How Long To Cook Asparagus In The Oven
If youre wondering how long to roast asparagus in the oven when theyre different sizes dont worry. Youll just need to adjust the timings based on the thickness of the roasted asparagus.
Generally, the best roast asparagus will need to cook for 12-15 minutes in a preheated oven to 400 ºF/200ºC. But the time should be adjusted for the size. Heres an easy guide for roasting asparagus:
- Thin: 8-11 minutes
The best asparagus will be lightly browned and fork-tender when its ready.
Achieve The Perfect Texture
One of the main complaints people have about asparagus is that it can be chewy and woody. This is often caused by overcooking the asparagus or not cutting it properly. When asparagus is overcooked, the cell walls break down and release their contents. This makes the asparagus slimy and mushy.
To avoid overcooking asparagus, its important to keep an eye on it while its in the oven. Set a timer for 5 minutes less than the recommended cooking time and check on the asparagus regularly. You can also insert a fork into the thickest part of the stalk. If it slides in easily, the asparagus is cooked. If it feels tough, it needs to be cooked for longer.
Not cutting the asparagus properly can also cause it to be chewy and woody. When asparagus is cut incorrectly, the tough, woody ends are left intact. These can be difficult to chew and often get discarded.
To avoid this, simply grab the asparagus by the head of the stalk and bend it until it naturally snaps in half. The asparagus will break where its naturally softened and youll get a perfect result every time.
How To Boil Asparagus
Asparagus is cooked very quickly in boiling water until it’s fully or partially cooked. If you’re not serving the asparagus immediately, plunge it into a pan of ice water to halt the cooking. This will also preserve the bright green color. Some recipes call for partially cooking or blanching the asparagus, icing it, then finishing the cooking later.
Blanch: Place trimmed asparagus in a skillet large enough to hold it without too much crowding and add enough salted water to cover by about 1/2 inch. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook until just tender, testing frequently.
Shock: Drain the cooked asparagus and place it in a large bowl or pan of ice water.
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Do I Consume The Whole Asparagus
You may consume the whole asparagus spear with the exception of the woody stalk towards the bottom. Hold either end of the asparagus spear firmly. Gently bow the asparagus away from you by bending it.
How to prepare asparagus according to Jamie Oliver
Simply preheat the oven to 220°C, gas mark 7, prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil or baking paper, arrange the asparagus spears on the baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. I also like to include a couple of fresh garlic cloves and some freshly grated lemon zest. Roast the meat for 10 minutes.
Best Condiments For Asparagus
Many delicious condiments pair well with asparagus. Some options to consider include:
No matter which condiment you choose, be sure to pair it with your favorite seasonings and herbs for a delicious and satisfying meal.
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How To Prep Asparagus
1. Wash and dry asparagus. Rinse the asparagus under cool running water. Pat dry with paper towels or use a kitchen towel.
2. Snap or cut the woody end of each spear. To separate the spear from the non-edible, woody end, snap or cut off the white part at the end of each stalk Discard the snapped ends or reserve for stock or another use.
3. For extra-large and jumbo stalks only: If desired, peel the stems. Removing woody outer portions will help to avoid a stringy texture. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the outer stalk. Peel like a carrot, beginning just below the tips and extending to the stalk end. Discard peelings or reserve them for stock or another use.
How Do You Prepare Asparagus Such That It Is Not Stringy
This may be achieved by holding each spear with one hand at the base and the other a few inches up the stalk, then bending the spear until the stalk breaks off naturally. Once you have mastered this method, it will go extremely fast and prevent the ends of the cooked asparagus from becoming rough or stringy.
With what do you pair asparagus?
Asparagus pairs well with any form of dairy product, including cheese , butter, and cream-based or dairy-based sauces. Asparagus with eggs. A traditional combination of green asparagus, eggs, and truffles.
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Trimming Asparagus Before Cooking It
Trimming the hard, fibrous end off of a piece of asparagus youre about to bake will save you the trouble of trying to chew through it later. Usually, you can tell which part you need to clip away by the color. The hard, tough ends are usually white in color, at odds with the vibrant green at the top.
Its easy to trim off the hard ends of asparagus you can use a sharp knife or even snap the end away with your hands.
How Do You Make Asparagus From Scratch
Making baked asparagus from scratch is as simple as can be! Youll clean the asparagus well, trim off the tough ends, then coat it with the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt and pepper. Youll lay it all out in a single layer on your baking sheet and let the oven do the cooking for tender and delightful asparagus.
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How To Cook Asparagus In An Instant Pot
Cooking asparagus in an Instant Pot is a way of steaming it. Arrange the asparagus on the steaming rack of your Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water. Close and seal the lid, and set the time to zero minutes on high pressure. By the time the pressure builds, your asparagus will be perfectly steamed.
These asparagus tips come from our culinary experts in the Taste of Home Test Kitchen.
How Long Should You Bake Asparagus In The Air Fryer At 350
If you want to use your air fryer to get deliciously roasted asparagus, its going to take approximately 22-27 minutes to complete the process in a 350-degree air fryer.
Because of the way an air fryer cooks, youll need to make sure that heat is accessing all sides of your asparagus. Take care to flip the spears halfway through roasting to let hot air touch every part of the spear.
If youre baking asparagus from frozen, bump the cooking time up to 31-35 minutes at 350 degrees in the air fryer. By the time its done, the asparagus will be perfectly crispy and warm.
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How Long To Bake Asparagus At 375 Degrees
Other than what temperature to cook it at the biggest question you will have is how long to bake the vegetable. This can be done various ways, but foremost in my mind is always not to overcook it. It can quickly become mushy with wet cooking techniques, or dried-out if baked, broiled or grilled too long. Cooking times will vary based on the thickness of the asparagus and of course the cooking temperature. We are looking for a tender spears, yet with a slight snap to them when you take a bite. I prefer to bake asparagus at 375 degrees myself.
When making asparagus in the oven at 375 degrees :
- Thin asparagus spears – total cook time 16-20 min
- Thick asparagus spears- total cooking time 20-22 min
How Long Does It Take To Bake Asparagus At 350 From Frozen
If youre cooking average-sized asparagus spears in a 350-degree oven, fresh from the freezer, theyll need extra time to bake. Keep frozen asparagus baking away in the oven for 30-35 minutes.
Once again, a thicker stalk will need more attention and time. Add 3-5 minutes of cook time when youre baking asparagus in a 350-degree oven from frozen.
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Tips To Amp Up Your Roasted Asparagus
- Top with crispy parmesan. Sprinkle grated parmesan on prepped asparagus spears and bake as directed.
- Bacon-wrap them. Season asparagus spears with olive oil and pepper and separate into bundles of two to three spears. Wrap a piece of bacon around the middle of each bundle. Follow baking times for asparagus size.
- Top with hollandaise and a poached egg. This is a classic French preparation. Serve the combination for brunch or with an elegant weeknight dinner.
Take your asparagus to the next delicious level with these enhancement tips from Emerick:
- Drizzle with shallot vinaigrette, Parmesan cheese, and grilled pancetta
- Garnish with chopped hard-boiled eggs and a salt-packed anchovy or two
- Top with olive tapenade. In a food processor, pulse 1 cup pitted olives, two cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon capers, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and four anchovy fillets.
Should You Blanch Asparagus Before You Bake It At 350
Blanching is the process of boiling something and then transferring it to a bowl of icy water. If you want to get crispier asparagus that is still vibrant in color, youll definitely want to blanch it first.
To blanch asparagus, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. The salt will help season the asparagus, making it even more delectable. Allow the asparagus to boil for about 2-3 minutes. Then, using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the asparagus to a bowl of icy water.
The ice water will stop the cooking process for now. When you stick it in the oven, it will be done a little faster.
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How Long Does Asparagus Stay Good For
Asparagus will stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. To store asparagus, follow these simple steps:
To extend the shelf life of asparagus, you can also store it in a jar of water in the refrigerator. Simply place it in a jar filled with water. Now cover the jar with a plastic bag. The asparagus will stay fresh for up to a week when stored this way.Remember to consume it as soon as possible for the best flavor and texture. Asparagus is a delicate vegetable that can become wilted and slimy if left for too long. Be sure to inspect it for any signs of spoilage before consuming it. If it looks slimy or has an unpleasant smell, it is best to discard it.
How To Trim Asparagus
The ends of asparagus need to be trimmed before cooking because they are tough and woody. The ‘snapping’ method you’ve probably been taught isn’t really the best way to go about it. Instead, try lining up all of the spears on a cutting board and slicing off the ends all at once, cutting where the stalks turn from white into green. It’s not always necessary to trim asparagus, for example super fresh, pencil-thin stalks are fairly tender throughout, but generally it’s a good step to do in order to avoid chewing on inedible ends.
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Best Asparagus Seasoning Options
Asparagus is not only super simple to make, but it’s also a very versatile dish. There are lots of ways to add more flavor if you’d like. Here are some of my favorites:
- Garlic: Toss in some fresh finely chopped garlic to the asparagus before cooking.
- Lemon: Sprinkle cooked asparagus with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or fresh lemon zest.
- Fresh Herbs: Top your roasted asparagus with your favorite fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
- Parmesan Cheese: Add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving your asparagusor in the final moments of cooking to melt the Parm cheese.
- Toasted Nuts: Sprinkle some chopped, toasted nuts, like almonds or walnuts, on the asparagus before serving.
- Savory: Drizzle your asparagus with a balsamic vinegar reduction before serving to contrast with the caramelized flavor.
What To Serve With Roasted Asparagus
This asparagus recipe makes a great veggie side dish for chicken or fish, and is especially tasty as a side to an egg dish for a spring brunch. But Ive also been known to snack on it directly from the pan its that good! You can even add a drizzle of hollandaise sauce if you like.
Here are some simple meals to pair with easy asparagus recipes like this one:
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Do You Bake Asparagus Covered Or Uncovered
Well, the perfect way to bake asparagus is to bake it uncovered to make it crispy and golden brown from the outside and tender from the inside, and the perfect temperature for that is 350°F. But if you want to make the asparagus tender to make certain recipes like asparagus soup or mashed asparagus, you should bake it covered with foil.
Yes, you can still bake uncovered for a higher temperature like 400 or 450°F but there high risk to burn the asparagus from the outside without cooking them.
Health Benefits Of Asparagus
Asparagus is a nutrient powerhouse that is also low in saturatedfat and cholesterol but high in dietary fiber and essential vitamins andminerals.
Asparagus is an excellent source of: vitamins A, C, E & K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese and selenium and a good source of vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium and zinc.
Asparagus is an excellent source of antioxidants which may reduce your risk of chronic disease and potassium which can help lower high blood pressure.
Asparagus is also a goodsource of fiber which promotes digestive health, fights bloating, makes youfeel fuller longer and may help reduce your risk of heart disease, high bloodpressure and diabetes.
So dont feel bad when you eat the entire pan of Parmesan Baked Asparagus!
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Can I Make Oven Baked Parmesan Asparagus Ahead Of Time
ThisBaked Parmesan Asparagus is the perfect dinner side to assemble in advance. Simplytoss the asparagus with olive oil and seasonings and either store in an aright containerin the refrigerator or spread into an even layer on a baking sheet, cover withfoil and refrigerate.
Youcan also prep the panko topping ahead of time and store it in a Ziploc bag orairtight container.
Whenyou are ready to eat, top the asparagus with Parmesan and bake according todirections.
Roast At A High Temperature
I tested roasted asparagus at 350, 375, 400, 425, and 450 F.
- 425 degrees F is the ideal oven temperature for roasting asparagus. The high heat yields the crispy outside, caramelized inside texture we are looking for without burning the spears.
- If you are baking other dishes with the asparagus in the oven and need to tweak the oven temperature to accommodate, my second recommendation would be asparagus at 400 F.
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The Best Oven Roasted Asparagus Ingredients
Bake asparagus at a high temperature to ensure the heat bakes it evenly and quickly. This creates that crisp-tender taste and texture. Simple ingredients for a simple but decadent side dish!
- Asparagus The main ingredient! Freshly picked is best, and thicker asparagus spears give you more to eat. Snap the stems at the bottom to remove the woody ends of the asparagus.
- Olive oil Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the top of the asparagus before adding on toppings.
- Garlic Seasoning the fresh asparagus lightly will give it extra flavor.
- Parmesan cheese Make these even better with a little cheese to go over the top the asparagus stalk. This will melt evenly and have a deliciously cheesy taste.
- Kosher salt This will balance out all the flavors and add that subtle salt flavor. If you like a thicker more flavorful salt, try sea salt over top!
How To Cook Asparagus In An Air Fryer
To get crispy and flavorful results, cook asparagus in an air fryer. It is a quick and easy way. Heres how to do it:
You can also add a few minutes to the cooking time if you prefer your asparagus to be extra crispy. And dont be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and flavor combinations to find your perfect match.
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