How to Cook Asparagus 6 Different Ways

If you love ordering asparagus when you dine out but struggle to recreate those flavors in your kitchen, you’re about to learn how to cook asparagus in 6 different ways. Each method for cooking asparagus will bring out that delicious flavor and help you add a tasty and nutritious asparagus recipe side to your meal.

Yes, you can eat asparagus raw and even make salads more lively with its sweet, natural crunch. But if you want to know how to cook asparagus, scroll down for 5 cooking methods that will help you master making this veggie for dinner tonight.

Prep Your Asparagus First

Before you cook your asparagus in any of the following methods, you need to prep it. This requires trimming those tough and woody ends at the bottom of the stalks. You can simply snap them off at the breaking point, or you can line them up on a cutting board and slice them off all at once. Don’t forget to wash your asparagus before cooking, and for methods such as oven-roasting or sauteing, you will want to pat them dry to remove all water to let them brown up nicely.

How to Cook Asparagus on the Stove

If you are pressed for time on a busy weeknight, cooking asparagus on the stove is the way to go. You can sauté it or pan roast it in just minutes!

How to cook Asparagus on the Stove with the Sauté method:

You can cut up your asparagus spears into pieces or leave them whole. Add olive oil to a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté for up to 5 minutes. The spears should be tender and lightly browned. Add salt at the end, and butter too if you wish.

How to cook Asparagus in the Oven with the Pan-roast method:

Pan-roasting asparagus is just as easy as sauteing it while helping you achieve the kind of roasted flavor you get in the oven. In summer, this is a better alternative to help keep from heating up your kitchen too much. Add olive oil and butter to your pan along with your asparagus spears and set on medium-high heat. Cover it with a lid to let steam cook the asparagus until they look bright and are slightly tender, about 3 minutes.

Next, turn up the heat to high, searing your asparagus for up to 5 minutes. When the asparagus are browned, they’re ready.

For both stovetop methods, they’ll go great with fresh pan-seared seafood dishes, like salmon. If you cut up your spears, you can also toss them with pasta for a garden fresh dinner that’s ready fast.

How to Cook Asparagus in Boiling Water

Boiled asparagus may sound bland, but it’s the best way to cook your asparagus when pairing it with rich sauces. Simply set a pot of water to boil and add salt once it gets to a rolling boil.

You can then cook your asparagus spears, though pay attention to the thickness of the stalks. If they’re thin, about 1 minute should do. For thicker stalks, boil for 3 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they are tender and bright green. You can serve this simple side with a complex sauce like hollandaise or bechamel for the perfect contrast.

How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven

If you have a little more time on your side, cooking asparagus in the oven will give you epic flavors. Make sure you preheat your oven first to 400°F. While the oven warms up, you can toss your asparagus spears in olive oil and seasonings to coat each piece. Salt and black pepper work just fine, though feel free to add garlic powder or any other seasonings you like.

Once the asparagus is coated well, spread them in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. When the oven is fully preheated, pop the baking sheet with the asparagus in and roast for 10 minutes. The spears will be lightly browned on the edges when they’re ready, making them the ideal match for juicy steaks, roasted chicken, or even your favorite seafood dishes such as shrimp or salmon.

How to Cook Asparagus on a Grill

Grilling your asparagus unlocks some of the best flavors from this vegetable. It’s perfect for summer and will go great with grilled chicken, ribs, steaks, and more. You’ll want to make sure your grill grates are clean before you preheat it to between 350° to 400°F.

While your grill gets to the right temperature, toss the asparagus spears in a bowl with olive oil and seasonings, such as salt and pepper. When the grill is ready, set the spears of asparagus perpendicularly across the grill grate bars. Close the lid and grill for 6 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the spears. You can use your tongs to turn them to get grill marks on all sides halfway through this time. They’ll be ready when they are crisp and tender.

How to Cook Asparagus with Steam

Steamed asparagus is lovely with your favorite salad dressings or dips. You can experiment to find your favorite flavor to pair these tender spears with after steaming.

You’ll need to put your prepared asparagus in a steamer basket in a pot on your stove. Cover it, and turn the heat on high. When the pot starts generating steam, your asparagus will be ready in about 2 to 4 minutes. Check the spears to see if they’re tender and bright green.

No matter which of these methods you use for cooking asparagus, you will get amazing results. Try one of them the next time you have fresh asparagus, or run out and get some to pair with dinner tonight!