad with Lemon and Feta
🔍 FAQs
You can consume asparagus raw, but because it is a tougher vegetable, like an artichoke, it is much more palatable once cooked. Most recipes you find with asparagus are going to call for it being cooked for this reason.
Asparagus is ready when it is bright green, tender but still crisp, and easily pierced with a fork. This typically only takes a few minutes. If you overcook asparagus it will get soft and stringy in texture.
The peak season for asparagus is between February and June. It's great to use in all of your favorite spring recipes!
💭 One More Tip
Avoid buying frozen asparagus. Although it may work in some dishes, frozen asparagus tends to be on the chewier side and can easily be overcooked. Instead, follow these tips to store your fresh asparagus in water and enjoy it while crisp and fresh for a long time.
If you found this helpful, I'd love to know! Tag @yourhomemadehealthy on Instagram or leave a comment with a rating and some feedback at the bottom of this page!
🍴 Recipe Ideas + More Cooking Tips
How to Cut and Store Asparagus
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound asparagus
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse the asparagus spears, then trim off the woody, tough ends of the asparagus, about 2 to 3 inches from the bottom.
- Or, you can also chop it into smaller pieces (great for when you are using asparagus in a main dish like pasta or stir fry). Cut off and discard the bottoms, then continue cutting the spears into smaller 1-inch pieces.
Notes
- Asparagus grows in sand, so the bottom portion of asparagus can be gritty and tough in texture if you don't cut off enough of the bottom.
- Depending on the recipe you are using asparagus for, you may want to keep asparagus long (better for grilling and serving as a side dish). However, for stir frys, pasta, and other dishes where the asparagus would be mixed in, you may want to chop it smaller.
- To store whole asparagus stalks: Trim the ends of the asparagus, then place the asparagus in a jar filled halfway with water (like flowers) and top with an unsealed plastic bag. Place in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To store cut asparagus: If you have already cut your asparagus and need to store it for a future dish, transfer the chopped asparagus into an air tight container or jar filled with enough water to cover the asparagus. This is going to keep the asparagus from getting tough and chewy. Any asparagus that has been chopped should be used within 24 hours for best results.
Nutrition
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Stacy says
Love all these tips! My asparagus lasted so much longer when I followed this advice.
Alana Lieberman says
Happy to help 🙂