Asparagus is one of our favorite spring vegetables because you can do so much with it. The spears are good steamed, wrapped in prosciutto or thinly shaved and tossed raw onto a salad. Top the spears with hard-boiled eggs or serve them simply dressed with olive oil and salt; whip up a tasty dipping sauce or smother it in homemade hollandaise.
It seems that no matter what you do, this fresh green vegetable will be delicious and sweet!
How to Choose Asparagus
Look for brightly colored, firm stems that aren’t too dried out on the bottom. If you can find a bundle with medium-sized spears, they won’t overcook as easily as the pencil-thin ones (the super-fat spears are the only kind you’ll want to peel before cooking). Then, snap off the woody ends and start cooking using one of these simple techniques.
How to Cook Asparagus in an Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is my go-to appliance for steaming vegetables. Steaming not only locks in the bright green color of the asparagus, but it also gives it a pleasantly soft bite. Use the Instant Pot to prepare asparagus for appetizers, side dishes or salads.
You can also steam asparagus ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat. Just let the asparagus come to room temperature before serving—ice-cold asparagus doesn’t taste that great.
Instructions
- Place the asparagus on a steaming rack inside the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Close the lid and make sure the venting knob is set to Sealing.
- Press the Manual button and set the time to ZERO minutes on High Pressure. (You can cook for 1 minute if your asparagus spears are very thick.)
- When the Instant Pot beeps that it’s finished, carefully release the steam using the Quick Release method by turning the knob to Venting.
- Remove the asparagus from the Instant Pot and dress it with a sprinkle of kosher salt and pepper and a splash of olive oil.
Find unexpected ways to serve asparagus for dinner tonight.
How to Cook Asparagus in an Air Fryer
We love our air fryer! It’s a healthier alternative to deep fried foods. Use the air fryer to quickly and easily cook crispy (yet tender) asparagus. We’ve even wrapped the bundles in bacon, which always makes everything better.
Instructions
- If using a batter, roll the asparagus spears in all-purpose flour until they’re lightly coated. Dip them into a bowl containing a beaten egg and dredge them in panko bread crumbs. If skipping the batter, toss the spears in a teaspoon of olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. You can wrap a few spears of asparagus with thinly-sliced bacon, too, if you wish.
- No matter how you’ve prepared them, place the asparagus in a single layer in the basket, leaving enough space so they don’t touch. Bake at 400° F for 8 minutes.
Need to learn how to roast asparagus in the oven, too? Here’s how.
Our Favorite Asparagus Recipes to Eat in Spring
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Asparagus Nicoise Salad
I’ve used Nicoise as an appetizer or main-dish salad, and it’s a winner every time I put it on the table. Here’s to a colorful, do-ahead sure thing. —Jan Meyer, St. Paul, Minnesota
Asparagus with Fresh Basil Sauce
Add zip to your appetizer platter with an easy asparagus dip that doubles as a flavorful sandwich spread. — Janie Colle, Hutchinson, Kansas
Sheet-Pan Chipotle-Lime Shrimp Bake
I like to make this seafood dinner for company because it tastes amazing, but takes very little effort to throw together. Use asparagus, Broccolini or a mix of the two. It’s all about what's available for a decent price. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Feta Asparagus Frittata
Asparagus and feta cheese come together to make this frittata extra special. Perfect for a lazy Sunday or to serve with a tossed salad for a light lunch. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas
Asparagus Beef Lo Mein
This springtime beef lo mein recipe is as easy as it gets. Ramen noodles make it extra fun. —Dottie Wanat, Modesto, California
Salmon and Spud Salad
I headed straight for the kitchen when I decided to pick up a healthier lifestyle. This salmon with veggies proves that smart choices can be simple and satisfying. —Matthew Teixeira, Milton, Ontario
Chicken Quinoa Bowls with Balsamic Dressing
I love this recipe because its simplicity allows me to spend time with my family, while not sacrificing on health or flavor. Plus the fresh spring flavors really shine through! —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, North Carolina
Asparagus Tofu Stir-Fry
With its flavorful ginger sauce and fresh vegetables, this tasty dish is a favorite. I get rave reviews every time I serve it, and it doesn’t bother my husband’s food allergies. —Phyllis Smith, Chimacum, Washington
Radish Asparagus Salad
Lemon zest and mustard in the dressing add the perfect punch to crisp asparagus and crunchy radishes in this fresh spring salad. My family loves it! —Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario
Fontina Asparagus Tart
This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It's a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised…your guests will be vying for the last tasty slice. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Spring Asparagus
This fresh and colorful side dish is delicious served warm or cold. I get lots of compliments on the homemade dressing. —Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois
Asparagus Ham Strata
You can easily prepare this the night before for a luncheon, or during the morning to server later for dinner. I serve it year-round, for large groups like my card club or garden club, at picnics and at other occasions. When I do, someone almost always requests the recipe! —Ethel Pressel, New Oxford, Pennsylvania
Salmon Vegetable Salad with Pesto Vinaigrette
A bounty of vegetables keeps this salad light on calories, while salmon makes it hearty enough for a meal. It's become a springtime staple at our house. —Frances Pietsch, Flower Mound, Texas
Artichoke & Lemon Pasta
While sailing in the Mediterranean, we tasted a lemony artichoke pasta. I developed my own version of it that our guests love. Try it with shrimp and kalamata olives. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas
Veggie Nicoise Salad
More and more people in my workplace are becoming vegetarians. When we cook or eat together, the focus is on fresh produce. This salad combines some of our favorite ingredients in one dish...and with the hard-boiled eggs and kidney beans, it delivers enough protein to satisfy those who are skeptical of vegetarian fare. —Elizabeth Kelley, Chicago, Illinois
Sesame Beef & Asparagus Salad
Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies—especially when it comes to experimenting with fresh ingredients like these. This meaty salad is wonderful at the start of asparagus season. —Tamara Steeb, Issaquah, Washington
Asparagus Swiss Quiche
Fresh asparagus stars along with bacon, onion and Swiss cheese in this hearty quiche. —Mary Ann Taylor, Rockwell, Iowa
Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus
This is especially wonderful when locally grown asparagus is in season and so easy for celebrations because you can serve it hot or cold. —Jannine Fisk, Malden, Massachusetts
Overnight Asparagus Strata
I've made this tasty egg dish for breakfast, brunch, even dinner as a side dish. This is not your run-of-the-mill strata. —Lynn Licata, Sylvania, Ohio
Parmesan Asparagus
Nothing could be more simple than this side dish. Since it has just four ingredients, I assemble it in no time, then pop it into the oven for about 15 minutes. It turns out perfect every time. —Mary Ann Marino, West Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Roast Beef Aioli Bundles
Don't let these dainty bundles fool you. They're so perfectly balanced, everyone will gobble them up! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Tarragon Asparagus Salad
I love asparagus, and I love it even more when drizzled with my light, lemony vinaigrette dressing with a touch of tarragon. It's perfect as a side for fresh spring meals. —Linda Lace, Winter Park, Florida
Asparagus & Cheese Frittata
This rich and creamy frittata begins in the skillet and ends in the oven. We like this melty, cheesy dish with salad on the side. —Gilda Lester, Millsboro, Delaware
Savory Asparagus Strata
Fresh asparagus and goat cheese combine to make a delectable strata. Assemble it a day ahead and let it chill overnight for an easy brunch!—Lynda Ruce, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mushroom Asparagus Quiche
Loads of asparagus pieces add color and flavor to this hearty, creamy quiche. And its easy crescent roll crust means you'll have dinner ready in a snap! —Sharon A. Fujita, Fontana, California
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
My husband and I grill dinner almost every night, and I love grilling veggies for a side dish. I serve this bacon wrapped asparagus recipe with grilled meat and sliced fresh tomatoes for a wonderful meal. —Trisha Kitts, Dickinson, Texas
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus
Showcase asparagus when you dress it in fresh rosemary and red potatoes for an earthy counterpoint to the fresh, green spears. Add minced garlic and you get a gorgeous, flavorful side dish. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Honey-Lemon Asparagus
Everyone who tastes my glazed asparagus takes more, so I double the recipe. For another option, try root veggies like turnip and parsnip in this honeyed side. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Asparagus Frittata
You would never guess that egg substitute is used in this fun variation on the classic asparagus frittata. —James Bates, Hermiston, Oregon
Chicken Sausage & Gnocchi Skillet
I had a bunch of fresh veggies and combined them with sausage, gnocchi and goat cheese when I needed a quick dinner. Mix and match your own ingredients for unique results. —Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan
Garden Risotto
With asparagus, spinach and peas, this simple side adds spectacular flavor and tons of health benefits from green veggies. Add some Parmesan cheese, and you've got one delectable dish! —Kendra Doss, Kansas City, Missouri
Lemon-Roasted Asparagus
When it comes to fixing asparagus, I think it's hard to go wrong. The springy flavors in this easy recipe burst with every bite. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Turkey Club Roulades
Weeknights turn elegant when these short-prep roulades with familiar ingredients are on the menu. Not a fan of turkey? Substitute lightly pounded chicken breasts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Tortellini with Asparagus & Lemon
This is a terrific warm-weather dish, loaded with fresh flavors. I make mine meatless, but some sliced grilled chicken on top would be awesome, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
Asparagus Cream Cheese Omelet
When asparagus is in season, it makes an appearance at almost all of my meals. It tastes fantastic in this cheese omelette, and it looks pretty, too. —Jane Cain, Junction City, Ohio
Baked Cod Piccata with Asparagus
It takes longer for the oven to preheat than it does to prepare this delicious, good-for-you dish. While it’s baking, I throw together a quick salad. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
Asparagus Turkey Stir-Fry
When people try this dish, they ask for the recipe, just as I did when I first tasted it when visiting a friend's home. Tossed in a delicious lemon sauce, this simple skillet dish is sure to satisfy on the busiest of nights. It's a great way to use leftover turkey. —May Evans, Corinth, Kentucky
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Lindsay D. Mattison