How to Boil Asparagus (Quick and Easy)

Want to boil asparagus? This simple guide shares my favorite tips for perfectly cooked veggies with a skillet and just 1 inch of water.

Sometimes boiled vegetables lack flavor or come out soggy, but not here! Boiling asparagus is easy, healthy, and when done right, retains its crunch for a delicious side. The asparagus is boiled in just an inch of water until it’s crisp-tender. Season with a little butter, lemon, and salt, and it’s a quick side dish that’s family-approved. I would know. It’s a regular in my veggie rotation!

Similar methods

Before you start cooking, let’s make sure you’re in the right spot:

• Did you want blanched asparagus? It’s boiled in a big pot, then thrown into ice water. This method is perfect for freezing or for using in salads.
• Don’t mind using your oven? Roasted asparagus or broiled asparagus is even more delicious, and doesn’t take too much longer to put together. Both methods are my preference when dinner calls for asparagus.

Still want to boil it? Let’s get to it!

How to boil asparagus

When you boil asparagus, there’s no need to fill a huge pot of water. All you need is 1 inch of water in a skillet. This makes for an extremely quick method. Here’s the most important part: don’t be tempted to overcook it! Over-boiled asparagus turns stringy and yellow-green. Feel free to taste test while you’re still figuring out the timing. It’s my favorite part of cooking!

Here’s what to do:

• Trim off the woody ends of the asparagus.
• Boil 1 inch of water in a large skillet.
• Cook it for 3 to 5 minutes until just tender, depending on the thickness of the spears. Very thin spears take about 3 minutes, and very thick spears take about 5 minutes. Taste test with a fork so you can pull it the moment it’s ready!
• Drain and season. Simple butter and lemon are perfect.

Trim the ends before boiling

Here’s a tip for every time you cook asparagus, no matter what recipe you’re using. Chop off the woody, tough ends! The method I use is much easier than snapping off the ends, which can be time-consuming. Here’s what to do:

• Line up the asparagus spears so they’re all facing the same way.
• Chop off the ends right where the green portion of the stem starts to turn white or light purple.

My favorite seasonings

You’ll need a decent amount of seasoning to make the most of this spring vegetable. Here are a few of my favorite ideas, including a way to make your side a little fancier:

• Butter, lemon, and salt: For a basic healthy side, all you need is a little butter, lemon, and just enough salt to make it pop.
• Shredded or grated Parmesan: Parmesan cheese is a classic flavor combo with asparagus.
• Feta cheese crumbles: Feta makes a lovely, slightly saltier garnish.
• Chopped chives or fresh thyme: Both pair well with the earthy flavor of asparagus.

This side dish pairs perfectly with so many different dishes, like salmon, shrimp, pasta, and more.

Storage info

Once you boil asparagus, it’s good for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, stored in a sealed container. You can also freeze it right away and store it for 3 months or more! Typically, I like blanching it before freezing, but this method for boiling is very similar.

More ways to cook asparagus

There are lots of ways to cook this tasty veggie! My absolute favorite method actually isn’t this one. It’s tossing it in the broiler! It cooks in just 5 minutes this way, with charred and tender edges. Here are a few other ways I love to cook these bright green stalks:

• Try other easy stovetop methods, like sautéed asparagus or steamed asparagus.
• Fire up the oven for baked asparagus or roasted asparagus with lemon.
• Opt for a crunchy and fresh asparagus salad.
• Try creamy and lemony asparagus risotto.

This boiled asparagus recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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