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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Updated: May 28, 2024 · Published: Oct 1, 2018 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    How to Cook Asparagus on the Stove

    Jump to Recipe
    Fresh and cooked asparagus with text overlay that says "How to Cook Asparagus Stovetop".

    This method for how to cook asparagus on the stove is quick and delivers satisfying results. Whether you prefer white asparagus or green asparagus, the end results are delicious when you follow this tutorial step by step.

    Seasoned, cooked asparagus on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Stovetop Asparagus Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage & Reheating Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️More Vegetable Side Dishes You Will Love
    • 📋Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    Properly cooking veggies like asparagus can seem intimidating, but when you prepare these bright green stalks simply and in a healthy manner, you really can't go wrong. You can also grill asparagus or roast it in the oven, but this stovetop method of cooking asparagus is quite quick and painless.

    Asparagus has elegant texture and taste and doesn't require fancy bells and whistles to enhance it. All you need is a large pan for boiling and then sautéing the asparagus in olive oil, and you'll create the ultimate fresh and nutritional side dish.

    Cooking up a pan of yummy asparagus can put you in a better frame of mind. That's right; the veggie is filled with tryptophan. The amino acid can elevate one's mood.

    Stovetop Asparagus Ingredients

    Fresh green asparagus on a wooden rack.

    Prepare all of the ingredients before starting to cook:

    • asparagus spears - You can use green or white asparagus but note that white make take longer because they are usually thicker.
    • garlic cloves - To enhance the flavor.
    • olive oil - Just use regular olive oil; there is no need for the more expensive extra virgin because we are cooking with it.
    • sea salt & pepper - Freshly ground is best.

    *Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

    ⭐You might also want to check out my tutorial for how to cook brown rice on the stove. Asparagus and rice make a delicious pairing.

    Instructions

    Asparagus stems getting gut off with knife on cutting board.

    Step #1. Cut the asparagus tips. Cut the asparagus tips off (leaving just the greenest parts).

    Asparagus stems getting peeled on wooden cutting board.

    Step #2. Peel off the hard parts. Using a potato peeler, remove any hard parts so the stems are very soft to the touch.

    Adding asparagus stems to pan with boiling water.

    Step #3. Boil water. Add some water to a skillet (enough to be about ¾ inch deep), add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling, add the asparagus.

    Asparagus cooking in frying pan.

    Step #4. Boil asparagus. Boil the asparagus for about 5 to 10 minutes (depending on the thickness), or until they are bright and tender.

    Cooked asparagus in a pan with tongs.

    Step #5. Remove asparagus. Remove the asparagus from the water and reserve.

    Garlic and olive oil in a frying pan.

    Step #6. Fry garlic. Remove the water from the frying pan. Turn the heat down to medium and add the olive oil. Once the olive oil heats, add the garlic cloves and cook them until they are golden-brown.

    Asparagus in frying pan with metal tongs.

    Step #7. Return asparagus to pan. Return the cooked asparagus to the pan and mix them thoroughly with the olive oil and garlic.

    Asparagus on plate with flake salt.

    Step #8. Season & serve. Sprinkle with some sea salt and pepper. Serve! It is best served immediately but leftovers can be refrigerated.

    Storage & Reheating Tips

    Cooked asparagus: If you cover the cooked asparagus properly in an air-tight container it should last up to 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Reheat it in the pan or in the microwave.

    Uncooked asparagus: Uncooked asparagus can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It's time to throw them away when the ends become dark/mushy.

    To extend freshness: If you want the asparagus to stay fresher longer, trim the ends and stand them up in a jar or container with an inch of water so that the ends stay moist. Alternatively, you could wrap the trimmed ends in moist paper towel inside of a zip-top bag.

    Recipe FAQs

    Why does asparagus make your pee smell?

    Not everyone will notice a smell in their urine after eating asparagus, but if you do, it's because the asparagus breaks down into by products containing sulfur. When you pee, the byproducts immediately evaporate and give off an odor.

    Why does asparagus make your pee green?

    Asparagus can give your urine a slightly greenish tinge and this is thought to be due to the pigments not being damaged in the digestive process, possibly because of lower acidity in the stomach.

    Should asparagus be soaked in water before cooking?

    While some individuals opt to give their asparagus a brief water bath, I personally find this step to be superfluous. Ensuring a thorough cleaning to eliminate any grit is essential, but I don't believe going beyond that is required.

    How do you cook asparagus without it getting stringy?

    Trimming off the woody ends is one way to do this, as they can be tough to chew and lead to stringy asparagus. Opt for a higher cooking temperature to maintain that nice, al dente texture.

    Should you snap asparagus before cooking?

    While snapping is a widely favored approach for asparagus prep, it may come as a surprise that it tends to be wasteful. This is why I chop about 1" to 2" of the ends off and peel the hard outer layer instead.

    Seasoned, cooked asparagus on a plate.

    ❤️More Vegetable Side Dishes You Will Love

    • Kimchi and crab slaw in bowl with green onions and black sesame seeds.
      Kimchi Slaw
    • Grilled broccoli on plate with tongs.
      How to Grill Broccoli
    • Grilled corn on wooden board.
      How to Grill Corn on the Cob
    • Golden turnip fries on parchment lined serving board with dip.
      Baked Turnip Fries

    If you tried this recipe tutorial for How to Cook Asparagus on the Stove or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Bunch of fresh asparagus over pan.

    How to Cook Asparagus on the Stove

    Joss Dyckson
    This method for how to cook asparagus on the stove is quick and delivers satisfying results. All you need is a large pan for boiling and then sautéing the asparagus in olive oil, and you'll create the ultimate fresh and nutritional side dish.
    5 from 3 votes
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2
    Calories 147 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8 to 10 asparagus stems - cleaned--or 1 bundle
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 garlic cloves - chopped
    • freshly ground sea salt & pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the asparagus tips off (leaving just the greenest parts).
      Asparagus stems getting gut off with knife on cutting board.
    • Using a potato peeler, remove any hard parts so the stems are very soft to the touch.
      Asparagus stems getting peeled on wooden cutting board.
    • Add some water to a skillet (enough to be about ¾ inch deep), add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling, add the asparagus.
      Adding asparagus stems to pan with boiling water.
    • Boil the asparagus for about 5 to 10 minutes (depending on the thickness), or until they are bright and tender.
      Asparagus cooking in frying pan.
    • Remove the asparagus from the water and reserve.
      Cooked asparagus in a pan with tongs.
    • Remove the water from the skillet. Turn the heat down to medium and add the olive oil. Once the olive oil heats, add the garlic cloves and cook them until they are golden-brown.
      Garlic and olive oil in a frying pan.
    • Return the cooked asparagus to the pan and mix them thoroughly with the olive oil and garlic.
      Asparagus in frying pan with metal tongs.
    • Sprinkle with some sea salt and pepper.
      Asparagus on plate with flake salt.
    • Serve
      Seasoned, cooked asparagus on a plate.

    Equipment

    • Skillet

    Notes

    • If you cover the cooked asparagus properly it should last up to 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
    • Reheat it in the pan or in the microwave.
    • Uncooked asparagus can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It's time to throw them away when the ends become dark/mushy. If you want the asparagus to stay fresher longer, trim the ends and stand them up in a jar or container with an inch of water so that the ends stay moist. Alternatively, you could wrap the trimmed ends in moist paper towel inside of a zip-top bag.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 129mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 485IUVitamin C: 4.5mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1.4mg

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

    Want to see our recipes in action?Subscribe to our channel on Youtube!

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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. yasyn says

      February 28, 2022 at 9:29 pm

      thanks

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        March 01, 2022 at 10:14 am

        You're very welcome.

        Reply

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