How to Cook Asparagus
Total Time
15 mins
Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Rating
5 out of 5 stars
(33)
Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Lemon wedges, for squeezing
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Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them onto the baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, or until the spears are lightly crisp and tender. Squeeze with lemon and serve.
Step 2
Preheat a grill to medium. Toss the spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper and grill for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping or rolling halfway through. Squeeze with lemon and serve. Tip: grill lemon halves and use the charred lemons for squeezing.
Step 3
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and set a bowl of ice water nearby. Chop the spears into 1-inch pieces and drop them into the boiling water for about 1 minute, or until tender but still bright green. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the blanched asparagus to the ice water and chill for 1 minute. Drain, pat dry, and toss into salads, pastas, or squeeze with lemon and enjoy!
Step 4
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Chef's notes
Blanching, roasting, and grilling are my three go-to cooking methods, but you can also sauté asparagus for a frittata or pasta or poach whole spears for a quick dinner side dish. I even like it simmered into soup. Alternatively, don’t cook it at all! Use a vegetable peeler to shave thick spears into ribbons to make a salad with olive oil and lemon, or use the ribbons on pizza or toast.
