How to Cut and Store Asparagus

A bunch of asparagus in a glass jar with water.

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.

Course Tutorial

Cuisine American

Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free, Kosher, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings servings

Calories 23kcal

Author Alana Lieberman

Cost $5

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