How to Prepare & Cook Asparagus Like A Pro

Fancy a bit of that gorgeous green goodness on your plate? We're talking about asparagus! A proper springtime treat that's dead easy to prepare and tastes simply scrumptious. Whether you're after that satisfying snap when you bite into it, a smoky flavour from the grill, or something tender and juicy, you've come to the right place for the know-how to nail this seasonal superstar.

This straightforward guide will explain everything you need to know to achieve perfect asparagus every time. We'll start by showing you the best way to prepare it, so you don't end up with those tough woody bits. Then, we'll cover all the main ways you can cook it, giving you the lowdown on each method.

By the end of this article, you'll have all the knowledge you need to cook asparagus like a pro, no matter which way you fancy it. And if you're looking for more inspiration, we also have a collection of delicious asparagus recipes to explore. So, let's get started and cook that springtime superstar!

How to prepare asparagus

First things first, pop down to your local Market Street Greengrocers to grab the freshest and best quality asparagus. Our Market Street seasonal fruit and veg is always top-notch because it comes straight from British growers we trust. Choosing seasonal produce from British farmers means tastier, fresher food bursting with more goodness because it's ripened naturally and hasn't travelled halfway around the world. It's kinder to the planet by cutting down on food miles and supports our hardworking farmers. Plus, by eating seasonally, you can enjoy a wider variety of delicious produce throughout the year, often at a better price. It's a win-win-win for your taste buds, health, and community! Now, let's talk prep...

Storing asparagus

Storing

To keep asparagus fresh, trim about an inch off the ends, then stand the spears upright in a glass jar with an inch or two of water, cover loosely with plastic and refrigerate, remembering to change cloudy water. Alternatively, wrap the spears in a damp tea towel and store in the fridge's vegetable drawer. Also, try to keep it away from fruits like apples, bananas, and tomatoes as they give off something called ethylene, which makes your lovely asparagus wilt quicker than normal.

washing asparagus

Washing

Now, before you start cooking, give these beauties a bit of TLC. Start by giving them a good wash under the tap to get rid of any bits of soil. Then, grab a clean tea towel and gently pat them dry. No one likes soggy asparagus.

Preparing asparagus for cooking

Prepare for cooking

Next up, tackling those woody ends. The proper old-fashioned way is to hold the bottom of a spear firmly in one hand and bend the top until it naturally snaps. You can throw out the hard bit that comes away, or read on to learn our top tips for using every last bit. The rest of the spear is lovely and tender, ready to eat! They might not all be the same length, but you know you're getting all the good stuff. Or, if you like the precision of a knife, have a feel along the spear until you can tell where the hard bit meets the softer part, and give it a chop. Easy peasy.

asparagus ends

Leftovers tips

Now, hold your horses before you chuck those woody ends out! If you're a savvy sort who likes to get the most out of your veg (and we reckon you are!), you can save them for a soup or broth recipe. Just grab your peeler and peel away that tough outer skin until you see the lighter, softer inside. Bob's your uncle, they're good to go in your soup pot! If you haven't got time to do it immediately, pop them in a bag in the freezer until you're ready to whip up a cracking leftover asparagus ends recipe.

So there you have it! Your asparagus is now prepped and ready for whatever delicious cooking adventure you've got planned. Let's get started cooking, shall we?

How to cook asparagus in an air fryer

Want perfectly crispy, tender asparagus without the fuss? An air fryer is your secret weapon and will soon become your new best buddy!

  1. First things first, get your air fryer warmed up to 200°C. Don't skip this bit! A hot start means your asparagus cooks quicker and crisps up beautifully, giving you that perfect result.
  2. While you wait, grab your prepped asparagus spears and give them a good toss with a drizzle of olive oil. Then, sprinkle on a bit of salt and pepper. Or if you're feeling a bit adventurous, try a pinch of garlic powder or some smoky paprika works a treat too.
  3. Now, carefully lay your asparagus in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You don't want to overcrowd the basket, or they won't get that lovely crispiness. Pop them in for about 6 to 8 minutes, but don't forget to give them a little flip halfway through. You're looking for them to be tender with a little bit of golden brown colour – that's when you know they're spot on.
  4. Once they're done, plate them up alongside whatever delicious grub you're having. A little squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top really brightens up the flavour, or if you're feeling a bit cheesy, a sprinkle of Parmesan is always a winner. And just like that, you've got perfectly air-fried asparagus, quick as a flash and proper tasty!

While you're getting adventurous with your asparagus cooking, how about giving our Asparagus Tempura with Crispy Chilli Oil Dressing a whirl in the air fryer? It's a cracking way to get that lovely crispy tempura without loads of oil – a bit healthier, but still proper tasty!

Pan-frying asparagus

How to pan-fry asparagus

Pan-frying asparagus is one of the easiest ways to get that seasonal superstar cooked just right – tender on the inside, with a lovely bit of bite and colour on the outside. Just follow these simple steps to learn how to nail it:

  1. Take a decent-sized frying pan and heat it over medium heat on the stove. Add a drizzle of olive oil or a small knob of butter, depending on your preference. Allow the oil or butter to heat until it shimmers.
  2. Carefully lay your asparagus spears in the pan. Try not to pile them on top of each other too much, or they'll steam instead of frying nicely. If you have a large quantity, you might need to repeat this in batches.
  3. Let them cook away for about 5 to 7 minutes, giving them a little turn every now and then with some tongs. You're looking for them to get nice and tender and have a lovely light brown colour coming through.
  4. Once they're cooked to your liking, season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. In the mood to add a twist? A bit of crushed garlic in the pan while they're cooking adds a lovely flavour. And there you have it – perfectly pan-fried asparagus, ready to be scoffed!

Alternatively, here's a little tasty twist on pan-frying that's well worth a go:

  1. Get your frying pan piping hot and lay your prepped asparagus spears straight into the dry pan (that's right, no oil just yet!). Season them with a pinch of salt and pepper and lightly toast them first.
  2. Keep them in the hot pan until you start to see a bit of smoke – don't panic, that's what we want! Roll it around to ensure all sides receive heat, as this helps dry out the skin.
  3. Now for the magic! Drizzle in your olive oil. You'll see those skins start to blister up straight away – lovely! Cook them for about 45 seconds on each side until they're nicely blistered and have a bit of colour.
  4. Fancy a bit extra? Chuck in a tablespoon of butter in the last minute and give the asparagus a good toss to coat it all in that lovely buttery goodness. Then, if you're feeling fancy, grate over a bit of Parmesan and some lemon zest for a quick cheesy, citrusy kick. Proper delicious!

How to cook boiled asparagus

Sometimes you want your asparagus nice and simple, and boiling it is a straightforward way to do that! Perfect for a quick side or as a base for something a bit more adventurous, getting it boiled just right is key.

  1. Firstly, place a pot of water on the hob and bring it to a rolling boil. Don't forget to sprinkle in a pinch of salt – it makes all the difference!
  2. Once it's bubbling away nicely, gently drop in your prepared asparagus spears. Now, the trick here is not to overdo it! Depending on how thick your asparagus is, it'll only take about 3 to 5 minutes to get tender but still have that lovely vibrant green colour. You still want a bit of a bite because nobody enjoys floppy asparagus.
  3. Once cooked to your liking, get it out of the boiling water sharpish! You can either drain it straight away and serve it up while it's nice and warm, or if you're planning on using it in a salad or something chilled, plunge it into a bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process and keeps that lovely colour and texture.

Top Tip: The real key with boiled asparagus is to keep an eye on it. It can go from perfectly tender to a bit mushy in no time, and nobody wants that! You still want it to have a bit of a crunch when you bite into it.

Simple boiled asparagus is lovely without fussy dressings and seasoning, but a little bit of butter melting over it is always a winner. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens it up nicely, too. Or, if you're feeling a bit fancy, you can't go wrong with a dollop of your favourite homemade sauce. There you have it – simple, tasty boiled asparagus!

Oven Cooked Asparagus

How to cook asparagus in the oven

Get ready to transform your greens! Oven-roasted asparagus is fantastic for bringing out its natural sweetness and giving it that lovely golden colour and crisp texture. It's a proper tasty treat every time!

  1. First, preheat your oven to 200°C fan (gas mark 6). You want it nice and hot for that mouth-watering caramelisation.
  2. While the oven's warming up, grab your prepped asparagus spears. Toss them in a bowl with a splash of olive oil. Then, sprinkle over some salt and pepper. If you're feeling adventurous, add crushed garlic or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for even more flavour.
  3. Spread the asparagus out in a single layer on a baking tray. Avoid piling over each other, as they'll steam instead of roast. Pop the tray in the preheated oven for about 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. About halfway through cooking, turn them over with tongs. They should be tender with slightly browned and crispy tips; that's when you know they are done.

Top Tip: For extra caramelisation and deeper flavour, don't be afraid to let them get a little bit of colour. Just keep an eye so they don't burn!

Roasted asparagus is a cracking side for all sorts of things. It goes particularly well with a proper roast chicken recipe or a nice flaky salmon recipe. The slightly crispy texture and subtle sweetness really complement it. Give it a go – you won't be disappointed!

How to steam cook asparagus

For a healthy and simple way to cook your asparagus, steaming should be your go-to option! It's brilliant for keeping all that lovely flavour, vibrant colour, and those precious nutrients locked right in. Plus, it's fuss-free, which we know you'll appreciate! Here's how to get it steamed to perfection, making sure it comes out tender every time:

  1. Grab a pot and pour in about 2 inches of water. Pop it on the hob and bring it to a gentle simmer – you want it steaming nicely.
  2. Now, place your prepped asparagus spears in a steamer basket that fits over the top of your pot. Ensure the water isn't touching the bottom of the basket, just the steam. Pop a lid on top.
  3. Let it steam for about 4 to 6 minutes. You're looking for the asparagus to be tender but still have a lovely bright green colour to ensure there's some crunch left in it, no mushy asparagus here!

Top Tip: Steaming is a brilliant way to keep asparagus nice and healthy as it doesn't need much, if any, extra oil.

Steamed asparagus is lovely served with light sauces – think a blob of lemon butter or a light vinaigrette. It's also a cracking addition to healthy dishes like stir-fries or mixed into a pasta dish for some extra veggie goodness. Simple, healthy, and tasty – you can't go wrong!

Grilling Asparagus

How to grill asparagus

If you prefer a lovely smoky flavour on your asparagus, grilling it is the way to go! Whether you've got a proper BBQ going or just a griddle pan, it's dead easy. Here's how to get those lovely charred bits and tender spears:

  1. Firstly, get your grill or griddle pan nice and hot, a medium to high heat is what you're after. This ensures you get those brilliant grill marks.
  2. Next, give your prepped asparagus spears a light coating of olive oil while the grill is heating up. Just a drizzle will do. Then, sprinkle them with a bit of salt and pepper. Simple but effective!
  3. Lay the asparagus on the hot grill or griddle pan. You'll want to cook them for about 2 to 4 minutes per side. Keep a close eye on them – you're looking for them to be tender but still have a bit of a bite, with those lovely charred lines across them.

Top Tip: Once they're off the grill, a little drizzle of balsamic glaze adds an irresistible sweet and tangy flavour. Or, a touch of freshly grated lemon zest really brightens them up.

Grilled asparagus is a cracking side for all your favourite BBQ recipes, from burgers and kebabs to grilled chicken. It also goes brilliantly with Halloumi dishes or a fresh summer salad dish for added texture. So what are you waiting for? Get that grill going!

How to sauté asparagus

For another quick and easy way to get your asparagus cooked to perfection, sautéing is just the ticket! It's fantastic for bringing out its best in no time. Here's how to get it sizzling away nicely:

  1. Start by popping a decent-sized frying pan on the hob over a medium to high heat. Chuck in a little drizzle of olive oil or a small knob of butter – whichever you're fancying. Let it get nice and warm and shimmery.
  2. Lay your prepped asparagus spears in the pan in a single layer. Remember not to pile them up too much, or they'll steam instead of getting that lovely sautéed edge.
  3. Sprinkle them with a bit of salt and pepper. Then, let them cook away for about 5 to 7 minutes, constantly moving them around in the pan so they cook evenly and get juicy and tender just how you like them.

Top Tip: Sautéed asparagus is extremely versatile. You can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end to brighten up the flavour. Or, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a nice bit of cheesiness. 

Sautéed asparagus perfectly pairs with simply cooked proteins such as grilled steak, roast chicken, pan-seared salmon, or pork chops. It's fresh, slightly green flavour balances beautifully with richer meats. Give it a go with one of our Market Street meat recipes!

Check out our other asparagus-inspired recipes

And there you have it! You've mastered the art of cooking asparagus. From that speedy air fryer crunch to the gentle steam, the smoky grill, the sweet roast, or a quick pan-fry, you've got all the know-how to get those spears perfect for every occasion.

Feeling like a proper asparagus connoisseur now? If all this talk has got you hungry for more, try our favourite asparagus recipes below, or explore our asparagus recipes collection for more inspiration. We've got everything from light lunches to impressive dinners, all ready for you to try.

Crab, Radish, Greens and Baby Potato Salad

Asparagus and Halloumi Mint Skewers

Asparagus and Herb Risotto

Asparagus and Feta Tarts

Grab all your ingredients in-store or online and get cooking! Don't forget to share your masterpieces with us on social media using the #MakeitwithMorrisons – we love to see what you've whipped up.