However, it is not recommended to eat asparagus every day. We also like thicker spears for grilling since they are easier to manipulate. Medium asparagus may take about 9 - 11 minutes, and very thick asparagus may take about 11 - 13 minutes. Snap or cut the tough ends off the asparagus spears and discard ends. All you need is a skillet with just 1 inch water. Recipes to Try: Microwave Asparagus Salad Asparagus Avocado Medley Evonne Style Asparagus Soup 4. Once you boil asparagus, how long does it last? Are Electrolyte Packets Really Worth the Hype? The total air fryer asparagus cooking time is 8-10 minutes. Receive free weekly recipes & inspiration! What happens if you don't Trim asparagus? Print the step by . Place the asparagus on the sheet and drizzle with 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil, just enough to lightly coat the asparagus. The answer depends on the thickness of the asparagus, the temperature you are cooking them at, and with some cooking methods, like baking or roasting, how crowded the pan is. The type of bacteria found in some is known for being resistant to antibiotics. The reason? SELF may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Mix the dressing and refrigerate. Heat the oven. This makes the asparagus mega-tender and juicy. Asparagus is very delicate and are not to be overcooked in any way. The best asparagus hack of all, however, requires just one additional tool and about 60 seconds per bunch. Asparagus is a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium, magnesium, and fiber. In fact, some found that asparagus became softer after being cooked for up to 10 minutes. Fourth, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle the parmesan and bread crumbs on top of the asparagus and drizzle with a bit more olive oil. Roast 7 to 9 minutes or until just tender. For roasting,. To get a crisp-tender texture, roast the asparagus in the oven for 8-11 minutes for thin stalks, 12-15 minutes for normal stalks, or 16-20 minutes for thick stalks. Check if the asparagus is done by lifting a spear out of the griddle pan with a pair of tongs. Others think that its okay to eat thick asparagus because it is a source of dietary fiber. Add asparagus spears in single layer. To get started, in addition to your electric pressure cooker and a trivet or steamer basket, you will need: 1 bunch asparagus. Roasted Asparagus With Crispy Leeks and Capers. It was so simple and easy, that now I will not buy asparagus from the restaurant. Show Full Nutrition Label overcooking asparagus can cause it to be tough and rubbery. I like thick asparagus spears in this recipe. Add olive oil or butter to pan; when hot, add asparagus, season generously with salt and pepper and cook about 3 to 4 minutes, until bright green, shaking or stirring the pan frequently. The actual cooking time for sous vide asparagus is based on the size of the stalk. I also threw some capers in the pan for a briny character that contrasts all the leek-and-asparagus sweetness. If you bake thin asparagus in the oven at 400F for 8-11 minutes, it will be nicely cooked. 2022 Cond Nast. Place asparagus into a mixing bowl; drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the asparagus, and toss until the spears are lightly coated in oil. If serving the asparagus cold in a salad or another dish you can just blanch the . For best results for roasting asparagus, use thick asparagus spears, not skinny ones. Stir, and microwave for another 2 to 3 minutes until the spears are firm but tender. Place the asparagus in the air fryer basket. It is also a low calorie food. Heres how long it takes until its perfectly cooked! If the crown is older by a few years, you'll get thicker spears. Cook Time 12 mins. This will help avoid them from becoming tough and chewy. Asparagus can be large because of a number of factors including growth in water and light. In a shallow baking dish, drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and lemon juice. The maximum thickness that asparagus can attain is 4-6 inches. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. Let soak for 30 minutes. So if youre looking for a tender and delicious vegetable, go ahead and overcook asparagus! Prepare the asparagus. Rather, diameter is determined by two factors: the age of the entire plant (younger crowns produce more slender stalks) and its variety. Sprinkle salt and pepper over asparagus. Add the asparagus and cook until just tender and bright green, about 3 to 5 minutes depending on thickness: 3 minutes for very thin and 5 minutes for very thick. The deliciousness of our skinny homegrown spears made me wrongly believe that thin asparagus was superior to thicker asparagus. Toss trimmed spears with desired seasonings. Overgrown asparagus is often high in fiber and can provide a good source of nutrients when cooked. If the stalk bends, move up another inch and try again. 2022 America's Test Kitchen. After rinsing the asparagus, leave any water that clings to the spears; this will help them steam. Directions Step 1 Trim and peel tough ends of asparagus stalks. There are many ways to peel thick asparagus, but one common way is to use a vegetable peeler. The thicker ones will take around 16-20 minutes to cook nicely at 400F. Learn real cooking skills from your favorite food experts, The iconic magazine that investigates how and why recipes work, American classics, everyday favorites, and the stories behind them, Experts teach 320+ online courses for home cooks at every skill level, Kid tested, kid approved: Welcome to Americas Test Kitchen for the next generation. How Long To Grill Asparagus: Cooking time can vary. For years, I turned up my nose at anything wider than a knitting needle. Chop off the woody, tough ends! If using thin asparagus, cook only for 1 to 2 minutes. When you boil asparagus, theres no need to fill a huge pot of water. Get recipes worth repeating and more from A Couple Cooks, straight to your inbox. Microwaving asparagus works best with thin to medium-sized spears; thicker stalks will take longer to cook and may cook unevenly. Shake to coat asparagus well. Place the asparagus in a bowl. Serve and enjoy!!! Remove the woody ends of the asparagus by snapping the ends off. If you want to make an asparagus side dish, this recipe is a great option. How to cook asparagus by boiling cooking asparagus without overcooking is a challenge, but possible. However, all of these opinions stem from the same fundamental belief: overcooked asparagus is generally safe and healthy to cook. Place in a single layer on prepared baking pan. The cook time will depend on how thick the asparagus is and how crispy you like the bacon. (Hmm, perhaps the base for a low-carb dinner? Place 3 cups water in the bottom half of a steamer pan set. The cooking time for thin stalks at 425F is about 8 to 10 minutes for thin stalks, 10 to 14 minutes for thick stalks. As soon as the spears are done cooking, drain them. Close bag and leave the asparagus inside until ready to cook. Cook for 10 minutes. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, I add them to my favorite salad or soup. Lay them flat one over the other. Place the asparagus on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with the oil, and season with the salt. Rinse with cool water: Rinse briefly with cold water to stop the cooking and then transfer to a serving dish. If you have thick asparagus, peel the bottom of the stalk with a vegetable peeler. When Im ready to eat my asparagus, I cut off the tips and plunge them into boiling water for about 2 minutes until they are slightly softened. Add the strips to an ice-water bath to keep them from browning as you peel. Trim the ends of each stalk and discard. Of course, roasting at higher temps cook the spears faster. Worth experimenting with, Cooking With a Cast-Iron Skillet: Heres Everything You Need to Know, 7 Tips for Adding Miso to Everything If You Dont Already, This Is the Easiest, Fastest, and Cleanest Way to Pit Cherries. Coat the asparagus with olive oil then toss it with the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Remove from the heat and drain. Some people are hesitant to cook asparagus because they feel that it gets softer the longer they wait. Instructions. Before you start, lets make sure youre in the right method. Serve with melted butter or vinaigrette. Place asparagus spears in the top half of the steamer pan set. Thick and thin asparagus have their places in the kitchen, and the fat spears may just be in the oven. While both types tasted equally sweet, nutty, and grassy, we expected the delicate-looking thin spears to be more tender. If you're looking for something more deep-fried, try our Fried Asparagus recipe. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Serve immediately with grilled or fresh lemons slices. But according to some testers, this isnt always the case. The fresher the asparagus, the better: The tips should be tightly closed and flat against the stalks. Tried-and-true tips from a therapist whos been there. Raw asparagus salad: Were all in favor of cooking asparagus, but dont forget that you can eat it raw too. Trim dry ends off of asparagus. If youre looking to cook asparagus like a pro, look no further than this recipe. If it's a very young crown, the spears will be thin. Place the asparagus in the dish, and toss with the olive oil, salt and pepper. At 400F, medium thickness asparagus takes 12-15 minutes to cook. Count on about 3-4 thick ones per person, or 5ish . Heres what to do: Heres a tip for every time you cook asparagus: no matter what recipe youre using. Thank you for the simple instructions because Ive always either overcooked them in the oven or not enough and these instructions were easy. Toss asparagus with olive oil, chili powder, lime juice and salt. Place the asparagus into the air fryer and spritz or drizzle with oil. If you dont trim asparagus, the resulting spears will be too long and thin. Place asparagus in a large ziptop bag and add all ingredients. Cook's Note: Total Time 18 mins. Squeeze to rinse off excess off water so it's not dripping. Its good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, stored in a sealed container. Drain very well. Add the asparagus and cook until just tender and bright green, about 3 to 5 minutes depending on thickness: 3 minutes for very thin and 5 minutes for very thick. THANK YOU! Transfer to a platter and sprinkle with lime zest. Which is to say, both thick and thin asparagus have their places in the kitchen, and the fresher they are, the better. However, others say that its not necessary and that the end result will be just as good without the snaps. Method 3 Sauting Download Article 1 Cut the asparagus or leave the spears whole. Cooking asparagus can be a fun and easy way to get your vegetables on the table. Place trimmed asparagus onto the baking sheet and toss with olive oil, and then lightly season with salt and fresh ground black pepper. My parents served asparagus as a first course all by itself, or alongside the brisket at our Passover table. 1 / 8 teaspoon white pepper. If you don't trim asparagus, the resulting spears will be too long and thin. Add 1 inch of water to a skillet and bring it to a boil. Cook for 6 to 10 minutes. Grill for 5-8 minutes or until asparagus is fork tender. Roast the asparagus. Transfer to a serving plate, and sprinkle with freshly squeezed lemon juice. In this recipe, they have a distinct advantage over their pencil-thin cousins: Theyll roast in the same time it takes slivers of leeks strewn on top to turn golden brown. Toss until combined. Thick asparagus spears- total cooking time 20-22 min; How long to Roast Asparagus at 425 degrees. Lets go! Add butter and salt and bring to a boil. Very thin asparagus may take about 7 - 9 minutes. Heres what to do: Another thing to know when you boil asparagus: youll need a decent amount of seasoning to make it taste great. If youre like most people, you probably snip off the ends of asparagus before eating them. Remove from the heat and drain. Finish cooking until the spears are just barely tender, about 3 to 4 more minutes. If so, you might be interested in trying out this delicious and nutritious option. Food Stylist: Carrie Purcell. Dr. Poole, Ive never had aspargus because i dont have teeth after a problem with my jaw, so i need aspargus soft and creamy i also want to add new potatoes in butter and herb and try out prawns which is another thing ive never tried, any suggestions please. If you are blanching asparagus in advance] Arrange asparagus in a single layer on the baking sheet, with tips pointing toward the middle of the baking sheet. First, season your spears with salt and pepper. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). The typical time it takes to bake asparagus at 400 is between 12-15 minutes. Heres what we use as our basic method to make a healthy side dish, then some ideas for making it even fancier: This side dish pairs perfectly with so many different dishes: salmon, shrimp, pasta, risotto, and more. Cover and microwave on high for about 3 minutes. Wash the asparagus and dry it well by patting it with a clean kitchen towel or paper towel. Step 2 Remove. How to Clean a Burnt Pan When All You Want to Do Is Throw It Out, How to Cook Tofu So It Actually Gets Crispy, How to Stir a Jar of Nut Butter Without Wanting to Scream, The 35 Best Meal Delivery Services, So You Can Cut Down on Prep Work, Check Your Cleaning Supplies Now: A Bunch of Pine-Sol Products Were Just Recalled. Step 2: Damp The Paper Towel: damp the paper towels with at least cup of water. Combine the salt, sugar, water, and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Last Step: Leave A Rating! Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast, uncovered, about 15 minutes or until crisp-tender, lightly tossing twice during roasting. Get FREE ACCESS to every recipe and rating from this season of our TV show. Place on baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes. Season with a little butter, lemon and salt, and its a deliciously quick side dish. Where the stem gets woody and dry is where you'll want to trim the rest of the bunch. He was an optimistic urban gardener, despite a long list of failed crops: apricots eaten by rogue squirrels; corn that withered in its husk; white eggplant that might have been the first grown in Flatbush had they not succumbed to blossom-end rot. Cook the asparagus on your microwave oven's high power setting for 3 minutes, then open the door and stir. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pencil thin should be cooked for 8 minutes and the large thick stalks up to 12 minutes. We also like thicker spears for grilling since they are easier to manipulate. But do they deliver? Deciding just how much to trim will depend on the variety and thickness of your asparagus, but a good rule of thumb is at least an inch. Anyone can read what you share. (1) Yields: 4 serving (s) Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Total Time: 20 mins Ingredients 1 bunch asparagus 4 tbsp. Arrange the spears in a single layer on the pan. Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. However, some general tips for buying asparagus should include checking its size before purchase, measuring it when you get it home, and cooking it in a way that doesnt overcook or damage it. Roast them with sweet slivered leeks and salty capers. Put your griddle pan over a high heat. They promise workout benefits. Fill a large saute pan with 1/2 inch cold water; bring to a boil over high heat. Heres the most important part: dont be tempted to overcook it! And that was my loss. Overgrown asparagus is not typically considered edible, but some people believe that it may be. What Is White Asparagus? How to Tackle Chores When Youre Feeling Super Overwhelmed and Unmotivated. Third, roast the asparagus for about 15 minutes until they are tender and slightly browned. They also have a "unique aroma" once cooked. Next, season them with salt and pepper. Based on these guidelines, begin checking on the asparagus a few minutes before you expect them to be finished to avoid overcooking them. However, if youre not experienced with cooking this type of vegetable, its important to follow some simple steps in order to make sure your asparagus is cooked evenly. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). I will definitely cook it myself. Keep reading. And does size affect taste? Discard the bottom portion. Asparagus is a typically thin vegetable with a white, textured stalk. NUTRITION Makes 2 Servings Amount Per Serving (4 spears): Let steam until asparagus is tender and slightly limp, 3 to 4 minutes. You can use a sharp knife for trimming, or you can snap off the stem ends by hand. Narrow asparagus will have a cook time as low as 12 minutes, but more likely closer to 14-16 minutes. The short answer is that you will likely have a smaller salad because asparagus is removed from the dish. Discard the woody stem end that snapped off. Asparagus can get very thick, but it is not always easy to tell. Bend each stalk gently about 2/3 of the way down the stalk until it naturally breaks where the woody part begins. The thicker ones will take around 16-20 minutes to cook nicely at 400F. Make sure to taste test often while youre in the process. To our surprise, the thicker spears actually had the better texture (if only by a hair). If you want to cut it into thin pieces, you will need to do some careful cutting. Preheat your oven before preparing asparagus. Nope, youll just boil it in 1 inch of water in a skillet. How to Make This Easy Asparagus Salad Recipe Ahead of Time. Large asparagus 6 to 7 minutes. For Thin Asparagus*: You'll want to reduce the cooking time to 5 minutes. For a. The vegetables fiber is slightly more concentrated in thinner spears. Line up the asparagus spears so theyre all facing the same way. Remove to a plate and enjoy. All rights reserved. Some people believe that overcooked asparagus can make it tough, while others believe that it can make it dry or bitter. Home Recipes Side Dishes & Salad Recipes. low-carb dinner? Discard the bottom sectio. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Toss lightly to coat. Place asparagus in air fryer and set to "air fry" setting at 400 (F) for 5-6 minutes for thin asparagus; 7-8 minutes for thick asparagus. Worth experimenting with if reducing carbs overall or at certain meals is something youre striving for based on dietary reasons or personal preferences. ) Use your hands to coat the asparagus and arrange in a single layer. The method we use is much easier than snapping off the ends, which can be time consuming. Some toasted pine nuts wouldnt be bad either! Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on a greased tray in the air-fryer basket and cook for about 4 to 6 minutes or until lightly browned. Display a Gravatar image next to my comments. Add Bacon or Proscuitto: I don't have to give you a reason, do I? When it comes to enjoying asparagus, its important to cook it long enough so that the tough protective skin falls off. Check the tenderness of the asparagus after the first 2 to 3 minutes since microwaves can cook at different rates. Submerge your vacuumed sealed bag in the water. The bag needs to be fully submerged. For a simple and tasty dish, add a bit of coarse salt and a drizzle of olive oil to your asparagus before serving it. Additionally, if you dont trim asparagus, it will likely be tough and not as flavorful. 1 pound fresh asparagus 1/4 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt Advertisement Lemon butter, to serve (see recipe below) Heat the grill to medium and prepare for direct-heat cooking. (Never peel the skinny ones, or there wont be anything left to eat.) Recipe: Roasted Asparagus With Crispy Leeks and Capers. Yep, toss it in your broiler and it cooks in just 5 minutes, with charred and tender edges. Roast at 425F or 450F (if your oven is set to one or the other for another reason, this is pretty flexible - even 400F will be ok, just adjust the cooking time accordingly by a few minutes). Still want to boil it? Working in batches if needed, arrange the asparagus in the air fryer in a single layer. When you're ready to eat, whisk up the dressing, assemble the salad and enjoy! If desired, season with salt and black pepper. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces. I like to use a thick asparagus spear but have used thinner spears that took less time to cook. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Preheat oven to 475F. In a large pot or Dutch oven, saut the asparagus in olive oil until they are just tender.